Journées Européennes du Patrimoine

For one weekend every September, France opens its doors to government buildings usually not open to the public and a ton of museums for free in celebration of France's heritage.  I think other European countries do the same thing too.  Anyways, on Saturday, I went to Nicholas Sarkozy's house, Palais de l'Élysée, right off of the Champs-Élysée.  Since it's one of the most popular place to visit during European Patrimony Days, we had to wait in line for about 3 hours (though the French government was nice enough to supply us with complimentary water coolers and bathrooms).  We waited for so long that we missed the TechnoParade, which is just what it sounds like, a parade celebrating techno music.  Apparently, it is absolutely insane with lots of people dancing on light poles, smoking pot in the streets, and doing other crazy things.  Anyways, once we finally got inside the Palace, it was pretty awesome.  I wouldn't mind living there, that's for sure... 

Voila, le Palais de l'Élysée.

Moi in front of the palace (this is actually the backyard/gardens).

French gardens.

Close-up of the Palace.
By the time we got inside the Palace, the sun was setting. And we had gotten there at 4pm.

This, I think, is part of the President's personal quarters.  It was redone by one of the Presidents in the '60s.

This is a bad picture, but it's where Sarcozy's official President picture was taken.

The most impressive room in the whole palace. 

And again.  The room was so massive that they had set up special lights for this weekend so that you could see it well enough.

This is where all the important people meet. I'm not sure if you can make it out, but the white placards in the middle of the table denote where the President and the Prime Minister sit, respectively.

This is Sarkozy's office.

View of the courtyard from inside the Palace.

The front of the Palais.

I'm pretty sure the leaves changed colors while we were waiting in line...