I was in Paris last week. The weather was hot, full sun and the streets crowded with tourists - lots of loud Americans especially. The first thing I saw as I exited the tube station near Notre Dame, was this renovation screen. I thought it was a clever, swaddling guise whilst the building was being reborn. Much nicer than the usual steel skeleton of construction racks and planks.
I love this simple, functional bridge. One thing I've noticed about my photo eye is: I love repetitive lines. Rows of windows, rebar, chairs, cows - if it goes on and on, I just have to shoot it, sometimes 50 times over. Am I a bit OCD ? Yes, I think I am. Excuse me - I need to go wash my hands now.
Here's more examples of my addiction of taking images that run in succession - I can't stop ! Look at the beautiful architecture of the Louvre - windows,windows and more windows windows,windows,windows.
Two rows of lovely trees, sporting their fall colours.
Okay, enough of that ! I like him very much - did they really have men that looked like this back in the day I wonder ? Without fail, the models always had these nice abdominal bellies and muscular arms.
Let's move on now to Les Jardin des Tuileries. This lovely garden runs along the Seine from the Louvre all the way to the Place de la Concorde. These ornamental grounds were originally designed in 1664 by Le Notre, the famous French park designer. I've read recently, that a complete renovation is being planned for this popular site.
This is a lovely place to just sit and people watch, drink in the sunshine and take a nap even. I brought my lunch with me - cheese, bread and an orange. I sat in one of these green chairs, put my feet up and read my book for over an hour. And then - I sat some more and simply watched the world go by.
There were a steady stream of athletic runners up and down this tree lined lane. This is the first time in Paris that I've stayed away from the museums - no agenda, no planned itinerary. I just wanted to be.
On my second day in Paris, I visited the Basilica du Sacre-Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart) in the Montmartre district. The Basilica is built on one of the highest points of the city. For centuries, this sacred place of worship has drawn the Druids, the Gauls and various Saints, all making the pilgrimage to cleanse their souls. The list of Saints reads like who's who: Saint Germain, Saint Clotilde, Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Bernard and Joan of Arc even.
A ghostly mime on the Cathedral steps, taking a well-earned break.
I found the Basilica to be an impressive building. The stones of this monument stay white because of the calcite content. When it rains, the calcite (re)acts as a natural cleaner. The steps were heaving with tourists, peddlers selling cheap collectables and mimes earning a day's wage. To be honest, the steps leading up to the mount smelled - well - like urine and there was rubbish everywhere. At least I had the view over Paris, and what a view it was !
I wandered a bit farther up the hill to the Artist's Market and watched the talent at work.
I love this charming restaurant. I'm certain that all of the wood facade, is original to the building.
I love Paris - especially in sepia !
"If you are lucky to have lived in Paris as a young man, then where ever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you. For Paris is a movable feast."
- Ernest Hemingway -
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