Bon Voyage!

ArchitectDesign posted about l'Opera Garnier the other day as he's off to Paris this week. That post reminded me of this photo I took of the balustrade surrounding the opera house. Yes, I'm a geek and I take pictures of parts of buildings. I love this shape, I'm totally trying to figure out who could translate this into big pillar candlesticks. Picture it in turned wood with a waxed finish.

The opera house is an amazing building because, like so many buildings in the city, it's chock full of beautiful details. There's just no end of things to see. I'm looking forward to reading his impressions upon his return. (Post your sketchbook too!)

Have a great time Stefan!

More Notre Dame, Ile de Saint Louis

Today, more pictures, less commentary.

There's metal work like this all over the cathedral. Again, the things in these buildings are every bit as fine as the architecture.

Neighborhoods all over Paris look like this, but the Ile de Saint Louis is markedly better maintained. I can't imagine how wonderful it would be to wake up here each morning.

Another shot inside Notre Dame.

The Cathedral from across the river.

Living in a neighborhood this beautiful, fresh flowers around the house would absolutely be necessary. There are florists like this all over the city, each of them this gorgeous. Click the picture to embiggen for even more gorgeousness.

Tomorrow, Sainte Chappelle and l'Arc de Triomphe.

Paris Pictures

We ended up with over 250 photos from the trip. I'd never force that on anyone, but I can certainly share some highlights.Shortly after we got to the apartment and got settled on day one, we trekked up the hill (the really steep hill) to Montmartre, and the basilica of Sacre Coeur, shown above. I read that the stone becomes harder and whiter over time. It really is very white, but it's hard to tell as it was a little bit overcast when this was taken.That evening we took the metro to the Eiffel Tower. Everyone has seen a picture, but it really is quite amazing when you're standing right there. On the hour the twinkling flash lights that debuted on New Year's Eve 1999 go off making the whole tower sparkle. If you happen to be up in the tower, or looking away, you know when it starts because the crowd cheers.

We went up to the first level and walked the perimeter, and here I am. On each side there's a panoramic photo of the view that points out the landmarks that can be seen in that direction. Probably a better proposition during the day because at night not much is lit.

Day two began with Notre Dame. Plenty of people, but not the sort of huge crowd I'd imagine in the warmer months. The weather, by the way, was pretty great. Crisp, but with plenty of periods when you really didn't need a jacket, and no unmanageable hordes of tourists. The cathedral was as amazing as I thought it would be. I mentioned to boyfriend that college professors really should encourage students in architectural survey courses to visit these monuments. Sitting in class watching the slide show is one thing, being there is something else entirely.

Inside and out, there's tons to see.

These buildings were designed to inspire, and they certainly do. What awes me even more is the engineering and craftsmanship poured into almost every surface and object. Beyond the architecture, the glass and the furniture is every bit as amazing.

Up next, more from Notre Dame, Ile de St. Louis, and Sainte Chappelle.

Death and Dinner

It's been a whirlwind of activity the last couple days here in Paris.  More sightseeing all over, but what really struck me was today at Pere Lachaise cemetary.

We'd planned to spend today doing a little shopping, which we haven't done at all so far, so I didn't take the camera.  HUGE mistake as I saw a million things I would have loved a shot of.  I'm planning a post on the cemetary alone, so I'll have to see what I can find on the web. 

We also haven't done much dining other than picking something up on the run, which of course is tres facile as there's a shop selling something to eat within a half a block from anywhere in Paris! Tonight, to celebrate my birthday last week, and to bid bid the French farewell, we ate at Le Petit Prince de Paris.  

The trip across town on the Metro was easy as we're pretty good with subways.  We had a little map glitch, but it was quickly solved and we made the reservation right on time.  For entrees (the starter here) Boyfriend had a green salad with duck breast and fois gras, which he loved.  I had escargots with a saute of peas, pea pods, carrot and zucchini.  Dripping in butter and garlic, it was also delicious.

His plat (the main dish) was a veal steak served with tomatoes and cheese, much like a caprese salad, but served warm.  A side potato gratin came with, and thank God it was big enough to split.  My plat was sauteed scallops with roasted potatoes and a bit more of the carrot and zucchini.

 

The dessert choices were incredible, but it was getting dangerously close to last train (anywhere between 11 and 1130 depending on the station) so after a cafe and the check, which took a bit, we were off.  Home easily, calls made to our moms, and we're off to London tomorrow.

As we left the restaurant the proprietor thanked us and said goodbye with "A bientot."  It's a way of saying goodbye, but signifies less time than "Au revoir," more like our "See you soon."  Paris, I've found you charming, and welcoming.  A bientot indeed.

J'aime Paris!

Day two in Paris:  First, a correction.  Sacre Coeur is a basilica, and not a cathedral.  Either way, it's incredibly beautiful.  I read that it's made of a stone that becomes harder and whiter over time.

Last night we visited the Eiffel Tower.  The tower and surrounding grounds really are beautiful.  It's gorgeous at night, especially when the flashing lights go off on the hour.  We went up to the first level and walked the perimeter reading the posted photos pointing out landmarks.  While the tower was great, it was hard to see any of the other landmarks because they're not really lit at night.  So much for that City of Lights thing.

After the tower (and an unbelievable onslaught of people selling light up Eiffel Towers, and their calls of "One Euro") we walked to the Trocadero, which may be my favorite building so far.  A pair of quarter arcs fronted by a huge terrace, it's directly across from the tower with a great view.  I believe it's now a museum, but will have to research more.

Today we started the morning at Notre Dame, which was everything I'd hoped it would be.  I have photos of the interior and exterior, but will probably wait until I'm home to post.  After Notre Dame we walked along the Seine to Saint Chappelle, which was also amazing.  It's two chapels, one on top of the other, and kind of hard to explain.  I have photos of that to post as well.

The highlight of the day followed with the Musee d'Orsay.  Incredible collection, incredible building, it deserves a post all on it's own which I'll try to do when I'm back.

Following those sights we returned home for a nap.  After cleaning up we headed back out to walk around the Marais neighborhood.  The gay bars were all crowded (and let me mention here, the French are beautiful, men and women alike) so we just roamed the neighborhood and finally settled into a table on the sidewalk at a quiet cafe.  Boyfriend had a pizza-like thing on a baguette that came with a salad.  I had a big salad consisting of greens, sliced tomatoes (they don't taste like this at home), ham, shrimp and smoked oysters.  It was delicious and a nice foil to all the bread we've eaten.  Of course we'd picked up another baguette on the way home, so the bread eating continues.

While we're on food, let me mention Berthillon, the French ice cream maker.  We stopped in at their flagship store on the Ile de St. Louis this morning for a cone.  Boyfriend had a dense, not overly sweet chocolate, and I had a creamy praline, and both were outstanding.  Should you ever find yourself somewhere that has it available, have some.  Don't think, just have some.

Tomorrow is the flea market, you can imagine my excitment!