Around and About: Paris

Friday 22nd July 2011

Chartres

Chartres

Chartres Cathedral

I have been fascinated by Chartres Cathedral for many years, its architecture and labyrinth. Ben and I walked part of the Labyrinth. Our guide in the Cathedral was a very British gentleman who has been doing two tours a day for 53 years. He truly loves his job.

Walking the Labyrinth

Walking the perimeter

Gazing at the carvings

Then we found a free trike with a charming French guide to show us the town.

Tour Trike

Cobblestones and charm

Wonderful open spaces and bowl gardens

Our Guide

Saturday 24th July 2011

Exploring La Défence

There is a special book just for the artists of La Défence. This mosiac column was one of our favourite pieces of civic art.

Mosaic Column

and the Thumb.

Big Thumb

We found a Shopping Mall, perhaps inspired by a cathedral,

Shopping Cathedral

and walked along The Axis, the path which marks the link between the new and the old, between the Grande Arche of La Défence and l'Arc de Triomph.

La Défence Grande Arche

The Axis eventually becomes the Champs Elysée. It is paved and landscaped to the Seine, then becomes busy roads.

l'Arc de Triomph in the distance

Tuesday 26th July 2011

History Musem

Garden of the History Museum

Ben wanted to know more about how Paris came to be, so we found the perfect place, where the history of Paris is presented in the art of the time, In two fabulous 19th century 'Hotels', furnished from an endowed collection.

19th Century perfection

Come buy

I really liked the old wrought iron shop signs.

Set us Free

Ben liked the Storming of the Bastille in 1789,

Grand gathering in Le Champ de Mars

and the celebration a year later, when King Louis XVI ratified the new constitution. Marie Antoinette holds the Dauphin in her arms. (click on it to see)

Napoleon as King

It was not long after that Napoleon crowned himself King. This portrait of King Napoleon I, was painted in 1809. So much for destroying the monarchy.

Wednesday 27th July 2011

Monet's Garden Giverny

In Monet's Graden

Finally we went to Giverny by train and the rain held off long enough for us to stroll around the famous garden in the steps of the Master.

Wild and colour blended

with busy workers

Monet's House

The famous bridge, Lily pond and willows

He painted the light, not of high Summer

but here, the soft light of early Spring

'Musée Impressionismes'

The village of Giverny is charming. He must have enjoyed living here.

Giverny Village

We walked to the Impressionism Museum where a collection of breathtaking paintings was being shown. No cameras of course. But we could photograph the garden, which was colour co-ordinated like Monet's, but just as tamed as his is wild.

Ordered gardens

Pinks

Yellows

Friday 29th July 2011

Sacre Coeur

Last time Ben and I were in Paris we stayed near Montmartre and spent lots of time climbing the hill along the back streets. We went back to revisit these happy discoveries.

Climbing Montmartre

This time we found a little artshop and the artist. We bought two of his drawings and chatted for a while. What a charming man.

Art studio and shop

We played in the Fountain...

Ben taking a dive

....walked around Sacre Coeur.

Around Sacre Coeur Church

On top of Montmartre

...gazed across the hazey view...

Evening haze over the Paris skyline

.... sent happy thoughts to the young lovers old and new...

Hullo young lovers

...... and took the long leafy way down...

Choice of cable car or steps

...to a very Montmartre little restaurant for dinner.

Seafood, salad and wine on the footpath

Luxembourg Gardens

We nearly missed this delightful pleasure by arriving too late. We only had 20 minutes before the man with the bell requested us all to leave, several hundreds of us.

Glowing petunias

The gardens are attached to a Palace.

Luxembourg Palace

Most people were sitting facing the West, anticipating the sunset, maybe taking a walk before dinner, maybe relaxing after a long day at work.

Watching the sunset

At last the sun went down at about 9.15pm and the crowd slowly walked away to enjoy the twilight.

Responding to the man with the bell and the big voice

Saturday 30th July 2011

Versailles Palace - Son et Lumière

Versailles Palace Gardens

Every Saturday evening in Summer, the Palace of Versailles opens its gardens. We are invited to enjoy the many fountains dancing to Renaissance music illuminated by shimmering lights.

Shadow and reflection

We spent an hour walking in the gardens as the sun slowly dropped

Maidens and Cherubim abound

Golden light

and shade over lawns and fruit trees in pots in l'Orangerie

Capricious fountain

Then we moved down the central path to the largest fountain, which was backlit by the setting sun.

Walking to the West

Telemann, dancing fountain and natural light

Darkness comes

There are gardens set among the hedges, completely hidden as you walk along the narrow paths. Suddenly we came to a small fountain, throwing up mist and smoke into a green laser beam. It was ringed by a marble collonade. The music came from all around. I had to search to find the large speakers hidden in the hedges.

Clouds dance in a green Laser

The most subtle display for me was a small fountain, again hidden until we nearly fell into it, which I doubt King Louis XIV could have conceived. It had fine outlets by the hundreds, pointing in many directions, all no doubt contrlled by computer. They were lit by a complex array of LED lights in many colours. This beautiful little fountain was able to dance to the music with exact precision, producing fans, and flowers as well as fine vertical and diagonal designs. The still camera can't do it justice

Subtle and exciting water and sound play

On finding our way back to the main path, we discovered the central lawn filled with fire. Gas flames were shootng up in time with the strong rhythm of a 17th century Sarabande.

The 'whoosh' of the flames accentuated the beat

At 11pm, when we (all 3,000 of us) felt like sitting down with a nice cup of coffee, they lit up the sky with a fireworks display also designed to dance with the music. We nearly missed the last train but who cares. I would have walked rather than miss this amazing spectacle.

Sunday 31st July 2011

Farewell to Paris