Early Spring in Paris
April in Paris is the iconic time to visit, but March isn't bad either. I completely agree with the sentiment on this lock of love, attached to the fencing near Notre Dame.
The sheer beauty of this structure never ceases to amaze me
As do the flying buttresses on the building's apsidal eastern end
And the seemingly endless sculptural decoration over the cathedral's three massive entryways
While we were inside the soaring nave
I captured these strange lights --- reflections, or orbs of spirits passed?
You decide...
I was there not long ago... Truly magical. Yes, those lights... but what's everyone looking at towards the left? Perhaps the north transept rose window?
ReplyDeleteI believe they were staring at the rose window, but the southern one (photo is actually facing towards western end of the nave.) I still can't figure out if the strange lights are a reflection from my camera lens or some strange anomaly - little green flying critters!
DeleteWe went five years ago in March. Right across the street was Esmerelda's I think, with the best spaghetti carbonara ever. We were there ten days and do you know, I think we had the most fun when we went to the Loire Valley. I didn't know at the time that Leonardo da Vinci was buried near there. I would have loved to see that. And, can't think of the name, but the cemetery where Jim Morrison is buried was incredible. Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember passing by Esmerelda's! We didn't visit the Loire Valley this trip, but would love to see all those castles someday...
DeleteP.S. Pere Lachaise cemetery where Jim Morrison is buried. I did notice that Parisians are very hip on American jazz and 70s artists - lots of billboards in the subway advertising concerts for Neil Young, Earth Wind and Fire, etc.
Lovely photos of a lovely Notre Dame. You make me want to return to Paris. Is there another tour book in the works?
ReplyDeleteNo tour book of France planned - my book on Greece is part of a series and 100 Places in France Every Woman Should Go was published in 2014. But if my book sells well, I might have a chance to write 50 Places in the Greek Islands Every Woman Should Go, so keeping fingers crossed!
DeleteToo bad about France but I'd love to read your Greek Island book even more than a general Greece one. That is where I long to go, but it won't be anytime soon. My fingers are crossed.
DeleteI prefer to think that they're orbs but then, that's me. Notre Dame is a beautiful building and, considering when it was constructed, nothing short of a architectural miracle.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Loree :))
DeleteWhat fun! A trip to celebrate the publication of your book? (Congrats again!) No matter how many times you've been, Paris is always a special occasion. One of the advantages of living in Vienna is that CDG is less than 2 hours away with a cheap flight. The trouble is picking between someplace new (I've got Corfu on my radar) or returning to a beloved favorite. Thanks for the Paris fix!
ReplyDeleteI'm still celebrating the book release (thanks for your congrats!) This trip seemed to focus mostly on food as I ate my way through Paris and Normandy!
DeleteCorfu on your radar vs. Paris? Tough choice Thomas! (Paris is ever transcendent, but for summer, I would pick Corfu!)
Beatiful each time of the Year!
ReplyDeleteIt is - just right before Spring has really sprung!
DeleteSis-Kudos on the stunning photos -can't wait to have you catch me up on the trip
ReplyDeleteThanks Famous!! xoxoxo
DeleteI've been reading backwards to catch up. And this is such a wonderful post! Sigh. I must return, soon. You capture the spirit - and those spirits too. I love that shot. Hope all is well with you. Enjoy. xxx
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