Views from Above and Below.
The view from our Paris apartment on Boulevard Richard Lenoir was stellar. From the 12th floor, we had sweeping vistas of the entire city, though the Tour Eiffel looked a bit like a tiny Tinker Toy on the horizon. But with my trusty zoom lens, everything popped right into our living room — the Tour Eiffel, Sacré-Coeur, the Panthéon, Notre-Dame de Paris (in her scaffolded and hopeful state), Saint-Paul, and the Colonna de Juillet at La Place de la Bastille. While it was sometimes sad to wrap up each day’s explorations of the Parisian streets and sights, coming home to these views wasn’t exactly hard. Not a day went by that we weren’t marveling at — and photographing — the light as it touched each monument, or the sun or moon as they arced across the city, bracketing each day with beauty.
Of course, the monuments aren’t really what make Paris special; the people do that for me, whether it is Mark and our traveling companions, or French friends I’ve known since the 1980s, or e-friends I got to meet in person for the first time, or people we came across in everyday life. The photos below include the two of us atop Galleries Lafayette; people posing and snapping spectacular selfies at the Palais Royal; our party of Mark, Cathy, and Barbara at Le Village Ronsard enjoying a nice Côtes du Rhône with our lunch; a man and his daughter watching boats navigate the locks on the Canal Saint-Martin; a wonderful visit with our friend Marie-Lise at the Jardin des Plantes with Mark and Barbara; a gaggle of pompiers (firemen); a sweet young couple on the steps of the Église de Saint-Étienne-du-Mont — the steps are best known for their starring role in Midnight in Paris; Mark and me at afternoon tea (and chocolate) at Café Mulot in Victor Hugo’s House with Jill Colonna (cookbook author and creator of Mad About Macarons) — my first time meeting Jill after many years of knowing her virtually; a priest as tourist, snapping a photo of something that caught his eye on Île Saint-Louis; and the requisite selfie of Mark, Barbara, and me at the Tour Eiffel.
I love the streets of Paris — it is indeed the City of Love… or is it the City of Light? I saw a rom-com recently in which the sparring couple argues as to which it is. (Spoiler alert: they end up in love, living happily ever after.) Paris actually has both nicknames.. It was dubbed the City of Light because it was the first continental European city to light its streets at night (gas lighting), in the 19th century. As for the City of Love? That’s moniker has several tales to tell, from its 18th– and 19th -century romantic paintings, to its writers, to all the movies filmed there. It is definitely a romantic city! I loved meandering through the streets finding myself in the oldest original streets of Paris near the cloister of Notre-Dame; by Les Deux Magots, where Mark and I might have stopped in for chocolat chaud; or this crêperie where I had the best crêpe complète; across from a flower shop with a delivery bicycle or a bookshop with scarlet shutters; and on the Île Saint-Louis with its narrow streets. Even in its saddest moments — the Moulin Rouge without its sails (they fell the day we arrived) or a café set up in the rain with no customers — Paris streets have their romantic magic.
While walking the streets I came across many whimsical and beautiful things (street art in another post) — a pair of French blue Mary Jane’s with lime-green piping and raspberry sorbet insoles; a diminutive Snow White with only five of the seven dwarfs; bottles of olive oil with colorful African animals; a clever neon sign for a trendy Mexican cantina; an ornate knocker to announce one’s arrival; and the ever-cheerful sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle in the Stravinsky Fountain on the south side of the Centre Pompidou (though I’ve never seen the fountains working).
And then, there are some places — iconic or not — that tug at my heart strings since my first trip there as a college student. How can I not want to go to the Tour Eiffel? I know it’s touristy but it is an engineering marvel and I get goosebumps when I am at its immense base and feel incredibly small. The Gran Mezquita de Paris (the Great Mosque of Paris) takes me back to our trip last May through Morocco. The Arc de Triomphe attracts hoardes of visitors, and with good reason; it’s the Arc de Triomphe! I had to go see it and walk the Champs Elysées for a bit just so I could hum Aux Champs Elysées, though I’m no Pomplemousse. One night while walking in our neighborhood, Mark and I came across the exquisite Hôtel de Sens, with its formal garden in front. And who knew you could see the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur through the clock in the Musée d’Orsay? Just so many things to see wherever I look.
I leave you with this peaceful, late evening view up the Seine… time to head back to our apartment and dream of another day.
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Mad Dog
June 12, 2024 at 6:03 amIt looks like you had a fabulous time!
I lived in Paris for three and a half years – at one point I had a chambre de bonne appartement in the 17th arrondissement with a view of Montmartre and La Tour Eiffel. Chambre de bonne were the servants quarters on the top floor of a building (7th floor, no lift). Mine was 3 rooms knocked in to one, but many are just bedsits.
Did you notice that the sails of le Moulin Rouge fell off during the night recently?
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:41 amThanks, Mad Dog. It was a wonderful visit. The last time we were there, we rented a «chambre de Bonne» in the Marais — great exercise getting up to the sixth floor on ancient crooked stairs. Yes, we saw the Moulin Rouge without its sails —they fell the day we arrived.
Mimi Rippee
June 12, 2024 at 6:13 amOhhhhhh my. What beautiful views. And great photos!!! I also love the Eiffel Tower. We were there exactly 14 years ago having lunch and two young waiters brought my daughter a glass of champagne. It was her 14th birthday! I love France.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:41 amWhat a wonderful memory, Mimi! I can’t wait to go back.
Carolyne
June 12, 2024 at 6:31 amBeautiful photos of my favourite place – The City of Light and Love!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:42 amThanks, Carolyne — it is a magical place.
Diana
June 12, 2024 at 6:35 amOMG – such delicious photos of everything special about Paris that keeps us going back.
I’ll look at these again and again. No matter how many times we go, I always feel like the City is a discovery and a surprise.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:42 amI feel the same way, Diana — I never ceased to me amazed as I turn every corner.
Jeff the Chef
June 12, 2024 at 7:09 amWhat spectacular pictures! Looks like you had a wonderful time.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:43 amWe did, Jeff — thanks!
Barb
June 12, 2024 at 7:32 amDelightful post, stunning pictures! Thanks for sharing!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:43 amThanks, Barb! We were so fortunate to have such a nice view of the city.
Kim Kunzig Halper
June 12, 2024 at 7:38 amSimply spectacular! Last time in Paris for me was 2001. It was a “girls trip”, one of my friends celebrating her 50th birthday and I took my mom for her 75th! Your beautiful photos bring back many memories! 😘
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:44 amThat sounds like a blast, Kim! I think you (and Alan) are due for another visit.
Jeffrey Gordon
June 12, 2024 at 10:09 amWonderfully evocative photography and story line. So glad you had such a fun time. Paris IS unique. The city of love. Jeff
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:45 amI appreciate that, Jeff. The fun thing is that Paris without a camera is just as incredible as it is through my lens.
Linda
June 12, 2024 at 2:03 pmThanks for taking me along on your journey. So many lovely memories I also have.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:45 amIt is wonderful that this post has brought back good memories for you, Linda!
Diane
June 12, 2024 at 2:38 pm(Sigh!) Thank you for this lovely photo journal, allowing us to vicariously be there with you; & reliving some of our own memories!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:46 amIt was my pleasure, Diane — I hope my future posts bring back even more memories!
Inger
June 12, 2024 at 3:03 pmYour beautiful photos are taking me right back! And your crew drinking wine? Quelle surprise!
We were so impressed by the focus on beauty everywhere. As in you just turned around and there was something else to photograph. Can’t wait for the rest of the series!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:47 amIt’s true,Inger — no matter where you look there is something special to capture.
Benita Silvyn
June 12, 2024 at 4:07 pmLooking at your Paris photos has been wonderful. I so look forward to getting back there!
Benita Silvyn
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:47 amYou definitely need to get back again, Benita — it is so special.
Marian Jensen
June 12, 2024 at 8:26 pmMark and I haven’t been to Paris since 2010. Your wonderful post and photos remind me it’s time to return!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:48 amDefinitely, Marian! But wait till after the Olympics — by then, maybe they will have finished preparing for the Games!
Jill W Becker
June 12, 2024 at 11:02 pmStunning….makes my heart ache…must go again. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:49 amWhen you go back, Jill, it will make your heart sing!
Martha
June 13, 2024 at 2:30 amThank you for your beautifully written blog. It’s always a joy to read of your travels and the accompanying photos are outstanding.
You’re one of the only people I know who has also photographed through the Musee D’Orsay clockface and noticed Sacre Coeur!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:50 amThank you, Martha! I was surprised in several places to find Sacré-Coeur in my vie — but the through the clock at the Musée d’Orsay was a lovely surprise.
Pauline McNee
June 13, 2024 at 3:59 amI love Paris and France and you have brought it to life once more David. You have such a wonderful knowledge of the city, which I don’t really but it helps to have seen the main sites when we were there and be able to relate to your stories and photos. So happy you had such a wonderful time. I will be rereading your fabulous blog story again and looking forward to the next one.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:52 amThat is so sweet, Pauline — each time I visit I learn more about this wonderful city. I hope you enjoy the future posts!
Patricia
June 13, 2024 at 10:21 amBeautiful photos! I love Paris too. Lived there in 1972. Hemingway said “if you are lucky enough to live there when young, it will always be with you”. I think that is true.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:53 amHow lucky you were to live there, Patricia, and I love the Hemingway quote — just perfect and so true.
Frank | Memorie di Angelina
June 13, 2024 at 10:51 amSuch a splendid city. And what gorgeous photos. That last one in particular is breathtaking! You bring me back to my Paris days, a long, long time ago but I still remember them as some of the happiest of my life. Got to organize a return visit soon…
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:55 amI wish I had bitten the bullet and gone to live there when I was younger, Frank… we can’t survive on regret but we can do our best to return often and miss no future opportunities! Glad it brought back memories, Frank — plan that trip soon!
angiesrecipes
June 13, 2024 at 9:42 pmYou definitely had a good time, David 🙂 The sky views are just amazing!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:55 amWhether it was gray or clear blue, Angie, we loved looking out each day.
Gerlinde de Broekert
June 14, 2024 at 5:17 pmWhat gorgeous photos. I love Paris and can’t wait to go back. Thanks for sharing David.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 15, 2024 at 5:56 amYou are most welcome, Gerlinde. I look forward to sharing more in the next month.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
June 15, 2024 at 11:37 amDavid, you captured moments in Paris that make it so special. Loved the wonderful photos.
sherry
June 19, 2024 at 4:26 pmSuch glorious photos David. Mr P. has been to Paris but i have not. Oh the injustice :=) Can’t wait for the street art photos. I do love me some street art.
Raymund
June 19, 2024 at 8:02 pmDavid, your Parisian adventure sounds absolutely enchanting! I now miss Paris, hopefully I will be back soon as this one is so inspiring
Cocoa & Lavender
June 20, 2024 at 9:54 amI do hope you can get back soon, Raymund. It’s a magical city, with so much great food.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
June 28, 2024 at 3:08 pmI must admit France and Paris in particular isn’t even top 5 on our travel bucket list (we’d love to visit rural parts of France… Lavender fields for me, too!) Regardless of my preferences, Paris is gorgeous… Just a bit too crowded and busy to my liking. Beautiful photos!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 3, 2024 at 8:00 amLike all large cities, the crowds are crazy. With the exceptions of Rome and Paris, we prefer small cities/towns/villages for vacations. But these days we don’t want to drive so everything needs to be connected by train or bus. Coming soon, I will share our time in the Loire Valley — I think you will enjoy it!
Marcelle
June 29, 2024 at 1:25 pmI wouldn’t have been sad going back to a room with that city view either! I’ve been to Paris 4 times, but only passing through for layovers, I never left Charles De Gaulle. On one of my final visits there in the 90’s I did get to see Concorde jets around the airport while they were still in service, they were so cool. So, there’s that memory. One day I will get out to the city, thanks to your posts I will have an idea of amazing things to see and do. I’m so glad y’all had a wonderful trip.
Cocoa & Lavender
July 3, 2024 at 7:52 amI’m really hope that someday you get to explore the city, Marcelle. It’s magical.
Susan Manfull
July 30, 2024 at 7:04 amI’ve finally had a chance to read your beautiful posts of my favorite city on a large screen. Wonderful reading and exquisite photos!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 31, 2024 at 12:45 pmI’m glad you have had the time to enjoy these posts, Susan. I had a lot of fun putting them together… they brought back so many memories of our trip.