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What can I say about Paris? It's been written about, sung about, photographed and filmed probably more than any other city on earth. All for very good reason, I may add. It's full of beauty and grime, sweet delights and surprising discouragements, a city of light and dark, amazing contradictions. I love it.
Due to a business trip, I had the opportunity to take my wife with me for a short stop in Paris, a four day anniversary celebration delayed earlier in 2012 due to the birth of two grandson, one on each side of the actual date.
Off we went. Anyone who has gone to Europe from the States knows that you can arrive early to mid morning in your choice of destination with very little sleep. And we did! With this being our third visit to the City of Light (we are blessed), our feel for Charles de Gaulle International Airport was much better than earlier trips. In less than an hour, the Metro took us to our first destination, the New Orient Hotel just blocks from the Opera House. (Buy the unlimited Metro pass. It gives you unlimited access to the RER high speed train, the Metro, and the funicular which takes you up the steep slopes to Sacre Coeur.) Since it was too early to check in, our gracious and friendly hostess Katherine, took our bags and delivered them to our room which would be ready later that afternoon.
With fours days- only enough to begin to explore the city- we had a short list of must sees, even after previous visits. The last trips we missed going up to the gargoyle laden towers of Notre-Dame, just missing the last tour group both times. That was number one on our list, but choosing to wait until the next day to see it fresh, we headed for a little meal to get us going.
Department store windows delight at Christmas.
I've left all these photos very large to give a real sense of the place.
Just click on there for a very large image.
Inside Galeries Lafayette.
The winter breezes were steady, the skies grey, and the air crisp with constant drizzle. It was cool but not cold enough to stop us. Moving on to the next door neighbor, Au Printemps, we traveled to the rooftop cafeteria to eat a simple lunch and catch a view of the city. It was surprisingly empty. Perhaps many folks have other priorities than a department store, but since we had visited the city previous time, we wanted to come here and enjoy a view we had read much about. We were not disappointed.
Attemp at an artistic shot from the rooftop of Printemps.
Sacre-Couer is in the background.
The view was worth the modestly priced meal and overpriced soda. Buyer beware: We were thirsty for a Coke Light but it came at the price of almost five Euros, six plus dollars each. We don't normally splurge for sodas, opting for other local beverages, yet we needed the caffeine punch. It gave us just the lift we needed for a few more hours.
Mansard roofs and chimney pots everywhere you look.
Wandering the streets in Paris is a journey worth taking. Actually, it is one of our favorite ways to spend an evening or afternoon. With our Metro map in hand, we never got too lost, and it was easy to get back to our small and charming hotel at check in time.
The Opera de Paris Garnier.
Smaller alleys and side streets are equally beautiful for Christmas!
From daytime to nighttime.
Opting for a short nap that turned into something much longer, we rose and returned to our earlier lunch spot for a nighttime view of the city. In a word, spectacular. Afterwards, more wandering the streets exploring the tiny paths off the beaten track as well as the public squares and plazas. Everything was in Christmas glow, the smallest shop or apartment taking the time to celebrate the season.
Two not-so-young lovers in the City of Light.
Words are not enough!
(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)
4 comments:
Thank you for this wonderful article. I'm parisian, and I regularly read your blog, for anything Disney or Imagineering related.
Seeing your concern for my country and city really warms my grieving heart, and it's just wonderful to see a traveller's view of the city I was born in, it is true that we locals tend to walk by incredible works of art and architecture completely unphased. It is a lesson, from now on I'll probably try to enjoy even more the sights and sounds of my city, recent events have really proved that life is precious, and can be cut short... So best enjoy it while we can !
Zaphirato, thank you for your kind words. I too, care for your city and have always enjoyed the warmth of your people. I would like to offer an idea to you. As you explore your city with fresh eyes, would you like to send me a series of photographs with your stories as well? I would be happy to share these views of Paris from a local. If so, or if you have any questions, please send me your email address as well. I will respond privately, not posting it on my blog. Many blessing to you.
Mark
I'd be more than happy to share some pictures and stories of the city with you ! I also draw, I'm a student in an Illustration school, so I recently decided to draw more and more as I walk the streets of Paris, do some architectural and observation sketching. I could share those with you as well once they're finished if you'd like :)
Zaphirato, Thank you!
Please do send me your personal email. Again I will not publish it but we can get started.
I would love your illustrations as well as your photographs. And I will give you full credit for all you contribute.
I am very excited about this!
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