Dear Luke and Leia,
Remember my last postcard, when I asked “why do I have to go to Paris?” I had two very good reasons: I don’t speak the language and I don’t like French people. The only good thing about France is the wine, and maybe the food. True, I couldn't argue with Nana's reason: She wanted to share her favorite city with me. But I wasn't going without a fight.
The wine(ing) continues …
The Arc de Triomphe
The first thing I think of when someone mentions the Arc de Triomphe is the movie European Vacation with Chevy Chase driving around the circle endlessly because none of the other drivers would let him change lanes. So for what seems to be hours he pointed out the sights to his children, who were not amused.
The other thing I think of when hearing the Arc de Triomphe (built between 1806 and 1836 for French soldiers who died in the revolution and Napoleonic wars), is the photos of Hitler admiring the Arc after conquering Paris. Neither seems very encouraging.
But I can tell you what is encouraging, the beauty of that arch, its detailed carvings and the sight of the (now free) French flag through its archway. What was even more encouraging was walking through an underground passageway so we didn’t have to deal with Clark and his crazy escapades of traffic. The final feather in the Arc's cap was the view from the top. It seemed that every road in Paris centered upon the honorary monument with grace and dignity.
The Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame is a football team in America, not a place in France, right? You know the home of the fighting Irish, having nothing to do with France? Boy was I wrong.
Notre Dame Cathedral was stunning. Most people recognize it from its twin towers and the large circular stained glass window marking the entrance, but I was far more impressed with the details of the architecture from the side and back of the church. Notre Dame is one of the finest examples of the French Gothic architecture in the world. There are fantastic sculptures and carvings all around the structure.
Not to be outdone, the inside exceeded the billing the outside had promised. Magnificent grand arches line the main gallery, while decorative stained glass allows brilliant bursts of color and light into the church. Most works of art were displayed in the form of paintings and sculpture that finished it nicely.
Darn, I am starting to sound like I am actually enjoying Paris. This cannot be allowed, not in front of Nana and definitely not while still in the city!
Sacre Coeur Basilica
Well guys, this is our last stop. After this I will finally get to exit Paris, not convinced I will ever want to return nor finding my own answer to why do I have to go to Paris. Nana takes me to this last stop for some sort of sunset scene where, legend has it, the lights of Paris come on and bring enchantment of romance to life in the city of love. Ha, this should be a breeze.
Sacre Coeur (too many letters again) was built in 1873 and finally opened in 1914, so it's not very old by Paris standards. The Basilica rests upon a hill overlooking the city of Paris and thus it has become a congregating place for couples to share the view. Well, visiting it is not such a breeze. There are a ton of steps up the hill, so Nana and I cheated and took the funicular to the top. Built in the Romanesque-Byzantine style, which I love, the Basilica itself was by far the best building I had seen in all of Paris, and the setting sun was just overwhelming. The white stone reflected the sunset's light in a golden yellow.
Why do I have to go to Paris? Now I understand.
Ok, Luke and Leia, we have to face the fact that Nana did not play fair. She knew this would be the final straw in her plan to make me like Paris. She schemed, planned and worked out all the details well in advance so that we would be there during Paris' most magical time, which so happened to be the golden hour of photography. Her secret weapon worked. 😉
Sitting on the steps with all the other lovers as the lights of Paris came on one by one, sharing a special kiss as is the custom, turned the Romantic Paris legend into reality for me… for us. I guess Paris is not really that bad. I can see now why I had to go to Paris: It is such a splendid city, with so much to offer a traveler, that it should never go un-visited.
Later Nana joked “you dragged me all around the tourist crap,” but truth be told, I really want to go to back to Paris and see much more details like Montmartre and take in more of the café culture.
P.S. – This is me now, stopping at nothing to return to Paris:
Love,
Nana and Pap
♥
Written by Dan
Professional photographer specializing in street, food and travel shots at As We Saw It travel blog. Enjoys catching children at play, showing their innocence in every situation … we all can learn that, to be content with what our Father in heaven has provided. Photography is unique in that it captures light in all forms, and since the Bible says YHVH (God) is light, photography captures Him in many forms.
It has been decades since I visited Paris. Your photos make me think it might be getting close to time for a return visit.
Thank you Donna. So what is the most memorable “mind-photo” you have when thinking about Paris?
I must admit that The Arc de Triomphe is just breath-taking when you see it live!!! 🙂 Being in Paris at night to see it was a great idea I must admit :).
Yes Agness, I’d say Paris at night is stunning and to see it from the steps of Sacre Coeur with tons of other couples was very romantic.
Love the humour again in this post. But most of all love the photos of the sun hitting the buildings
Thank you Sally-Ann and I fully agree with you. The sun setting on Paris brought the normally plain white stones of the church to life with brilliant colors that rivaled the lights of Paris coming on afterwards.
Paris is one of those places…I keep going back to it over and over again. It calls.
Yes Corinne, Paris does call often… Too bad I keep seeing ‘Missed Call’ every time. 😉
Oh my, what fantastic photos! Missed you last week, so I’m catching up and really happy to see Paris! Our trip last year got shelved, and this is really motivating us to get those plans back in motion! Thanks for sharing. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Thank you very much. Good luck rejuvenating Paris. I’ll look forward to your post too.
Oh, Linda, your pictures from Paris are so beautiful! Your post reminded me about the eternal charm of this city. I’ve been in Paris several times so far because my brother in law used to live there. Although in the beginning I was not really taken by Paris, the more I went the more I loved it. I miss strolling its broad boulevards and watching the people pass from the sidewalk cafes.
Thank you Anda, but Linda was the merciless tyrant forcing me to partake in her French endeavor… Well I guess actually I did enjoy it, just a little. Okay maybe a little more than a little. ALRIGHT, I seriously want to return to Paris as soon as we can.
Ah im so glad I finally remembered and your link up is up! I usually post under a different blogger’s page, but the link up always shows up later and I forget!
But for the record, your pictures of Paris are stunning and reaaallly make me want to go back!
Thank you Lolo and glad they inspired you to head back to Paris.