Notre Dame, Paris

I know this is titled Notre Dame but I neglected to include this picture in the last Paris post.  This is the bust of the Eiffel who designed, built and paid for the tower bearing his name.  He felt that the expo in Paris needed a strong statement and so he donated one.  It was intended to be dismantled after the expo but public sentiment forced the Government to keep and maintain the monument now called the Eiffel Tower.  

The Metro stations near Notre Dame are of an earlier version and so they have been retrofitted with these guards to keep the curious and stupid off the track area. 

a view of the river Seine

One of the many tour boats that ply the river way. 

covered pedicabs can be hired for a slower paced tour of Paris attractions. 

the Cathedral of Notre Dame.  This magnificent building was built with volunteer labor.  The history of this structure from its beginning to now is filled with the drama of any large building.  Rather than my entering what is well said by others I invite you to visit  the website ( http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/The-great-history-of-Notre-Dame-de )  for all of the both glorious and mundane item relating to this building. 

There was a commercial display of baking skills and products in the plaza nearby while we were visiting. The smell of fresh bread was everywhere and became overwhelming .  We caved and bought some pastries and enjoyed them in the shadow of the Cathedral.  

bakers at work

Just some of the breads and rolls they were demonstrating how to make

Sugar coated, crunchy, ready for jam filling.

Croissants and rolls and loaves Oh my! 

This bronze plaque  is the center of Paris and all numbers emanate from this location.
And so, for a brief moment I was the center of Paris.   

The bored gargoyle is on the right (he has his chin in his hands) he is staring down at the crowds

all around the Cathedral are these dragon like gargoyles guarding it.

I marveled at the ability of the people to build Notre Dame and then I noticed this graffiti high on the side of this building.  the adage "if man can dream it he can build it" came to mind.  How do you suppose this was painted? 

Inside of the sides aisles showing the arches that transfer the roof load into the buttress columns.

This leaded glass rosette has its original glass.  Amazing considering the two wars and the number of years. 

another example of the leaded glass and painted glass work in this building.

This relief is along the outside sides of the altar. 

background view of the cross and statue that form the backdrop for the altar.
 My artistic  interpretation.

Main chapel area of Notre Dame

The third from the left is St Denis who as legend has it was decapitated during the persecution of Christians  and after losing his head walked six miles delivering a sermon while in search of a proper place to die. Look closely and you can see his head in his hands.  This makes him one of the cephalophores in hagiology (look it up interesting how legend and mythology blend)

side entrance showing the rosette glass from the outside. 

The corner cafe next to Notre Dame where we ate lunch and watched the tourists stare at the cathedral (rather like us)

 

This shows the flying buttress design which allows this building to exist.  the roof and wall loads that exist because of the height are directed into the angled sections and then sent into the columns and finally into the foundation.  Amazing engineering given the tools and mathematics that were present at the time.  

this bridge is covered with locks bearing the names or initials of lovers who by placing a lock on the bridge seal their love forever, or so they imagine at the time.  The best part of this scene is entrepreneurs selling locks to those who need to insure their love.  I suspect the same locks are sold over and over after a brief cleaning with alcohol to erase the prior names.  

Tour boats that offer dinner along the Seine are moored near Notre Dame to accommodate the lovers who are hungry.  

France has a very moving monument to those who died in German concentration camps. This is the entrance

All the names of French people who died in camps are inscribed on these walls. 

River view of Notre Dame

My postcard view

There are apparently very long happy hours in France

Roasting chickens and what is known as Kabab, beef/lamb roast at a streetside cafe,

What is France without frogs legs?

one of the narrow side passages that house small cafes and restaurants.  Some great food and some not so. 

Complaining and demonstrating is like a national pastime.  This corner is set aside for demonstrations.  I wonder if reservations are needed?

River walk along the left bank.  The small structures above the walkway are the booksellers of the left bank .

Paris 1

some quick photos of our time in Paris.  more will follow

Entrance to our apartment in Paris

stairwell leading to our "first floor" unit.  We learned that in France the floors start at "0" for the ground level and they are the numbered 1-2-3 etc. not a bad climb except in the rain, which we enjoyed a couple of days, then these can be slippery. 

Most apts do not have dryers and so out the window on specially designed devices.  Rain? not a problem that is why plastic bags were made. 

As with many of our visited sites the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile was under renovation. This structure was built as a memorial to those who fought for France in the revolutionary wars and the Napoleonic wars and the tomb of the unknown soldier is at its center. 

The view looking along one direction of the Champs-Elysees from the memorial

Proof I was there, 

Tomb of the unknown soldier. 

looking down the Champs-Elysee  the other  way toward the Louvre.  At the far end there is obelisk that stands in the middle of the largest  square in all Paris.  

One of my "postcard" views.  The weather started out rainy on this day but by noon it had cleared and offered blue sky and white clouds for photographic backgrounds.  Gotta love mother nature.

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Seine River as seen from second floor of Eiffel tower.  

The myth of the sealed lock with lovers names written on it as a symbol of enduring affection rings its romantic chimes even on the tower guard fence.  

Love this shot of the tower. 

There is a recognition of the hazards of Parisian  traffic.  Pedestrians are given two attempts to get across some streets. there are two lights; the frist one will get you to the middle where you can stand as a target for on coming traffic from both directions, the second light will turn green to give you another space to flee the center for the relative safety of the sidewalk. 

not sure if this is a joke or for real.  street sign next to the Eiffel tower 

obelisk at the end of  Champs-Elysee 

Strolling is a great afternoon activity.  Stopping at a local cafe for espresso and cookie, a life so good.

your eyes are not wrong, there are over seven lanes of traffic all lined up and waiting for the starting gun.
Gentlemen, Start your engines...Pedestrians stand back.

Parking skills that cannot be taught in drivers education. 

Everywhere, just everywhere. 

Paris panorama from Eiffel Tower

we are walking along our aftrnoon stroll and I spy these people eating in a very small cafe along a side street.  closer inspection shows that the above couscous meal is the menu du jour for this place.  we haven't had lunch yet and so we step into a neighborhood Paris bar.  lunch is this steaming vegetable broth seasoned with exotic spices, a large plate of couscous and some roasted lamb and chicken.  This will be attempted once at home. 

Our hosts at the couscous cafe lunch.  the chef, when asked if I could take his photo,  went into hiskitchen changed his apron and came back with the huge bowl of couscous.  He and the bar tender/waiter are from Algeria.  The chefs daughter is now in California studying cinema and the young guy has a promising neighborhood bar and a lot of good customers. 

La Cascade Bar and Cafe on Ave Phillip Auguste, Paris.
Tell them the guy from Arizona's Grand Canyon sent you. 

Street side Electric charges for autos. put your bank card in and get a charge.

The motor bike in the middle has two front tires with a single drive wheel in the rear.
very stable and steerable
I am calling this a "granny cycle"

Fueling station   gas= 1.79/l   diesel=1.55/l  

Granny Cycle with ....
(she says if here she would have one for sure)