The weather has changed. Fall is in the air. The leaves are changing color and dropping in all the gardens,squares on streets. Paris is beginning to take on it's Winter look.
But before she does we'll enjoy the Fall and all the activity that comes with it.
One such event was the "Ethical Fashion Show" that took place from the 25th of September until the 28th. It featured clothing made from recycled materials and you can imagine that some were rather quirky things like a dress made from movie film, hand bags from bottle caps and pants from plastic bags...not for everyone but I get their point.
This week also saw the Fete du Jardin, opening many seldom seen Paris Gardens for public viewing.
Fall is a great time to visit Paris. The selection of Paris hotels is amazing and there are accommodations for every budget.
It is also a great time for a River Cruise, a simply wonderful way to see the city.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 09, 2010
The Louvre Renewed
After almost 6 years the Louvre has reopened the Greek Classical Sculpture galleries.
Located on the ground floor of the Sully Wing of the Louvre the new galleries can be accessed through the Denon entrance under the pyramid reception hall, but I much prefer the route that takes you through the foundations of the Medieval Louvre.
From the reception hall go up the escalator to the Sully Wing entrance and past the Louvre History galleries into the moat and foundations of the original fortress. Begun at the end of the 12th century by King Philippe Auguste this medieval castle evolved over the next 300 years from a fort to protect the upriver approach to the Ile de la Cite, to a turreted palace, one of the finest in Western Europe.
Though nothing above ground remains of this fortress the foundation walls and moat, and the base of the grand tower offer a stunning visual of this 12th century work.
Passing through the Salle de St Louis, the only remaining room of the medieval Louvre take the 1st stairway on the left up to ground level and into the Salle de Caryatides, the oldest room in the modern day Louvre and the one that set the pattern for the Grand Design that was to become the great palace we see today.
This hall hold the Greek-Roman collection and connects to the salles of the Classical and Hellenistic sculptures.
Upon leaving the Salle de Caryatides turn left and begin enjoying the collection from that point walking up to the end of the gallery then turning right into the next gallery before walking back down.
This approach gives you a stunning view of the Venus de Milo beautifully framed at the end of the hall.
The hall contains a few dozen significant works, some colossal pieces, a magnificent vase and a collection of reproductions of the works of Praxeteles, considered the finest sculptor of the Classical Period.
Located on the ground floor of the Sully Wing of the Louvre the new galleries can be accessed through the Denon entrance under the pyramid reception hall, but I much prefer the route that takes you through the foundations of the Medieval Louvre.
From the reception hall go up the escalator to the Sully Wing entrance and past the Louvre History galleries into the moat and foundations of the original fortress. Begun at the end of the 12th century by King Philippe Auguste this medieval castle evolved over the next 300 years from a fort to protect the upriver approach to the Ile de la Cite, to a turreted palace, one of the finest in Western Europe.
Though nothing above ground remains of this fortress the foundation walls and moat, and the base of the grand tower offer a stunning visual of this 12th century work.
Passing through the Salle de St Louis, the only remaining room of the medieval Louvre take the 1st stairway on the left up to ground level and into the Salle de Caryatides, the oldest room in the modern day Louvre and the one that set the pattern for the Grand Design that was to become the great palace we see today.
This hall hold the Greek-Roman collection and connects to the salles of the Classical and Hellenistic sculptures.
Upon leaving the Salle de Caryatides turn left and begin enjoying the collection from that point walking up to the end of the gallery then turning right into the next gallery before walking back down.
This approach gives you a stunning view of the Venus de Milo beautifully framed at the end of the hall.
The hall contains a few dozen significant works, some colossal pieces, a magnificent vase and a collection of reproductions of the works of Praxeteles, considered the finest sculptor of the Classical Period.
Friday, April 09, 2010
The Churches of Paris
There are a wide variety of churches scattered throughout Paris. Few visitors leave without seeing a few of them. Notre Dame de Paris on the Ile de la Cité or the Basilica of Sacré Coeur on top of Montmartre are two of the more popular ones.
"The aim of all churches in Paris is to be a place of visitation, welcoming tourists and passers-by; a haven of peace, beauty and hospitality, rich in history.
There are over thirty memorable and historically significant churches in Paris. None of them charge an entrance fee.
1er Arrondissement
2eme Arrondissement 3eme Arrondissement
The earliest known example of Paris Churches was actually built before Paris was Paris.
While the city was Roman and known as Lutetia (Lutèce in French), there was built a Temple to Jupiter. On these foundations a church to Saint Etienne was later built which is actually the spot where Notre Dame cathedral now stands.
The ruins of these and other ancient constructions can be visited in the Crypt of the Notre Dame.
With the spread of Christianity, many Paris churches were built by the Merovingian and Carolingian kings, though little remains of those today.
When Clovis I made Paris his capital in the middle of the 6th century, he built the abbey of Saints Peter and Paul on Mount Ste. Geneviève, where now stands the Panthéon and the church of St. Etienne du Mont.
The historic Paris Churches can be a mixture of architectural styles, mostly Romanesque and Gothic. Some excellent examples of Gothic architecture are the churches of this city, including Sainte Chapelle, considered one of the world's finest constructions of Rayonnet architecture.
The churches of Paris offer the visitor a unique perspective on art, architecture and history.
Many of the churches house very stunning and priceless art treasures.
There are wood carvings in the pulpits, frescoes and murals on chapel walls and ceilings, sculptures and paintings from recognized masters and, of course, stained glass.
If you are interested in the history of churches in Paris, take a look at this very interesting book.
"The aim of all churches in Paris is to be a place of visitation, welcoming tourists and passers-by; a haven of peace, beauty and hospitality, rich in history.
Their accessibility, and the willingness of the men and women who maintain the churches and greet visitors speak softly of God's goodwill to the hearts of those who accept to enter His house.
But they also express the church's esteem for for those who venture in, coming just as they are, with their own lives, their questions, their richness, their world. In that hospitable relation between church and visitor, how can we fail to recognize each other?
We are certain that a new Word is born of each encounter and that the guest leaves the church stronger and beautified."
Isabelle Renaud-Chamska President of Art, Culture and Faith, Paris
There are over thirty memorable and historically significant churches in Paris. None of them charge an entrance fee.
Most function as parish churches and places of worship.
Because of this, there are a few things that should be kept in mind:
- Be properly dressed. It may restrict your entrance.
- Churches are places of quiet and reflection. Keep your conversation to a minimum, your volume down.
- Got a cell phone? Turn it off or put it on silent mode.
- Paris churches have an area reserved for those wishing to pray. Be aware of this and respect that area.
- The sanctuary, the area of the main altar, is usually off limits.
- Most side chapels in the churches have stands holding votive candles. Feel free to light one in memory of a friend or loved one, or simply as a reminder of a quiet moment. Don't forget to leave your offering in the collection box.
- If the church is a Catholic Church, there will be an area where the sacrament is kept. These days, it is usually a side altar and there will be a small votive candle burning.
Many of these Paris churches have long histories and have played essential roles over the centuries. They may become among your favorite places to visit.
Paris Churches by Arrondissement
1er Arrondissement
2eme Arrondissement 3eme Arrondissement - Saint Denis du Saint Sacrement
- Sainte Elisabeth
- Cathedrale Sainte Croix des Armeniens
- Saint Nicolas des Champs
- Notre Dame de Paris
- Saint Gervais-Saint Protais
- Saint Louis en l'Ile
- Saint Merri
- Notre Dame des Blancs Manteaux
- Saint Paul-Saint Louis
- Eglise de la Sorbonne
- Saint Etienne du Mont
- Saint Julien le Pauvre
- Saint Jacques du Haut Pas
- Saint Nicolas du Chardonnet
- Saint Severin
- Val de Grace
- Saint Germain des Prés
- Saint Joseph des Carmes
- Saint Sulpice
- Basilique Clotilde
- Saint Francois Xavier
- Saint Thomas d'Aquin
- Chapelle de l'Epiphanie
- Saint Louis des Invalides
- Chapelle Expiatoire
- Saint Augustin
- Saint Andre de l'Europe
- Cathedrale Americaine
- Sainte Marie Madeleine
- Notre Dame de Lorette
- Saint Eugene et Sainte Cecile
- Sainte Trinity
- Saint Laurent
- Saint Joseph Artisan
- Chapelle de l'Hopital Saint Louis
- Saint Vincent de Paul
- Notre Dame d'Esperance
- Saint Ambroise
- Sainte Marguerite
- Notre Dame du Perpetuel Secours
- Notre Dame de Bercy
- Saint Esprit
- Notre Dame de la Grace
- Chapelle Notre Dame de la Sagesse
- Sainte Anne de la Butte aux Cailles
- Notre Dame du Travail de Plaisance
- Saint Pierre de Montrouge
- Saint Dominique
- Notre Dame de Rosaire
- Saint Christophe de Javel
- Notre Dame de l'Arche d'Alliance
- Saint Antoine de Padoue
- Saint Jean Baptiste de Grenelle
- Saint Jean Baptiste de la Salle
- Saint Leon
- Saint Lambert de Vaugirard
- Notre Dame d'Auteuil
- Saint Pierre de Chaillot
- Saint Francois de Molitor
- Sainte Jeanne de Chantal
- Saint Honore d'Eylau
- Saint Michel et Sainte Marie des Batignolles
- Sainte Odile
- Saint Charles de Monceau
- Saint Ferdinand des Ternes
- Notre Dame de la Compassion
- Basilica of Sacre Coeur
- Saint Jean de Montmartre
- Saint Bernard de la Chapelle
- Notre Dame de Bonne Conseil
- Saint Denys de la Chapelle et Sainte Jean d'Arc
- Saint Pierre de Montmartre
- Saint Jacques et Saint Christophe
- Notre Dame des Buttes Chaumont
- Saint Luc
- Saint Francois d'Assise
- Saint Germain de Charonne
- Saint Jean Bosco
- Notre Dame de la Croix
Thursday, April 08, 2010
The Free Museums and Attractions of Paris...
There are many free museums in Paris, covering a wide range of subjects and art.
They are listed below with links to pages providing all the information about them that you need.
There also many museums with no admission charged on the first Sunday of the month. These museums are also listed below and with links to pages containing information about them.
Along with free museums in Paris, there are many other free Paris attractions. For example, all of the churches, cathedrals and basilicas do not charge admission.
However, fees are required for either climbing the towers or visiting the crypts of theCathedral Notre Dame and the Basilica Sacre Coeur.
All Paris cemeteries are also free of charge, such as the Pere Lachaise Cemetery.
Not to mention, all of the Paris Parks and Gardens have no admission fees, as well as most of theParis Monuments.
3eme Arrondissement
4eme Arrondissement
5eme Arrondissement
6eme Arrondissement
8eme Arrondissement
9eme Arrondissement
15eme Arrondissement
16eme Arrondissement
They are listed below with links to pages providing all the information about them that you need.
There also many museums with no admission charged on the first Sunday of the month. These museums are also listed below and with links to pages containing information about them.
Along with free museums in Paris, there are many other free Paris attractions. For example, all of the churches, cathedrals and basilicas do not charge admission.
However, fees are required for either climbing the towers or visiting the crypts of theCathedral Notre Dame and the Basilica Sacre Coeur.
All Paris cemeteries are also free of charge, such as the Pere Lachaise Cemetery.
Not to mention, all of the Paris Parks and Gardens have no admission fees, as well as most of theParis Monuments.
Free Paris Museums by Arrondissement
3eme Arrondissement
4eme Arrondissement
5eme Arrondissement
6eme Arrondissement
8eme Arrondissement
9eme Arrondissement
15eme Arrondissement
16eme Arrondissement
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
With Spring comes the gardens
Most Parisians will tell you, "it's been long in coming."
Spring that is. Winter was brutal and it had tenaciously hung on, but now as you walk around the city, traces of color abound, with the promise of much more to come.
There are over 400 public "green spaces" in Paris; a garden is never far away, offering a calm break from the bustle of the city. These gardens and parks add much to what makes Paris joy to walk around and absorb.
Over one fourth of the total area of the city is dedicated to parks, gardens and woods, making Paris one of the greenest cities in Europe.
Paris Gardens and Parks come in all styles and sizes, from the formal and royal gardens of theTuileries and the Luxembourg to the sprawling greens of the Champ de Mars and the Les Invalidesand the smaller ones that just seem to pop up all around town, like the Square Georges Cain.
On the Eastern and Western edges of Paris are the great woods, or bois (bwaa). On the west is the Bois de Boulogne and on the east is the Bois de Vincennes. These two great green lungs offer convenient and accessible spaces to run, walk, ride bikes, picnic, ride horses and simply enjoy the outdoors.
Traditionally, lawns were for looking at, not for sitting on, which was considered quite un-aristocratic. Recently, all parks with lawns over a certain size have been made open for public use.
However, there are times you will see signs sayiing, "Pelouse Interdite", or, "Pelouse au Repose", which means, 'Lawn Not Allowed' or "Lawn at Rest", basically, "Keep off the Grass".
So this spring if you are in Paris, stop in a park and give yourself a rest.
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