Palais Garnier

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCPaKweMDnTdZ9mrX_jmeVWhvRNYrmCAfEcgi4D5TLQ9tT62PUoVhx7Zl5NCDa1JTW5eED3Itjpxpt6Ivj6zKpsRdeT09xQUUJZ83u4bTaavoG_j9SwsjtR0NA0TyaYiqqp9cisWwdkM/s1600/2012+Mar+31+Paris_050DSC_5286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCPaKweMDnTdZ9mrX_jmeVWhvRNYrmCAfEcgi4D5TLQ9tT62PUoVhx7Zl5NCDa1JTW5eED3Itjpxpt6Ivj6zKpsRdeT09xQUUJZ83u4bTaavoG_j9SwsjtR0NA0TyaYiqqp9cisWwdkM/s1600/2012+Mar+31+Paris_050DSC_5286.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Palais Garnier</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I daresay the first time (or two) that you explore Palais Garnier </div><div style="text-align: center;">you are more focused on the enormity and grandeur of the whole, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but do not forget about the ceilings.  </div><div style="text-align: center;">The artistry is stunning with an ample application of gilt and detail.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Certainly, I would keep an eye on the chandeliers </div><div style="text-align: center;">as you recall the history of one which fell.  </div><div style="text-align: center;">The phantom may be gone </div><div style="text-align: center;">but the chandelier in my photo has an eerie tilt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Palais Garnier</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Place de l'Opéra</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75009, Paris</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">  </span></span></i></div>

Palais Garnier

Palais Garnier I daresay the first time (or two) that you explore Palais Garnier  you are more focused on the enormity and grandeur of the w...

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Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - des détails

<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90442945@N06/10651265656/" title="2012 Mar 28 Paris_166DSC_4521 by Genie Paris, on Flickr"><img alt="2012 Mar 28 Paris_166DSC_4521" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7362/10651265656_50cb47d2e2_c.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Notre Dame</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">From this single spot, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">many of the treasures of this magnificent cathedral are revealed, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">from the rose window to the newly cleaned chandelier, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and Gothic arches and columns.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Also, when you look up, </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">you do not see any tourists.</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">bon dimanche</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">6 Parvis Notre Dame</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Place Jean-Paul II</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75004, Paris</span></span></i></div>

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - des détails

Notre Dame From this single spot,  many of the treasures of this magnificent cathedral are revealed,  from the rose window to the newly clea...

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La Tour Eiffel XXV

<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90442945@N06/10702263493/" title="2012 Mar 29 Paris_048DSC_4731 by Genie Paris, on Flickr"><img alt="2012 Mar 29 Paris_048DSC_4731" height="472" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/10702263493_ac9261171d_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">La Tour Eiffel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The rays of sunlight add a special quality to this iron creation.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Given the choice of seeing the sun rays or snow from this spot, I would have a difficult time choosing.  Having seen both, I would have to add that with the snow, there are certainly fewer people at this famous landmark.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">La Tour Eiffel</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75007, Paris</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

La Tour Eiffel XXV

La Tour Eiffel The rays of sunlight add a special quality to this iron creation. Given the choice of seeing the sun rays or snow from this s...

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Palais Garnier - Illumination

<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90442945@N06/9363427408/" title="2012 Paris Mar 31_5348DSC_5375 by Genie Paris, on Flickr"><img alt="2012 Paris Mar 31_5348DSC_5375" height="800" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5461/9363427408_0f1319f862_c.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Palais Garnier</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Grand Staircase </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Would you like to turn back the clock 100 years </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to attend an elegant ball, just for the evening?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yeah, me too</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Grand Staircase</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Palais Garnier</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><em>Place de l'Opéra</em></span></i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><em>75009, Paris</em></span></i></span></div>

Palais Garnier - Illumination

Palais Garnier The Grand Staircase Would you like to turn back the clock 100 years  to attend an elegant ball, just for the evening? Yeah, m...

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Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmNiGnzYaQsYbPqmWb6-SDWarEpCRGBOskmj9WN45VCYUsmCVEQPyj349jgUNMYrUttGSO_Y9pbQu1SCljViW1Lm83aCxaQDvjU4HAu9pQN1OOEh-9SI8sY5F4cAhlDkASoI9phGmv3E/s1600/2010+dec+paris+6+DSC_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmNiGnzYaQsYbPqmWb6-SDWarEpCRGBOskmj9WN45VCYUsmCVEQPyj349jgUNMYrUttGSO_Y9pbQu1SCljViW1Lm83aCxaQDvjU4HAu9pQN1OOEh-9SI8sY5F4cAhlDkASoI9phGmv3E/s640/2010+dec+paris+6+DSC_0046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Perhaps more recognizable from the other side, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the majestic details of this view are my favorite.  </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the summer months you might even find it deserted </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">very early in the day or very late at night.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is worth losing an hour's sleep to have this scene to yourself. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">bon dimanche</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">6 Parvis Notre Dame</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Place Jean-Paul II</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">75004, Paris</span></i></div></div>

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris Perhaps more recognizable from the other side,  the majestic details of this view are my favorite.   In the s...

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Palais Garnier - The Grand Foyer

<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90442945@N06/9032783377/" title="2012 Mar 31 Paris_070DSC_5306 by Genie Paris, on Flickr"><img alt="2012 Mar 31 Paris_070DSC_5306" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/9032783377_bf250bdc64_c.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Grand Foyer</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When I see the Grand Foyer, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">my eyes mist over with a scene of ballgowns </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and the sounds of the orchestra.  </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Perhaps tonight the phantom will appear.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Palais Garnier</em></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Place de l'Opéra</em></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>75009, Paris</em></span><br /></div>

Palais Garnier - The Grand Foyer

The Grand Foyer When I see the Grand Foyer,  my eyes mist over with a scene of ballgowns  and the sounds of the orchestra.   Perhaps tonight...

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Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - un grand lustre

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrEyeIlkImUuZCx8ji4aje48QK3WVtZWhvUhJuB_oFdrrI2iKiOHl0ZCOcJz3ZesKTwvyrFMYkJiEgjzhCI3fu13Fwsx_MZou9NWyzFzFIJY-3s_cYkwoUieK6HjYJi577_48ZOOF7Ow/s1600/2012+Mar+28+Paris_155DSC_4510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrEyeIlkImUuZCx8ji4aje48QK3WVtZWhvUhJuB_oFdrrI2iKiOHl0ZCOcJz3ZesKTwvyrFMYkJiEgjzhCI3fu13Fwsx_MZou9NWyzFzFIJY-3s_cYkwoUieK6HjYJi577_48ZOOF7Ow/s640/2012+Mar+28+Paris_155DSC_4510.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Notre Dame</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is only one of the grand chandeliers of Notre Dame </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">seen up close and in detail as it was lowered last year for cleaning.  </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The 850th birthday celebration of this renown cathedral </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">called for some major housekeeping and renovations (the bells).  </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I would say that this <i>grand dame</i> has held her age well.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">bon dimanche</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">6 Parvis Notre Dame</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Place Jean-Paul II</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">75004, Paris</span></i></div>

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - un grand lustre

Notre Dame This is only one of the grand chandeliers of Notre Dame  seen up close and in detail as it was lowered last year for cleaning.   ...

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Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMqPa02r5pJAgfH4um9w2WA5veKEmCJ9N8QSQ_5pJzj7MEtWL5e5Au8-MnJIbE46D2DXQVU2tEozji6MEgmaRGJ_iOhjA8ArkNl2XqgTqoBj_o0ZzjMkFPz-yRoCcFlvYKJRDjhs6uRU/s1600/2012+Mar+28+Paris_113DSC_4468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMqPa02r5pJAgfH4um9w2WA5veKEmCJ9N8QSQ_5pJzj7MEtWL5e5Au8-MnJIbE46D2DXQVU2tEozji6MEgmaRGJ_iOhjA8ArkNl2XqgTqoBj_o0ZzjMkFPz-yRoCcFlvYKJRDjhs6uRU/s640/2012+Mar+28+Paris_113DSC_4468.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Notre Dame</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This 850 year old icon on the Paris landscape has greeted worshipers and tourists for centuries.  For all of 2013 there will be special concerts and celebrations for this auspicious and grand cathedral.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">bon dimanche</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>6, Place du Parvis Notre-Dame,</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Times;">Place Jean-Paul II</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>75004, Paris</em></span></div>

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame This 850 year old icon on the Paris landscape has greeted worshipers and tourists for centuries.  For all of 2013 there will be s...

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Les lumières de Noël - Hôtel de Ville

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90442945@N06/8290365516/" title="2012 Jan 12 1st_0469 by Genie Paris, on Flickr"><img alt="2012 Jan 12 1st_0469" height="493" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8353/8290365516_82cd907f15_c.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The blue Christmas lights of Hôtel de Ville</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">are balanced by the green BHV sign </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and its bright red banners announcing "les soldes."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Les Soldes are the twice a year sales in Paris, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">which will begin on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at 8:00am.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hôtel de Ville et BHV</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Place de l'Hôtel de Ville</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75004, Paris</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Métro Hôtel de Ville</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Les lumières de Noël - Hôtel de Ville

The blue Christmas lights of Hôtel de Ville are balanced by the green BHV sign  and its bright red banners announcing "les soldes....

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Le Douze et monsieur

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6smxdOfSxRsl319f6l85XOFqhTzmC0MXdPGQTY4zysW9HR4fJniiAP71Q8E79BGue12LG-2espmWHnKl0GCaIBpqAPpJzGP-2ptJO2oOK_T3FSa7H_hTGLrp5Cy-RAnPfPhUbE5qJU8/s1600/2011+Nov+day+8+P1010430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6smxdOfSxRsl319f6l85XOFqhTzmC0MXdPGQTY4zysW9HR4fJniiAP71Q8E79BGue12LG-2espmWHnKl0GCaIBpqAPpJzGP-2ptJO2oOK_T3FSa7H_hTGLrp5Cy-RAnPfPhUbE5qJU8/s640/2011+Nov+day+8+P1010430.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Le Douze</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Vreni and I stopped by this illuminated window at the end of a whirlwind day in Paris.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The shop was just closed but we had our next event!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>bon weekend</em></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Le Douze</em></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Rue Jacob</em></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>75006, Paris</em></span>

Le Douze et monsieur

Le Douze Vreni and I stopped by this illuminated window at the end of a whirlwind day in Paris.  The shop was just closed but we had our nex...

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Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - illumination

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbE_PzQn7XA6lsbYyVF_A_9YDauJ-Ue-ELQ8H_GBJcMpm4AWvH9RPFBehbbT_r7pPTotZT43JaFJMCCYgGosKdrXsoA7Sezqb_lfNJnx9FA5LPCuRBA1jkF3tBhzl1ARLstiLbaAOhho/s1600/2012+Mar+28+Paris_114DSC_4469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This well-known example of French gothic architecture is getting a makeover for its 850th anniversary.  Yes, 850 years old - It was consecrated in 1163!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">New bells, the restoration of the organ and more environmentally-friendly lighting... She is making preparations to celebrate her birthday in great style and you can see the evidence of the freshness in this photo.  If you will be in Paris between December 12, 2012 to December 9, 2013, be sure to visit (or re-visit) this icon of the Paris landscape.  There will be a full schedule of events during the year's celebration.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you want to have a more personal experience in a visit to Notre Dame, be there as it opens daily at 8:00am, and you will have it almost to yourself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>bon dimanche</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>6, Place du Parvis Notre-Dame,</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Times;">Place Jean-Paul II</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>75004, Paris</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - illumination

This well-known example of French gothic architecture is getting a makeover for its 850th anniversary.  Yes, 850 years old - It was consecra...

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L'éclairage

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCa_N18zQWpV-ho6wkpVlALP5iXXnDL9X2qdDzGtyl0eTFJOq7noSKDzxzwWxrKJJQ3KjlEJUxnFWQYR8rHSM2D0W3K8rSwDBJtns7NhxrwUBMxrg-vaSpTTC-MLE4dE6AGW9FNDtVdY/s1600/2012+jan+11++1st_0157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCa_N18zQWpV-ho6wkpVlALP5iXXnDL9X2qdDzGtyl0eTFJOq7noSKDzxzwWxrKJJQ3KjlEJUxnFWQYR8rHSM2D0W3K8rSwDBJtns7NhxrwUBMxrg-vaSpTTC-MLE4dE6AGW9FNDtVdY/s640/2012+jan+11++1st_0157.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If I could not have the 7-ton brass and crystal grand chandelier of the Palais Garnier, I would gladly take this lovely lamp with its Venetian-style adornment.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Paris is a pocket of sweet memories now, and it may have been my best trip ever.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I look forward to sharing stories and many photos.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

L'éclairage

If I could not have the 7-ton brass and crystal grand chandelier of the Palais Garnier, I would gladly take this lovely lamp with its Veneti...

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Église Saint-Aignan de Chartres - Illumination

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfLlEzVdg6GxGIq7DlSL1vQJ2ZYWgkN72gzM3RUL6Zp3BY_EL0EDzEZKtXAaX7tSrZrxzOA3PDkehC48jDw9LgfV2sLNBHCQmDPoEMO0T_PmdLkOY_PaaLQSDgSIv03ltiJYe9AtDTiM/s1600/2011+april+4+DSC_0298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfLlEzVdg6GxGIq7DlSL1vQJ2ZYWgkN72gzM3RUL6Zp3BY_EL0EDzEZKtXAaX7tSrZrxzOA3PDkehC48jDw9LgfV2sLNBHCQmDPoEMO0T_PmdLkOY_PaaLQSDgSIv03ltiJYe9AtDTiM/s640/2011+april+4+DSC_0298.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just outside of Paris is Église Saint-Aignan de Chartres, not nearly as well known as the Chartres Cathedral, but exquisite in detail and color.  Established in 400 AD, most of the building today dates from the Sixteenth Century.</span>  </div><br />Bon Dimanche

Église Saint-Aignan de Chartres - Illumination

Just outside of Paris is Église Saint-Aignan de Chartres, not nearly as well known as the Chartres Cathedral, but exquisite in detail and co...

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