Les Détails

Since I first visited Paris, I've been fascinated by the lacy details of la Tour Eiffel.  I try and find new ways to capture them each time I return.  If you want to read a fascinating account of la tour's history, pick up Jill Jonnes' book Eiffel's Tower. I was fortunate to meet her in Paris and hear her talk about her book.  You can read about that evening here.

The View

You all know how I feel about la Tour Eiffel. But when she was built, the French weren't all that enamored with her. Today, a few comments from some of the more disgruntled bystanders, published in 1887.

" this truly tragic street lamp"

"this belfry skeleton"

"this high and skinny pyramid of iron ladders...which just peters out into a ridiculous thin shape like a factory chimney"

"a carcass waiting to be fleshed out with freestone or brick, a funnel-shaped grill, a hole riddled suppository"

Designed by Gustav Eiffel for the entrance for the Universal Exposition of 1889, the contest rules stated that the structures must be designed so that they could easily be deconstructed. Eiffel's contract called for the removal by 1909. Luckily by then it was being used as an important radio communications tower and was allowed to stay!

If you are interested in learning more about Eiffel's Tower, may I recommend Jill Jonnes' book by that name. I had the pleasure of hearing her speak last summer in Paris here.

For this next week, I'll be with fellow bloggers and blog readers, so I won't be able to visit as much I usually do. I hope you'll understand. I promise to treat you to photos of the festivities as soon as possible, and I'll try and check on your comments often! This is a little hint.

Paris' Grand Lady

I hope I never, ever tire at the sight of her. There she stands, so gracefully towering over all of Paris. From almost any place in the city, you can catch a glimpse of her. I'll admit I'm feeling a little nostalgic today. My friend Chieftess, who is a faithful visitor on both of my blogs, recently spent a few days in my beloved Paris. I stopped by her blog yesterday and took a little trip back via her photographs. Before she went, she kindly asked me to give them a few special places to see. *La tour Eiffel was of course on my list. Touristy you say? Of course, and well she should be. I will never forget the first time I stood at the base and looked up . My first thought, after I caught my breath, was that she was much bigger/taller/grander than I could have ever imagined. Yes, it's always crowded ( unless you choose a day when it's freezing cold and pouring rain ) but go. Go and take as many photos as your heart desires. I have enough to fill a book. What a novel idea...... a photo book of la tour Eiffel! :)

Now, it's time to share some very delicious news. I will be returning to Paris on January 7th with my Paris loving amie Mary from Cincinnati and her college roommate. We'll stay a week, and I hope to blog from there. I've told Peter ( you remember Peter, the most patient man in Paris. I do hope I'm not pushing my luck! ) my number one "must do" is a night shoot at the Eiffel Tower! I can hardly wait, but you knew that didn't you?

Today, another photo from a very special evening in Paris.....Bastille Day and the fabulous fireworks.

Snow fell on Paris recently. My friend, American photographer Meredith Mullins, captured it beautifully, as only she can do. Richard Nahem's Eye Prefer Paris blog featured some of her marvelous photographs. Perhaps la neige will visit again pour moi.

* Last summer I was pleased to meet author Jill Jonnes and hear her speak about her newest book Eiffel's Tower. You'll want to buy this one!

A Day and Night With la Tour Eiffel

Author Jill Jonnes

Another day full of new sights, new tastes and old and new friends. I started my day with Mary and Peter at a wonderful little cafe, Aux Marches du Cafe, just minutes from the Eiffel Tower. After a delicious lunch we headed to Paris' Cite de l'architecture et du patrimoine. Only a little over two years old, this gorgeous museum is housed in a wing of the Chaillot Palace overlooking the tower itself. Stunning replicas of architectural features dating back to 11th century cathedrals to ultra modern architecture of today makes this a musuem you will want to add to your list when you visit Paris. After your tour you can stop by their extensive bookstore and have a cafe on the terrace and enjoy the spectacular view. We bid Peter good bye and headed to BHV . If you haven't visited their bottom floor hardware department, put that on your list as well. We loaded up on their great tote bags for 3.50 euros and headed for Shakespeare and Company on the banks of the Seine. I found the new Paris Magazine which features in its premier issue, an article by Meredith Mullins. We swung in Eglise Saint Severin for a few photos and walked ( I was getting pretty tired by then) to a nearby hotel for a talk and book signing by American author Jill Jonnes, who has written a fascinating new book called Eiffel's Tower. It was nice meeting Jill and several Americans living in or wanting to live in Paris. Richard Nahem of Eye Prefer Paris , fame joined us and we all had dinner at Pizza Chic. Time to say bonne nuit everyone!

Cite de l'architecture et du patrimoine
We stopped many times to admire the commanding view of la tour from the museum's windows!

Chapel Eglise Saint Severin

The stained glass windows at Saint Severin are remarkable
The ummmm view from the terrace!