Sunday Church Series - Église Val-de- Grâce

We had this view of the Val-de-Grâce from our living room window in June, 2009. I photographed this beautiful church in every light, at many hours of the day. A storm was gathering this afternoon.

Sunday Church Series - Église Val-de-Grâce

We had this amazing view of this beautiful church from our apartment window for 3 weeks in 2009. I took advantage.

Église Val-de-Grâce

1 Place Alphonse Laverin

75005 Paris

Sunday Church Series - La Couple

The beautiful Église Val-de-Grâce. Was fortunate to stay near this church in 2009. I visited for services twice during our stay.

Le petit garçon

Église Val-de-Grace after the service.  A boy needs time to just play.

Sunday Church Series - Val-de-Grâce

Joyeuses Pâques

Sunday Church Series - Église du Royale Val-de-Grâce

Built in the middle of the 17th century by Queen Anne of Austria, the monastery was converted into a military hospital adjoining the church after the Revolution.  This beautiful Baroque dome, designed by Jacque Lemercier.

The view from our apartment windows, the summer of 2009.  I photographed this church in every light. This was right after an afternoon shower.

Le petit garçon

After Sunday church services at the Église Val-de-Grâce, this sweet boy took advantage of the wide open spaces of the courtyard.  He sat very quietly through the service where his baby sister had been christened that day, and needed a little play time!

Sunday Church Series - Église Val du Grâce

Église Val du Grâce

So many special  memories of this view from our apartment on rue Berthollet, June 2009. What could be more wonderful than opening our windows and seeing this every day?  I photographed it every time of day, rain or shine.


I am so pleased to announce that Ma Vie Francais is now featuring some of my Paris Rouge photographs!
Please visit and join this great site.

Sunday Church Series - The Storm Gathers

Val de Grâce Church, built in 1645.  This was the view from our apartment last summer, 2009.
I never tired of it.  I photographed it in every light, night and day.  I was privileged to attend services here two Sundays as well.

La Fenêtre du Val de Grace

If you look closely you will see the columns through the open doorway beyond.

Return to the Val de Grâce

This Sunday we are going back to the church that I've probably photographed more than any other in Paris, the beautiful Val de Grâce. You might remember that we could see the dome from our apartment window, and I photographed it at every time of day and night. I also walked over and attended Sunday services there twice. This week Peter did a lovely post on this church, and it brought back some nice memories of time spent there. It also reminded me that I have a lot more photos to share with you!

Of note: If you would like to visit Val de Grâce, check the times when it is open. I am not certain it's open during the week. I took my photographs immediately after the Sunday services and was only allowed to do so for a short time.

Paris Sunsets

Val de Grace - Mini Series

Today was another banner photo day in Paris. I started my morning by walking to the lovely Val de Grace church that we oohh and aaahhh over from our windows morning till night. I was just in time for church services at 11:00. I'm not Catholic but I enjoyed every minute of their beautiful service in French. I was fortunate to see a christening ceremony as well. After the service a sweet lady asked me to help her down the stairs. She spoke only French , but somehow I understood her request. I took her photograph then went inside to take some photos after everyone had left. ( Unlike some tourists that marched down the aisle during the service and started snapping photos. FOR THE LOVE!) When I left, she was waiting by the gate and had written her name and address and asked if I would send her the photograph. That made my day. No....that made my entire trip right there. What a dear she was.

Madame Simone - French Stranger Challenge #8

Au revoir Madame!

Apartment With a View!

We consider ourselves very fortunate that our flight went well. The children slept like logs . (Behold the power of Benadryl) Melissa and I napped. Enough said about that. We got through
Charles de Gaulle with ease and our van driver was right there to load us up. When we arrived at the apartment we were greeted by Jerome ( my new best friend) himself and he has been a delightful and helpful host. He took Melissa to the market and has shown us the ropes around here. I babysat from the couch with barely one eye open watching the kids. I feel like I did after I stayed up all night studying for exams in college. You know the feeling. The baguette and vin blanc is helping I think.

Now about the view. That is the dome of the Val de Grace church from our living room window. We can hardly wait for nightfall ( for a lot of reasons). Jerome says the dome is lit and it's gorgeous. I 'm still up, I'll be shooting it from the window.

Tonight we strolled the neighborhood and had pizza at a nice cafe. Everyone including moi is tired to the bone so it's an early night of this crowd. I'm including a few photos from our first outing this afternoon.

The Dancers

Some Serious Motorcycle Envy

Our apartment
The Cell Phone Sisters