Every time I look down on this timeless town
Whether blue or gray be her skies.
Whether loud be her cheers or soft be her tears,
More and more do I realize:
I love Paris in the springtime.
I love Paris in the fall.
I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles,
I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles.
I love Paris every moment,
Every moment of the year.
–Cole Porter
Yes, I do love Paris. Here are just a few reasons.
1. Layer on Layer of History
The Louvre once housed kings and queens. Built over several centuries, today it houses an immense collection of all kinds of art.
You can stand in the front yard of the palace, then enter the great halls and gaze on paintings and sculptures from any time in history. And you can imagine when down the hallways of this grand palace walked Charles, Louis, Henri, Catherine de Medici, and Napoleon.
2. Art Everywhere
Along with historic architecture, Paris is home to an array of art that spans the ages. This Bernini sculpture catches your eye while you wait to enter the Louvre.
Once inside, you can find light and beauty such as this.
3. Parks
The city is known for its parks. This one, the Tuileries Garden in the “yard” of the Louvre, is an oasis of green.
4. Bridges
More than 30 bridges link the banks of the Seine. What beauty and elegance you find on these bridges.
One contains many locks of love, put there by couples to declare their undying devotion. Part of the bridge actually collapsed under the weight of the locks. Authorities have requested that no more locks be added.
5. Fascinating Details
The cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Crowds flock to see this 12th Century masterpiece.
Close up, you notice the endless intricate carvings, the curves of the architecture.
Even the back of the building is a study in detail.
6. Signs of Gratitude
Paris remembers. Fresh flowers today decorate a memorial plaque for a brave soul. War may be a distant memory, but gratitude lives on.
7. The Eiffel Tower
What’s more Parisian than the Eiffel Tower? I love glimpsing it from all over the city.
How about you? Do you have memories of Paris? What would you like to visit if you go?
Linking up with Texture Tuesday, Wednesday Around the World, and Sweet Shot Tuesdays. First photo edited with Kim Klassen’s texture Happy Heart. Also linking up with the song-inspired party, Song-ography, where we can choose the theme this week; my song is “I Love Paris” by Cole Porter.
22 Comments
So beautiful. Definitely my dream trip!
Ah, such a beautiful place!
Oh the memories come flooding back. Beautiful images. I think I was just totally blown away by the architecture and sculptures in Paris. The food was wonderful too!
Absolutely agree with all your reasons. Lovely images! I loved being able to just walk around and see (and hear!) beauty everywhere. I loved the street performers; I don’t think I ever saw that many in any one city that I’d visited.
Beautiful images and thoughts on a wonderful city. Paris and Rome would be my two favourite cities in Europe.
We visited Paris for a day.. and it wasn’t enough. It was just a quick tour. I really really hope to go back one day.
So so so gorgeous! I so want to go there one day!
Ah Paris fond memories of many visit over the channel, lovely images especially the bridge.
Oh, what a perfect set.
Your photos of this beautiful city are wonderful – I enjoyed every single one.
I have many memories of Paris. I have visited this city so often when I was young and then for a very long time – when I moved to the States – I did not go there. Finally this summer I visited again and found that it practically hasn’t changed. It’s still beautiful, dirty, stinky – and utterly charming. My favorite places to go there are Montmartre and the Quartier Latin as well as the Marais.
How awesome…thanks for sharing your lovely photos. 🙂
Wonderful photos. My memories of Paris date back to the mid-1950’s. Looksabout the same, but a lot fewer tourists then.
Paris! No where like it!
I would go anywhere! I have never been out of the USA, but Paris is my first destination whenever i do! thank you for the beautiful photos and the stories too. i have heard of the locks and that’s a shame the bridge can’t hold anymore, but i can imagine the weight of them all!
Sooo many wonderful and gorgeous pictures from Paris.
Beautiful captures Sharon, especially the ones of the Louvre! I share your reasons for loving Paris… along with so many more. This city seems to keep on giving, and there’s always something new to discover and fall in love with. You must come for another visit 🙂
You are right…Paris is magical and charming! Beautiful beautiful captures!!
I love Paris too… it is a truly beautiful city
mollyxxx
Perfect song choice for the perfect photos. In addition to all the wonderful qualities you mentioned, I have to say for MOI there is just such a sense of romance and history that I adore. Thanks for linking up to Song-ography.
Amazing. I have never been to Paris but I recall my trip as a teen to Germany and how amazed I was but the architecture, the ornate buildings, the history. It is all what we don’t have here in Australia … well certainly not as long a history and as old a buildings. I love your little photo tour, it makes me want to visit.
I have only been to Paris once, but I can agree with all you say. I love Paris too! And what about the people, and the market, and the food – crepes! yum! Happy travels and have a lovely weekend. I am joining you over at Communal Global.
While it’s not my favorite European city, Paris certainly is gorgeous. And I think I love all its beautiful details even more than the usual big attractions. I do love the feeling of history there too.