Sacré Coeur

Saturday, June 21, 2008 Posted by Eric


OK, enough museums and auction sales, it's Le week-end! How about a classic view of Paris? Not that classic actually, I took this photo of Montmartre and le Sacré Coeur from far away, and more precisely from La Défense where I attended a pretty unusual art opening in the offices of Eurogroup (look for Sponsorship>Artist Residency, if you want to know more). Did you know that Montmartre means Mont of the Martyrs because that is where several Christians got killed during the 3rd century?

62 comments:

  1. from cali said...

    LOVE this! And in black and white. So very classic.

  2. Rose said...

    Hey Cali...you made it again...GF!
    Sacre Coeur is one of my very favourite places in Paris.
    I love the architecture as well as the darkeness inside the church contrasting with the white outside...

  3. Monica said...

    Eric, how do you do it?
    This phot is superb. We always enjoy a classic, thank you.


    From Cali, congrats again.

    Rose hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. Pont Girl said...

    Parfait! One of your best, Eric! This should be a Zazzle card (hint, hint). Sacre Coeur is one of my most favorite places on Earth. If you light a candle inside, your prayer will come true :) Happy weekend, everyone!

  5. from cali said...

    I was wondering where everyone was.

    Nice to see you ladies.

    Did your prayer come true Pont Girl?

  6. corinne said...

    I didn't know that Montmartre meant what you explained. And thinking of it, I must say I do like all the meanings possible for 'Sacré coeur'... in French. Nice combination of two words.

    This black and white ... is dark, no? The white Sacré coeur is so often shown on postcards under a clear blue sky! Well, it changes and gives to your post a deeper touch!

    Eurogroup had a very clever idea. I know some companies that could be inspired by that ;)

  7. Tomate Farcie said...

    Hey, wait a minute, there is stuff that wasn't there before!!!

    What's that thing that looks like the Space Needle of Seattle on the right of Sacre Coeur? And that thing sticking up on the left, was that always there?!! Le confusing.

    Have a nice WE everybody.

  8. Tomate Farcie said...

    (PS, by the way, that's some zoom! ;)

  9. Pont Girl said...

    J'ai oublie dire que le ciel est magnifique! Hi Cali, yes the prayers ALWAYS come true! It's funny, because just last week a friend of mine who has the same results with Sacre Coeur prayers, and who is also having man trouble said, "I have to get back to Sacre Coeur and light a candle!!"

  10. Katie said...

    A real stunner of a photo! The sky is so incredibly dramatic. I agree with Pont Girl that this would make a great card.

  11. empreinte said...

    Give us a visit when you have the time.
    Our native language IS photography!

    http://empreinte.wordpress.com/

    The drinks, or Tofu Daiquiris, are on us.

  12. Loïc BROHARD said...

    Good to see some classics ! Wonderful photo of La Butte, very unusual POV. You've been lucky to be there, Eric. To add a bit of history, Saint Denis (Bishop of Paris and the patron saint of France) was decapitated by a sword in 250 on the hill... Enjoy Le week-end all, Loic
    http://brohardphotography.blogspot.com

  13. Elle said...

    Magnifique. J'aime Paris ! I'm actually a Francophile. i love visiting your site.

  14. Suzy said...

    Yeah, like Tomate said, what is that space needle thingie? Looks like a huge cell phone antenna tower.

    I LOVE this photo, Eric. What a great way to start the weekend!

    XOXO

  15. Hilda said...

    Coming from a Jesuit university, the name of Montmartre has always been familiar—it was also where St. Ignatius of Loyola and his companions made their first vows. And until now, Jesuits also have a special devotion to the Sacred Heart.

  16. David said...

    There's a statue of a headless St. Denis on the hill said to be located where he was decapitated.The statue is in a small park. Kind of creepy.

  17. Coltrane_lives said...

    Hi Eric, this photo angle of Sacre Coeur from La Defense is one I haven't seen before. I like it. I'm more familiar with the direct photo-shoot from say the east of here...over in the Latin Quarter. You know the angle from where you can see the numerous steps. Since we're on the topic of St. Denis...it might be fun to guess how many places in Paris one can see St. Denis. I know he's holding his head at Notre Dame. He's also in the Pantheon reaching for his head. Others? Just curious.

  18. Coltrane_lives said...

    Cali...thumbs up GF!

  19. Christie said...

    Bonjour, everyone! Eric, what a lovely picture. I just adore black and white and think that it makes cityscapes so much more interesting!

    Have a wonderful weekend!!

  20. Petrea said...

    I, too, am curious about the space needle. And the zoom. But I do love the black and white, and this new (to me) view of Montmartre.

  21. Petrea said...

    Forgot to click on the suivi d'email button...

  22. Tall Gary said...

    The shifts in perspective bring to mind a far simpler city scene found in Roman Pompeii.

    Maybe it's the telephoto lens with the broad focus but it looks like the geometrically textured hillside is a detailed movie-set miniature. I almost expect an actor in a rubber suit to rise from beyond the hills and pretend to wreak havoc across Montmartre from within a fire-breathing Godzilla. "Cut! Cut" Help him get his foot unstuck from the Abbesses Metro entrance!"

  23. USelaine said...

    Information has come to my attention concerning a treasure trove of historical photographs of Paris from the Brooklyn Museum Flickr stream, many noted as having "no known copyright restrictions". Some before and after opportunities?

  24. Virginia said...

    This brings back memories of climbing to the top of the Sacre Coeur and at the top, seeing the most incredible view of Paris with la Tour Eiffel in the distance. I too want to know what the structures are on the right and left???? Eric, enlighten us s'il vous plait.

  25. tonton_flaneur said...

    Yes, Petrea..the Diamond and Sapphire parure is on the hyperlink of "jewels" that tall-gary posted yesterday. Not bad, ehhh?? ;-)

    Now...about that "Space Needle"..isn't it a TV transmitter or something? I agree it does look strange in this photo...was wondering if the Battleship Galactica had landed!

  26. Tash said...

    Great photo of the always lovely Sacre Coeur. I was not aware that other buildings are visible in that skyline.

  27. Pietro said...

    Fantastic black and white! Splendid view! I remember with pleasure my visits to those lovely spots and hope to return there soon!

    Pietro Gallery

  28. Parisian Heart said...

    I am in love with this photo!!!
    I would really like to light candles in the Sacre Coeur about now ...
    And I, too, am curious about the other monuments.

  29. Alexa said...

    Eric -- ooooh, b&w. Love it. At first glance , thought this was the view from the terrace of the Musee d'Orsay. Then realized I was looking at the side of Sacre Coeur, not the full-on view. And let me ask as well -- what IS that to the right???
    P.S. Am in awe of your long lens!

    petrea & coltrane -- left you messages on yesterday's post.

  30. Alain said...

    The tower on the left is the campanile ( bell tower ) of the Sacré Coeur.

    The needle on the right is a telecommunications relay located on a hill in Romainville , miles outside of Paris, but brought forward by Eric's giant zoom.

  31. Alexa said...

    Merci, Alain! Alors, finalement, je peut aller faire dodo.

  32. Parisian Heart said...

    Oui, merci, Alain! At first, I thought the structure to the left was the bell tower, but then it seemed too far to the left to be that. How is it that the bell tower seems relatively far away and that needle a town away shows up? Ah, perhaps it is just late ... and it has been waaaaay too long since I've been able to gaze upon the Sacre Coeur for myself ... [sigh] ...

    Again, thanks for the info. And do you know whether tourists are able to go to the top of the space needle? I bet that offers quite a view!

  33. Katie in Minneapolis said...

    If this isn't zoom, which I assume it isn't.. I want that lens the next time I go to Paris! Great shot!

    My zoom could do a so-so version of that from the Eiffel Tower, but definitely not from La Defense. And my circular polarizer definitely couldn't cut the haze enough to make any photo I take look this good.

    Je suis un petit peu jaloux Eric. Mais bravo!

  34. Lucio said...

    Petrea, Rose, Lois & Katie: The first of my posts about Camille Claudel is now online. Sorry it took so long.

  35. Tall Gary said...

    Thank you Alain.

    Tour hertzienne TDF de Romainville. Les Lilas.

  36. Rose said...

    Coltrane, are you going to give the coordinates for the Sacre Couer as well? lol

    Oi Monica... tudo bem minha fofinha? :)

    Bonjour Christie!

    Lynn
    I can't see you...

    Lucio
    I'm on my way

  37. babooshka said...

    This is the most fantastic overview. Had to be a b&w. Stunning shot, just stunning.

  38. Kelly said...

    Perfect in black and white!

  39. Rhonda said...

    Wow! What a different look when it is in classif B/W!! And I love the dark around the edges, almost looks like an old time movie still shot!

    Great site! I have been lurking here off and on for a year or so. My husband and I love Paris and go every few years when we can... in the meantime it is wonderful to see it through your eyes! Merci!

  40. Alexa said...

    tall gary -- thanks for the link.
    You too, uselaine (I live literally around the corner from that museum).

  41. Coltrane_lives said...

    Rose...ah, Rose! Thanks for all the love. I'll throw in the Montmartre coordinates just for you. Here goes: Latitude: 48deg.49'60N, Longitude: 2deg.16'60E. Now you can go there any time you want. Heck, you're just a stone's throw away!

  42. Blognote said...

    Fantastic!!

  43. Marylène said...

    What a perspective ! As always, the eye of the photographer.

    When I looked at this view (if you don't enlarge it), I knew it was Paris, of course, but I also had the idea that it was a kind of "troglodyte", African or Middle Eastern city. Strange feeling, can't explain.
    I am always amazed, and a little jealous, of what a camera, used by the right person with the right look and the adequate mind, can give !!!!
    Sorry hard to explain in English.

  44. Anonymous said...

    This is amazing!! I love it.

  45. phx-cdg said...

    Just read yesterdays comments and no even today's as time is of the essence....FETE DE LA MUSIQUE is happening I want outa this internet.
    Here is the answer to Rue de Temple. They have signs that say you must spend 100 euros, but if you are paying cash, they will let you slip by. Very few people will insist on you buying in gross...I cant even do that. I sell these "bijoux fantasie" at a market on Sat. during the season in PHX and noone in Fr. ever asked to see my card that I honestly have. If anyone wants to go while in CDG and wants me to come with them, let me know a month in advance so i can get a trip on the perfect day--just like I did for the picnic!!!!! I took a friend with me the other day and she bought a necklace for 4 euros that she spent 30 on previously in a store. This works the same way in the US.

  46. Parisian Heart said...

    Marylene, you explained beautifully!

  47. Jilly said...

    Fabulous shot, wondrous view.

  48. Bettina said...

    Eric, this is just the most beautiful picture you have posted for a long time.
    I really can't find words. I just love the black&white and it's now on my desktop.

  49. MmeBenaut said...

    Sacre bleu! This photo is superb Eric, especially in black and white because it also shows the shades of grey in the clouds; looks like rain to me. In all the time I lived in Paris, I never visited Sacre Coeur. I won't miss it next time! I didn't know the Christian history either. Thank you for another interesting post.

  50. Sherry said...

    Gorgeous!

  51. Ms M said...

    Stunning photo! Would make a great art poster...

  52. Noa Rose said...

    It may not be the classic view, but the photo may become a classic. It is definitely wall-worthy!

  53. lynn said...

    I'm here, Rose! Hope you meant me... lol. My parents have been staying so no time for blogging, but i'm back now!

  54. Kim said...

    Wow Eric, your lens really pulled in the view from there! Lovely moody shot under those clouds, too. Was Saint Denis one of those martyrs?
    -Kim
    Seattle Daily Photo

  55. Kim said...

    Oh, my question was answered. If I'd only read the other comments before posting. . . BTW, I think that tower on the left belongs to the other church up there, St. Peter's is it? Or Paul? I went in there just prior to a mass, thinking it was part of Sacre Coeur, which it wasn't.
    -Kim
    Seattle Daily Photo

  56. Kim said...

    Petrea, That doesn't look like Seattle's Space Needle at all! Maybe the Toronto tower, but NOT the Space Needle. Maybe Soron's (sp) tower in LOTR. Perhaps a communications structure?
    -Kim
    Seattle Daily Photo

  57. Andie said...

    I love this picture. Love love love it. I have something similar from the Centre Pompidou when I was there earlier this year. Just a slightly different angle.

    At night, Sacre Couer almost looks like a cake topper on top of the sweetest city ever. ;)

    and Merci, pour le fait de passer.

  58. Lara said...

    a great b&w photo!

  59. bakingwithplath said...

    Wow, beautiful shot

  60. Mike said...

    The sky looks great in black and white. I have a sky photography blog of just clouds if you are interested.

  61. risamay said...

    Classique!

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