Eglise des Invalides

I always showed you the Invalides from the other side (what is called l'Esplanade), but last night on the way back from a dinner party at friends who live near this neighborhood, I passed by this magnificent building, which is actually called L'Eglise Saint-Louis des Invalides and which is famous for sheltering the tomb of Napoleon. I never went inside though - yes you heard me, never! Have a quiet Sunday everyone.

The canons of Les Invalides

In front of Les Invalides, there are several canons that are either French made or that the French took from their enemies during the many wars that we participated in throughout the years. These ones, for instance, are precisely Turkish. FYI, In France, whenever we have a new President, the Invalides canons are used for a 21 canon salute. 

Inside Saint-Louis des Invalides

Believe it or not, I had never been inside Saint-Louis des Invalides, the church that is adjacent to the Hotel des Invalides, which was built during the 17th century by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. It's broken down into two parts, one of each (in this photo) being called "the soldiers's church" (you can see the glass partition in the very background of this photo). The whole place is really beautiful, but the most beautiful one is, in my opinion, this stunning metal door at the entrance. Another interesting fact: on both sides of the church, you can see flags; they are "war trophies", from the conquests of Napoleon! 

Les Invalides at night

It's been a while since I posted a touristy photo, so here you go! I took it Saturday evening, on my way back from the 7th arrondissement where I had dinner. This beautiful building is called Les Invalides, and it was built in 1674 to shelter wounded and old soldiers. In 1676, it was decided to add a church to the building (you can see its dome in the middle). Today the Invalides is still a hospital (it's been renewed since it was built!) and a museum where you can see Napoleon's tomb.

Invalides at night

Unusual point of view for today... I'm just out of a company party (Apec) that took place on top of the Montparnasse tower (some people say it's the best point of view in Paris because, precisely, you cannot see the tower!). Needless to say that I took my camera along... Et voilà! I took several pics from the spectacular rooftop on the 57th floor, but this is the one I like the best. It's Le Panthéon Les Invalides, a former hospital that has now been turned into a museum. Like the Pantheon(!!), it also shelters the tomb of several famous Frenchmen including Napolean's one.

The sunny side of Les Invalides

I had a very nice walk in Paris yesterday morning and I was really amazed to see how nice the weather was. Then I thought "what a difference with last year, when it was so cold and snowy..." In fact, I was wrong... I checked my last year's photos (especially this one) from the same period and it was exactly the same. I took this one on the Esplanade des Invalides and I almost felt like laying in the sun! Now, will the end of January be as snowy as last year?! Wait and see...

Le Christ mort

Of course this sculpture could never make it up to the newly elected wonder of the world Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer Statue (see more on Monica's blog ;)) but let me assure you that it is really breathtaking. I found it by sheer coincidence while I was looking for something to photograph in the Invalides. I have been unable to find out if it was made after the 1521 painting of Hans Holbein le Jeune - whose painting is actually in Basel, in Switzerland - and/or if a different artist made it. Anyway, if you're around the Invalides one of these days, it's worth visiting the chapel, just to see this stunning piece of art.

Giant artichokes at Invalides

A-ma-zing. As I was coming back from the 15th arrondissement yesterday, I passed by Les Invalides and saw this giant artichokes sculpture (by Patrick Laroche who claims to be fascinated by nature) in the middle of the pavement! Really cool ;-) Turns out it's part of a contemporary art trail organized by the art gallerie 208 and a local association. So it's not the only piece of art you can come across in the 7th arrondissement at the moment ;-) Here is the only online information I could find about this (in French).

Invalides in black and white

I went to a Galette Party today (a galette is a cake that people eat to celebrate the Epihany (a Christian feast) after Christmas) and on the way back I passed by Les Invalides. It was a beautiful evening (it's still warm in Paris at the moment here) and I felt like taking a photo. I made a black and white one, for a change...

Landing at Les Invalides

Yesterday evening there was a demonstration ending at Les Invalides Esplanade (still about the events in the Middle East). I went there hoping to take good photos, but I'm pretty disappointed with the results. Fortunately, while I was leaving, I took this one, which has nothing to do do with the demonstration (even though you can see marchers in the background, if you look closely). It's the one I prefer! 

Air France office

Like I said previously it really was hard for me to readjust to the Paris time. Right now I could do with a quiet do nothing weekend in Paris, but I have to go down to Nice for a couple of days. I should not complain, as Nice will probably be warmer and sunnier than Paris and because I'm going there to attend the Christening of a little niece I'm going to be the Godfather of! By the way, this is the Air France office at les Invalides. It's located in the magnificent ex Gare des Invalides, built for the 1867 world exposition.

Dôme des Invalides

It's a classic, but it's always nice to see. I also took this photo from the rue Boissy d'Anglas, like the one 2 days ago. It's Le Dôme des Invalides, that I showed several times here, but not from this angle. You don't see much of that kind of architecture in New York, where I just arrived a couple of hours ago ;) But I love skyscrapers too! If you want to join the NYC PDP party on Tuesday 28, around 5:30/6:00 pm. Stay tuned..

Lunch at Les Invalides

In Paris it's prohibited to walk on the grass in most of public gardens. Therefore the only option you have when it's sunny outside and want to take advantage of the nice weather, is to sit on a bench or go to one of the woods in the suburbs. That is unless you know the secret places! Like l'Esplanade des Invalides where I took this photo today around lunch time. It was a beautiful day yesterday as, apparently, next Thursday (the day of the PDP Picnic) will be - well according to the forecasts...

Invalides, last evening...

I thought I had shown you the Invalides so many times over these past - almost - 8 years, that it was not worth giving it a new try. And though, on the way back from a goûter (snack) at friends yesterday, I stopped and took this shot. I know it almost looks like I took it at day light, but I did not; the light in the foreground is 100% artificial and the blue sky is probably due to the fact that I had to lighten the whole photo a bit. Anyway I like the final result.

Invalides Dome

I'm just back from a dinner at dear friend's who live in the 7th arrondissement. On the way to their home, I passed by the back of the Invalides and I noted these green statues just to the right of the dome. It's probably a monument dedicated to the WWI soldiers, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I could not help but taking a photo. I love this place at night.

Last run through Paris?

Yesterday morning the 13th old car parade took place in Paris. I went to one of their stops at Invalides and it was really cool (I have many photos but did not have the time to select them yet). It might me the last of the kind for the Paris town hall is about to pass a law that prohibits cars older than 17 years to drive through Paris (to avoid pollution). The bill is still in progress; let's hope antique cars will have a special persmission once or twice a year...

Demonstrations season

I had a lunch in the 15th arrondissement yesterday and on my way I passed by Les Invalides and saw lot of smoke. I first thought of a giant BBQ(!), but in fact it was a demonstration. France is going through a tough economical phase at the moment and people are afraid to lose their benefits so they try to draw the government's attention! It's complicated... If you want to understand better, have a look at this excellent article (in English).

When one door shuts, an other one takes the photo

I've passed by this door a thousand times maybe, but I never noticed how beautiful it was. It's only after I stumbled upon an article that I decided to take a closer look. This door belongs to the Invalides church, and it was fully restored last year after 300 years of good service (Louis the XIVth inaugurated it in 1706!). The letters "SL" that you can see several times stand for Saint Louis, one of our kings to whom the church is dedicated. Next time I will step inside (believe it or not, I've never been).

It crossed my mind...

I must be obsessed with traffic lights at the moment LOL. The thing is that I was thinking today of the little daily things that are typical of the place where you live: the way tables are dressed in a restaurant, the type of shoes people wear... and the street furniture - that often originates from a local manufacturer. French traffic lights are among those (and of course the Invalides dome in the background, but that is not a "little daily thing" LOL!). FYI, there are 13,993 traffic lights in Paris and 18,441 of these pedestrian signs that we don't really pay attention to ;-) How do I know? Well I counted them all, just for you!

A little tribute to Simon Bolivar

You probably all know Bolivia, the country located in South America. You may not know, however, that this country owes its name to Simón Bolívar, a South American heroe. And what you surely don't know is that this senior died on a 17 December (1830). To celebrate this death, there was a little ceremony this morning by the statue of Simón Bolívar located near the Pont des Invalides and since I happened to be there at that moment, well I couldn't help taking a photo!