Tuesday, September 01, 2009

La BIG Conciergerie


Funny this is typically the kind of photos I try to avoid on this blog - as I'm sure you can find thousands of La Conciergerie photos on the Web - but this morning I could not resist! I had to go early to the office and, like everyday (don't be jealous!) I passed by this stunning building (which, even after all these years living in Paris, I still continue to look at whenever I pass by it) and noticed the light and the reflexion in La Seine. I could not help but stopping and pulling the trigger. This photo is actually made of 2 shots (I don't have an angle wide enough to take the whole building) which explains its weird shape. Also, today is September 1st and our theme day is: BIG. I think this qualifies!!

44 comments:

  1. Wow what a stunning photo! It almost looks like a chateau out in the countryside and not the Conciergerie in Paris. LOVE the light on this, and the double photo. Just awesome.

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  2. I can't help but ditto everything that Katie just wrote!

    Don't be jealous? Yeah, right.

    I always think of Marie Antionette when I see the conciergerie.

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  3. Are you kidding, Eric? I am green with envy that you see this every day. But I am also grateful that you show us something of Paris every day. Glad you decided to break your rule with this shot—it's awesome!

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  4. gorgeous photo and well worth breaking your rule!

    Most UK visitors have never heard of this stunning building although they walk past it on the way to Notre Dame.

    I too always think of Marie Antoinette after I paid a visit there.

    Thank you for the stunning photo

    Eli

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  5. Magnificent. It qualifies in size as well as historic significance.

    I think of Marie Antoinette, too. After looking at more photos of the interior, I want to take the tour and learn about the medieval inhabitants before it was a prison.

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  6. Awesome!!!
    I can't be jealous but still I don't see it every morning!!!
    A very cool idea for the monthly theme!!! I always wonder what you are preparing for this occasion. And never disappointed. Great!

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  7. Pssst Eric, typo in the title ;)

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  8. Breathtaking! Lovely September light. How lucky you are to see such beauty every day!

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  9. Oops. Forgot to add my "nom." The last post was me.

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  10. Great amalgamation of the two shots, Eric! Marvellous.

    'Don't be jealous'....snigger.

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  11. Love that building, even if its use was pretty grim !
    Anyway, I always think of those towers as Rapunzel towers! Rapunzel, rapunzel, let down your hair....

    I don't suppose while they were banged up there Marie Antoinette & Charlotte Corday and the rest were letting down their hair before, well, losing it and the rest of their heads.

    Am I alone in adoring the upper chapel of Sainte-Chappelle, but almost prefering the more intimate lower chapel?

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  12. I adore BIG! ;-)
    Katie wrote it best and she wrote it first (GF! Yay!)so all I can add is: this is stunning.

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  13. This is such a gift, Eric. Its beautiful reflected in the river. You did a wonderful job taking and stitching together the photos. I wish I had the money to buy you the lens you want so you wouldn't have to go to the trouble and we'd get lots of cool panoramic shots! Thanks for for going the extra mile for us. : ) You're the best!!!

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  14. I have BIG feelings for this photo.

    This is a BIG building, with a BIG history behind it and a BIG value when it comes to beauty too. The reflection on the water gives us a BIG dimension of what a great observer you are.

    It's one of my favourites in Paris. This gift/shot you just gave us is superb!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!

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  15. From Cali I agree with you, the way Katie put it is perfect. This angle does make it look like a chateau from the La Loire!

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  16. Wow, Monica, that's a lot of BIG!
    Oops, since I basically repeated what Katie said I will have to add this is stupendous.

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  17. In also thought that it was a chateau in the Loire valley. Very creative photo Eric and now I can't wait to see the other theme day shots from this great City Daily Photo community.

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  18. This is one of the first things on my list to visit when I arrive in 12 days. I've never been there, and to me, that's inexcusable.

    I love the two shots merged as one, and I'm envious, since I can never seem to get it to work.

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  19. I just had to come back again and say "Wow". The comments make me see what I didn't notice before.

    This photo evokes such a sense of stillness, though it is taken in the middle of one of the busiest parts of Paris, that it is natural to imagine it surrounded by late summer mist-laced fields and awakening bird song in the early golden hour on the Loire. Your "tourist" shots are anything but, Eric, and you never go wrong when the urge comes over you to take them.

    Brandon, enjoy!!! I'm jealous. I wonder what kind of retirement job I might be able to scare up 15 years from now in Paris. Its a nice diversion to think of the possibilities!

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  20. Great photo.
    Wonderful building.

    Not to be jealous? Impossible!

    Thanks.

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  21. The light was stunning for certain. Nice solution for the width of this building. And yes, it certainly is BIG LOL!

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  22. Eric, allow me to mention what I think is the best thing about La Congiergerie. Allow it is a great building in its own right, it offers a way to see St. Chapelle without standing in line with hoardes of tourists!

    When we were in Paris for the New Year's holidays a few years back, there was a long line to get into St. Chapelle, truly one of the most delightful buildings anywhere. But there was no line for La Congiergerie right next door, and you can buy a ticket that allows you to go from La Congiergerie straight into St. Chapelle without going back onto the street and getting in line.

    I hope it is still possible to do this and I am not giving anyone bad advice.

    Another great way to see St. Chapelle without standing in line is to buy a ticket to attend a concert there in the evening.

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  23. Everyone else has said it all for me, but I find it ironic that the photo evokes a stillness, something that Paris is NOT.

    Hooray for not having the right equipment.It made your photo that much more artistic.

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  24. Just a caution on buying the concert ticket for la Sainte Chapelle - if its the same time as it used to be, it is a nighttime concert and does not allow one to see the sunlight coloring the immense stained glass windows which make the chapel unique. That said, I loved the concert once I'd been there in the daytime as well.

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  25. Eric, you don't have to avoid these sceneries - nothing is too touristy for Paris freaks like us - I/we love all your photos;it's always such a surprise when the "daily dose" turns up on the screen.
    This shot is great, and there's something fairytale-like about it.And again it's wonderful how you still appreciate your city and take notice of both small and BIG things around you AND share it with us - thank you !

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  26. Bravo, Eric. I don't notice the join and am so impressed with the photograph, not to mention that beautiful building. Nothing wrong with what seems like a conventional shot from time to time. Your PDP is always fascinating.

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  27. Carrie - I am trying to scare up a job before I really get started in my career. I have a minimum of three months in Paris starting Sept. 11, and if I can get any sort of job there...I'll be in heaven.

    Good luck with the retirement job!

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  28. Bien sûr c'est LA photo touristique, mais je suis d'accord avec toi, il fallait la faire. Certains moments de grâce doivent être saisis.
    Bravo pour ton collage de deux photos, ça fonctionne super bien.

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  29. So many wonderful comments today -- all fully deserved, Eric! Katie, you won GF ... It seems we need to confer an additional award upon you for having said it so well.

    I also like what phx said about the impression of stillness ... and what Bettina said about nothing being too touristy for us ... I just love PDP!!! Thank you, Eric and everyone! <3

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  30. Hello. It is a splendid castle. The moat surrounding it is beautiful.

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  31. Brandon - I didn't know you were on the hunt for the same sort of thing! I 'll keep my fingers crossed for you!! Bonne chance!! : )

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  32. Just beautiful Eric. I AM jealous by the way. I never tire of the wonderful architecture everywhere in Paris. La tour still takes my breath away every time I see her.
    And thanks again for starting the BIG thing called CDP!
    V

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  33. Mort aux tyrans ! Le roi est mort, vive le roi !

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  34. Do you think they'd let me rent a room? There are so many....I'd even take one on the top floor with the little windows!

    I always have thought what a grim history surrounds a building with an incredible location.


    Sean

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  35. Encore une fois excellent Eric. C'est une photo extrêmement puissante.

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  36. But of course I'm jealous that you pass by this beautiful big building on your way to work. And I'm jealous of each and every person here who has also seen it in person.

    Today, however, I'll just enjoy so much the photo. Thank you for not passing it by without taking this shot. :)

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  37. I love so much the way you captured it, Eric.
    Only you and your experienced eyes for such a beautiful photo. No need to be jealous, when we have you in Paris... Hmm quite :)
    Thank you.

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  38. I'm glad you liked this photo, because I like it too. And I KNEW you'd be jealous too ;-)

    Sorry, that's the way the cookie crumbles as the Brits say (or should I say "c'est la vie" ?!). I live in Paris, I can't help passing by these gorgeous monuments everyday.

    I agree with PHX BTW. This photo gives the impression that Paris is very still and silent and it is NOT - especially where la Concirgerie is located).

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  40. Amazing picture Eric! The reflections are beautiful, the subject is ablaze with perfect light! The sky is great! It could've been even better if you used a circular polarizer which would have made the blue color of the sky even richer. Even though you didn't this photograph is the closest thing I've seen to perfection!

    Thank you for showing us Paris with your superb photography.

    Harry Simitian, http://crazycameraideas.blogspot.com/

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