I've been waiting a while for it and now here: spring! To celebrate I took a photo of my favorite square in Paris: La Place des Victoires (Victories Square). It's a wide square in the 2nd arrondissement, dedicated to the victories of Louis the XIVth (who's the the guy on the horse by the way!). This Square was inaugurated in... 1686, and if you wanted to erect a building around it you had to comply to the strict rules set by Jules Hardouin-Mansart (1st architect to the king), that is only erect symmetrical buildings. There are lots of urbanism rules like this in Paris (have a look here, if you can read French, it's interesting); it's a constraint, but it is also the reason why it is such a beautiful city.
I worked not too far from this square—and it's one of my absolute faves too. Thanks so much, Eric!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see the blue sky and no snow on the ground in a very Parisian photo. Happy Spring!
ReplyDeleteI will need to check out that square during my next trip. BTW - I am really enjoying the new design:)
ReplyDeleteDelightful photo; you've really captured the beauty of this square (which is one of my favorites too, as it's kind of tucked away in the 2nd). I like the red car which adds just a dash of color.
ReplyDeleteAww the place hasn't changed at all in all these years!
ReplyDeleteMy dad used to work behind one of these windows, a long time ago.
I wonder if the fur shop is still there.
I wish they had rules like that on Long Island!
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring Eric. We have had sun & blue skies here today as well - for the first time in five days. It's wonderful.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Spring and don't move anymore now! Leave us some days enjoying you, your warmth, your brightness, your slight agitation. Let Eric take beautiful pictures of you like this one he took for us today. Isn't it a victorious photo for celebrating you, dear Spring ;)
Place des Victoires, such a long time I have not gone there... Spring, please, give me force and energy to revive after a cold and tiring Winter. Please make me hope to beautiful week-ends, vacation, all over the world or even in Paris and its area (could do my happiness too!). I work hard all weeks and I really miss compensations when not at work! Spring may help. Let's hope so!
Yay for all of you!
ReplyDeleteAll 17 cities and municipalities of Metro Manila (the entire Philippines, for that matter) can do with rules like that! Construction here is so slip-shod…
Sometimes following rules yields lasting beauty.
ReplyDeleteGreat symbol of life. Stop to start again is what I see in that sculpture.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Valery
Love this picture...we used to live right down the street and it makes me miss Paris :)
ReplyDeleteThis photo makes me smile. Kind of a gift. Merci Eric.
ReplyDeleteIt is equally as nice here in NY today...usually us Irish end up with rain in our day..
ReplyDeleteWe are in the train heading to the NYC St Patricks Day parade and I wish the buildings looked as beautiful as Paris!
Sean
Oh merci Eric, de ne pas mentionner notre fête nationale, jour de la St Patrick!
ReplyDeleteDermo
Hurrah for spring! That's a great picture, I can't wait to go to Paris this summer :) thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteAhh, I love walking around here.
ReplyDelete@Dermo "Oh merci Eric, de ne pas mentionner notre fête nationale, jour de la St Patrick! ??? Why merci?!
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I was about to miss it ! St Patrick's day. Well my Irish friends did not tell me much about their plans but I guess all traditional gatherings have taken place as usual. No surprise I think I can trust them to be very determined when it comes to serious matters ;-/
ReplyDeleteGreat symbol of life.
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Oh just go ahead and bring a tear to my eye! Our apartment was a short block from Place des Victoires.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe it ever saw it with the sun shining now that I think about it! :)
V
Eric, It was a little touch of rhetorical sarcasm, something we are very good at in Ireland
ReplyDeleteDermo
@Dermo ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell, see, you were right actually. I fell into the trap. And posted a photo about Saint Patrick's day... on the 18th.
Many thanks for the exciting blog posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you are a brilliant writer. I actually added your blog to my favorites and will look forward for more updates. Great Job, Keep it up.. :)
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