I had planned to get up early this morning, but I was tired and ill from the cough we both have, so I ended up not emerging until abou 10am, with Meredith still in bed. I did manage to make it down for breakfast, and brought back a baguette for Meredith. Once we were both woken and dressed, we took the subway to Opera to visit La Madeleine. Once there we walked down the street to find a cafe.
National Academy of Music at Opera
Cafe where we stopped for breakfast
Cool visual pun near the cafe
We both felt better after some more breakfast, and we headed back to find La Madeleine. On the way we did a little window shopping.
Cartier store window being steamed up
La Madeleine is a distinctive building being surrounded by many columns, with a huge frieze along the roofline.
Frieze
View from top of steps (note the beggar)
Inside, the magnificent church was impressive and beautiful.
La Madeleine from back
La Madeleine
After La Madeleine, we walked South towards Place de la Concorde then East towards Ile de la Cite, taking us past La Louvre.
Figure in fountain at Place de la Concorde
Obelisk at Place de la Concorde
Statue near the Louvre
Not sure if this is the Medusa
Passing the Louvre, we walked towards Pont Neuf, to cross onto Ile de la Cite.
Passing the Louvre
Gargoyles on Pont Neuf
Saint Chapel is within the bounds of the Palace of Justice and we had to go through some typically relaxed French security to get into the complex. Once inside we asked a friendly gendarme for directions and we were duly directed into the courtyard where we picked up the signs for St Chapel.
St Chapel is divided into two main chambers. The lower chamber, where you initially enter, is not hugely impressive, and also contains a large official souvenir stand, which presumeably helps to raise money to fund the restoration which was in progress outside.
Lower chamber of St Chapel
Lower chamber of St Chapel
Above the lower chamber in St Chapel, is the much larger and immensely more ornate upper chamber. St Chapel was conceived to hold some of the most impressive relics in Christendom including the Crown of Thorns and pieces of the True Cross, and was designed to reflect this, with stained glass windows that tell biblical stories, starting with Genesis.
Upper chamber of St Chapel
Upper chamber of St Chapel
Upper chamber of St Chapel
Upper chamber of St Chapel
Upper chamber of St Chapel
After seeing St Chapel we caught the Metro home to Jules Joffrin. It was funny to see a scooter with an Apple logo on it.
Apple Logo on Scooter
As I write this, we have two full days left in our Paris visit. Time to hit the books looking for more sights.
