My favorite quiet corner of Paris was the cemetery at Montmartre. Away from crowds, tended to by various cats, overseen by angels. I spent a lot of my early photography days taking pictures in cemeteries in Vermont, and back then my dream was to visit ones like these in New Orleans, in Paris, in Savannah, in Prague. Ancient. I don’t think John and Katherine share the same affinity for cemeteries that I do, but it’s okay. I still got to spend time wandering.
Staying off the main streets on our way to Sacré-Cœur from the cemetery, we were rewarded with the beautiful Allée des Brouillards and, at the end of it, this man on a bench in front of a bit of Paris spring. I loved that shock of yellow!
Another favorite: this tree at the top of Montmartre’s famous steps.
A view from the Coulée Verte...
... and from the Tuileries...
I was pleased to see that the fleet of ships at the Luxembourg Gardens pond included not just boats from regular countries, but also a pirate ship. Ha! John and Katherine sailed Norway…
On my birthday, we went to the top of the Eiffel Tower. We arrived early, the line wasn’t long, and we’d stocked up on baguettes for breakfast, eating them while waiting. We bought the stair tickets, and climbed until we were finally forced to take the elevator up from the second level. I still remember being at the top with my Dad when I was four years old, and although I don’t remember what side we looked over, I remember the railing being just at eye level, and my Dad having to lift me up to give me a better view. I’m pretty sure that wooden railing is the still the very same, and the second I put my hand on it, I got goosebumps. I still remembered the feel of the wood on my palm. Of course it made me cry — I miss my Dad, and I know I am lucky to remember moments like that from so long ago. I know Katherine will grow up and remember this trip with her own Dad, being at the top of the world in Paris.
** See my other Paris posts: Paris Album, and A Day in Paris.