This Chambered Nautilus of a staircase with the worn marble steps is found in Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BnF) on Rue de Richelieu. Built in 1868, the library held the largest collection of books in the world by the turn of the 20th Century. The elegant grand staircase is in another section of this enormous library complex.
On another day I will post the "forbidden photographs" taken as Peter (of Peter's Paris) kept watch...
Bibliothèque National de France - Richelieu
5, rue Vivienne
How exciting! Beautiful stairs...must be a lovely library!
ReplyDeletexo
Glad I don't live waaaay up there. But then, I do live on a 4-floor walk-up....but not as pretty!
ReplyDeleteGreat shot, beautiful staircase!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a lighthouse's staircase!Normal, culture is enlightening the world! :)
ReplyDeleteIt makes me feel like I am being sucked in just like water going down the drain. Nice clicking Genie!
ReplyDeleteune photo à faire tourner les têtes
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ! I only knew about the very modern Bnf located around Bercy!
ReplyDeleteLovely! very well composed as usual. Hope you well having trouble finding time to blog so posts might be sporadic. Just wanted to pop by and say hi. Kev
ReplyDeleteDizzingly beautiful! The color of the marble and the reflected light really do make it look like the mother of pearl interior of a chambered nautilus. Excellent photograph!
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous Genie. I'm almost speechless! HA
ReplyDeleteAnd Peter is a terrific partner in crime! :)
The word vertigo comes to mind. Great photo.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photograph!!
ReplyDeleteKristin -- With all the renovations on the grounds, it did not present well from outside, but inside is a treasure
ReplyDeleteBibi -- My first apartment visit in Paris was 5 floors (6th floor in the US) and I learned not to forget anything as I left... No wonder French women are so slender!
Vreni -- Merci, mon amie qui aime Paris aussi!
Malyss -- It does indeed, but much wider steps than most lighthouses have.
Andy -- A vortex, with a big sucking sound as one goes down the drain.
Bergson -- Merci, et il fait aussi le vertige
Cynthia -- Well, now you must go, and be sure to go to the top floor up the grand staircase
Kev -- Thanks for the heads up, and I look forward to your helpful hints and beautiful photos
Marie -- The skylight at the top provided the soft lighting of the chamber, and I believe that there were wall sconces along the way.
Virginia -- Never speechless, my dear friend - hah! I do not know if Peter was a partner in crime or simply photographing Holly and me in the process of a misdemeanor!
Harriet -- I believe "le vertige" sets in about the second rotation if you look down
ReplyDeleteCarol -- Merci, my talented friend!
Niiice, Genie—and the light here really enhances this beautiful staircase. Am definitely looking forward to "forbidden" photos!
ReplyDeleteGenie - this is beautiful. Can't wait to see the "forbidden photographs".
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic shot.
ReplyDeleteBut as I have a bit of a headache already, it is actually making me feel dizzy. Strange how images do effect the brain!
"Forbidden photographs"? Genie, you didn't — did you?
Really beautiful shot. I love stair views like this.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very artistic shot, the spiral is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteBravo!
Léia
I see that you intend to admit. Good! (I had some compromising photos in reserve!) :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found this staircase! I missed it when I wrote about the building! :-)
Wonderfully composed shot, Genie! The perspective is hypnotic, love it.
ReplyDeleteA staircase after my own heart. Sigh. I love spiral staircases.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shot, Genie. It looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteLooks like something from a movie. I think this would make me dizzy and I walked down. I do love the warmth of the light.
ReplyDeleteThat is just crazy ridiculous! As in a good ridiculous! Looks like artwork!
ReplyDeleteAlexa -- I had to confess before Peter told on me!
ReplyDeleteHelen -- Oh, they will come
Miss Sadie -- Do take care, my dear. Perhaps this round and round is not for you.
Halcyon -- I do also but often they are cluttered with posts and later-built elevators. This one's only flaw is that there is an errant shoe!
Léia -- Merci! I am glad that you like it.
Peter -- Just hold onto those compromising photos you claim... perhaps we should have a little chat...?
JM -- Merci, and I do love the Chambered Nautilus look to it.
Loree -- I do also. Holly has one at her home that goes up from a back porch ... it is very "tight"
Jack -- Merci, my friend, my good friend
Randy -- I could see a movie scene on these steps... I have another view that is quite compelling
Tammy -- Merci, and as you can imagine each step you take makes a little tapping sound with a small echo... very nice
ReplyDeleteWhat a great perspective! I remember our apartment in 2009 holiday had a staircase similar to this (but of course on a small scale).
ReplyDeleteExcellent photo, like an abstract!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this shot!
ReplyDeleteOhhh! I really like this!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I saw this beauty when I was there. You were lucky to have Peter when you took the forbiden photos because my wife wouldn't be my lookout. :)
ReplyDeleteFinally got here -- I do declare, you were spot on with your comment. You have a wonderful eye and mastery of your camera --
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