Saturday, April 2, 2011

L'Escalier III




This staircase to our 5ieme etage appartement several years ago, was a bit neglected but just needed a good oiling. I love the dizzying effect of looking down (or up) into a staircase... especially in Paris.


Bon weekend, mes amis!

31 comments:

Shelley Smart said...

Oooh, I just hate heights! Awesome photo, though!

Anonymous said...

Ces escaliers sont vraiment typiques, et c'est la raison pour laquelle, dans les films, bien souvent, il y a une scène où l'on voit un tel escalier en vue de dessus. Fréquemment, le metteur en scène s'arrange pour que l'on voit une main qui glisse sur la rampe et cela traduit une atmosphère de suspense.
J'aime beaucoup.
Bon week-end, Genie!

Vær våken said...

I agree! It's just that french feel!!

xx

This is Belgium said...

Moi aussi j'adore
un merveilleux weeekend !

Vær våken said...

And have a GREAT trip to beautiful Paris and bring back more lovely photos so we can dream some more!!!

xx

Dianne said...

Oh my! that's a long... way down - they say that's why Parisian women are so slim - they walk the stairs!! umm! is there a lift in the building?

Bill Dixon said...

Pictures of staircases taken from this angle always fascinate me...it makes the eyes scan the photo continuously. And then there is the strong desire I have to have the knowledge to build it. Thanks for sharing.

Rob-bear said...

Up and down; round and round.

Marvellous metaphor for life, Genie.

Tena Russ said...

Both gorgeous: the staircase and the photo.

Anonymous said...

I love it. French staircases are so beautiful; they just beg to have their picture taken.

TheChieftess said...

Looks like the inside of a shell!!! And a great way to get your exercise!!!

Rob Siemann said...

Excellent! Love those geometric forms.

Malyss said...

A picture comes to mind : "vertigo", Hitchcock, J.Stewart and Kim Novak! :)

Starman said...

I don't minding the looking down, it's the climbing up that gets me.

Virginia said...

Did the stairs lean to one side like at Janeen's . I think Paris stairs are charming but a little hard to maneuver!

Alexa said...

You must have leaned waaay out to get this image, Genie! It's a beauty. Reminds me of a book I just finished—The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating. :~}

Louise said...

I took several pictures like this in Paris, for some reason Parisian staircases seem more photogenic than staircases elsewhere- like most things in Paris I guess.

Owen said...

Gosh, just don't lean too far... !

Beautiful view down though...

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous genie, apparently I have stairs too ...hmm pack light?

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Shelley -- When you are climbing up you don't notice the height... you are just counting and counting and counting....

Richard -- J'aime bien ces films avec une atmosphere de suspense... une main glissant sur la rampe.... woooooooh

Kristin -- I hope that I will see more scenes like this... merci, mon amie

Belgium -- Merci, mon amie

Dianne -- This apartment was lovely on the top two floors, full of art and a grand piano... but, no elevator. It was really bad if you got to the courtyard and then realized you had left something!

Bill -- I agree with you and although the structure is essentially square, the rails have a gentle unbroken curve to them. Thank you...

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Bear -- I think you are absolutely correct... merci

Tena -- Merci, mon amie

Luxe -- Yes, and I love how they look in b/w

Chieftess -- Yes, there was plenty of exercise on these steps!

Rob and Mandy -- The repeating pattern appeals to me

Malyss -- I love that old movie! Merci

Starman -- Yes, it was quite a climb, particularly with groceries

Virginia -- No, they did not lean and two people could pass they were so wide. Janeen's building had installed an elevator in the center which greatly detracts from the aesthetics of the staircase

Alexa -- I do not think it was too risky, but I have taken a few risky shots before... thanks for the book title!

Louise -- I always snap a staircase when I find one and I always evaluate the potential to slide down the banister... this one would not have worked for that - hah!

Owen -- Don't worry... I usually anchor some part of my body to keep my balance... glad that you like this one!

Suzi -- About the time I made it to the last landing with my suitcase I was thinking that I should not have packed so much!

Nina said...

This is an amazing photo!

Couture Allure Vintage Fashion said...

Just found your blog today and I love it! DH and I went to Paris for the first time in December. Like you, it took me many years to get there, and I can't wait to return. The apartment we stayed in had a staircase just like this one.

Randy said...

A treat for the eye. Great shot Genie.

Gunn said...

This I like! :)

Kelley Carey MacDonald said...

You are such an amazing photographer... this is entrancing!

James said...

I love it! Very cool!

Unknown said...

Love this one too!

Photos by Stan said...

Whoa!! Totally awesome shot! Can't wait to scroll down to the 1/26/11 pic; it'll be hard to top this one! Was there a lift in this apartment house?

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