The morning light illuminates one of the two spectacular staircases in this Gothic church built between 1492 and 1626. Although I wanted to see and photograph the rood screen, Marie and I were spellbound by the number of angels in this beautiful church. My friend Alexa, who posted a photo of the organ here, lived nearby in Paris some years ago and knows this church well. I will show you more on future Sundays.
Bon dimanche
Église Saint Étienne du Mont
1 place Ste-Geneviève
The intricacy is quite awesome, isn't it. Bon dimanche, dear Genie...
ReplyDeleteOh Genie!!! You have just made my heart stop. (Don't worry; since I'm typing, it must not be permanent!) Did you know that this is my *favorite* church?!?!? It is so light and airy, and the rood screen is magnificent. Long before my first trip to Paris, I saw a photo of it, and I added it (literally) to my "must see" list. Your beautiful photo highlights the intricate work on the staircase and the light shining in through the wonderful windows. This staircase lifts my eyes and heart toward heaven. Merci infiniment for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteSpectacular is the word! It's a beauty!
ReplyDeleteVery impressive and a real good photograph. There are so many things about Paris that I discover through your blog, my list is growing longer and longer. I am going "down" to Paris on Tuesday and hope to be able to check this one out !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful!!!
ReplyDeletex Kristin
This is probably «Louis'» favorite church in Paris. He looks forward to your further images. The rood screen - probably the last remaining one in Paris - is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteA fabulous architecture! the ancient men were kind of genius, who would be able to make such a thing today?...
ReplyDeleteHi Genie,
ReplyDeleteYou always seem to know exactly what light to capture your subjects in, the morning light is so perfect and soft.
Best wishes
Grace
Oh, what a beautiful staircase!!
ReplyDeleteI gracefully curving staircase is spectacular. Well shot.
ReplyDeleteBon dimanche chère amie!
V
I was hoping you would post St. Etienne this morning ... But your photo exceeds all my hopes. All I can say is, "fantastique!!!!". The way those touches of color from the stained glass windows appear here and there ... And how the light bathes the staircase ... And then just a peek at the angel over the passage way ... You are whetting our appetite for more! Bon dimanche ma chère amie! Merci pour le merveilleux souvenir. Bises!
ReplyDeleteStunning detail. Work like this makes my heart stop whenever I see it, in person or in photograph. You must have hundreds of such gems in your collection!
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique and gorgeous staircase! It's a work of art.
ReplyDeletethe eyes dances following these elegant curves.
ReplyDeleteUne image si étonnante. Merci.
ReplyDeleteShell -- It looks like ancient carved ivory to me... merci
ReplyDeleteParisian Heart -- That is exactly how Marie and I felt as we walked in the almost empty church. I had seen photos and heard about the one remaining rood screen in Paris but was not prepared for the total experience here. It is a very heavenly church... merci!
Rob and Mandy -- I imagine that you have been here, Rob... merci
Anni -- It is easy to find this church (across from the Pantheon) and very much worth the visit.
Kristin -- Merci, mon amie
Louis -- Merci... I will not disappoint you
Malyss -- I agree totally which is reason to preserve and maintain incredible displays of architectural style like this Gothic church
Grace -- For this church, the morning light is important but I really wanted to see it before all the (other) tourists arrived.
Vreni -- This is one of the matching pair, merci!
Virginia -- Merci, ma chère amie
Marie -- Yes, but it was hard to select just one... I thought that the circular staircase is a recognizable signature of the architecture here. Merci
AA -- Many thanks... I rarely post more than one photo which becomes a challenge like today when there is so much to see.
Tammy -- I think that this church has more angels than all of Rome and I can't wait to show them
brattcat -- Merci... It just gave me a chill and it was difficult to take it all in.
Bear -- Merci, mon bon ours... bon dimanche.
Trying to follow the lines of the staircase and for some reason I get dizzy... :)
ReplyDeleteGod bless you!
Cezar
Very fancy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful shot, Genie! And did you gasp when you came in and saw those amazingly delicate-looking carved staircases—and all the rest? Bet you did!
ReplyDeleteFascinating architecture and so much datail.I'd like to see behind the staircase....the candlesticks look very interesting!
ReplyDeleteHappy May Day Genie! xx
Un escalier de dentelle... Belle photo, bisous.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous. What a beautiful blog! I've only been to Paris once, and would love to go back.
ReplyDeleteCould anyone possibly not love that staircase?
ReplyDeleteI think the phrase "awe inspiring" fits here, Genie.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. Talk about a stairway to heaven. What wonderful image.
ReplyDeleteCezar -- It does fool the eyes and when you try to look at both of them at the same time it makes you swoon!
ReplyDeleteHalcyon -- Fancy to the highest degree
Alexa -- I think that I sounded like a fish out of water with my gasping... I will be back again to this church, not as much to take more photos as to absorb it all
Ruby -- I will show you more in Sundays to come... The art is amazing and the angels are abundant! Happy May Day to you also!
martine -- Merci, mon amie... les escaliers sont magnifiques!
Liz -- I hope that you will visit often and I can tempt you to return... Merci!
Starman -- We are on the same page here, my friend!
Jack -- Merci... just wait until you see the rest of it. Or, you could "cheat" and look it up on the internet.
Joe -- THAT's what I should have called this... the perfect title! I think that this is the second time you have scooped one. I will have to email you the next time I have writer's block! Merci!
What can I say? Hard to comment on or describe such beauty.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Genie...and your photograph is gorgeous too!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite churches as well. I often have wondered why we don't hear more about it. Did you see the plaque for Blaise Pascal?
ReplyDelete