Sunday, June 24, 2012

Église Saint-Sulpice




Saint-Sulpice, at 113 metres long, 58 metres in width and 34 metres tall, is only slightly smaller than Notre-Dame making it the second largest church in Paris.  Peter (Peter's Paris), my husband and I made a visit on the afternoon of Palm Sunday this year and found what seemed to be thousands of chairs for the congregation.  There were several women selling palm fronds on the front steps, and the church seemed alive with the activities of the day.


This church has been the center of events in history and in recent years became a tourist destination due to  Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code.  There is much of interest here and I will bring you back again.


 
bon dimanche

 

Église Saint-Sulpice
Place Saint-Sulpice
75006, Paris


26 comments:

Rob-bear said...

Bon dimanche, Génie.

An interesting picture with all the chairs.

Sylvia K said...

This is indeed a fascinating capture, Genie! I can't wait to learn more! Hope your weekend is going well, mon amie! Enjoy your Sunday!

Hugs
Sylvia

BriGt said...

Heyy Genie...woww what an artistic shot !! i would have never thought taking these in a church...love your eye to photograph things :)
Still in Paris ?? how long are you going for ??
or are you just posting one pic at a time ??

Joe said...

Yes please Genie ... do bring it to us again. A very creative capture. Love the repetition of the chairs. Good choice to go with Black and White it captures the light and the shadows perfectly. Great shot.

Unknown said...

Now, this is a fabulous repetition shot and the b&w works just fine!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

What a fabulous shot. You really have an eye for art.

The first thing that came to mind when I saw it was how difficult it would be to sit there for a long time.
Sam

biebkriebels said...

They are so lined up very well. Very nice picture with the beautiful light coming in.
Marianne

M said...

Very creative! I love the Paris church chairs .... not or their comfort but for their flexibility ... allowing them to set up the worship area as needed. Bon dimanche!

Forest Dream Weaver said...

This picture is alive with possibilities.Have the people gone or they about to arrive.......what time of day and what time of year is it? Lovely use of shadow in the composition.

Bon dimanche Genie,
Ruby

Palomasea said...

Very cool shot, Genie...
Have a lovely Sunday, sweet friend!
Bises,
- Irina

orvokki said...

Interesting post with text and lovely foto. The foto is great.
Have a nice sunday.

Lynne with an e said...

I have to borrow a book title to describe this great photo: "An Audience of Chairs."

Anonymous said...

I don't believe I have ever seen so many chairs out for the congregation. I wonder how comfortable it would be to sit in one of these for an extended length of time?

Pet said...

So many stories, in as many chairs!

Cezar and Léia said...

Wonderful idea for this picture, it's beautiful in b&w , a very artistic composition!
Léia

TheChieftess said...

Nice shot Genie!!! But I have to admit...I wouldn't relish sitting on one of those for an entire service!!!

Starman said...

Cool photo....but notices most of the chairs are empty.

Randy said...

Amazing lines.

Jack said...

Ah, yes, I know Saint-Sulpice. Your image today is excellent. The lines are cool.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

BriGt, I sent you an email

Starman, this was in the late afternoon on Palm Sunday and services has most likely concluded

Regarding the comfort of these chairs, I have never noticed them to be particularly uncomfortable, but I have exchanged lenses, set up tripods and other camera fumblings. They are noisy!

Lynne, I think that your "Audience of Chairs" is a perfect title for this photo

Marianne, because most of them are attached, they line up quite well.

This church is huge and it takes many chairs to fill, perhaps thousands. Being able to shoot without people was perfect for this photographer, but I would hope that the services were well-attended this day.

Wishing each of you a wonderful week ahead.

Bises,
Genie

Halcyon said...

I love this shot. The light is perfect. I can imagine sitting there in the solitude and just enjoying being. :)

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I think they're anticipating a huge congregation this morning Genie, what a sight to see all these chairs filled, who says no one goes to church anymore!!

Unknown said...

This is such an effective image!

Nathalie said...

Très belle composition ombre et lumière !

Photos by Stan said...

There is little I can add to the well-deserved accolades except that this is an images I would loved to have created.

Jeanie said...

I visited St. Sulpice on my first visit to Paris. Seeing your photo is a fond reminder. I love the black and white -- beautifully composed, indeed.

If you've read down a bit on The Marmelade Gypsy, you'll discover that I, too, had the great fortune to seeing a part of Paris with Peter. We visited Montmartre, and I still say it was my favorite day in Paris! Isn't the blow world wonderful?