Façade de 34, rue Pasquier

Not all of the elephants

seen in Paris are on carrousels

There was a rather famous one known as

the Elephant of the Bastille, a monument which existed

between 1813 and 1846 and was memorialized by

Victor Hugo in his novel, Les Misérables.

34, rue Pasquier

75008, Paris

Quai Saint-Michel - "layers"

Layers seen along theSeine

Taken from the Pont Saint-Michel you can see layers from the buildings along the quai, the bouquinistes, the level under the street, the banks of the Seine, and finally the Seine herself.

How have I not noticed the walkway under the street level on this south side of the river?  What are those open spaces in the stone wall, and what lies beyond?  I am thinking of Jean-Valjean and M. Hugo.

Quai Saint-Michel et Pont Saint-Michel

75004, Paris

Église Saint-Merri

Église Saint-Merri

This church was constructed between 1500 and 1550 

in a style called "Gothic flamboyant."  

Surviving the French Revolution is the oldest bell in Paris, 

cast in 1331.  (That is not a typo... 1331!!)

This church was reported as a site of the 1832 barricades 

fighting in a republican uprising against the July Monarchy.  

I will be going back to my unabridged Les Miserables to look for clues.

bon dimanche

Église Saint-Merri

76, rue de la Verrerie

75004, Paris