Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Escalier en spirale




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

33 comments:

Vær våken said...

How exciting! Beautiful stairs...must be a lovely library!

xo

Pat said...

Glad I don't live waaaay up there. But then, I do live on a 4-floor walk-up....but not as pretty!

Vreni said...

Great shot, beautiful staircase!

Malyss said...

It looks like a lighthouse's staircase!Normal, culture is enlightening the world! :)

Andy said...

It makes me feel like I am being sucked in just like water going down the drain. Nice clicking Genie!

Bergson said...

une photo à faire tourner les têtes

Cynthia said...

Beautiful ! I only knew about the very modern Bnf located around Bercy!

Unknown said...

Lovely! 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

M said...

Dizzingly 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!

Virginia said...

This is gorgeous Genie. I'm almost speechless! HA
And Peter is a terrific partner in crime! :)

Harriet said...

The word vertigo comes to mind. Great photo.

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Gorgeous photograph!!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Kristin -- With all the renovations on the grounds, it did not present well from outside, but inside is a treasure

Bibi -- 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!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Harriet -- I believe "le vertige" sets in about the second rotation if you look down

Carol -- Merci, my talented friend!

Alexa said...

Niiice, Genie—and the light here really enhances this beautiful staircase. Am definitely looking forward to "forbidden" photos!

Helen said...

Genie - this is beautiful. Can't wait to see the "forbidden photographs".

Miss Sadie said...

This is a fantastic shot.

But 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?

Halcyon said...

Really beautiful shot. I love stair views like this.

Cezar and Léia said...

This is a very artistic shot, the spiral is fantastic!
Bravo!
Léia

PeterParis said...

I see that you intend to admit. Good! (I had some compromising photos in reserve!) :-)

I'm glad you found this staircase! I missed it when I wrote about the building! :-)

Unknown said...

Wonderfully composed shot, Genie! The perspective is hypnotic, love it.

Loree said...

A staircase after my own heart. Sigh. I love spiral staircases.

Jack said...

Beautiful shot, Genie. It looks wonderful.

Randy said...

Looks like something from a movie. I think this would make me dizzy and I walked down. I do love the warmth of the light.

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

That is just crazy ridiculous! As in a good ridiculous! Looks like artwork!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Alexa -- I had to confess before Peter told on me!

Helen -- 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

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Tammy -- Merci, and as you can imagine each step you take makes a little tapping sound with a small echo... very nice

cocoa and coconut said...

What a great perspective! I remember our apartment in 2009 holiday had a staircase similar to this (but of course on a small scale).

Rob said...

Excellent photo, like an abstract!

Starman said...

LOVE this shot!

TheChieftess said...

Ohhh! I really like this!!!

James said...

I 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. :)

Photos by Stan said...

Finally got here -- I do declare, you were spot on with your comment. You have a wonderful eye and mastery of your camera --