Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Père Lachaise X


Granite, limestone, marble, painstakingly chisled...

Shades of green, either paint or patina....

Canopy of trees fully leafed for the season...


All in quiet homage to those who have gone...


31 comments:

Rob Siemann said...

... which reminds me to go and finally visit the big old cemetery here, so be remarkable...

megi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shell Sherree said...

It looks so respectful. Thanks, dear Genie.

Dianne said...

Everything done just perfectly - another lovely glimpse of this wonderful cimeteire! xx

beau gosse said...

The crypts, the sculptures....all so beautiful and peaceful. One can spend countless hours here and still keep discovering beautiful treasures! Thank you, Genie!

This is Belgium said...

I keep finding it a bit strange that a cemetery like Père Lachaise is one of the major Paris "attractions" and that people refer to it as very beautiful. I have been several times and enjoyed all of my visits. Somehow , it is "fun" to look for Edith Piaf, Molière, Yves Montand, Simone Signoret and the most visited of all, Jim Morrison

Unknown said...

Such history contained in one place the people may be gone but their memory remain forever.

biebkriebels said...

Lovely serene photo. For some reason I often visit a cemetery in foreign country's. I like to see the different ways of honour a dead person.

Elizabeth said...

I am another one who visits cemeteries when I travel...

brattcat said...

and what a beautiful setting in which to rest.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Hi Genie, I wonder if it is strange that so many people find cemeteries peaceful places to explore. I thought Pere La Chaise was fascinating and spent a good few hours there one afternoon. I think it might have been the anniversary of Jim Morrison's death when we were there, so many people visiting , and it was the most simple grave.
Best wishes
Grace

megi said...

Dear Genie,
sorry!!!
beautiful image.
Thank you.
greetings
Megi

Virginia said...

I love the green against the gray. Lovely.
V

Cezar and Léia said...

Very interesting details and sculpture!
Léia :)

Margaret said...

I could spend all day just looking at your title photo!
I love cemeteries, too. Those tombstones are so elegant.
Margaret

Forest Dream Weaver said...

I find portraits in cemeteries very interesting and this one with his green patina certainly stands out.

Enjoy your day!
Ruby

Sylvia K said...

Such a beautiful place to visit, to rest, to reflect and a superb capture as always, Genie! I do enjoy visiting the old cemeteries like these and like we have in places like New Orleans and Savannah. They are certainly more inspiring than the ones today. Hope your week is off to a great start!

Sylvia

Malyss said...

It may sound strange to write it, But it's a place where I like to stroll!

Alexa said...

You've captured all of those elements so well in this shot, Genie! I always feel so peaceful when I'm in this place, don't you?

Loree said...

A place of peace and serenity.

Clueless in Boston said...

A nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there :)

Starman said...

It can't be too peaceful or serene with all the tourists traipsing through, not to mention the after dark parties.

Janey and Co. said...

Love the colors...and the trees are amazing.

Captured a shot of some cinnamon bears today!

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

Speaking of surprises, I just read your last post then this one. It's a little leap. The last one had me laughing. Don't know how you managed to get that photo. I could envision it though. Then to this somber post. But this is life isn't it? We should enjoy it while we can.

PeterParis said...

So, you managed to find some old tombs still in good shape. Often they are forgotten since decades ... but still have a charm!

M said...

Love the colors in this photo! It is soothing and calming ...

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Rob and Mandy -- Yes, you should see the cemetery where you live

Shell -- Merci, mon amie

Dianne -- Yes, you can be sure that I have photographed this cemetery in many seasons and I still have not seen it all

beau gosse -- Sadly for me, I am not sure that I could retrace my steps to this exact location (which is rare for me)... it is a very large cemetery!

anni -- I like it best when it is too rainy or too cold (or too early) for tourists... My younger daughter came here before I even made my first trip to Paris, but I think that I have lapped her a few times since

Picturit -- So many famous and many more unknowns... the markers and monuments remind us of their lives

biebkriebels -- I do also and one of my favorites is Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires... merci

Elizabeth -- We should make a list of ones "not to miss" in various cities

brattcat -- Merci, mon amie... It's nice place to stroll the quiet paths

Grace -- Jim Morrison's grave has been vandalized over the years and I am not sure that his remains are still there... It does not keep the faithful from making the pilgrimage to the site however.

megi -- Merci for your kind comments... have a nice day

Virginia -- Merci, and the colors caught my eye as well

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Léia -- Merci, mes amis

Margaret -- Many thanks... Your travels take you many places, and you could contribute to a list of "must see" cemeteries... send me an email, svp

Ruby -- Merci, and I love the way in which the paint on other doors and features match the chemically induced patina of the portrait

Sylvia -- I would say that the ones in New Orleans and Savannah would make the "must see" list... send me your ideas via email when you have time

Malyss -- It does not sound strange to me... just very peaceful and quiet amid a busy city

Alexa -- Absolutely... are there cemeteries in Brooklyn that should be added to the list?

Loree -- Merci, mon amie and I agree

Clueless -- Hah! That is for sure and I am not certain that I would feel comfortable there alone at night in the dark...

Starman -- Are there parties? Are you pulling my leg? I would think that they lock the gates at night... are you talking about the people who "live" there?

Janey -- I love how the colors all lined up as if they had been planned... cinnamon bears? Off to see them!

Tammy -- Yes, well I did just move from "fluff" to "death" in one hop... I am ready to enjoy life to the fullest in the meantime

Peter -- These were in fairly good shape although there are sections in poor repair... It is difficult to maintain when all the descendents have passed away also

Marie -- Merci, mon amie!

Starman said...

Oh, you didn't know? Late at night, after the gates are locked, young guys and girls sneak in to have parties.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Starman -- Hummm... I don't think I'll be crashing that party. A party on the Seine? That's more my style. Merci, mon ami!

Randy said...

This is just so beautiful.