Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Porte Saint-Denis


Porte Saint-Denis was built in 1672 replacing a medieval gate in the city walls of Paris. This triumphal arch was designed by architect François Blondel at the direction of Louis XIV.

This is but a small section of the massive monument and arch. I related to this guy who was not having a good day.


Porte Saint-Denis
Métro Strasborg-Saint Denis

38 comments:

Pierre BOYER said...

:-)

Rob-bear said...

Pauvre lion altété! Et pauvre Genie, aussi. J'espère que les choses sont meilleures bientôt.

Anonymous said...

I have seen this lovely bridge - your aspect though is lovely x

Anonymous said...

Pauvre lion... Il semble bien fatigué... Que guette-t-il? Le passage de la petite Américaine?
Bonne journée, Genie!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

He looks very tired and thirsty, what a great sculpture. I hope your day gets better Genie.

Best wishes
Grace

beau gosse said...

I admire the intricate detail the sculptor has wrought on Monsieur le Léon! Marvelous indeed! Thank you, Genie!

Dianne said...

He looks really distressed - maybe thirsty or hungry or both!!
Great detail shot Genie!

Joe said...

I live sculpture and this lazy lion is no exception. "In the jungle, the might jungle, the lion sleeps tonight".

Leeds daily photo said...

we have a few lions, dotted around Leeds but nothing like this wonderful lion. It really is a beauty.

biebkriebels said...

Pour boy, he lookes exhausted.

Janey and Co. said...

Me, I think he has had too much of a good day...

Virginia said...

No, c'est moi after Mary and Peter have drug me all over Paris!! :)
V

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

Thanks for the smile today!

Anonymous said...

Can I pet? I'm loving your photos!

M said...

His expression is perfectly understandable when you remember that there is a chariot above him that appears to be running right over him ... poor beast!

I think that is exactly what I look like today!!!

Sylvia K said...

Oh, yes! Thanks for a big smile to start my day! I can relate to him as well -- so well!! Terrific capture, Genie! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Clueless in Boston said...

He does look a little under the weather, doesn't he.

Cezar and Léia said...

Funny Lion!!!
Léia

Starman said...

The arch at Porte Saint-Denis was the very first we experienced on our very first trip to Paris.

suzanneberry said...

he looks so tired! like he's hangin his paws over the arch and givin everyone a big juicy raspberry! great shots as always!

This is Belgium said...

everyone will look at this bridge differently after your post !

Loree said...

Poor lion. He looks so tired.

Harriet said...

What a creative sculptor. You've captured the detail beautifully.

Vreni said...

I love your eye for details!

Alexa said...

This poor lion looks hot, tired, thirsty—or maybe just hung over. The sculptor had a sense of humor!

Jack said...

This loooks like the end of a lion marathon.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Pierre -- Sourire

Bear -- Today is perfect... It was yesterday with too much work-work and a dinner for 22 last night chez nous. Merci

Suzi -- Although I did not show enough to really see the big view, this is a large arch with much detail on both sides. It would be worth seeing if you are in the area.

Richard -- Moi? Tu es marrant, mon ami!

Grace -- Holly and I found him many years ago on my first trip to Paris and this last trip in April was the first time I have seen him since... We always called him "Fang."

beau gosse -- He is so high up that I think most flaneurs just miss his detail and beauty... just look at those claws!

Dianne -- Perhaps he was run over or a victim of battle

Joe -- Love that song, my friend! Merci!

Paul -- So glad that you like "Fang" with his wrinkled brow and detailed mane

biebkriebels -- Indeed he does with his limp front paws and tongue hanging out

Janey -- He may be tired from watching all that have passed beneath over the centuries

Virginia -- Hahaha... I think that it may be Peter or Mary, but not you!

Tammy -- Je t'en pris!

AA -- I think that he is safe to pet but we will need a tall ladder! Merci

Marie -- Ah, yes I remember that now... hope you are feeling better, mon amie

Sylvia -- How does that song go... "somedays you feel like the windshield and somedays you feel like the bug."

Clueless -- Indeed he does, but I like to imagine that he is just tired and not...

Léia -- He is funny and verrrrry big!

Starman -- It really is a beautiful design with interesting history... merci

Suz -- Now, that is very funny... perhaps a little growl now and then as well!

Anni -- You have to be looking to see him since this arch is rather ornate and large sitting right in the middle of an intersection on Rue Saint-Denis

Loree -- He certainly does... I guess a couple of centuries will have that effect - hah!

Harriet -- Merci, mon amie!

Vreni -- Many thanks... let me know if you go here in July

Alexa -- I agree about the sense of humor

Anonymous said...

I've never seen exhaustion look so beautiful!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Jack -- and I think our buddy Fang here is finished!

Liz -- He really is beautiful, merci!

Jilly said...

What a hoot! he looks like he's dying for a drink.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Jilly -- I just think about the artist and what he must have considered in this design... how I would love to talk with him

Anonymous said...

I'll take one of these over my doorway any day ~ xox Alexandra

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Alexandra -- Wouldn't that just be the "cat's meow!" Merci...

TheChieftess said...

I think the lion had bit too much of that fabulous Paris vino last night!!!

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Yes, he looks like one sad lion! I wonder what his story is?

Rob Siemann said...

I really need t have another look at this arch! Passed it probably hundreds of times, but I never noticed him, the exhausted and thirsty lion

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Chieftess -- Only if he was an American lion (hah)!

Carol -- Marie thinks he was run over by a chariot but I think he is just having a "down day."

Rob -- If you get close enough and look up you can see him, but the arch is busy with carvings and sculptures. Once you see him you will not be able to take your eyes off of him (I wouldn't anyway - hehe)

Randy said...

That's one tired lion.