#basilique
Venice, reflections
©️ Corinne Hetzel
Sacre Coeur et Montmartre
Guess who’s back in Paris? This girl!!
Last year on my flight home from my month in France I realized that I had never gotten to Sacre Coeur, one of Paris’ most iconic landmarks and scenic overlooks!
This year, for graduation my parents gifted me with a week in my favorite city in the world. Naturally Sacre Coeur was my first stop. The walk (hike) to the top was long but worth it. I found a bench about halfway up in front of the fountain and rested with a baguette sandwich I had picked up on the way. I lunched and caught my breath before going up to the cathedral.
After snapping a couple pics I went inside (where they don’t allow photography) and explored for a little while. It definitely had a flow of tourists, so I felt rushed, but that didn’t stop me from lighting a candle in memory of my Nana who was catholic and I knew would have wanted me to.
I debated whether to go to the top or not. After standing on line for a few minutes I decided I would benefit more from strolling around the area for a bit. Montmartre is located in the 18e Arr. and overlooks basically all of Paris. The streets leading to Sacre Coeur are packed to the gills with souvenir shops, crêperies, and other tourist traps. Beyond the perimeter, however, I found what I was looking for. The apartment buildings that line the streets are stacked with window boxes and laundry airing in the wind, shutter windows opened to let the beautiful 73F (22C) air in. I watched some preteens walking home from school, gabbing and giggling as school kids do.
On my way back down the hill I took a different road and caught a quick glimpse of the Tour Eiffel. Perhaps I’ll go visit her tonight. My carte navigo is loaded, so pourquoi pas?
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Yesterday we paid a visit to Basilique Saint-Denis, a church in northern Paris, and final resting place for French nobility. The nave is surrounded by the coffins of kings and queens, adorned with statues of their likeness. The tombs range in age, size, extravagance, and animation. They are illuminated by the gorgeous stained glass windows of the church, casting shades of blue and red across the statues of generations of royal families.
The most breathtaking resting place to me was the tomb of Anne de Bretagne and her second husband Louis XII. The mausoleum houses life sized, realistic sculptures of the royal pair, naked, stomachs eviscerated and sewn up, and motionless in death. They are surrounded by the twelve apostles, four cardinal virtues, and carved scenes of the Italian wars. Above them kneel the sovereigns in prayer. (Source)
I was initially drawn to this tomb because of the artistic craftsmanship throughout the structure. Each sculpture is impeccable, showing the unique features of each figure represented. Upon further observation, I noticed that Anne’s figure was completely naked. There were other naked figures in the church, but all had at least a hand covering their breasts and protecting their modesty. Anne lies with her head tilted back and chest bare, which I found to be an interesting choice in a church setting.
I was mesmerized by this mausoleum. It, and the church in which it is housed, are absolutely beautiful. Weaving through the caskets is not an experience I will soon forget.
