Palais des Papes, Avignon

We're touring a little piece of Provence history today

at the papal palace in Avignon,

the capital of the Vaucluse department in southern France.

This medieval, gothic fortress and palace,

once the seat of Christianity 

and known as one of the greatest examples of Gothic style, 

was begun in 1252.

Clement V made it his home in 1309...

...moving the Papal Court to Avignon

 thus creating a period known as the Avignon Papacy

which lasted not quite 70 years

when the Popes returned to Rome in 1377. 

But the antipopes moved in,

ending the Avignon Papacy

and creating the Papal Schism

when several announced themselves the true Pope.

(Christ carrying the cross with Sainte Catherine of Siena on the left)

I love old snapshots of history...

and these sliding media photos show the walled city

in the 1600's. 

Anyone who knows me 

knows I'm a door and window person

taking shots of them wherever I go. 

All around Avignon are murals like this one...

and on many walks in Europe

you'll find just such an elderly woman staring out her window

watching the world pass by. 

I couldn't pass up this beautiful door

with its gorgeous arch, 

cobblestone walkway

and infinity sign. 

And this one just tickled me!

Also in many European cities

one finds Virgin altars on corners of the Old Towns.

Usually holding something precious.

More photos of Provence next time. 

So much beauty...

and such history.

Happy waning summer to you!

(All Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Rosa Bonheur sur Seine

I'm pretty sure I've posted this photo before

but I love it so much I had to take another when I walked by.

Seine art.

While down there on our way through Les Berges de Seine,

Seester and I came across the shipping containers used as rental spaces

where they were having a sustainable design show.

I loved these bikes made out of wood.

The above link gives you an idea of the 

amazing things they're doing on the Left Bank these days

with all kinds of fun things for kids and adults alike. 

We went to Rosa Bonheur sur Seine

where it feels like Paris Plage without the sand.

A gorgeous, warm, sunny day

perfect for wine on the river. 

And a fantastic view!

Pull up a chair, find a spot of shade

and people-watch while sipping pink wine. 

One last look at the Seine before we move on to Provence...

next time. 

(Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Marche aux Fleurs

First, a few pieces of Paris street art! 

And some interesting outdoor seating.

Walking near the Ile de la Cite,

there is a building along the Seine

that says it is the location

where Heloise and Abelard lived in 1118. 

A love story for the ages!

Further down,

my sister and I walked through the Marche aux Fleurs

which I've always wanted to do but never managed to stop in. 

Located on the Ile de la Cite since 1808,

the Marche aux Fleurs has been the home of thousands of potted flowers and plants

beneath pavillions of the 1900's-era. 

On Sundays,

it also becomes a bird market. 

This tree-lined street sits just at the Seine and the Quai de la Corse. 

The pavillion-created stalls

are filled with trinkets and eye candy

which I do wish I had gotten some photos of. 

And the beautiful art nouveau Cite metro stop sits just at the entrance.

Ma soeur noticed that someone took the time and trouble

to try to replace one of the tiles in the metro entryway

...with their own mosaic creation. 

More photos of Paris and Provence

coming up next time.

Til then,

I hope your summer is stunning and ...

a love affair for the ages! 

(Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)