The Sacred and the Secular

Here's my teaser.  Stay with me to the end of the post for a further explanation.

 

We began the day on the  Ile de la Cite with a visit to St. Chapelle.  When my mother and I were last here (1979) I think we were the only two people in the chapel.  It used to be a hidden gem of Paris, and off the radar of most tourists.  That is certainly not the case any longer.

I love St. Chapelle (1239-1248) as it is one of the few churches where the original artwork decorating the walls and ceiling is still evident. Louis VX commissioned it to hold the relics he'd brought back from the Crusades including the Crown of Thorns. 

The stained glass windows each tell a different story - Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Kings, etc., as well as the story of the life of King Louis VX.  The chapel was built by him for him and his family (he sat in a separate alcove removed from his mother and wife).  St. Chapelle is an exceptional work of art in so many ways. 

Notre Dame is just a short walk from St. Chapelle, so we headed there next.

 

It is probably most famous for its gargoyles and it's Rose Windows.

 

Here's a detail of one.

 

The cathedral is celebrating it's 850th birthday.  The organ is getting a tune-up, as are the steeple bells (Quasimodo would be so pleased!).

 

This little sparrow was perched on a statue near the door as we left.

 

Near the Cite metro stop there is a flower market.

It was not busy today, so it was pleasant to stroll around and look at all the plants.  The Parisians love to garden and there are garden shops everywhere.  I've noticed lots of rooftop gardens and most folks have a window box at the vary least.

 

Our last stop of the day.  The haberdashery department of Le Bon Marche department store. What a joy! Buttons, and beads, and yarn, and fabric, and ribbons, and zippers, and notions, and DMC, and Sajou silks.  As you can see from the first picture in the post, I treated myself - because really, who could not?

 

Le Bon Marche is amazing!  A department store that is still truly a department store.  The book department puts our Barnes and Noble to shame with literature from around the world.  You're inclined to read the latest book from Norway or Germany - no problem.  There was an amazing stationary store, restaurants on every level, and the men's department included a barber!  It was staffed to the gills - everyone wearing black of course.