Paix ~ Peace ~ Paz ~ Pace ~ Paqe

This is one of my favorite photos that I took in March of 2012 in Paris. Yet somehow I didn't end up using it until now. It seems as good a way to end the year - and this blog - as any. With Peace. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." (John 14:27)

May the year MMXIII be filled with Peace for you and for All. Thanks for being here. Peace out. LS

Coucou! Redeux - La Grande Arche

Crossing the street near the Champs-Élysées, I happened to look down the street and - coucou! - there was La Grande Arche de la Défense. 

Coucou! Redeux - La Sorbonne

Walking down the street, I wondered what this building was with its tower peeking up above the rest of the buildings - et voilà! - La Sorbonne, Paris' premier institution of higher learning.

Coucou! Redeux - Sacré-Cœur

More peek-a-boo this week. As you step out of the Abbesses Métro station, this is what you see: Sacré-Cœur framed by two old apartment buildings in Montmartre.

And a Very Merry Christmas from Paris!

Coucou! - From Le Métro

This one is my favorite "coucou" views of all. This photo was taken on the Métro. We were sitting there chatting and minding our own business, when we suddenly went around a corner and - BOOM! - there it was in all its glory. No matter how many times I see it, it's always a thrill!

This view of La Tour can be seen on Métro Line 6 between Passy and Bir Hakim.

Coucou! - Through the Trees

A "peek-a-boo" view of the Eiffel Tower through the trees as seen from the Jardin des Tuileries near L'Orangerie, one of my favorite museums in Paris.

Coucou! - La Tour Eiffel

The French word coucou literally means "cuckoo" as in a cuckoo clock, but it is also the word the French use when playing peek-a-boo. Coucou!

Walking through the streets of Paris often feels like a huge game of peek-a-boo, you never know what you are going to see when you come around a corner or step out of a Métro station.

This week, a few "coucou" views of La Tour Eiffel. Here it is, as viewed from the Charles de Gaulle Étoile, just peeking it's head up out of the fog.

Cœurs - Heart as Art

This is my favorite of all the hearts I saw in Paris. It is part of the Stravinsky Fountain next to the Centre Georges Pompidou in the Marais (4eme). Since we "lived" in this district, we would often walk home past this fountain after a long day of traversing the city. This whimsical heart never failed to cheer me.

Cœurs - Beaded Heart

Another one from the children. This one was in the window of another school, I believe in the Latin Quarter (the 5eme).

Cœurs - Graffiti Heart

This heart was scrawled on the wall of Victor Hugo's house in Le Marais. Although I do not condone this defacing of a historical place, I did appreciate that what they drew was a heart and not something profane :)

Cœurs - Big and Warm

This heart is so full it almost doesn't look like a heart anymore. I photographed this one inside the Église Saint-Séverin. I just love it!

Cœurs - Reflections on Love Redeux

Continuing on the theme from last week....more love from Paris this week, in the form of hearts. This one was painted (in finger paints from the looks of it) on the window of a day-care center across the street from the La Grande Mosquée de Paris.

Amour - A Different Kind of Love

Caritas means "lovingkindess" or love that comes from the Spirit. It is the Latin equivalent of the Greek word agape, which seems a good word to meditate on as we move into the season of Christmas. May the spirit of caritas fill you this month!

Amour - In the form of chocolate

It is a rare person (woman?) who doesn't in some way equate chocolate with love. In Paris, they're fine with that. In fact, they encourage it. Enjoy some love today!

Amour - Just Say It

Sometimes speaking the words can be the hardest part of falling in love. Here on the streets of Paris one brave soul has taken the leap and just said it. Won't you do the same today?

Amour - Pure & Simple

Here's some love, pure and simple, and in English. This one was in the window of a kitchen and bath shop.

Amour - Reflections on Love

They call Paris "the City of Lights," but sometimes it feels to me like the City of Love. As I walk the streets of the city, I can feel (and see) the love everywhere I go. This week, a few examples.