inSPIREd Sunday

This is the church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris.
The current building dates to the
17th century.  The façade was renovated in
the 18th century; the north tower
(the one on the left) was renovated, but then
the French Revolution halted the
renovations and the southern tower never
was replaced.  (It's always bothered me
that they don't match.)

[To see more churches from
around the world, go here.]

le soufflé

The waiter poured Grand Marnier over my
dessert soufflé—then very generously
left the bottle, in case I needed just a tiny
bit more (which I did, bien sûr).

[Linking back to Ruby Tuesday
and Our World Tuesday.]

Thursday Challenge—"lots"

. . . of  extra-large farm-fresh eggs
for sale at the weekly organic market
held each Sunday on the
Blvd. Raspail in Paris.

There's LOTS more too.

[To see more of the Thursday Photo
Challenge, visit Dale's meme.]

Jardin du Luxembourg

The Luxembourg Palace (now the headquarters 
of the French senate) was built between 
1615 and 1645 for Marie de Medici, widow of Henri IV.
It was passed down through various members 
of her family, was at one time the home of the scandalous 
Duchess du Berry, and was taken over by 
Hermann Göring during the German occupation.  

[Linking back to Today's Flowers
and to Monday Mellow Yellows.]

la verrerie

In the window of the Hermès store in
St. Germain des Prés, gorgeous
glassware in a "more is more" display.
See anything you like?

[To see more Weekend Reflections, visit James's meme.]

Weekend Reflections

At the Left Bank end of the Pont des Arts
is the Institut de France, which houses five
academies—the most famous of which
is the Académie française, the official authority
on the French language.  Their rulings are
advisory only, however; if they had the final say, it
probably wouldn't be "supercool" to faire du
"shopping" or visit le "snack bar" or walk le "red carpet."

[To see more weekend reflections, visit James's meme.]

inSPIREd Sunday

Unlock this door and enter the 17th-century church
of Saint-Joseph-des-Carmes, in Paris.
(Marie de Medicis laid the cornerstone in 1613.)
Next time, maybe I'll be able to go inside, see chapel
altars by Bernini, and visit the crypt to see the heads of
priests killed there during the French Revolution.

[To see more churches from around the world, go here.]