While in Paris this past fall I visited the famous department store
Printemps on the Boulevard Haussmann. Not for the reasons you think (shopping) but to check out the amazing 365 degree views of Paris from the rooftop restaurant!
Lunch was pretty good by American standards, sub-standard by Parisian, but no one could pay attention to their meals with all of Paris at their feet.
Above you can make out the Eiffel Tower through the haze just beyond the Grand Palais.
Above is La Madeleine which I blogged about
HERE.
There are just no bad views, a picture postcard in every frame.
Above is the roof of the Palais Garner, more commonly known as the Paris Opera House. I blogged about this magnificent building after one of my previous trips
HERE and
HERE.
The views of the Printemp's rooftop minarets are stunning in their own right. That shiny gilding must be recently applied!
Above you can barely see the hidden business district of Paris -leave those nasty tall, modern buildings out of sight!
I love the multilayered roof of the apartment building across the street.
I have to admit I've never visited the Sacre-Coeur, this is the closest I have come.
Nor the Eglise Saint-Augustin seen above.
The other rooftop views of Paris I love are from the top floor of the Musee d'Orsay. Even on a rainy day like in the image above and below -the views of the Seine and the Louvre are stunning.
Paris, not only the city of lights but the city with no bad views!
Wonderful. Nice to see a rare rear view of the Palais Garnier. : )
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I always go to Printemps (Maison) and always go to the little restaurant at the top to have a glass of water and see the views from the terrace and maybe grab a little salad. I have a ton of photos from up there, looking towards Sacre Coeur on the one side and the Eiffel Tower on the other. I started talking one day to the manager and we talked an hour about life in Paris. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you could go on the roof at the Musee d'Orsay - I thought there was just that little cafe up there full of Italians. Something to see next time!!!
Love seeing your Paris posts and that you're even more a wanderer than me. :)
Thank you! I have been reading about the emergence of splendid department stores in Berlin, and found Paris was referenced over and over again.
ReplyDeleteSince Printemps was designed & opened in Le Havre and Boulevard Haussmann in 1865, it makes sense that by 1895 the Berlin architects would think of Paris as well established and gorgeous!
So wonderful!
ReplyDeleteC'est vrai! Every view is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Paris!
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The store itself looks like a grand palace! I hope the shopping (or window-shopping) was as rich an experience as viewing the facade!
ReplyDeleteOne of the many things I have never done in Paris... it's on my list now. What a splendid view -- thanks for sharing it all with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these stunning views!! Gorgeous photos. I can't wait to visit again. We are headed there in March. Cheers
ReplyDeleteI've never had the privilege of visiting Paris but I have always wanted to go to experience the architecture if nothing else. So much of the architecture here in DC is Roman inspired but when I look at these photos, I can see that some resemblance as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog by the way; so glad that I stumbled upon it. Will be back to visit.
Wow, some amazing views. It certainly shows Paris from a different perspective.
ReplyDeleteNot very sunny - but better than my last trip to Paris which was very foggy most of the time.