Three very different posts for this Wednesday’s Blogger Round-up. French Moments takes us to visit 10 unusual churches in Paris; Heather from Lost in Arles takes us walking on the paths of Van Gogh; while Guide 2 Paris offers a very helpful and detailed analysis of discount passes in Paris. Enjoy!
10 most unusual churches in Paris
by French Moments, a Sydney-based organisation with an international focus which promotes the French language and culture to English-speakers worldwide. Their French team is all about the language, culture and experience
Today, let’s have a look at 10 most unusual churches in Paris! When we think about churches in Paris, famous sanctuaries promptly come to mind: the Notre-Dame cathedral and its fantastic buttresses, the Gothic masterpiece of the Sainte-Chapelle, or the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés with its Romanesque bell tower.
But there are far more interesting churches to discover while staying in the City of Light, some of them not very well-known. Follow this guide to a chronological discover of the 10 most unusual churches in Paris… Read more
Walking in the Paths of Van Gogh
by Heather Robinson from Lost in Arles, an American writer and photographer living in Arles who offers us meanderings through all that makes life in a small town in Provence worth while.
When Remi first made the fateful suggestion that we swing by the town of Arles on our way home from the Visa Pour L’Image Photography Festival in 2003, one name flashed into my mind: Vincent Van Gogh. It was reason enough for me to quickly agree, as I used to regularly visit his masterpieces at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and MOMA in Manhattan (and I still make pilgrimages to say hello whenever I return for a visit). I was only vaguely impressed by the town’s Roman monuments but was immediately transported by the light, his light. It was one of the reasons why we fell in love with this small Provençal town. Read more
Paris Discount Passes
by Guide2Paris which aims to be the complete source of information in English about the Ile-de-France region of France which includes the city of Paris. Designed specifically for English speakers visiting Paris or the region of Ile-de-France, contemplating buying property in Paris or those already living in Paris
There are a number of different Paris discount passes which are intended for tourists to maximise their holidays in the City of Light and sometimes significant savings can be made. Most cards will allow cheaper entry into museums and monuments, discounts on tours and in some cases includes free travel on public transport. It is important to discover what is included in each of the discount passes listed below as sometimes you need to fit in a lot of activities to actually save money. The best advice we can give is to carefully consider what you would like to do in Paris and then see if this corresponds with what is available with the card. Read more
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Dear Rosemary
Many tks for this collection. Specially love the two pieces on the 10 churches and walking in the paths of van Gogh. Plan to visit some of those churches next year, particularly the Russian Orthodox and maybe Hillsong (have never been to Hillsong in Sydney and amazed to find it’s spread to Paris and elsewhere).
When travelling we always try to follow in the tracks of painters and writers we love so have already spent time in Arles and St Remy (also Aix for Cezanne) following van Gogh and to an extent those of French writers and film-makers, eg Mistral (and Gounod who created the opera Mireille from his poem), Pagnol, Giono, Camus etc. Provence is so culturally rich with a wonderful web of song lines (adapting the Australian aboriginal expression), multi-layered from ancient times to the present. Particularly liked David Terry’s comments and his quotations from van Gogh’s letters. So great to have had this chance to read his heartfelt words to his brother. We too, like thousands of others, have stood in van Gogh’s cell and gazed out the window, walked through courtyards, sat in the chapel and felt something of the beauty, peace and refuge this place may have brought to his troubled spirit.
I guess the Paris discount passes are helpful for people who want to see museums on the run. But 60 museums in 2 or even 6 days is a bit mind blowing. We never go to more than two in a day (often only one) as we really like to soak in what we’re seeing so it wouldn’t be a bargain for us. Also for anyone like me who has a disability (I carry an internationally recognised card), many Paris museums don’t charge an entry fee and they never make you wait in a queue to get in. My husband is allowed to accompany as in smaller places where there are stairs, he really has to help me along. So for those who have a real disability, don’t worry about buying the card for Paris as it’s not necessary. Best wishes, Pamela
Hi Pamela, I haven’t been to most of those churches either, though I have been to Arles. Auvers is also a lovely place to visit. I particularly liked seeing Van Gogh’s room and grave. I have a very interesting Life of Van Gogh by David Sweetman, though only in French.
Thanks for the information about museums and disability. I don’t think they really expect you to visit 60 museums – it’s just to give people a choice. I usually limit myself to one visit a day although I seem to be visiting fewer and fewer museums as I get older!
The post on the churches lives up to its name! Some of them I’d never heard of, most of them I’ve never visited. Definitely some places to put on the list. The post on Vincent’s places in Arles was lovely too.
Yes, with the exception of Sacré Coeur, which is a little surprising. I have only been to a couple myself, particularly Saint Etienne as it’s the only church in Paris with a jube. Heather writes beautiful posts, I agree.