The Eiffel Tower…Always Magnifique
Bonjour mes amis,
I think it’s Thursday but I’ve lost all sense of where we are in any given week. Most of the relative indicators are gone unless of course, you’re working from home. Bernie and I trust that each of you is doing well and staying above water in your thoughts. Some days it’s hard to deal with the deaths on top of the isolation. But we must keep trying. There are lessons to be learned, mais oui, so we must be sure not to miss them.
My devotional today for Lent talked about fasting criticism. That’s a good one for any time but especially right now. Hold onto that thought.
So for today’s inspiration, I turn to the most visited outside structure in the world, Le Tour Eiffel or the Eiffel Tower. According to stats from 2019, there were approximately 7 million visitors. As you approach Paris by plane, there it stands in all of its glory announcing your entry. We have been blessed to see it in every season, from every angle, but never as it is today, isolated and empty. It symbolizes better days ahead for all of us.
Did you know that the tower was built in two years and opened in 1889 for the World’s Fair? It was despised initially by the arts community. It is painted every 7 years with 60 tons of paint using 1500 brushes, all done by hand over the period of a year. When the tower opened it was a reddish brown, then a decade later painted yellow to connote fashion and style! In more modern times, the color is referred to as “Eiffel brown” but the paint job is done in three shades, getting progressively lighter with elevation to accentuate the height.
Hope you enjoy these photos of one of our most endearing spots in all of Paris. Love getting your comments!
By the way, the photo up top was taken for our book by Peggy Bilbro, and some of the others are from Charles Gattis and my daughter, Natalie. What’s your favorite?
A bientôt,
L & B
April 9, 2020 @ 4:51 pm
Wonderful photos of one of my favorite Paris icons! I had to chuckle at the photo of the magnificent tower in all her glory, and none of the people in the photo are even looking at her!
April 9, 2020 @ 4:59 pm
For obvious reasons I liked the 9th one because I love that picture of Bob and me with the Eiffel Tower behind us, or us in front of it depending on your perspective. But I love several of the ones lite in what appears to be golden lights with a blue stream shining from it.
April 9, 2020 @ 5:05 pm
My vote goes to the shot at dusk with the ted geraniums in the foreground. Also like the view from above with the converging streets. Was it taken from the Arch?
April 9, 2020 @ 8:00 pm
Yes, from the top of the Arc
April 9, 2020 @ 5:25 pm
I love the one of Bernie smiling, sitting by the steps, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. A true Frenchman!
I love the fact you can see the Eiffel Tower from almost anywhere in Paris.
April 9, 2020 @ 5:38 pm
Outstanding! Hard to choose a favorite but favor the shots that include you and Bernie. Always good to see my long time friend.
April 9, 2020 @ 5:42 pm
My favorite is the same as Judy Gattis’s. Tough choice since all are magnificent. Thank you for brightening our days. You are amazing!!
April 9, 2020 @ 5:49 pm
Honestly, I love them all. If I had to pick, I suppose the 15th down would win the prize for me since it adds the perspective of the whole city and its beauty with the Eiffel Tower that dominates in such an iconic way. The 13th one down is similar and I like that also for the same reason. I love ones with people in them also.
April 9, 2020 @ 6:40 pm
Loving all the photos and being transported back to Paris with you two lovebirds! Xxx
April 9, 2020 @ 6:52 pm
They are all wonderful and each special in their own way—the same of which can be said of dear friends. Your blog is always most enjoyable. Thanks for sharing your time and talent. Stay safe, my friend.
April 9, 2020 @ 8:03 pm
I have to pick them all!! Always beautiful. Thanks Linda.
April 9, 2020 @ 9:05 pm
What Antonia said!
April 10, 2020 @ 1:23 pm
Is there one location that is accepted as best place to view the Tower from? I like the one with Natalie with the bridge, river, boat, trees and Tower in the background. I also like the closer up ones that show the intricate metal work. Is Bernie an engineer? Ask him how much of the metal work was for strength and how much for show. Thanks.
April 11, 2020 @ 2:09 am
Eiffel was an engineer and there’s lots about the construction on the internet. It was an amazing feat for its day. Best place in my opinion to view the tower is from the Place de Trocadero.
April 10, 2020 @ 6:54 pm
the second one (with Natalie), Bob and Cindi kissing, you and Bernie holding hands, the one with the red roses in the foreground – how to choose? Thank you!
April 11, 2020 @ 3:20 pm
Thank you L. I did look online and found the answer to my question about the ironwork of the Tower. — ‘The only non-structural elements are the four decorative grill-work arches, added in Sauvestre’s sketches, which served to make the tower look more substantial and to make a more impressive entrance to the exposition.’
The arches are what I saw in your pictures that made me ask the question. Thanks again.