Thursday, August 16, 2007

The Seduction Of Paris 01

Thought I'd share some of the shots I took while holidaying in Paris. Paris by night is truly mersmerising. There is something magical and flirtatious in the air at night while you stroll around the city, and utterly euphoric waking up in the morning to the smell of freshly baked baguettes.

The Eiffel Tower
By day and by night. The tower bursts into a shower of scintillating lights every hour each evening. The wind really picked up and got pretty nippy as I ascended. I could actually feel the tower sway at certain times.

Named after it's designer Gustave Eiffel, it is the tallest Parisian landmark. At the time the tower was built, many people were shocked by its daring shape. Gustave Eiffel was criticized for the design and accused of trying to create something artistic, or inartistic according to the viewer, without regard to engineering. *Amazing.*

Now to what phenomenon did I give primary concern in designing the Tower? It was wind resistance. Well then! I hold that the curvature of the monument's four outer edges, which is as mathematical calculation dictated it should be (...) will give a great impression of strength and beauty, for it will reveal to the eyes of the observer the boldness of the design as a whole.

—translated from the French newspaper Le Temps of 14 February 1887


Moulin Rouge

Chanced upon the Moulin Rouge in the red light district of Pigalle, Paris, one afternoon while on our way out from visiting Montmartre (one of two principal artistic centers of Paris). Went back again to experience the sex stretch at night when it comes alive with sparkling gold lights, suggestive scarlet and titillating mauve.

Mouling Rouge is French for 'Red Mill' or 'Windmill'. It is a traditional cabaret, built in 1889 by Joseph Oller. Much of the romance from turn-of-the-century France is still present in the club's decor. The Moulin Rouge was also the subject of paintings by post-impressionist painter Toulouse Lautrec. *Pleasure for all senses. A city of Art, romance, sex and food. On their own, or altogether. This is the Parisian way of life.*

3 comments:

beng said...

Thanks for the informative post.

That reminds me, you've not showed us the pictures you took in France!

IMHL said...

wow! that's a place i have always dreamt of going. FRANCE! but how about the countryside? those places look so picturesque in movies, and not forgetting the beautiful language... but still for the trouble to put up this post for our information, a word of thanks. MERCI!

Princess Parsley said...

I will post up more pics of my holiday around the regions of France I stayed in soon. Related to the purpose of the blog of course. :) And yes, the countrysides are picture perfect, just like in a postcard. I SO love the art museums in Paris. JE T'AIME PARIS!