TWOBOOMERSABROAD

View from atop the Pantheon If you ask me how many times I've been to France, I couldn't tell you. I lived in Besançon, a lovely city in the Jura mountains about 250 miles southeast of Paris during college. Since my retirement several years ago I visit a couple times a year and I've been countless time before retirement. I consider France and especially Paris my second home and my soul home. Haussmann architecture in the 17th arrondissement I've made my share of mistakes

Located in a somewhat rough and tumble suburb north of central Paris, Saint-Denis has a long and rich history. The story of Saint-Denis is long and complex. After all, it's a church, a museum and a necropolis all in one. The French name for it is Basilique cathédral Saint-Denis. So it's a basilica and a cathedral? I had to refresh my memory as to the difference, so I turned to Google. It says, "A cathedral is the principal church of a diocese, serving as the seat of a b

This church has never been on my radar but I'm so glad to have discovered it thanks to a French friend who suggested I visit it. It couldn't be more of a contrast to most of the other churches in Paris. History Paris experienced a huge population growth during the second half of the 19th century, including in the 12th arrondissement where Saint-Esprit is located. The parcel of land that the church occupies was purchased in 1927 by Cardinal Louis-Ernest Dubois, Archbishop of

Walking along the relatively unassuming pedestrian passage in front of the church, passersby could easily dismiss it. But enter the church and you'll be struck by the beautiful stained glass and spacious interior. History The church was built by a decree of Emperor Napoleon III and dedicated to his wife, Empress Eugénie. It was meant to serve the growing population of the Faubourg Poissonnière district which at that time was just outside of Paris and which is now part of

Located on a busy corner in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, the Church of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette is an imposing structure. Don't let the Neo Classical exterior put you off; enter the church and be awed by its beauty. History The current church replaced one just to the north built in the 17th century as the population of the neighborhood grew and required a larger place to worship. The original church was demolished and construction began on the current one in 1823 under the

Often overshadowed by Notre Dame Cathedral less than a mile away, Saint-Sulpice is a jewel in its own right. A Bit of History The church is dedicated to Sulpicius the Pious, a 7th century bishop. To this day, Sulpicians are an order dedicated to the formation of priests through seminary education. Construction of the current church began in the mid-17th century. Anne of Austria, mother of Louis XIV, laid the first stone in 1646. Mathys Schoevaerdts , Public Domain It was

Nestled in a picturesque corner of the 5th arrondissement of Paris, under the shadow of Notre Dame Cathedral, St.-Julien-le-Pauvre, a   Melkite Greek Catholic church   is one of my favorite Parisian churches. As soon as you walk in you feel transported to a prior century and enveloped in its warmth, whether that's due to its small size or the glow of its soft light, it welcomes you. History The current building replaced a 6th century chapel which served as a hospice for pil

On April 15, 2019 at 6:18 pm a fire broke out in the roof of Notre Dame Cathedral. The world watched in horror as over 400 brave Paris...

After MANY years of traveling to France, I'm embarrassed to say that this was my first visit to Giverny. Better late than never, I guess! I'm passionate about Impressionism and I especially love Monet's art, so this was a special day made even better by an April cloudless sky. Born Oscar-Claude Monet in 1840, Monet lived an unusually long life for his day, dying at the age of 86 in 1926. He was fascinated by light and the outdoors from an early age. His father, a business