Les Incontournables de Paris

My Office of Tourism-issued-guidebook to Paris divides the city into "promenades" (walks) - geographically clustered groups of monuments and museums that a person could experience on a single day. Each promenade features a list of "incontournables"...literally meaning "unavoidables", but with a positive connotation: sights so integral to the idea of Paris that every visitor just has to see them. Most of us residents and long-term visitors steer clear of these places in order to avoid the tourists. Having my parents and brother visit Paris this Christmas, I took the opportunity to finally check-out many of these essentially Parisian sights.

Sainte-Chapelle:
Since eighth grade, I've been reading about the "magical" stained glass of this little church on the Ile de la Cité. Our rental apartment just happened to be located nearby, and on the way to the metro one rare sunny morning, we decided on a whim to check it out. Built in the 13th century and reconstructed after various wars, its architecture is interesting, but from the exterior not stunning.

And then you enter the building and climb a short spiral staircase to the upper chapel. Despite years of hype, I was still blown-away. Sunlight streaming through the southern windows illuminated huge panels of colorful glass; their scenes depict stories of the old testament, The Passion of Christ, and the Apocalypse.

These photos don't do it justice. If you find yourself in Paris on a sunny day (not always guaranteed)... do put aside a half-hour to go see Saint Chapelle.

Other incontournables from the week include Notre-Dame (I'm still going through my photos... I promise another post in the next few days), and the Musée Marmatton in the 16th arrondissement. The latter is known for it's remarkable collection of Monets. Mention to a Parisian that you like Impressionist paintings and they'll respond that "Ah, you must go to the Musée Marmatton..." (Not the Musée d'Orsay, not the Orangerie. This should give you some perspective on how special the Marmatton is). I managed to snap the following photo of Le Parlement, Reflets sur la Tamise before being chastised by a security guard. Another Paris establishment that's not to be missed.