Sacre Coeur Basilica (Weekly Photo Challenge: Grand)

My submission is of the Sacre Coeur basilica located in the heart of Montmartre, taken from my trip to Paris this past summer. Personally, it is one of my favourite pictures from the trip, but perhaps that is also because it brings back nice memories. For me this moment  had that “wow factor”, and while a picture is worth a thousand words, it is still not enough to describe a feeling.

Sacre Coeur basilica, Paris, France

Sacre Coeur basilica, Paris, France

The basilica is located on  top of a hill at the highest point of the city, visible even from the top of Notre Dame’s towers. Standing next to the basilica and looking straight up, I couldn’t help but marvel at its beauty and grandeur. For a moment time stood still and there was nothing to worry about, no place to hurry to, no other thoughts to occupy the mind, the most important thing at that moment was just being there and enjoying and appreciating the moment. I was already amazed and I hadn’t even stepped foot into the Sacre Coeur yet!

So let’s just say I was blown away when I walked in. The word “perfect” is not good enough to describe that moment, that feeling. The entire inside was beautifully decorated, and there was not one spot that was unaccounted for in the design. And to top it all off, in the evening that I was there, a ray of sunlight was shining in through the stained glass windows, casting a colourful light on one of the icons. No photography was allowed inside, but it’s probably better that way, as I doubt a photograph can capture that magical quality of standing inside the basilica.

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: From Lines to Patterns

This week’s challenge by The Daily Post is really fun: looking for patterns in everyday life.

First, take a look at the city hall from a different angle.

Looking up at the Toronto City Hall

Looking up at the Toronto City Hall

The second, lovely stained-glass ceilings.

Ceiling of Osgoode Hall in Toronto

Ceiling of Osgoode Hall in Toronto

And last but not least, there’s no way we can forget the Pyramids of the Louvre.

Louvre: From within the pyramid

Louvre: From within the pyramid