May 02, 2020
#PARIS COUNTDOWN #LOCKDOWN : 10 DAYS to GO
MAY 2, 2020
Paris Always Walk Independent Tours is offering, virtually, to you a glimpse of the unique #Montmartre #Paris in #lockdown
Countdown, starting today, till the ease of #confinement on May 11, 2020 .
Come along- when ever will be possible for you- to #discover and #explore this bohemian quarter of #city of #love : Montmartre Village.
Today, May 2nd, 2020 , Paris Always Walk Independent Tours is offering you a unique image of #SacreCoeur Basilica both from downhill and uphill.
#SacreCoeur Basilica is on the top of ‘Butte de Montmartre’ ( #Montmartre Hill) , the highest of #Paris.
After Romans’ temple dedicated to Mars , Christians have built worship places on this hill over centuries, till late 19th century when Cardinal Guibert approved the construction of a basilica ,dedicated to the ‘Heart of God’ / Sacred Heart.
The history of the place, the position of the hill on the north side of #Paris and the 360 degree visibility from afar were enough reasons for the construction of one of the most visited, both by Christian pilgrims and by tourists, basilica in the world: Sacre-Coeur in #Montmartre #Paris – visited in 2019 by 8million travelers/ visitors/tourists.
What is not written in the rather short history of Sacre-Coeur- most of the visitors think it’s an old one, in fact it was finished in 1914- is its positive magnetism. Not only its white-proud- impressive- iconic silhouette is calling you to it, but also all the romantic stair ways all around it, leading upwards the top, making this hill so admired ,in all seasons.
When you think about Montmartre of the 19th and the 20th century, your thoughts go back to the ‘ Impressionists’ or to Picasso and Dali, just to mention some. ‘La Republique de Montmartre’ till 1860, when Baron Haussmann attached it to the #city of #Paris, under the Second Empire of Napoleon III, has become an infinite source of inspiration for artists, less known or famous.
In every episode of this blog you will read and see the work of the artists in Montmartre /Paris/
One of the painters who was inspired by the basilica uphill Montmartre, was The French Naive Art painter Camille Bombois ( 1883-1970) , of the ‘School of Sacred Heart’
Here is his painting ‘Sacre-Coeur’ – 1932
#Coronavirus pandemic has hit France as well. Since March 17, 2020, the country has been in #lockdown, with rather harsh restrictions both for the protection of the population and for helping the medical staff to deal with the pretty high number of hospitalized people.
Not only doctors and nurses have been front- line fighters but all the workers on back stage: police force, electricians, rubbish collectors, boulangers, firefighters, military, pilots, bus drivers, post- office staff, and many more food suppliers and transporters.
For all these brave people, every day, at 8pm -applauses , expressing gratitude, all over the Montmartre Village / Paris.
If you want to see more of Paris Always Walk photos and videos taken during the #lockdown #Paris, visit its Instagram / Twitter / Face Book.
Join in Paris Always Walk Independent Tours #countdown #lockdown.
#staysafe
Text& captures by Jillian. E Andrei – Founder/ Independent Local Guide
Paris Always Walk Independent Tours