Love Thursday : The Things We Do For Love

**Note, this was originally posted in August 2007, but I thought it would make a great edition to Love Thursday**

Before I left for my first trip to Paris, solo, I asked Chris if there was anything special he wanted me to bring back for him. I was expecting a beret, a bottle of wine, cheese, or something chees-y like an Eiffel Tower t-shirt. But non, he surprised me. He wanted some pictures. And not just any pictures.

There is a famous picture by Brassai, called ‘ The Stairs’. It is a truly lovely black and white photo and one of Chris’s favorites. So, his souvenir was for me to find and recreate this picture. Uh, ok, no problem. I didn’t know a tiny souvenir would turn into a project.

{The things we do for love}

So, I sat at the computer and let my fingers do the walking. After tons of web surfing… I found that the photo was taken in Montmartre. Hmmm, ok, so I need to look for a large staircase in Montmartre. Shouldn’t be too hard. Well, since Montmartre is on a hill, called the butte, there are stairs all over. Back to the computer. More research, more websites. Finally, I narrow down my options, go to Google Maps and discover,’ The Stairs ‘ is actually a staircase that runs alongside the funicular that takes you to Sacre Coeur. The staircase is actually named – Rue Foyatier.

Voila!

When in Paris, armed with the address and approximate location, I head to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre. Mind you, this is several days into my trip and my tootsies have never done so much walking, hurt so bad, or seen so many ugly looking blisters…but off I go to find and climb a staircase.

{The things we do for love}

When I arrive at Sacre Coeur, I head to the left and there I see the funicular, which is like a giant tram that takes you from street level to Sacre Coeur at the top of the hill.

To the left of this, I see some stairs. I move closer, and sure enough…the street sign says, Rue Foyatier!

At last…I am so excited! Until I see how looooong the staircase is. It seems to disappear in the clouds. And that motorized tram is looking mighty fine to my feet that are on fire now. But…I promised.

{The things we do for love}

So I trudge up the stairs, turning back to look down at every landing to take a picture. Part of the problem is that I don’t know the exact angle or how far up or down the stairs the picture was taken from. So, I just keep snapping, and snapping…from the left, from the right to get the best shot.

The Brassai picture, has no people in the shot, which presents a problem. It was really busy when I went. Just when I have the best shot lined up, people begin walking up or down. It was very frustrating. Needless to say -I took at least 50 shots, some with people, some without. In total, I spent about an hour at ‘ The Stairs’.

{The things we do for love}

When I arrived home, we looked through the photos. Chris loved all the shots and chose the one he liked the best. We blew it up to an 11 x 17 black and white and we look at it often. Though it will never be as good as the original Brassai, especially since the conditions were not the same, it does serve as a wonderful reminder of my first trip to Paris, a sign of accomplishment, and above all it represents..the things we do for love.

Happy Love Thursday everyone!!

Photos: Around Rue Foyatier, Paris

Chouzy
August 18th, 2007
What lovely pictures, but nothing can top the story that accompanies them ! Fulfilling the request of a loved one must surely have given you pleasure. Oh……but all those stairs !!!!!!!!!!
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Chouzy,
Yes, it made me happy to do it, buy yes…I kept cursing the stairs! Under my breath I kept saying ‘he better appreciate this, or else…’
xoxo
Robin

sognatrice
August 19th, 2007
I love this story! It’s so something I would’ve done…and if I had been there with you, I definitely would’ve directed traffic so you could get a shot without people
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Sognatrice,
U R so sweet! Too bad I didn’t know you then….I would have certainly taken you up on your offer!!! That would have been a sight to see…2 Americans not letting any Parisians down the stairs…I am rotflmao as I think about it!!!
xoxo
Robin

NurseTerry
August 19th, 2007
Nice story. Lovely pix. Can’t you photoshop out the people?
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Terry,
A good photographer, or somebody that knows how probably can….but I’ve yet to try and tackle that one
xox
Robin

Mélanie
August 20th, 2007
Lovely pictures . I love Brassai and your Montmartre pictures are great !! Congratulations for having won the sognatrice’s bag .
Mélanie
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Thanks Melanie….really I never win anything!!!
xoxo
Robin

reslifedan
August 20th, 2007
Great story and photos! I have walked these stairs several times (I never take the funicular!)and this brought back happy memories of visits to Sacre Coeur. Thanks!
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You are welcome Glad I can bring back some good memories…..

Merisi's Vienna
August 21st, 2007
Such a lovely story and such great pictures!
The first photo is truly a winner!
Paris seems like Vienna, walking is part of daily life. Every now and then I take a long walk before the city awakes. I love the lone deserted streets Sundays at seven in the morning and then being among the first customers to sit down in a coffee house and read the morning papers in quiet solitude.
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Merisi,
Sounds like you carve a wonderful slice of life On Sundays!
Robin

ParisBreakfasts
August 21st, 2007
Wonderful story and such wonderful pictures!
Your adventure in pursuit of this gift is a gift to all of us!
Grande Merci
Carolg
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Well thank you Carol! I enjoyed sharing it
Robin

Susan
August 22nd, 2007
My husband and I approached these stairs from a side street, rather than the bottom. Now, we’d been trekking all day and decided to take a shortcut–stepping gingerly over the brick incline bordering the stairs until we reached the steps.
The incline didn’t look steep until I stepped to the middle and made the mistake of looking down.
Instant acrophobia glued me to my spot until my husband walked me to the steps.
I don’t recommend this shortcut!
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Susan,
Thanks for visiting, and for the comments! That would have scared the daylights out of me…..glad you made it down in one piece Come back anytime
Robin

Paris Parfait
August 27th, 2007
What a wonderful gift for Chris – and yes, the things we do for love. xo

Cherrye at My Bella Vita
August 28th, 2008
I love love love this area of Paris. You are a great wife, aren’t you? Now-next time you are in Paris sola, give a call. What kind of trouble could we get into in Paris alone??

Nihal
August 28th, 2008
Fairly agree with you that there are endless things to do for LoVe as long as we wish. Now-a-days we need LoVe more and more. Great article and fascinating photos! Shall be back again to visit.
~N at CrossRoads

Melody Platz
August 28th, 2008
I really enjoyed reading this story.
I’ve never had anyone ask anything of me when I travel. I rarely buy trinkets to bring home. The only thing my best friend does is yell at me before I go on a trip because when I went to London I bought post cards instead of taking pictures. She says she wanted to SEE me in London.

My Mélange
August 28th, 2008
Cherrye~ Girl- we could get in so much trouble on our own in Paris!! I’d love to go again- with you- we would need to make sure P. and C. had lots of bail money
N at crossroads~ Very true- now more than ever we need MORE love!! Thanks for the nice words—you are welcome to stop back anytime
Melody~ Thanks. Glad you liked it! Yikes- I think I’d be lost without my camera, but with postcards you are assured great looking vacation photos Thanks for stopping by!!

Je Ne Sais Quoi
August 28th, 2008
I have always loved the photos of Brassai. Yours were very good.

anne
February 14th, 2010
Hi Robin.. what a wonderful story. If you are ever in Paris, I want to know..!! We could meet and you could meet my great friends over there.

I love your photos, I have climbed those steps such a feat, even for the healthy ones.

Which photo did Chris choose?

Robin Locker
February 14th, 2010
I would love that Anne! I didn’t post the picture he chose. Thought it would be extra special if it was just for his eyes only