View from the Left Bank to the Ile de la cite, Paris, France April 2009 by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

Canon G7

When Shadowfax11 and I rented an apartment in Paris in April, 2009, this was the view from the living room window. This hand-held panorama is looking North to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the short Petit Pont (bridge) to the Ile-de-la-cite, an island in the Seine River and the original location of the prehistoric tribal village which became Paris. The Metropolitan Police Station was undergoing renovations and the hoarding on the scaffolding was painted to imitate the facade beneath, but also had colourful figures of police officers in action --- including one officer on roller-blades! Notre Dame defines the area, not only visually, but aurally, as its bells chime the hour clearly above even the most obnoxious traffic noises. The Seine is hardly visible since it has been confined for centuries in a stone-walled course. But the riverside is a pleasant, relaxing spot to walk along --- first descending down stone steps to a cobbled walkway on either bank. Once one is below street level, Notre Dame takes on an even more dominant role soaring above the river. The Petit Pont bridge terminates Rue St. Jacques which was the ancient highway to Rome from Paris --- a lot of history here.