cherry blossoms in paris

by Sharon Santoni

 

When Frank Sinatra sang about April in Paris, I wonder whether he had the cherry blossoms in Paris in mind?  In small squares; along quiet residential roads or in the big beautiful city parks, the cherry blossom lights up the city during the second half of the month.  And if, as is the case this year, we have no rain, then the blooms hang around just a little longer.

Last week the world watched in shock as the Notre Dame cathedral blazed into the night.  It seemed unthinkable that Paris may lose this iconic monument, one thousand years of history and craftsmanship.    Since the fire and the initial shock, the event has morphed into a tale of rebirth, of new life and a challenging deadline of 2024 for the rebuild.

 

One of the challenges of the rebuild will be the respect of the immediate surroundings of the cathedral, such as these cherry blossom trees that stand on the south side of the building, along the river.

On this Easter weekend, this exuberant pink blossom seemed a fitting tribute to the courage of the firemen during the fire; the generosity of the French people and those abroad in donating to the rebuild fund; and the inspiration of the engineers and architects who are facing the challenge of respectfully recreating a 13th century edifice.

 

I hope you have enjoyed a wonderful Easter weekend, that the sun shone, and that whatever season you are in right now, you found some comfort in nature around you.

These photos of the Notre Dame and the Square Gabriel Pierné were shot by Emily Jackson who is part of the MFCH team, and who takes wonderful pictures of Paris and elsewhere.  If you’d like to see more of her work, check our her instagram HERE.

24 comments

Ellen Forbus April 22, 2019 - 12:36 pm

Thank you Sharon. I can almost smell the fragrant aroma these cherry blossoms give, as the pictures are so beautiful and vibrant. I was in Paris and at the very top of Notre Dame in October and was deeply saddened by the fire. The gargoyles and statues on the rooftop were like being in another world. Notre Dame and Paris have survived so much over the millennia, you will overcome this challenge as well. Vive le Paris!

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janet corey April 22, 2019 - 12:43 pm

Good morning,
I have subscribed to the internet magazine and now am having trouble signing up for the hard copy. I have already received and payed for one hard copy and a subscription for internet. I would love a full subscription of the hard copy bc it is hard to read on the computer, also I am a hands on person. Can you help me? PS when I have tried to subscribe, it says someone else has this site already

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Sharon Santoni April 22, 2019 - 1:38 pm

Hi Janet, thank you for your message. We have not yet launched the subscriptions to the hard copy of the magazine. If you would like to click here: https://sharonsantoni.com/mfch-digital-magazine/ . and leave us your email address, then you will be the first to know as soon as the printed subscriptions are available, which we hope will be early to mid May. Just tweaking the last details!

best

Sharon

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Margo April 22, 2019 - 1:19 pm

There is something about spring blossoms that captures my heart. Perhaps it is the realization that the beauty is fleeting and must be enjoyed in the moment. These pictures are a reminder that we must have faith in the renewal of life we see each year. We leave for Paris two weeks from tomorrow, I hope there will still be signs of spring!

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Bridget.A April 22, 2019 - 1:42 pm

Afternoon Janet
I have experienced the same problem you have!
Here’s to a quick resolution so we can enjoy the hands-on copy of this fabulous magazine.

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Sharon Santoni April 22, 2019 - 3:18 pm

Hi Bridget, no worries at all! As we originally announced, the print edition will be on sale as from early to mid May. If you would like to sign up to the newsletter and be the first informed once the print goes live, then just pop over to the link below and leave us your email

Thank you for your interest in our new venture!!

best

Sharon

https://sharonsantoni.com/mfch-digital-magazine/

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Judy April 22, 2019 - 3:30 pm

Thank you. Your pictures are lovely, as always. I was in Paris and went to Notre Dame just seven days before the fire. Since then I’ve looked at my pictures of the cathedral over and over. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and they give me hope for the rebirth of this beautiful cathedral.

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Nan Mautz April 22, 2019 - 3:44 pm

Breathtakingly beautiful! Guess that is why there is a song about it!

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grammar always April 22, 2019 - 3:49 pm

Lovely photos–nice piece.
Sorry but -“Sung” is the past participle of sing, used only after a helping verb: “She has sung the anthem”.

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Sharon Santoni April 22, 2019 - 7:07 pm

HI there, thank you for picking up my typo! now corrected 🙂

Sharon

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Ida Duplechin April 22, 2019 - 4:28 pm

Thank you for such a lovely and uplifting note about the challenge awaiting those who will restore the lovely Notre Dame. The last week has been such a challenging time for many of us. Your Monday note is so welcome. Thank you so very much. Merci. Bisous

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Colleen Taylor April 22, 2019 - 6:05 pm

Gorgeous photos Sharon. Thank you for these beauties to brighten up anyone’s day.

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Dianne Adams April 22, 2019 - 6:17 pm

Thanks for this Sharon & Emily. What a lovely way to alleviate those tragic scenes from last week. See you soon.

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franki April 22, 2019 - 7:52 pm

Oh, those ethereal pink blossoms as only the cherry trees wear!! The fire last week brought such emotion…out last voyage there memory was darling little children sailing “pond yachts” in the water feature…with that Cathedral watching over them…it was enchanting. franki

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Sandy April 22, 2019 - 7:55 pm

Thank you for the beauty of your cherry blossoms , so pretty and relaxing , I also enjoy your take on your city and history thank u again .
It was a beautiful Easter Sunday here in Payson Az we are central in the state small town and ful of beautiful trees and gardens and forest

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Ida Duplechin April 26, 2019 - 4:38 pm

Hi Sandy- I lived in Arizona for 20 years and Payson was one of my favorite towns. The beauty of that area was healing to my soul; I would retreat there from the Phoenix area #SuperGrowth that was happening. So nice to be reminded of that beauty.

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ellen April 22, 2019 - 10:04 pm

So beautiful! Thank you!

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Mandy Fudge April 22, 2019 - 10:47 pm

Beautiful photos !i love paris and these cherry blossoms! Am I able to repost the photos on instagram or facebook?

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Béatrice Boots April 23, 2019 - 3:39 am

Beautiful photo’s and gorgeous article! I was deeply saddened at first too about the loss of a good bit of the Notre Dame cathedral, but somehow it feels like it’s indeed a rebirth of so much more then a building.. To me it feels like a rebirth of life and a rebirth of religion.. In 2013 beekeeper Nicolas Géant donated and a bee hive on the roof of the sacristy. There are over a hundred bee hives placed around Paris to increase biodiversity. Miraculously they survived the fire. In the Notre Dame you’ll find traces of the believes of the Alchemists, the magicians of the Middle Ages. For instance the figure of the green man, which represents the forces of nature. And which, shockingly, also represents Satan. It’s this nature that survived. To me it feels almost like a resurrection. The forces of nature are always stronger then what men can make of them. They’re creation of the feminine and the masculine combined. Not only the overpowering force of the masculine, which stems from the times that the Notre Dame was build.

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Laura T Wilson April 23, 2019 - 3:58 am

Such a lovely and loving post, Sharon.

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Robert April 23, 2019 - 4:33 am

Your text and the beautiful photos represent “re-birth”. As the deciduous trees shed their leaves and become barren.
Alas, Spring arrives and they blossom! So will Notre Dame….it is a symbol of a city and a country!!

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Susan April 24, 2019 - 9:32 pm

Exquisite! My compliments to the photographer.

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Ida Duplechin April 26, 2019 - 4:49 pm

The fire at #NotreDame consumed my attention and the Fall of the Spire was overwhelming. Having been there just a couple of months ago, I couldn’t believe it. The people who held vigils, sang hymns, and the heroes who rescued artifacts/treasures added to the sense of appreciation for history in France. I was thrilled to know the bees survived. In 2024 Paris is host to the Paralympics and the competitors will be people who have pushed forward through adversity toward a goal of participation in athletic life again. What a worthy goal: bring a 21st century engineering/sense and add to the Cathedral so that history will mark the 2019 fire as another event in the Cathedral’s life and the overcoming of adversity.

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Rosemary Green February 26, 2020 - 4:44 pm

Absolutely Beautiful!

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