Escalators of Paris and stained glass

Hi - today Debbie and I went to San Chapelle, and then to Printemps department store. On our way to Printemps, we took the RER from Les Halles to Auber (which is how I go to work, but never get off at Auber). So Debbie got to see the interesting les Halles area on mid-Saturday. I must say, it isn't as busy as when I come home. But the suprise was Auber - now that is a big station! We followed the signs and ended up exactly where we wanted to be on Blvd Haussmann at Printemps department store. But first we ascended perhaps 3 long escalators to leave the station. Then, once in Printemps, we took escalator after escalator to the top floor to the cafe. Paris is full of escalators - but don't always count on them. On Friday, I had to climb the stalled escalator out of les Halles (probably about 4 floors worth).

The point of this trip was because we heard that there was a stained glass ceiling in the store. We found it over the cafe on the top floor and stopped for lunch. We also took about 20 pictures trying to get an interesting and good shot of the stained glass above our image in the mirrored table top. I don't think we were so successful, but it was a bit funny anyway.

And we also started our day with stained glass at Sainte Chapelle. This was originally built by Louis IX to house the crown of thorns and pieces of the cross. It has the most spectacular stained glass of anywhere (I think). The entire south side of the chapel had had the glass refurbished, and is very impressive. Our day had some spotty clouds, and I'm not sure which is better, the clear sun or clouds. The glass looks great in both, but you can see the detail better in the clouds. The north side of the chapel has not been refurbished yet, and the difference is striking. We sat and soaked it in for quite a while.

In our journey from Sainte Chapelle to Printemps and home, we covered the full gammet of shopping experiences in Paris. Les Halles is like a mall that attracts teenagers and kids wanting to be seen. If you ask me, lots of the people there look like gang members or something. Then there's Blvd Haussmann - this is the fancy department store aread. The cafe at Printemps looks like the kind of place a grandparent would take their granddaughters to. Fancy names and high prices. As we headed home, Haussmann becomes Montemarte and leaves the high rent to become Hard Rock Cafe and movie houses. If you take a right on St Denis, you find yourself in a red light district (se passed on this). All this in about a 30-60 minute walk.
Au revoir...