2002

Another favorite Church is the Eglise de la Madeleine - more simply referred to a The Madeleine. It is dedicated to the honor of St. Mary Magdalene. This classic building has had a checkered history. The structure was begun in 1764, in the reign of Louis XV. A second architect tore it down and wanted to put in its place a building based on the Pantheon.

This was not well received by the people and so work stopped. Napoleon got into the act and wanted the building to be a memorial to his Grand Army, built in the Greek Temple style. But once the Arc de Triomphe was built, there seemed little point to it. In 1818, Louis XVIII decided it should be a Church, and building was resumed. In 1837 it nearly became Paris’ first railway station. It was finally consecrated as a Church in 1842.

There are lots of things to see. Not far away was this statue to the French heroine, St. Joan of Arc. Monuments, bridges, parks abound. The avenues are usually broad and intended, it would seem, to inspire. And we found Paris to be very user friendly. Contrary to most American opinion, we have found the people to be friendly and helpful. And the Metro, Paris' underground subway, is very efficient and clean and easy to use.

Along the Avenue Geroges V is the beautiful American Cathedral. We visited the Cathedral and had a wonderful lunch with Dean Ernie Hunt. At the end of the year, Dean Hunt expects to retire and return to Dallas. The interior of the Church is impressive but very familiar to Episcopalians. And it was a bit of home to us.

Of course, we did more than take in the sights. One evening we went on a dinner cruise with Tommy and Lana Valenta. The food was very good, but the ambience, as they say, was extraordinary. Romantic music, dancing and the sights along the Seine were memorable.

Near the end of the cruise, the boat made a turn at a small replica of the Statue of Liberty commemorating the gift of the people of France to the United States in 1876. Behind the Statue we caught a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in its evening lights.