Chills Ran Down My Spine

A few days ago someone at Pretty Simple posted a website link promoting a picture book called "Paris. Fenêtres sur l’Histoire." ("Paris. Window on History.")

The pictures in the book feature historical photographs overlaying images of modern Paris.

The infamous "Moulin Rouge" has been around since the late 1800's.

If you have been following this blog then you know that Melanie and I live near the incredibly beautiful Palais Garnier. I used to have to take the Metro to work (until we found our apartment) and every morning the train station let me out right in front of the Opera House.

So you can imagine my shock when I found THIS picture from the German Occupation during the second World War:

My first thought was, "Are those Nazi soldiers??" Then I thought, "Wait, who is that guy in the..."

Recognize anyone in this picture?

I literally got chills down my spine. We live two blocks from there! I've walked within probably two feet of that step he's standing on.

There's so much beauty and history here that would've been lost forever if France hadn't surrendered to Hitler when they did. It makes me incredibly sad to think about that.

When I interviewed here and in Berlin, Melanie and I made sure to tour both cities. They were starkly different experiences. In Paris we saw incredible old buildings, churches and grounds. In Berlin the guide kept saying things like, "Here's what remains of this church, and here's part of the wall from this historic building..."

War is so stupid.