Angels of Paris

Look up and discover the angels of Paris: They're hovering everywhere, hiding in plain sight, each telling their own stories about the city—of romance and royalty, war and revolution, miracles and pilgrimages, art and architecture. On a winding medieval street, find a house adorned by angels carved by a benevolent soul who lived there in the 13th century. Climb to the highest point in Paris to see a magnificent archangel delicately landing on an enormous alligator. Across the city, above a pâtisserie on an enchanting turn-of-the-century shop sign, a pair of floating angels rain down chocolate and vanilla macarons. There are angels on door knockers and sundials; angels with tassels, pomegranates, and bagpipes—each with special meaning. The angels' stories are entwined with monks, pirates, Crusaders, duchesses.

Readers will learn about Paris's history and buildings, artists, and artistic movements through the beautiful and surprising depictions of angels from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. Angels of Paris is the first book to explore this intriguing and extraordinary subject and is a unique way for lovers of Paris to learn more about the city in a new and unusual way.

About the Author

Rosemary Flannery graduated with honors in French from Columbia University and studied at the Sorbonne. She works as a writer, artist, and also gives tours of Paris museums and neighborhoods (www.angelsofparis.com).