Early morning in Paris, Va-nu-pieds photographs the Lion of Belfort, le lion de Belfort, at Place Denfert Rochereau. Despite its size, this lion is but a small replica of a monumental sculpture by Bartholdi, the sculptor who created the Statue of Liberty: “Liberty Lighting the World.”

Va-nu-pieds, the barefoot photographer, visits Lady Liberty on Ile aux Cygnes and in the Luxembourg Garden.

At the center of the great, battered square the spirit of the Bastille takes flight in the Paris sky. Should we follow him?

Va-nu-pieds says, “Victor Hugo’s novel has forever colored my vision of the cathedral Notre Dame de Paris…”

Steel beams… and my foot. A painter extends his hand and his brush to take measure of the object… I extend my foot. Des poutres d’acier… et mon pied. Un peintre tendrait le bras et [...]