14.2.19

The only one left?


There seem to have been some experiments with gas lanterns in Paris during the first decades of the 19th century, but the real start was obviously only during the 1830’s.  Around 1870 there were some 20.000 of them in Paris, but the electricity had already started to replace them. It seems now that there is only one gas lantern left and it’s not in Paris itself, but very close to the Paris border in the suburb of Malakoff, in a very nice little street, surrounded by small individual cosy houses, “Sentier de Tir”. 

The one left, the only one in the Paris region and maybe in France, is of course there thanks to some initiative from the local population and some volunteers who take care of it. The mechanism is obviously very fragile and that seems to be a reason why the lantern now is in operation day and night.

I went one evening. We can see how the gas light is feeble, compared to what the recent electric lanterns offer (too strong light to give nice photos). A little help was also given by the moon.



5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love this!
Beautiful place and beautiful photos, Peter.
Thank you,
Maria

P.S.
Happy Valentines Day everyone!

"................................Straightway I was aware,
so weeping, how a mystic shape did move
behind me, and drew me backward by the hair,
and a voice said in mastery, while I strove,
guess now who holds thee?—Death, I said. But there,
the silver answer rang...not death, but love."

The love of her husband, Robert Browning, transformed the life of Elizabeth Barrett, England's greatest poetess.

joanna said...

Peter

I am still having trouble with reaching your blog...
https://peter-pho2.blogspot.com/ it comes up as not renewed, and I am not longer receiving email updates..
I came through Virginia's side bar, list of blogs there has to be another way?

Joanna

joanna said...

Gas Light -- it is lovely, glad there is still the one as a reminder of another era..

claude said...

Alors là ! Quelle découverte !
Allumé jour et nuit, ça évite le passage de l'allumeur de réverbère.

Shammickite said...

I grew up with gas light. We did not have electricity until I was about 10 years old.