David Lowrance, a Bellingham documentary filmmaker, and Linda Wright, a Bellingham photographer, immersed themselves in the culture and history of France in June.

"I have always wanted to see Paris, and when a film project in Normandy presented itself, we decided now is our chance to make Paris part of the adventure! The Batobus on the river Seine allowed us to see the heart of Paris from a unique perspective," Lowrance says.

"Floating past the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral and the stunning ornate bridges dating back to the 1500s, we were transported back in time. Every direction we turned we saw magnificent architecture with ornate statues, memorials and even gold-gilded towers."

Walking, they saw the inside of those landmarks and of other historical buildings.

"Walking to the Arc de Triomphe, knowing that both Axis and Allied troops marched here during World War II, I am thankful that the city was spared the destruction and devastation that so many other cities suffered during WW II," Lowrance says.