Monday, October 31, 2011

Musée Grevin - a ghost?


At Musée Grevin, this figure peeking from behind the velvet curtains
seemed just spooky enough for our Halloween

I am not sure who inspired this wax figure.  It is a wax figure, right?


Musée Grevin
Passage Jouffroy
Boulevard Montmartre
75009 Paris

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Cathedral of our Lady of Chartres - astrological clock


The chancel screen of Chartres Cathedral displays an impressive astrological clock dating from the 16th century. It told not only the time but the day of the week, the month of the year, the time of sunrise and sunset, the phase of the moon and the current sign of the zodiac. Its inner works were partially destroyed in 1793.

With the thousands of stained glass windows one could almost miss this treasure

bon dimanche

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Beyond this door...


Beyond this door of unknown decades
are stories untold and lives unseen

bon weekend


Friday, October 28, 2011

Le Corbeau et le Renard


The poet Jean de la Fontaine spent almost three decades
writing his version of 243 fables. 
This statue in Square du Ranelagh shows him regardant à ses pieds
le Corbeau et le Renard, one of his revered fables.


Square du Ranelagh
Métro La Muette
75016 Paris

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Rue Montorgueil


The curtained window with its box of flowers,
belies the chaos of the street below
providing a refuge for the birds and those who reside within.


Look up


Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Les mains


Hands of friendship

There are six sculptures of bronze hands laid on granite stones in Jardins des Tuileries by Louis Bourgeois.  In April, Marie entwined her hands in the cold bronze as tens of thousands before her.

Then she quickly pulled out the hand sanitizer.



Near the Jeu de Paume Museum
Jardins des Tuileries
1, place de la Concorde
75008 Paris


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Un abondance de l'asperge


An arrangement of simple vegetables
in a Paris market,
seen here as a theme in soft shades of green

Monday, October 24, 2011

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Église Saint Eustache




Framed by the entrance to Les Halles
the massive Saint-Eustache fills the sky

bon dimanche


Saturday, October 22, 2011

Friday, October 21, 2011

Architecture reflections




The "old" reflected by the "new"

The straight lines of the modern box
provide a clean surface
for reflecting the century-old architecture.
 
-redeeming value-

bon weekend!


Thursday, October 20, 2011

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Café de la Paix - II



The early morning sun captured shadows on the terrasse of Café de la Paix,
but not even one person enjoying a café crème.

No mystery, just too early!


Café de la Paix
5, Place de l'Opéra
75009 Paris

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Are you dizzy yet?



I wonder if you lean way out from the edge 
while holding on and then look up...?


Eiffel Tower Carrousel
One of two, 
Quai Branley


Monday, October 17, 2011

Courtyard stairway


Peering into a quiet courtyard,
these steps and terrace were inviting us to enter.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Café blanc


The weather this April day was warmer than most of the days in June
The sun was warming the terrace
The pain au chocolate was perfection

So

Where was everyone?



Friday, October 14, 2011

Architectural reflection



In the well-heeled 8ième arrondissement
the windows of this grand residence 
reflect its neighbor

Bon weekend

Rue Rembrandt
Près de Parc de Monseau
75008 Paris

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Marché Maubert - Paris friend




There is a story here.

In April, I returned to the thrice-weekly marché in Place Maubert to deliver a portrait that I had taken in June 2010.  As I have mentioned before, I carry back to Paris on each trip a small folio of portraits that I have taken.  When possible I deliver the photograph to the subject, reminding them when the shot was taken.  Although I am a master of stealth photography almost all of the "returns" were taken with permission.

So, back to the story... In April I was delivering the photo below and this fellow in yellow saw the exchange asking if he was not handsome enough to have his photo taken.  Bien sûr!  When I arrive in Paris in three weeks I will have the top photo tucked into my bag and will find him to renew acquaintances.  I always enjoy the triangle-folded treats from these vendors and in April they would not let me pay.  

Nothing like making friends in Paris, n'est-ce pas?




Marché Maubert
Tues, Thurs, Sat
Place Maubert
Métro Maubert-Mutualité
75005 Paris
 

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Le Petit Garçon


While the other children ran through the park
or zipped around on scooters, 
this little boy played happily alone. 



Square Trousseau
Métro Ledru Rollin
75012 Paris

Monday, October 10, 2011

Pâtisserie Hunt - blé sucré





blé sucré is relatively new on the Paris bakery scene when one considers the legends of Ladurée and Pierre Hermé.  Founded by patissier Fabrice Le Bourdat, the list of temptations is long.  The quality is high and yet the prices are not.  So, what should you choose?
pan au chocolat, madeleine, and financier


Still hungry?
chocolate éclair, croissant, chaussons aux pommes


More?
How about an assortment of macarons

Miam-miam!


blé sucré
7, rue Antoine Vollon
Métro Ledru Rollin
75012 Paris

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Église Saint Étienne du Mont - Angels on High




Angels on high


I do not believe that anyone has counted the angels and cherubs in Église Saint Étienne du Mont, but there are many, perhaps hundreds.


I have brought you here before and will bring you again.  This bright, airy church is filled with details, history, angels, and light.  I will have to return for a concert.


Église Saint Étienne du Mont
1, Place Ste Geneviève
75005 Paris

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais


Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, watchmaker, inventor, musician, diplomat, fugitive, spy, publisher, arms dealer, financier, revolutionary, 1732-1799

He was perhaps most known for his theatrical works, including three Figaro plays: Le Barbier de Séville, Le Mariage de Figaro, and La Mère coupable.   

Determined to publish Voltaire's complete works, many of which were banned, he bought the rights to the manuscripts and set up a print shop in Germany.  He was instrumental in saving many of Voltaire's works which might otherwise have been lost.

This statue by Louis Clausade (1895) sits in a triangle in the Marais.

Beaumarchais statue
Rue Saint Antoine et Rue des Tournelles
Métro Bastille
75004 Paris

Friday, October 7, 2011

Le Tire Bouchon - Montmartre Piano Bar







How do you get a shot without a tourist in Montmartre?  

You walk around the corner... not very scenic but for me it was all about the color rouge and the name of this piano bar in Montmartre.  I remember the first time I heard about a "tire bouchon" and have loved the name for a "wine opener" ever since.

Remember if you buy one in Paris for your picnics in the parks, you will probably have to check it in your luggage if you are flying to the United States.  I have discovered that I can fly "to" Paris with one in my carry-on bag, but not back home.  Odd?

May there be "un tire bouchon" in your weekend! 


Le Tire Bouchon
9, rue Norvins
75018 Paris

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Brasserie Bofinger




Brasserie Bofinger was opened in 1864 and has a reasonable claim to being the first of the Parisian brasseries.  It was quite tiny in those days, not much larger than a bar serving draught beers and charcuterie.  Today it takes up the whole street of rue de la Bastille with bright red awnings embellished with a large gold "B."  The rich dark woods, shining brass and banquettes are remarkable, but the focal point is the intricate glass dome above the main dining room.  Bofinger seats 300 and each day a staff of around 100 serve over 800 dinners.  Although tourists have found this brasserie, it has a reputation as a place where French writers, academics and politicians frequent. 

I was taken with the fine wood doors and lace-curtained windows,
allowing only a slight glimpse inside.


Brasserie Bofinger,
5-7, rue de la Bastille
75004, Paris

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

John Baillie - un grand tailleur depuis 1883


 

Facing Palais Garnier in a boutique first started in 1883, one can imagine the clientele of those early years.  The shop still thrives through the skills passed down many generations.
The window with its richly woven fabrics and simple tools of the trade caught my eye.  



John Baillie
Magasin de Vêtements
5, place de l'Opéra
75009 Paris

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Métro Champs-Elysées Clemenceau


In Lisbon the Metrolitano Picoas station has a very French Guimard entrance, a gift from RATP.  In exchange, the Portuguese ceramist and painter Manuel Cargaleiro created these tiles, giving the Métro Champs-Elysées Clemenceau station a unique atmosphere.   

(Merci à Paris-bise-art

Métro Champs-Elysées Clemenceau
Avenue Winston Churchill et
Avenue des Champs Elysées
75008 Paris

Monday, October 3, 2011

Pâtisserie Hunt - Julien II


Just a stone's throw from yesterday's church,
Église Saint Philippe du Roule, is this pâtisserie filled with temptations to start your week.
After placing an order for pastries and deux cafés I snapped a few shots of these gorgeous tarts.  After hearing, "non, Madame," I turned off my camera. 
It is a good thing that I have a fast trigger finger!

Je vous souhaite une bonne semaine.

Julien
73, ave Franklin D Roosevelt
75008, Paris

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Église Saint Philippe du Roule


This photo is yet another view of Église Saint Philippe du Roule showing more of the detail that graces this church built between 1774 and 1784 on the site of a former hospital and chapel.  You can see the photos and links from my previous posts here, here, and here.

It sits across the street from a Métro stop of the same name and a fabulous pâtisserie. 
I will even tempt you on a Sunday.

bon dimanche



Église Saint Philippe du Roule
154, rue du Faubourg St Honoré
75008, Paris 

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Comme ça - le fleuriste


There may be as many florists in Paris as pâtisseries and boulangeries!

bon weekend


Comme ça
19, rue Saint Antoine
75004 Paris