Une fontaine de larmes

In the warming light of a January afternoon,

this young woman was alone with her thoughts.

 

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001 Paris

Sempé at Hôtel de Ville

The Sempé retrospective exhibition runs through March 31st at Hôtel de Ville.  It is free and photos are permitted!  Mary (Mad about Paris), Virginia (Paris Through My Lens), Peter (Peter's Paris), my daughter Holly and I all enjoyed the more than 300 original drawings.  The soft light of the chandelier seen here is one of several projections on the walls of the exhibit hall.

If you have not been, there is still time.  It is not to be missed!

Hôtel de Ville

Salle Saint Jean

5, rue Lobeau

75004 Paris



Look to the sky

  Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont

bon dimanche

Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont

1 place Ste-Geneviève

75005, Paris

Les toits de Passy

The roofs, the shutters, the chimneys...

transformed by the magical afternoon light of winter

Rue de l'Annonciation

75016 Paris

When pigs fly...

When pigs fly, as these surely plan to do, are they circumnavigating the globe?

I was not sure of the interpretation but found this window amusing.

Rue Vivienne

75002, Paris

The commute

When I saw him coming in my direction,

I knew that I would only get one shot... He was FLYING!

So, would a Parisian say this is a scooter, a trottinette, or something else?

Il va travailler à trottinette?

Rue Saint Louis en l'Ile
Ile Saint Louis
75004, Paris

Photo shoot or wedding?

I wish that I had spared the time to hang around and solve this mystery.

What are they doing?  Is it a photographer and an artistic statement or a wedding shot?

Thoughts?

Passage Boiton
75013, Paris

Scouts Guides de France

As I headed out on a Sunday morning in November, I encountered a group of scouts selling Calendrier 2012.  After a long busy day with my camera, I encountered another group of the Scouts Guides de France wrapping up their day of calendar sales.  

The one I bought sits in my office

and reminds me of this group of enthusiastic young people.

(Joyeux anniversaire, Nanette!)

Boulevard Saint-Germain
75005 Paris

Les trois chevaux

The expressions on these carousel horses remind me that it is Monday. 

The two horses on the right may have a tough week ahead.

What about you?

Je vous souhaite une bonne semaine!

Carrousel Venitien
Place Saint-Pierre
Montmartre
75018 Paris

Église Notre Dame de Lorette II

Rich colors adorn every corner of this large church, much like a museum.

I would like to return for a concert on the Cavaille-Coll organ,

 and to see if there are any mistresses in attendance.

Bon dimanche 

Église Notre Dame de Lorette

18, bis rue de Chateaudun

75009 Paris

La Petite Rose

Days of wine and roses? 

Well, actually, it was a bottle of water and a single rose,

but the lighting in the salon de thé was enchanting.

La Petite Rose
11, boulevard de Courcelles
Métro Villiers
75008 Paris

Le Verger d'Aligre

Le Verger d'Aligre is a little shop within the covered market of Marché d'Aligre.

My camera loved the bright colors of nature found here. 

The constant line of people attest to its popularity and good produce.

Le Verger d'Aligre
Marché d'Aligre
75012, Paris

Le Pain au Naturel

On a Sunday morning, the lines for the most popular bread items are set on a table in front of Le Pain au Naturel.  Just ten minutes later the storefront was obscured with people in two lines, one leading into the store and one on the sidewalk for these delicious loaves and baguettes.  

If you ever find yourself alone in Paris, a street market is a great place to sit in a café and watch the Parisians enjoying la vie quotidienne. 

Le Pain au Naturel
5, place d'Aligre
75012 Paris

Architecture on a building

On Rue Raymond Losserand (near the intersection of Rue Pernety)

I spied this interesting artwork on what would have otherwise been a blank wall. 

The colors and subject matter are interesting but I did not find any information about either the artist or the interpretation. 

Do you think that it has been in place for a few years,

or would it have already been covered with graffiti?

Rue Raymond Losserand

75014, Paris



Paris street artists Nemo and Jef Aerosol

Seen here on Rue Vandrezanne, a collection of Paris' well-know graphic street artists,

Nemo and Jef Aerosol. 

The rouge utility pole wrap is just an accessory en rouge.

Rue Vandrezanne
75013, Paris

A glimpse...

If I were le chat domestique,

I would sit in this window with the hardy geraniums.

Cimetière Montparnasse

A photographer can often capture a scene and not know the heartfelt story. 

In this case, we can supply our own memories and a story perhaps.

Cimetière Montparnasse
Métro Raspail (there are several)
75014, Paris

La Butte Aveyronnaise

This wine bar and restaurant has the rouge et blanc theme in the café chairs,

the restaurant decor, the tablecloths, and even in les toilettes!

It was a delicious setting for lunch with a friend in November.

La Butte Aveyronnaise
12, rue de la Butte Aux Cailles
75013, Paris

At any café in Paris

At any café in Paris, your coffee will likely be served in a Cafés Richard cup.  

What is Cafés Richard you ask? 

They are a company whose fresh roasted beans

are delivered daily to Paris' cafés and restaurants. 

I have several Paris cups and Paris mugs,

but why have I never bought the cup so well-known to Parisians? 

I will be doing so this week if I can buy a single cup or two. 

This is called their Perle Noire Cappuccino Cup and Saucer. 

Perhaps I need the expresso, the black Florio design, the Richard Coffee Cup and Saucer with the logo... My carry-on may be a bit heavy on my return to the US.

Une chouette

As I looked up and snapped this photo I wondered...

A pet?

A mascot?

A part of the balcony decor?

A sentry to scare away the pigeons?

A city garden

When I met up with my Paris friend, Isabelle, in November, we walked to the park where she once lived.  The cloistered park cannot be seen from the main street (Rue Pernety), but had a walking trail, a playground, little garden plots, and much more which I will show you on another day.

near Place Marcel Paul
Métro Pernety
75014, Paris

Une grande porte

It is good to see the fine wood grains of an elegant door that has been well-cared for. 

There are many showing signs of neglect and abuse. 

Now, I want to walk into the courtyard that is surely beautiful,

maintained as well as the door.

----------------

I am on my way to Paris with daughter Holly and will be joined by Virginia (Paris Through My Lens) and Mary.  I will be checking in daily and making comments here as possible.  If I stayed long enough to check everything off my list, it would be mid-summer before my return! 

Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine
75012, Paris

Place Maubert

Two of my usual stops on the way "home" greeting friends

who know what I like and who will make new suggestions.

 

Place Maubert
Métro Maubert-Mutualité
75005, Paris

Through a glass darkly...

Looking out the windows on the front of Eglise Notre Dame du Travail,

one can just make out the small park across the cobbled street.

Bon dimanche

Eglise Notre Dame du Travail

36, rue Guilleminot

75014 Paris

Les yeux bleus

Seen on Rue Butte aux Cailles, the eyes appear to follow you as you walk.

Do you think it would be a bit disturbing

to have them positioned right outside of your apartment window?

Could these be the eyes of Dr. Eckelberg, blue and gigantic?

Rue Butte aux Cailles
75013 Paris

Fèves pour la Galette des Rois

I am ready for Epiphany and the Galette des Rois.

I do not think that I will be able to get all of my fèves into just one gallette!

I have collected fèves for years and was fortunate enough to meet a parisienne who was selling her husband's 40-year collection.  I promised to cherish them as he did. 

I will be looking for new ones next week to add to the collection.

Huîtres sur le pouce

At Le Baron Rouge on Rue Théophile Roussel,

people were lined up to eat oysters on the street. 

Monsieur was shucking quickly for the waiting crowd. 

It was as close to a "feeding frenzy" as you will find in Paris.

(Merci, for the correction, mes amies -

I was "eating on the flea" and I meant "eating on the thumb") 

Le Baron Rouge, wine bar
1, rue Théophile Roussel
75012 Paris

Les petites amies

Walking in Parc de Monceau in November,

I encountered a group of 15 to 20 children on a park outing with their teachers. 

Based on the ages (under 6 years), I guessed an école maternelle. 

Each child was wearing a bright yellow vest with reflective stripes,

and from a distance they looked like a little swarm of bees darting about.

Parc de Monceau

Rue des Courcelles

75008 Paris



La photographe -- Holly à Paris

When in Paris, you have to go to extremes to get just the right shot...

I do not think that wearing red will help with the "stealth" shots.

Opéra Garnier

Place de l'Opéra

75009 Paris

Paris chic - les vêtements de Galeries Lafayette

While photographing the Galeries Lafayette Christmas tree,

I took a little shot in my favorite, almost-affordable, department. 

Oh la la!

Galeries Lafayette

40, boulevard Haussmann

75009, Paris

Metro Chaussee d'Antin Lafayette



L'aube de la nouvelle année

I have been touched this year by the friends I have met

both virtually and face-to-face from around the world through blogs. 

Through my Paris experiences and photos

I have learned many secrets and stories of the city I love so. 

The Paris Friends I have met in the markets, the patisseries, the bistrots, and galleries have enriched my visits. 

Je vous souhaite une merveilleuse année 2012!