Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Les fleurs de Paris


Les fleurs de Paris


From the elegant flower boutiques to the simple corner fleuristes, 
nothing says Paris in the spring like flowers.


Even a casual placement of flowers on the sidewalk has 
a recognizable flair.  In trips to Paris I have given flowers 
and have been gifted with bouquets. 


There is nothing better...
and there are no calories in this feast!



Avenue Rapp
75007, Paris

Monday, April 29, 2013

Rue Cler - un café et beaucoup de chaussures


A café on Rue Cler


This delightful café on Rue Cler is a scene repeated all over Paris.  
I love to people-watch and wonder about their "stories."  


Perhaps the shoes will give us some clues...



Rue Cler
75007, Paris

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Église Sainte-Marguerite II


Église Sainte-Marguerite


The layout of the sanctuary is that of the cross in the classic style of the Seventeenth Century.  This church is best known for its cemetery which was closed in 1804.  During the French Revolution, the bodies od three hundree people guillotined in the Place de la Bastille and the Place de la Nation were buried here.


The more I read and research,
the more intrigued I am by the history of this city, Paris.

 
bon dimanche


Église Sainte-Marguerite
36, rue Saint-Bernard
75011, Paris

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Cour Damoye et La Brûlerie Daval - café et thé


Café et thé

On Cour Damoye is a delightful shop for an afternoon tea or coffee,
patiently brewed by the owner of La Brûlerie Daval. 

Take a stroll down this quiet impasse,
free of cars and reminiscent of years gone by.

 
Stop off for an expresse or a cup of tea.  
The memories will linger...

La Brûlerie Daval
Café Thé
Cour Damoye
75011, Paris



Friday, April 26, 2013

la cocotte - objets gourmands



*la cocotte*

How appropriate that a street of restaurants and bistrots
would also display a boutique of "objets gourmands." 


In looking for the translation of "la cocotte" I found:
darling, honey, love


Based on the website for *la cocotte* the word "hen" seems appropriate.



bon weekend



 
la cocotte
5, rue Paul Bert
75011, Paris

Thursday, April 25, 2013

La petite bicyclette


Petite bicyclette


Complete with kickstand, hand brakes, and sturdy lock, 
this little bicycle holds its own amid the full-size bikes.


Oh, and do not forget the necessary bell.


zoom-zoom!


Rue Keller
75011, Paris

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Rue Paul Bert - un bâtiment en rouge et blanc



Rouge et Blanc


This Haussmann era building at the corner of Rue Paul Bert and Rue Cesselin 
has four floors above the street level with wrought iron grills 
and pleasing patterns of red (painted) brick and white stone.  


In the warm months of the year 
almost every window is adorned with plants and flowers.  
I would add herbs to that list.



8, rue Paul Bert
75011, Paris
Métro Faidherbe Chaligny


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

L'Ecailler du Bistrot - poissons et fruits de mer



L'Ecailler du Bistrot


Situated next door to Bistrot Paul Bert, this restaurant of huîtres (oysters), gambas (prawns), crevette (shrimp), homard (lobster), and many types of fish won my heart.  It is decorated with large wooden boats, maps and painted murals of shellfish.  The blackboard menus feature the daily catch and have a large selection of named oysters. 


 I learned from my experiences at Le Baron Rouge that you order oysters by the number which indicates the size of the oyster and by the beach, such as Omaha Beach.  There are too many choices so you order some of all of them and savor the individuality of each.  Just as the French cherish their baguettes, the oysters are serious business and not to be rushed.  They have a nice selection of wines, and a glass of Sancerre is a perfect accompaniment.


Living most of the year on the Gulf Coast of the US and traveling to other coastal oyster regions (Seattle, Vancouver), my tastes are discerning.  The oysters that I enjoyed at L'Ecailler du Bistrot were perhaps the best ever tasted.  One could close the eyes and be transported to Brittany.


miam-miam  



L'Ecailler du Bistrot
22, rue Paul Bert
75011, Paris

Monday, April 22, 2013

Jardins des Tuileries - XXVII



Jardins des Tuileries


This sumptuous park is the largest in Paris at 63 acres (25.5 hectares) 
and provides a grand outdoor entertainment center for Parisians and visitors alike.


Jogging, walking, riding Vélibs, playing pétanque, 
sitting in the ubiquitous green chairs by the side of Grand Bassin Octagonal...
The list is endless



Jardin des Tuileries
75001, Paris

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Chapelle Saint-Vincent-de-Paul II



Chapelle Saint-Vincent-de-Paul II

Saint Vincent de Paul was born in 1581 and after early years of study, graduated in theology, and was ordained in 1600 at the age of 19.  In 1617 he founded the "Ladies of Charity" from a group of women within his parish who came to be known as the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul.

He worked for some time in Paris among imprisoned galley-slaves, and established a group known as the Vincentians, priests with vows of poverty, chastity, obedience.  The Vincentians (also known as Lazarists) are today present in over 80 countries.

After his death in 1660, he was canonized by Pope Clement XII in 1737.  In the photo above you can see the richly appointed shrine which contains the body of Saint Vincent de Paul.  The bones are his, and the "body" was created beautifully of wax over the skeleton.  The overall effect is of the gentle saint peacefully at rest.  I did not photograph the body, but photos are available on the internet if you are interested.




bon dimanche


Chapelle Saint-Vincent-de-Paul
95, rue de Sèvres
75006, Paris
Métro Sèvres-Babylone

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Carrousel XXXI - Carrousel de la Tour Eiffel



La Tour Eiffel
Le Carrousel avec énergies renouvelables
 The rides on this "renewable energy" carrousel are a mix of the traditional horses and the colorful vintage modes of transportation:  propeller plane, wood ship, motorcycle, jalopy, and tiger(!)


What a lovely background as we spin around.


La Tour Eiffel et Le Carrousel de la Tour Eiffel
75007, Paris

Friday, April 19, 2013

Les Jardins du Trocadéro



Les Fontaines
The Fountain of Warsaw


Between the Palais de Chaillot at Trocadero and the Seine is a garden designed by Jean-Charles Alphand for the Exposition Universelle (1878).  This array of magnificent fountains was created by Roger-Henri Expert for the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne in 1937.  


If you come in the evening to see the sparkling Eiffel tower, 
you can enjoy the lighted display of these cascading fountains.



Jardins du Trocadéro
(across the Seine from La Tour Eiffel)
75016, Paris

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Parc de Monceau - des amants


amoureux d'un jour,
amis pour la vie


Parc de Monceau is not just for the young, 
but for those whose love has matured.


Ahhhh, printemps...
love is in the air


Parc de Monceau
Boulevard de Courcelles
75008, Paris
Métro Monceau
 
 

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Parc de Monceau - la pyramide égyptienne



2012 Mar 30 Paris_047DSC_4995

The Egyptian Pyramid


Parc de Monceau was designed by Carrogis Carmontelle in the late 1700s 
with a fanciful assortment of features:  
a Roman colonnade, antique statues, a tatar tent, 
a farmhouse, an enchanted grotto, an Egyptian pyramid, and more


It is one of my favorite parks in Paris, active with Parisians and their children.  
The change of seasons is particularly remarkable in the spring.



Parc de Monceau
Boulevard de Courcelles
75008, Paris
Métro Monceau

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Entrée des Fournisseurs - mercerie




Tucked quietly off the main street of Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, 
this large mercerie has a wonderful selection:


haberdashery, ribbons, buttons, passementerie, 
threads, fabrics, felting, knitting, books, and so much more...


but, if you can see the square sign on the door...
pas de photos!



Entrée des Fournisseurs
8, rue des Francs-Bourgeois
75004, Paris

Monday, April 15, 2013

Square Marie Trintignant - en printemps


Square Marie Trintignant


This small garden was founded in 1933 as Ave Maria Square 
and has a well-appointed 790 m².
In May of 2007 Mayor Bertrand Delanoe renamed it 
after the actress Marie Trintignant.


He must have seen these trees in bloom.



Square Marie Trintignant
Rue de l'Ave Maria
75004, Paris
Métro Pont Marie

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Sainte-Chapelle - une arche des anges


Sainte-Chapelle
Palatine chapel


Certainly the magnificent jewel-toned stained glass windows are eye-catching, 
but every inch of the wall surface and the vault is intricately colored and decorated.


Fragments of the original paint would indicate that the colors of the 19th century restoration pale by comparison.  The 13th century designers selected colors that were closer to the vivid hues of the stained glass windows.


Stunning!


bon dimanche



Sainte-Chapelle
4, boulevard du Palais
75001, Paris  

Friday, April 12, 2013

Parc de Monceau - la petite fille



2012 Mar 30 Paris_072DSC_5020


Parc de Monceau


A beautiful little blonde
deep in reverie


Is it...
the rippled reflections on the water?
the feathered friends who have come to see her?
some quiet thoughts deep in her heart?




Parc de Monceau
Boulevard de Courcelles
75008, Paris
Métro Monceau

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Madame et le chien



Shall we cross?


Madame with her ballet flats and her Scottie in tow
are either watching traffic or are lost in a reverie.



Rue Lagrange
75005, Paris

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Jardin du Palais Royal



Jardin du Palais Royal


He is reading intently in the splendor of this garden.
The fountain must surely be splashing him a bit.


I would have my bare feet propped on the edge
(would have, have had, and will have)


Jardin du Palais Royal
75001, Paris


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Les arbres de printemps



Montmartre


If you see this tree in the winter, 
you would not even take a second glance.  


In spring, it steals the show.



Place Jean-Baptiste Clément
75018, Paris

 



Monday, April 8, 2013

Jardin des Tuileries - petite fille



Jardin des Tuileries


This little girl with her long braids has Mickey Mouse lovingly wrapped, 
cradled in her arms.  Her chic plaid coat makes me think that...


She must be a French girl, n'est-ce pas?



Jardin des Tuileries
75001, Paris

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Église Saint-Aignan de Chartres



Église Saint-Aignan de Chartres


This church, established in 400 AD, 
sits almost unnoticed in a ville known for its great cathedral.  
A bit neglected, it is majestic in its own way, 
filled with colors of turquoise, coral, and gold.


bon dimanche



Église Saint-Aignan de Chartres
12, place de l'Etape au Vin
28000, Chartres


Saturday, April 6, 2013

Jardin du Palais Royal - petit garçon



Water fountains are magnets for little boys.
It does not matter the nationality.


He was only filling his water bottle...
again and again and again.



Jardin du Palais Royal
75001, Paris


Friday, April 5, 2013

Livres - Rue de Seine



2012 Oct 6 P1010947



Bookstores in Paris are full of treasures:

stacks and stacks of beautiful books, some to be read 
and some just to be enjoyed.


This store is not much larger than you see right here, 
filled to the ceiling.


Rue de Seine
75006, Paris

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Montmartre - en printemps



Rue de l'Abreuvoir


Dressed for spring in rose et vert
Montmartre looks like a page from a fairy tale.



Place Dalida et Rue de l'Abreuvoir
75018, Paris

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Rue Mouffetard - monsieur et son chien



Monsieur et son chien


Walking the cobblestones of Rue Mouffetard, 
this gentleman and his dog turned heads, accessorized and well-groomed.

(tous les deux)



Rue Mouffetard
75005, Paris



Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Printemps - un lapin énorme!



2011 April 13 DSC_0343


Printemps


The grands magasins of Paris are known for their window displays.
In 2011 each of the Printemps windows featured fashion and an animal.

 
The rose foncé (bright pink) rabbit of roses stole the scene



Printemps
64, boulevard Haussmann
75009, Paris
 

Monday, April 1, 2013

Père Lachaise - crossing



2009 dec 4 00380

Crossing


Crossing the stone paths of Cimetière du Père Lachaise
perhaps a symbol for passing from this life to the next



Cimetière du Père Lachaise
75020, Paris


Joining the City Daily Photo Blogs
for April's Theme Day
"crossing"