Friday, May 31, 2013

Rue de Roi du Sicile - un éléphant bleu



A blue elephant?


It seems that a photographer cannot pass this thai restaurant
in the Marais without taking aim.  
It does not matter how many times you have snapped before.


Last week, the green plants and splash of pink orchid 
called out for another shot.  
The blue skies created a nice reflection.



Au Petit Thai
10, rue de Roi du Sicile
75004, Paris

To see more reflections,
click over to James' Weekend Reflections


Thursday, May 30, 2013

Cimetière de Passy



Cimetière de Passy


The porcelain wreaths and flowers are usually broken, 
either through carelessness or vandalism.  
This one caught my eye for the delicate colors.  

Then one notices the long life enjoyed by this couple 
who saw many changes in Paris over their lifetimes.  
How rare was it to live to almost 100?



Cimetière de Passy
2, rue du Commandant Schloesing
75016, Paris
Métro Trocadéro

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Jardin des Plantes



2013 0523 Thurs_146DSC_6362


Jardin des Plantes


Walking alone in the garden, an alley of trees appeared, 
presenting a carpet dappled by the sun 
with a pattern of lace.


The sun was elusive,
 and one must be quick to capture its appearance.



Jardin des Plantes
75005, Paris
Métro Gare d'Austerlitz

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Place des Vosges


Place des Vosges


The angles and patterns seen in this 400 year old square reflect the old and the new.  The lines of green superimposed on the curves of the lampposts and the never-ending archways are pleasing to the eye.


The four rows of houses forming the square were all built to the same design.  On a sunless day it is possible to enter the park and then lose your sense of direction.  Well, perhaps with dark clouds rolling in from the west, you will get your bearings again.


Place des Vosges
75004, Paris



Monday, May 27, 2013

Arc de Triomphe - au soldat inconnu


Arc de Triomphe


Originally commissioned by Napoleon in 1806, he died before its completion.  It sits magnificently at the hub of twelve intersecting roads and has witnessed history.  After World War I, the returning soldiers marched triumphantly through the arch, and it became the site of the tomb of the unknown soldier.  


The Arc de Triomphe is remembered as a memorial to all those who died in World War I.  I recently accompanied two World War II Veterans the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, DC.  Today we remember all those lost in wars defending our freedom.


Arc de Triomphe
Place Charles de Gaulle
75008, Paris

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Église Sainte-Chapelle


Église Sainte-Chapelle


The devout King Louis IX founded the Gothic Sainte-Chapelle 
as a chapel for the royal palace and to house sacred relics.  
It is reported that he spent three times 
the cost of the chapel's construction 
for the "Crown of Thorns."


Built in 1246, it also provided easy underground access 
to the royal palace.  Almost all of the precious relics 
were lost or destroyed during the French Revolution.



bon dimanche





Sainte-Chapelle
4, boulevard du Palais
75001, Paris

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Musée du Louvre - Mercure et son ombre


Mercury 


This bronze of Mercury is seen in an arabesque pose, balanced it would appear, on the head of Zephyr.  He is poised on a gust of air coming from the mouth of this god of the east wind.


My search of the internet has not told me for certain the name of the sculptor... any help?  There is one by Giambologna, a Flemish artist, but that bronze is in Florence at the National Museum of the Bargello.


Mercury in this pose of flight is recognized often as the emblem of FTD Florist.



Musée du Louvre
75001, Paris

Friday, May 24, 2013

Parc des Buttes Chaumont V


Parc des Buttes Chaumont


It took several visits to Paris before I made my way to this park which as the name indicates is sitting on a hill.  There are waterfalls and a limestone quarry, a suspension bridge, and more.  You will find more Parisians and fewer tourists here on a Sunday afternoon than in many of Paris' more famous parks.


It is not as large as Tuileries, but the terrain makes it seem more so.



Parc des Buttes Chaumont
Rue Botzaris
75019, Paris
Metro Botzaris, Metro Buttes Chaumont

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Bassin de la Villette - Pétanque


Pétanque


The game is not just for older men in Paris.  
This area on the bank of Bassin de la Villette 
is filled with people of all ages, families, young friends, 
all enjoying an afternoon of this popular game.


Perhaps we will try our skill this week



Bassin de la Villette
Quai de la Loire
75019, Paris
Métro Laumière

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Rue Cler - les cafés


le serveur


Paris is a large city. 
However, when you frequent a place like Rue Cler, 
it seems smaller when you "run into" the same waiter on several trips. 


Do not miss Rue Cler, 
particularly for people watching from the terrace of its many cafés.



Rue Cler
75007, Paris

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Métro Laumière



The seats were too far apart for these lovers


Ah, c'est Paris, n'est-ce pas?



Métro Laumière
75019, Paris

Monday, May 20, 2013

Canal Saint Martin - l'artiste


Sitting on the bank of the canal



A sunny spring day will find many Parisians 
sitting along the bank of Canal Saint Martin.  


Working with pen and ink, 
she scarcely noticed the passersby 
or the photographer.


Quai de Valmy
Canal Saint Martin
75010, Paris

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - un grand lustre


Notre Dame


This is only one of the grand chandeliers of Notre Dame 
seen up close and in detail as it was lowered last year for cleaning.  


The 850th birthday celebration of this renown cathedral 
called for some major housekeeping and renovations (the bells).  
I would say that this grand dame has held her age well.


bon dimanche


 
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
6 Parvis Notre Dame
Place Jean-Paul II
75004, Paris

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Marché d'Aligre


Marché d'Aligre


This is not the expanse of goods 
that you might find at one of the renown flea markets of Paris, 
but I have never come away empty-handed, 
nor left the area hungry!




Marché d'Aligre
Square d'Aligre
75012, Paris




Friday, May 17, 2013

Square Trousseau - un kiosque à musique


Bandstand
Square Armand-Trousseau


This square is just a little park off the side of Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine, but in many visits, we have seen Tai Chi excercises, an old men's club, ferocious snowball fights, very fast bikes and scooters (trottinettes), mamas and nanas, children of all ages, boules, and ping-pong games.


When you go, do not miss Le Square Trousseau, a café on the corner, 
and Blé Sucré, pâtisserie (Madeleine, financier, pain au chocolat, and more!)



Square Armand-Trousseau
Rues Antoine Vollon et Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine
Métro Ledru Rollin
75012 Paris

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Palais Garnier - XIII


Palais Garnier


On every visit to this Beaux-Arts opera house one can make new discoveries.  
Just look at the art and detail applied to the lamps surrounding this building.


I think that the Phantom would be pleased 
to see the repeating patterns of music symbols.





Palais Garnier
Place de l'Opéra
75009, Paris

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Parc de Monceau - XXXI


Parc de Monceau
Rotunda


This rotunda at the main entrance of Parc de Monceau 
is in the form of a classical Doric temple.  
It is known as the Pavilion de Chartres 
and was designed in the late 18th century by Claude Nicolas Ledoux.  


The ground floor of the temple was used as a customs house, 
while the upper floor was an apartment with a view of the garden 
reserved for Phillippe d'Orléans, Duke of Chartres, 
a wealthy cousin of King Louis XVI.  


Unfortunately, the Duke was guillotined during the Reign of Terror 
in 1793 and the park was nationalized.


Parc de Monceau
Boulevard de Courcelles
75008, Paris
Métro Monceau

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

à Paris par avion!


On my way!


It is time--
I have prepared my posts but will be updating you daily 
about our Paris adventures in the comments section.
  
When I return there will be 
new stories, familiar themes, 
and thousands of photos to share with you.
à bientôt!

Monday, May 13, 2013

Café le Nemours - Place Colette


la terrasse

Before the streets are busy and this becomes a gathering place, 
the chairs and tables at Café le Nemours sit waiting in the early morning light.


I plan to be here on Wednesday...




Café le Nemours
Place Colette
75001, Paris

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris


Notre Dame


This 850 year old icon on the Paris landscape has greeted worshipers and tourists for centuries.  For all of 2013 there will be special concerts and celebrations for this auspicious and grand cathedral.



bon dimanche


Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
6, Place du Parvis Notre-Dame,
Place Jean-Paul II
75004, Paris

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Marché de Saint-Denis


Marché de Saint-Denis


The Saint-Denis Market is located just a few moments 
outside of Paris and is one of the largest in the greater Paris.  
Few tourists make a stop here, 
but it is rich with international flavors, lively and bustling.


It was closed on the day that five of us visited the Basilique Saint-Denis, 
but I am thinking that it would be worth another trip 
to the end of Métro Line 13 for the colorful market.



Marché de Saint-Denis
92 Bis Rue Gabriel Péri, 
93200 Saint-Denis

Friday, May 10, 2013

Hôtel de Béthune-Sully


The Orangerie
or second courtyard




The Hôtel de Béthune-Sully is a hôtel particulier, a private mansion, 
in the Louis XIII style, located in the Marais.  
If you enter from Rue Saint-Antoine and walk through the first paved courtyard, 
you will enter the formal garden of this 17th century home.


On this bright day we found a pleasing arrangement of architectural details, 
a blue sky, and a fading contrail.


look up




L'orangerie, Hôtel de Béthune-Sully
62 rue Saint-Antoine
75004, Paris




Thursday, May 9, 2013

Palais Garnier - Repetto



What little girl would not want the 
beautiful tuille attire of a French ballerina?


The gift shop at Palais Garnier is one of my favorite stops, 
for taking photos, for people-watching, and for dreaming of sugar-plums.




Palais Garnier
8, rue Scribe
Place de l'Opéra
75009, Paris
 



Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Musée du Louvre - Escalier Mollien


The Mollien staircase


For anyone who has ventured into the Louvre, the size of this museum is staggering.  This staircase situated in the center of the Pavillon Mollien was built by the architect Hector Lefuel and inaugurated on August 14, 1857, along with the other buildings comprising Napoleon III's Nouveau Louvre.


On my first trip to Paris this ironwork was a subject of sketches 
as I tried to take in all the architecture Paris could deliver.  
Much of my time in Paris now is spent behind a camera lens, 
but I plan to sketch again on my next trip, 
taking the views and details at a slower pace.



Escalier Mollien - Pavillon Mollien
Musée du Louvre
75001, Paris


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Boulangerie Pâtisserie Huré - cake vanille chocolat!



Delicious French Pastries


They are adorned with fruit and must, therefore, be very good for you.
If you prefer something savory, they have a selection of delicious baguette sandwiches.


miam-miam



Boulangerie Pâtisserie Huré
18, rue Rambuteau
75003, Paris


Monday, May 6, 2013

Palais Royal - Ce doit être une fille française



Palais Royal


This young woman walked on the wet pavement
in front of Le Nemours as she chatted on her phone.


Must be a French girl


(love those red boots!)


Palais Royal
75001, Paris

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Église Notre-Dame-des-Champs - l'orgue


Église Notre-Dame-des-Champs


The organ is Cavaillé-Coll from 1877, 
and on this dreary, rainy day Yannick Merlin 
was rehearsing for a concert.


If you want to have a sample of the sounds and a video of the church, 
follow this link


bon dimanche




Église Notre-Dame-des-Champs
92 bis, Boulevard du Montparnasse
75006, Paris

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Jardin des Tuileries - une petite grenouille?


une petite grenouille?


No, but this young fellow was quite comfortable 
playing in the rain-filled puddles of Jardin des Tuileries. 


The flâneurs and others in the park gave him a wide berth 
as there was much water flying.


coa-coa
or should that be ribbette-ribbette?
(ribbit!)


Jardin des Tuileries
75001, Paris
 

Friday, May 3, 2013

la Deuche - 2CV




"Four wheels under an umbrella" is one of the nicknames for this iconic French car.  
Last spring we saluted a trio of 2CVs as they rode the streets of Paris. 


It is difficult to see a 2CV without thinking about all the French movies
and the tree-lines roads of Provence.  


This is dedicated to my dear friend Véronique (French Girl in Seattle) who has written at least two posts with many photos on these cherished vehicles.  She has a dream to take a tour with her son and this may be the very car of her dreams.



dans les rues de Paris


Joyeux anniversaire, ma chère Lauren

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Musée de l'Armée - Habit d'officier de la gendarmerie de France


Officer's uniform
XVIIIe century


The Musée de l'Armée was originally built by Louis XIV 
as a hospital and home for disabled soldiers.  
This officer's uniform is part of the extensive permanent collection 
of over 500,000 artifacts.


The historical sense of style by the French 
can be seen in the elaborate details on this bright jacket. 
 I could imagine this on the fashion runways today...

...minus the sword




Musée de l'Armée
129, rue de Grenelle
75007, Paris
Métros Varenne ou École Militaire