Saturday, May 31, 2014

Des chaussures roses



Pink shoes...


Seen walking down Boulevard Beaumarchais


It was a "sweater day" in late spring, 
but this person was bundled for the cold.


Boulevard Beaumarchais
75003, Paris

Friday, May 30, 2014

Quai Malaquais - Il pleut



Quai Malaquais


On a rainy spring morning the streets were quiet enough 
to hear the footsteps on the rain-soaked Quai Malaquais.


bon weekend



Quai Malaquais
75006, Paris

Thursday, May 29, 2014

le blanc et le noir


Jardin du Palais Royal


These two chiens were an interesting pair 
as they strolled on the "Paris dirt" at Jardin du Palais Royal.  
One, sleek, petite and dark...
 the other, fluffy, medium-sized, and white.  


They did keep in close step, 
each with the other, 
evidence of much practice on early morning walks. 



Jardin du Palais Royal
75001, Paris
 

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Le fumeur



The smoker



Standing outside the restaurant on a night of drizzling rain,
the waiter took his short break with a cigarette



Rue Saint Honore
75001, Paris

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

l'escalier



L'escalier


When you rent an apartment on the 5th floor (6th from the street level), 
count on getting your exercise  unless there is a petite elevator.  
Assuredly, you only forget an item once on your way out 
as it is a breathless return to the apartment!


This eighteenth century apartment was definitely worth the climb
 and made it possible to eat baguettes and macarons with reckless abandon.



Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine
75011, Paris

Monday, May 26, 2014

Dejeuner a Paris



Lunch in Paris


How can a simple sandwich be so divine?
All it takes is fresh bread and an assortment of the finest ingredients.


Remembering those who served
on this Memorial Day.


75002, Paris

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Eglise Saint Eustache



Saint Eustache


This view is no longer - 
Taken from the steps leading up from Les Halles, 
this masterpiece of late Gothic architecture 
took over 100 years to buiild and was completed in the mid-1600s.


bon dimanche



Eglise Saint Eustache
75002, Paris

Saturday, May 24, 2014

La Tour Eiffel - en printemps



La Tour Eiffel


One of the most recognizable structures in the world....
and one of my favorite viewpoints.



La Tour Eiffel
75007, Paris
 

Friday, May 23, 2014

Canal Saint Martin - le weekend



Quai de Jemmapes
Canal Saint Martin


May you dangle your legs over the edge
and enjoy wonderful weather in the company of your best friend


bon weekend



Quai de Jemmapes
75010, Paris

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Square du Ranelagh - Jean de la Fontaine



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

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Pas assez de sièges?



Métro Laumier


The metro was not crowded at all, 
but sadly the young lady had no place to sit.


This is not an unusual scene and the woman on the billboard 
peering out adds a bit of humor.


C'est Paris!



Métro Laumier
75019, Paris

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Musée Rodin - le jardin du Hôtel Biron



Musée Rodin


This verdant scene is in the garden of Hôtel Biron, 
the site of Musée Rodin, and sits in the shadow of Les Invalides.


This quiet place in Paris is worth a visit 
to see the sculptures of Rodin 
as well as some of Camille Claudel.  
The garden includes some of Rodin's most recognizable 
works including The Thinker and The Gates of Hell.



Musée Rodin - Hôtel Biron
79, rue de Varenne
75007, Paris

Monday, May 19, 2014

Paris rouge - une terrasse



Café terrace 


With a view of Palais Garnier and the people passing by, 
a seat here on the café terrace is just about perfect.



l'Entracte Café
1, rue Auber
75009, Paris

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Église de la Sainte-Trinité


Église de la Sainte-Trinité


The blue skies and pink blooms of spring
frame this elegant church.


bon dimanche



Église de la Sainte-Trinité
 66, rue Saint Lazare
75009, Paris


Saturday, May 17, 2014

Carrousel de la Tour Eiffel



Eiffel Tower Carousel


There are many Belle Epoque carrousels around Paris.  Each carrousel has unique details setting it apart from the others.  As you can tell from the ceiling of this one, the theme is le cirque.


Wishing you a wonderful weekend and hope that if you are in Paris
you will find a carrousel and take a ride.  You are forever young on a carrousel.



bon weekend



Carrousel de la Tour Eiffel
75007, Paris


Friday, May 16, 2014

Parc de Monceau - manger ou courir?



Parc de Monceau has few tourists, 
and the people you see in the park either work or live nearby.  


It is one of my favorite parks for watching la vie quotidienne.



Parc de Monceau
75008, Paris

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Parc des Buttes Chaumont


Parc des Buttes Chaumont



This lovely park frequented by Parisians
is not the only spot in the city to find a profusion of flowers. 
Do not forget to explore.


A hand-picked bouquet of flowers today
to each of you



Parc des Buttes Chaumont
75019, Paris


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Petit Palais - la cour



Petit Palais
The Courtyard


At the center of this beautiful palace is a quiet and serene courtyard with patio seating for lunch or un café.
  The museum is free and the courtyard is perfect for a rest after seeing the museum and its exquisite palace.


Do not miss Monet's  "Soleil Couchant sur la Seine à Lavacourt"
and Rembrandt's self-portrait painted in 1631.




Petit Palais, City of Paris Fine Art Museum
Avenue Winston Churchill
75008 Paris


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Bassin de la Villette - la vie quotidienne



Bassin de la Villette


This is not a place frequented by tourists...
which is why I love it so.


It is a place where Parisians can enjoy a relaxing afternoon:
sunning, strolling, having a picnic, playing games...
It is a great place to observe the best of Paris, 
to see the locals as "not so different" from you.


However, do note that there are no guard rails 
and a meter drop to the surface of the water.



Bassin de la Villette
75019, Paris

Monday, May 12, 2014

Promo! Des orchidées



Orchids


A street-side display of flowers is typical in all parts of Paris.  The orchids so carefully protected sous cellophane are a promise of colorful plants for months to come.  The prices seen here are comparable to what one might expect to pay at home.  If you are going to be in Paris for a week or so, a pot of these orchids would make you feel right at home.


Thinking of my daddy who had 
a greenhouse full of these for most of my life.



Marché Maubert
Place Maubert
75005, Paris

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Fêtes des Mères




Joyeux Fêtes des Mères


Wishing mothers around the world a joyous Mother's Day 
as we celebrate in the United States on the second Sunday in May.  
If you want to celebrate twice, 
be sure to mark the last Sunday in May (25th) 
for the traditional French celebration of mothers.  


The tradition calls for flowers and perhaps a poem, 
catering to the whims of "maman," 
and culminating the day with a large meal for the whole family, bien sûr.
The dessert, so I am told, is a cake that resembles a bunch of flowers.


bon dimanche



Musée du Louvre
75001, Paris
 

 

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Le Bar à Huîtres




The sidewalk display in front of the restaurant is colorfully arranged 
with a large selection of les fruits de mer


Although I have not eaten here, 
the boxes in the bottom row are labeled Les Huîtres Cadoret
a family company over five generations since 1880.
It makes my mouth water just to think about these bivalves.
 

miam-miam




33, bd Beaumarchais
75003, Paris
 

Friday, May 9, 2014

Boulangerie St. Antoine - la Parisse



Boulangerie St. Antoine


The window was filled with tempting pastries, 
but we opted for baguettes for our spring soirée.  
I seem to remember pinching the end off of one before we left the street.


The reflections set the scene here in the heart of the Marais.



bon weekend


Boulangerie St. Antoine
29, Rue Saint Antoine
75004, Paris

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Square Armand-Trousseau




































Square Armand-Trousseau


This beautiful wooded park sits quietly off Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine.  On Sundays it is lively (as are all the parks of Paris) with children and families.  One can bring a picnic from the near-by Marché d'Aligre or the pâtisserie/boulangerie just outside the gates at Blé Sucré.  


This lovely park has a dark past with a cemetery in Medieval times for orphans;
in 1674 it was the site of a hospital; and later became an orphanage.



Square Armand-Trousseau
1, rue Antoine Vollon
75012, Paris

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Tout le monde aime des baguettes!




Mid-morning errand...


Does she go daily to bring back the baguettes?  
How is it that I have not seen her before?


It pays to keep one's eyes open in Paris
...and camera ready



Rue des Petits Champs
75002, Paris
 
 

 

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Rue de l'Abreuvoir



Rue de l'Abreuvoir


Just a few steps away from La Maison Rose (a brighter shade of rose) is this charming home, well kept and beautifully adorned with the spring cascades of lavender wisteria.  


As much as I love the look of wisteria, it is quite a nuisance and must be properly corralled.  It has been known to kill trees with its heavy weight.



Rue de l'Abreuvoir
75018, Paris


Monday, May 5, 2014

Un ancien mur de pierre



An ancient stone wall


The crumbling stone wall 
crusted with moss and lichens 
provides a perch for delicate yellow wild flowers



Chartrès
Beyond, France

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Église Sainte-Chapelle



Église Sainte-Chapelle
Miracle of Light

This Gothic masterpiece built in 1246 is an incredible feat of construction.  The upper chapel seen here surrounds the visitor with soaring stained glass windows of deep, vibrant primary colors.  The ceiling design and structure is unique and recognized the world over.  


The architectural prowess of the 13th century rivals any construction we might see today.  Sainte-Chapelle is essentially a building of glass supported only by the narrow rib-like cages that press the entire weight of the roof  through a system of arches on to a few columns - amazing!


bon dimanche



Église Sainte-Chapelle
4, boulevard du Palais
75001, Paris

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Lutétia Île Saint Louis Restaurant



Le Lutétia


The usually busy tables were noticeably vacant on this rainy May afternoon.  However, from inside the large windows give a great view of the quai, the Seine, and Pont Louis Philippe.


In the course of an hour or two we watched several stories unfold in the rain:
a drowning in the Seine, a family drama on the terrace, and wedding pictures on the quai below.


You do not always have to rush around Paris to see the city.  
On some days the city comes to you.



Lutétia Île Saint Louis Restaurant
33, quai de Bourbon
75004, Paris

Friday, May 2, 2014

Bassin de la Villette - pétanque



Bassin de la Villette


On a Sunday afternoon 
you will find many groups of people playing pétanque.  
We found a foursome of twenty-somethings 
enjoying a game with a man and a woman on each team.  



So much for thinking that only 
little old French men play pétanque.


Quai de la Loire
Bassin de la Villette
75019, Paris

Thursday, May 1, 2014

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Squares



Hôtel du Nord


A faceless shadow leaves its mark 
on the restaurant floor tiles.



On the first day of each month I join all my City Daily Photo friends in a theme.  This month's theme is SQUARES.  Click here to see all of the others from around the world.



Hôtel du Nord
102 Quai de Jemmapes
75010, Paris