Un cafe vert

A small cafe with beautiful awnings

and chairs.  As I remember there were plenty

of empty seats outside.

Would be a perfect place with a cool breeze to meet 

friends on a Friday afternoon to welcome the weekend!

bon weekend

Weekend setting - cafe scene

75004, Paris

Un cafe de Paris

Although this is a simple terrace with empty chairs,

it personifies the amiable setting for a casual meeting among friends.

If it were possible to transport these chairs and table to my home terrace, 

do you think it would capture  the ambiance of Paris?

Paris cafe scene

75002, Paris

Palais Royal - Didier Ludot

Didier Ludot

The exquisite styles of decades past

are offered here at Didier Ludot, tempting haut couture

at unbelievable prices.

The displays suggest not only the dresses

but the jewelry and other accessories of that decade.

You know the place now where

"everything old is new again."

Didier Ludot

Boutique du Palais Royal

Palais Royal

75001 

les bateaux de Bastille

Seen from one of many Bastille metro platforms,

the boats anchored along Port de l'Arsenal

provide insight to life on the water.

It is just a stone's throw from Opera Bastille

and the Colonne de Juillet.

Port de l'Arsenal

75004, Paris

Cafe Kitsune

Cafe Kitsune

a contrast of light and dark,

a blend of cultures,

coffee or tea?

Cafe Kitsune - Palais Royal

51 Galerie de Montpensier

75001, Paris

Rue Drevet - Montmartre

The steps of rue Drevet,

long and steep

We saw many who huffed and puffed to the top

and others who simply walked 

Perhaps it is a daily routine?

rue Drevet

75018, Paris

 

Un defile militaire

Military Parade

Avenue des Champs Elysees

Quatorze juillet

The avenue was lined from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde

with a display of the French military and its territories, an amazing spectacle!

Avenue des Champs Elysees

75008, Paris

Five Year Anniversary - Paris and Beyond!

Quatorze juillet

This was my first post five years ago when I started my Paris and Beyond photo blog under the guidance of Virginia Jones. In the five years of posting daily, I have met many wonderful people from around the world.  Many of those I have met in person and have traveled to faraway places to see them.  In the beginning I was not sure that I could keep up a daily post with a very full-time job and business travel.

Thank you to all who have followed me and have reached out to me.

Tomorrow I start year six....

(Merci beaucoup, Virginie!)

Avenue des Champs Elysees

75008, Paris

13 juillet - les bals des pompiers

Les bals des pompiers

The pompiers around Paris (and all of France) have celebrations

tonight and tomorrow in honor of Quatorze juillet.

Take a look here for schedules and locations.

Enjoy the party!

Les bals des pompiers

13, 14 juillet

Eglise Saint-Paul Saint-Louis

Eglise Saint-Paul Saint-Louis

Tucked in a corner of this beautiful and storied church sits this

confessional, obscured in semi-darkness.

The rays of light entering a church window illuminate

the corner confessional, revealing a warm patina.

bon dimanche

Eglise Saint-Paul Saint-Louis

99, rue Saint-Antoine

75004, Paris

Repetto - une femme francaise

A study in black and white

soft cotton chemise

and comfortable Repettos

Must be a French girl

Paris portrait

Un petit repas

un petit repas

I used to travel with an assortment of cutlery (plastic) 

and small plates, but you can buy just what you need 

at Bon Marche or at a Monoprix.

We often feel that just a little taste of pain et fromage 

will get you through the early evening and give you the energy 

to stay out late enough to see the sun go down at 11pm.  

In the summer months the Paris sky stays a translucent blue 

until the wee hours of the morning.

Rue Jacob

75006, Paris

 

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

So who says you cannot play on the grass in Paris parks?

You can in this park and in certain areas of other gardens and parks.  

Just check out the signs, and if you step in a forbidden area,

 the shrill whistles will quickly bring you back to reality!

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

1, rue Botzaris

75019, Paris

Parc de Bercy -un petit bateau

 

 Parc de Bercy

The small lake in the Japanese gardens 

showcases this hand-constructed

bamboo boat.   Although not quite seaworthy,

its charm and reflection are perfect for the setting.

Parc de Bercy

128, quai de Bercy

75012, Paris

Tour de France 2015

Tour de France

It all begins today

 and promises many view of the French countryside 

along with exciting competition.  

Check it out here.

(Have a great July 4th Celebration)

 

Tour de France

Grand Start: Utrecht, the Netherlands

Bassin de la Villette Petanque

Bassin de la Villette

Where you find the smooth "Paris dirt" 

which I believe is a fine limestone gravel,

you will find people playing Petanque.  

It is not a game limited to the "old timers" you see in Louxembourg Gardens

 or Tuileries, but a game enjoyed by friends 

and family of of ages, gender, and generations.

bon weekend

Bassin de la Villette

75019, Paris