Île aux Cignes - Statue of Liberty

Île aux Cignes

Statue of Liberty

This quarter scale replica of the original

was inaugurated on July 4, 1889.

It was given to the City of Paris by the

Parisian community in America to mark

the centennial of the French Revolution.

(Consider reading Liberty's Torch

for the whole story)

Statue of Liberty (1 of 3 in Paris)

Île aux Cignes

75015, Paris

Cimetière Montparnasse

Cimetière Montparnasse

The lavender petals of spring blooms

line the cemetery paths - 

A bit of cheer in the midst of death.

Cimetière Montparnasse

75014, Paris

Les Amants du Pont de Bir-Hakeim

The Lovers on the Bridge

No, not really.  

They were posing for a film.

Tant pis

Happy Leap Year Day

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

75015, Paris

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

Quick of step

she was gone 

in an instant...

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

75015, Paris

 

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

Built between 1903 and 1905 this steel bridge has two levels,

 the lower one for vehicles and pedestrians, 

and the upper level (the viaduct) supports Métro Line 6.

The iron sculpture framed by the yellow poplar leaves

is one of four on the main arches of the bridge.  

This one was designed by Jules-Felix Coutan and represents Labor.

This was my first visit to Pont de Bir-Hakeim,

and I will share more photos with you soon.

(Joyeux Anniversaire, Renée!)

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

entre 75016 et 75015, Paris

Carrousel Montparnasse

Carrousel Montparnasse

Although this carrousel looks a bit shabby, 

a close inspection reveals that it consists of the original wood horses.  

Most of the carrousels in Paris today have been "updated" 

and the wood replaced with artificial polymers and plastic.  

These horses could do with a bit of paint, but all together look quite good.

Carrousel Montparnasse

Gare Montparnasse

75015, Paris

Un chat et un chien

A cat and a dog

This building dated 1903 (Bastier) has two interesting doorways.  

The green tiles are an assortment of salamanders by A and M Turin, 

and together with the cat and dog, appear to guard the door.

The beautiful wood doors are in pristine shape, 

and it would be hard to pass on the sidewalk 

without feeling the "eyes" looking down at the passerby.

78, rue Mademoiselle

75015, Paris

 

 

Square de la place Adolphe Chérioux - kiosque à musique

Square de la place Adolphe Chérioux

The bandstand

This square is a work of the architect Jean-Camille Formigé 

and was established in 1896.  

It is a long, narrow green space providing benches 

and a play area as well as this bandstand.  

The landscaping and trees buffer the noise from the busy Rue de Vaugirard.

Although hidden in this photo, 

you can see the Eiffel Tower just over the bandstand.

 

Square de la place Adolphe Chérioux

Rue de Vaugirard 

75015, Paris

Métro Vaugirard (at the front of the park) 

 

L'architecture de Paris

Rue Mademoiselle

I posted the door with the dog, cat and salamanders, 

but the beautiful stone work 

and graceful balconies of this early 20th century building 

are worth a second look

...with a different viewpoint

76-78, rue Mademoiselle

75015, Paris

Métros Vaugirard et Volontaires

Les Vélibs

Try it!

Well, Holly has a big smile because we were having so much fun riding around Paris on the Vélibs.  The cost can be a little as $2.20 to ride for the day.  If you return your bike to one of the 1,800 stations within 30 minutes, there is no additional charge.  We rode for two days all over Paris, mixing it up with the traffic.  On my recent trip, I spent one day riding alone, crossing the Seine bridges and riding as far as Jardin des Plantes from the 2ème.

There are 20,000 bikes ready to ride, waiting on you.  Check out the site here.

If you are hesitant, start away from congested traffic areas (Place Charles de Gaule for sure!) 

On our first 30-minute ride we bumped across the cobblestones of Champs Elysées, passed between Grand Palais and Petit Palais, and then crossed Pont Alexandre III.  What a rush!  

(Learn the words - It will make you feel so cool - 

do not forget to ring the little bell as you sing, too)

Je m' baladais sur l' avenue
Le coeur ouvert à l' inconnu
J' avais envie de dire bonjour
A n' importe qui

N' importe qui et ce fut toi
Je t' ai dit n' importe quoi
Il suffisait de te parler
Pour t' apprivoiser

Aux Champs-Elysées
Aux Champs-Elysées
Au soleil, sous la pluie
A midi ou à minuit
Il y a tout c' que vous voulez
Aux Champs-Elysées!

Les rues du 15ième

75015, Paris

Un chat, un cocker, et des salamandres

A cat, a dog, and many salamanders

A sense of humor by the architect (Bastier) is seen as the two pets perch above the door, keeping watch on all those who walk beneath.  The bottom tiles on either side of the door are signed by "Bigot" on the left and by "A and M Turin" on the right.  The permit for the building was dated 1903.  

Now, I found this entrance delightfully whimsical, worthy of observation and photographing.  It was interesting that a man walked up to me and said that he had lived in the neighborhood on this quiet street for over 30 years and had never noticed this doorway or the one just like it next door.  He watched me looking up and snapping with my camera.  Otherwise, he might still have not noticed.  We exchanged pleasantries and remarked that often we do not notice what treasures surround us.

He thanked me for the discovery, and we went our separate ways.

76-78, rue Mademoiselle

75015, Paris

Métros Vaugirard et Volontaires

(we were on Vélibs)