La solution au casse-tête

So, here is the answer to the puzzling photo of yesterday. 

The afternoon sun was shining on the frieze of 

the building on the opposite site of the Cour Napoleon (Louvre) which is

the Pavilion Richelieu. The image of the 

frieze is seen as a reflection off the interior back wall

  (yes, through the round opening). 

It was a special moment.

Cour Napoleon

Musée du Louvre

75001, Paris

"Selfie" au Cour Napoleon

Cour Napoleon

Watched this sweet couple as they took multiple selfies

in front of the impressive façades that form the 

Cour Napoleon of the Louvre.

Monsieur had his digital slr around his neck,

but Madame was adept with the phone.

Cour Napoleon

Musée du Louvre

75001, Paris

Musée du Louvre

Musée du Louvre

Although the installation of I M Pei's glass and metal

pyramids at the Louvre must have been met with the ire

of many, the attraction to this large icon of Paris has withstood

the test of nearly three decades.

It is a kinetic sculpture of sorts with

an ever-changing view depending on the time of day,

the weather, and the season.

Cour Napoleon

Musée du Louvre

75001, Paris

L'heure bleu - Jardin des Tuileries

Jardin des Tuileries

The perfect blue-tinted light of Paris 

on a June evening

bon weekend

Jardin des Tuileries

75001, Paris

Pyramide du Louvre - City Daily Photo Theme Day: triangles

Pyramide du Louvre

The first day of the month is Theme Day for the City Daily Photo community, and the theme for April is "triangles."  In Paris there are two obvious and very large architectural structures which would pass the test:  La Tour Eiffel and I M Pei's Pyramide du Louvre, seen here.  

Taken in spring at dusk with the last glow of daylight, it takes on the watercolor hues of l'heure bleue.  The "blue hour" is a magical time of day when the softness of the fading light of day creates the colors only seen in artists' palettes and then dances across the Pyramide.

Pyramide du Louvre

Musée du Louvre

75001, Paris

See "triangles" from cities around the world here

from my friends of CDP

Louvre -- Le Carrousel du Louvre

Le Carrousel du Louvre

What looks to be a fashionable mall is a corridor to the least-crowded entrance into the Louvre.  You can buy tickets at the Tabac on the lower level and quickly enter - no lines and no waiting!  

To get there take Metro Line 1 and exit at the Palais Royal--Musee du Louvre station, and never leave the covered area going from one underground area to the next.  Just follow the signs to Carrousel du Louvre. 

In the distance you can see the Pyramid

Le Carrousel du Louvre

99, rue du Rivoli

75001, Paris

Metro sign

The high post with its lighted "M" is one of my favorite Metro signs
particularly when seen against a clear Paris sky


The season does not matter

Paris Metro Sign

Near Louvre

75001, Paris

Escalier du Ministre - Louvre

Escalier du Ministre 

in the Richelieu wing of the Louvre

The Louvre is filled with architectural designs and details, 

and this staircase, Escalier du Ministre, 

led up to the private apartments of the Minister of State.  

If you visit this area of the museum, you can walk up these steps 

just as the royal visitors once did, 

and amble through the apartments of Napoleon III.

It is interesting to discover the many elegant designs 

of the Louvre staircases.

Musée du Louvre

75001, Paris

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

Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois

Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois

Back when the Louvre was still a royal palace (Palais du Louvre), Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois was its church.  The impressive and unique bell tower dates from the 12th century and was the only Romanesque survival.  It was later transformed to the Gothic style in the 19th century.

It does enjoy a lofty view of the Louvre

bon dimanche

Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois

2, place du Louvre

75001, Paris

Métro Louvre-Rivoli ou Pont Neuf

L'heure bleue - musée du Louvre

L'heure bleue

(The blue hour)

It is a magical time in Paris when the sun goes down 

and the sky becomes a palette of soft watercolors

 in shades of blue and violet and pink.

bon weekend

Musée du Louvre, I M Pei's Pyramid

75001, Paris

Jardin des Tuileries - en hiver

The large round basin of

Jardin des Tuileries

The frigid temperatures combined with a layer of snow create concentric circles on the surface of the large round basin.  As you can see from the crowds, not even sub-freezing temperatures will keep people from this park.

I did not sit in the green chairs this day...

brrrrrrr!

Jardin des Tuileries

75001, Paris

Métro Tuileries

(joyeux anniversaire, chère Nanette)

Musée du Louvre - "Enfant jouant avec une tortue"

"Enfant jouant avec une tortue"

Pierre Hébert (1849)

This charming sculpture was found in a quiet corner of an upper floor. 

Although the Louvre is massive, there is no need to see it all at once. 

Be selective and truly absorb the details.

1er étage - Richelieu

Musée du Louvre

75001, Paris

Métro Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre



Dragon in the Louvre

I almost missed this cranky dragon, but after shooting the elegant staircase,

I turned and saw him just this close. 

I would say that he got up on the wrong side of the bed!

 

I am going to add him to my Louvre scavenger hunt list.  Do you want to play?

Louvre
75001, Paris

Louvre - Hippomenes et Atalanta

Photographing these sculptures in Cour Marly at the Louvre on my last visit,

I recalled having seen them in a different setting. 

First, the story:

From Greek mythology, Atalanta was a huntress who agreed to marry any man that could outrun her in a race.  Hippomenes fell in love with her and prayed to Aphrodite to help him.  In response she gave him three irresistible gold apples to help him in the race.  As they ran, Hippomenes tossed the apples at intervals to distract Atalanta therefore winning the race and her hand in marriage.

Now, the other sighting:

In the frozen cold of December, these Greek heroes were racing on a frozen pond of Jardin des Tuileries as I noted in a post of February 3, 2011.

Cour Marly, Louvre
75001, Paris

Café Marly

Out on a night shoot with Marie and Janeen at the Louvre, we stopped by Café Marly for a peek and were able to wander through the various empty dining rooms for some photos. The few diners remaining had enjoyed the open air terrace on a warm April night.

The trio of paparazzi moved quietly through the rooms with only the clicking of shutters and an occasional giggle.


Café Marly
93, rue de Rivoli