Le Métro

Sometimes a simple smile

transcends language 

Make a difference

Le Métro 10

75008, Paris

 

Poilâne - un repas simple

Poilâne

All that is needed for a simple meal...

Ah, I can almost smell the aroma 

of bread baking in the wood-fired ovens,

in my mind at least.

Poilâne

8, rue du Cherche-Midi

75006, Paris

Tabac - Cherche Midi Presse

A tabac is licensed to sell tobacco products 

as well as newspapers and stamps.

Apparently it is good to have a friend along 

to spend the day greeting customers.

Tabac - Cherche Midi Presse

52, rue du Cherche-Midi

75006, Paris

Theme Day - What Would I Miss Most...

Les Enfants de Paris

What would I miss most about Paris if I were never to return?

How can one even think in those terms?

...the people of Paris,

the children, the parks and gardens, the green chairs,

the music, the churches, the architecture, the history, the Seine, the bridges,

the Métro, the secret little spots discovered over 20+ trips, the food,

ex-pat friends, Parisian friends, the grand views from Paris landmarks,

sitting on green grass when it is permitted, dancing on Rue Mouffetard, 

and so much more.

No matter what the future holds, I will always have a bit of Paris, 

and all that it is, in my heart.

(and tens of thousands of photos, if I forget)

What Would I miss most?

75000, all of it, Paris

Des reflets pendant la nuit

Night Reflections

Walking in the empty streets, parapluie (umbrella) in hand, 

long velvet coat, warm gloves,

and holding a single red rose...

...a gift from an unknown young man

yes, she is definitely a French girl

Rue de la Paix

75001, Paris

Le Perchoir - mes amis

Le Perchoir

(the rooftop bar)

There were only three of us that evening, 

plus the family of one of the workers, two or three others.

We enjoyed a sunset and drinks, 

chatted with these two who were pouring the beverages, 

a wonderful evening in this magical place.

When I returned to Le Perchoir a few months ago,

 there were hundreds of people in the space, 

most of whom were twenty-somethings.  

It had lost a bit of the mystique but still worth it for the view.

To see what it looked like last November, click here. 

Le Perchoir

14, rue Crespin du Gast

75011, Paris

Un petit repas

After a full day in Paris

this is my preferred evening meal along with fresh fruit. 

And, yes, that is a very large slab of amazing French butter.

After a recount of the day's adventures

over this simple but delicious repas,

it is back out to capture the night scenes with our cameras.

When you are walking over 20,000 steps a day,

the French butter and baguettes do not "stick on you" for long.

miam-miam! 

l'apartement

75006, Paris



Oskar m'a dit... allons-y!

Oskar

Oskar, the international traveling cat, 

is taking me away to Paris and then beyond to Budapest.

We will meet up with friend, Alexa (Paris Encore) for a week in Paris, 

and then we three fly to Budapest to visit dear blog friends.

I will be looking for hidden Paris places 

and thousands of photographs.

Oskar is ready...

Destination:  Paris and Beyond

 

(Merci, brattcat, for mon cher Oskar)

Jardin du Palais Royal - il pleut

Jardin du Palais Royal

Well, if one must be caught in the Paris rain,

one must be just this chic!

Must be a French Girl!

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001, Paris

Le Royal Monceau - Voulez-vous avoir un peu de thé?

Le Royal Monceau

We met friends for tea and macarons at this elegant hotel, 

lounging in the butter-soft leather furniture.  

We watched people, took in the surroundings, 

sipped our tea, and snapped a few photos.

bien sûr

Le Royal Monceau

37, avenue Hoche

75008, Paris 

Un café avec des amies

Coffee with friends

When I think about un café avec mes amies 

this is my wistful vision

terrace, coffee, sunshine, friends, and laughter

(oh, and do not forget the chic shoes, too!)

Avenue Paul Doumer

75016, Paris

Pont des Arts - As-tu un clé?

Pont des Arts

Do you have a key?

This pedestrian bridge is in the news this week.  

The bridge was closed for a period of time 

as the weight of the "love locks" was so heavy 

that it tore a portion of the railing away from the bridge.  

The city (or the mysterious lock-remover) 

has periodically pruned locks from this bridge

 and Pont de l'Archevêché, 

but they re-appear almost as quickly as they are removed.  

Pont des Arts

75001, Paris

Square Santiago du Chili - les trois amis

Three friends

Just off the northwest corner of Hôtel des Invalides 

are two "pocket parks," Square Santiago du Chili 

and Place Santiago du Chili.  

These three are enjoying warm weather in the shade.

Square Santiago du Chili

Avenue de la Motte Picquet

75007, Paris

Des oranges et des fraises

Oranges and strawberries

This fruit was as delicious as it looked.  The strawberries had that just-picked look and taste, but the oranges, oh my!  They were an explosion of a perfect mix of sweet and tart in your mouth.

We had a group of friends in for an early evening at our favorite apartment on St. Roch.  We devoured all the fruit as well as the radishes, baguettes, saucisson sec....

Eat well this week!

rue St Roch

75001, Paris

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

Hôtel du Nord - Qui est cet homme?

Hôtel du Nord

I took this photo three years ago, a photo of a photo.

It was perched on a ledge behind my table at Hôtel du Nord on Canal St. Martin.

Often, when I look through my Paris photos 

I run across this one and wonder just who this man might be.  

Is he a movie star, un chanteur, a friend of the restaurant, who?

I almost posted this in black and white, 

but could you do that to those aquamarine eyes?

really!

Qui est ce beau gosse?

Hôtel du Nord

102 Quai de Jemmapes

75010, Paris

Le Grand Vefour

Le Grand Vefour

Unfazed by the drizzling rain and without concern for traffic,
this chic woman walked like she owned the street
...and the famous Grand Vefour.

Must be a French girl

Rue de Beaujolais

Palais Royal

75001, Paris

Les photographes en reflet

Three American Photographers

With an eye for reflections, usually those without the photographer, 

the three of us could not resist capturing the moment, a "selfie" of another type.  

Surely one camera would have been sufficient, but the overkill was pure delight.

We were specifically talking of James' Weekend Reflections meme 

that day in Paris, and so I join him today.  

Check out the other reflections here.  

James, this one was taken for you.

Rue Dussoubs

75002, Paris

Monsieur?

Pont d'Arcole

Man on the bridge with an umbrella, uh...

Charming man on the bridge in the rain with an umbrella...

...nothing more to say

Pont d'Arcole

75004, Paris

La Chandeleur - jour des crêpes!

La Chandeleur

Fête des chandelles

(Candlemas - English)

Today is Candlemas, 2 February, and it is celebrated in France with crêpes.

Today I will be making crêpes, holding a coin in my left hand, and flipping the crêpe pan in my right.  If I can catch the crêpe, it means my family will be prosperous for the rest of the year, such is the legend.  Also, one does not eat crêpes until after 8:00pm.

This chef at Crêperie Plougastel on Rue du Montparnasse, allowed me to take some photos of him as he deftly prepared all the crêpes for the lunch crowd.  I have been here three or four times, introduced by French friend Isabelle.  They have both savory and sweet crêpes with quick service and good prices.  On a street full of crêperies, this one is always well attended.

 

 

bon dimanche

 

 

Crêperie Plougastel

47, rue du Montparnasse

75014, Paris