Une bataille de boules de neige

Snowball Fight!

Well, it was very good natured fun 

with lots of laughter and the squeals of children

They seemed totally oblivious to the photographer,

and she was glad not to have been pelted with a block of ice.

Square Armand-Trousseau

Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine

75012, Paris

Pont des Arts - sous la neige

Pont des Arts

Taken a few years ago during a dusting of snow,

the bridge is seen after a pruning of locks

bon weekend

Pont des Arts

75001, Paris

Jardin du Palais Royal - sous la neige

Palais Royal in the snow

In the first week of December 2010, the snow started to fall gingerly as seen here, 

and by the 8th of December, it was a traffic-stopping blanket of soft whiteness.

The green leaves still on the sculpted trees 

are a pleasing contrast to the white carpet.

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001, Paris

La Tour Eiffel et la Grande Roue

La Tour Eiffel et la Grande Roue

From this one position, without even turning your head, you can see the Eiffel Tower, the 200-ft tall ferris wheel, the Obélisque de Louxor (75 ft high) in Place de la Concorde, and you can see the flag atop the dome of the Grand Palais.

(Photo taken at the northwest end of Jardin des Tuileries)

Jardin des Tuileries

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)

La Tour Eiffel sous la neige

La Tour Eiffel

The heavy snow (December 2010) removed all the color from this shot.  

Still, the wrought iron lattice of the tower with its layer of white 

is lovely and a distinct contrast to this same view in the spring.

La Tour Eiffel

75007, Paris

Se Jetter des Boules de Neige

So, our story continues... Do you recognize our cute "jeune garçon" from yesterday? He is the one smiling above with the huge snowball, uh hunk of ice...

...and now he takes one in the back by the kid with the striped hat! Pow!

After a rousing battle with snowballs accompanied by the laughter of kids playing, it was time to leave the park.

And this was the "stash" of snowballs!

This kind of kid-fun translates to any language... may it always be so

Paris Portrait -- Jeune Garçon

During the very cold days in early December, I got a shot of this handsome young fellow with hands and cheeks red from the frigid air.

You might be interested to know that there is a story to this one and I will show you tomorrow. I am such a tease!

Square Trousseau
Métro Ledru Rollin


(Is there a better title than "jeune garçon"?)

Jardin des Tuileries -- Carrousel V

In the Paris snow, this carousel was a bright, noisy spot. In the late afternoon heading towards the carousel, it was an unexpected treat to see this magical blue and white wedding cake of a merry-go-round in full operation. The children were bundled and all had rosy cheeks from the cold, none seeming to mind.

I learned that the Mairie de Paris offers free unlimited carousel rides in the week between Christmas and New Years all around the city. If you have been following my posts, you know how I love the carousels and you can see previous posts here, here, here, and my favorite here. Certainly, there will be more to come!

Bon homme de neige

The Jardin des Tuileries had many surprises on our recent visit with several snowmen and other icy creations. However, this fellow, short in stature, seemed to have the most artistry and character. As I snapped this photo other paparazzi moved in quickly.

Bon homme de neige
Temporary residence: Jardin des Tuileries

Cold and lonely

In Jardin des Tuileries, we found this group of chairs and made a few observations... It appeared as if a group had recently gathered here amidst the snow. Had they shared a frigid picnic of sorts or an apéritif de la neige? There are two other interesting details. See if you can find them.


In the background is the statue known as L'Ami de Personne
On the back of one chair is a pair of eyes

Saint-Ouen - Marché Biron

A trip to Paris is never complete without a visit to Marché aux Puces at Saint-Ouen. I love the look of winter and it had just snowed that Saturday morning leaving the tree decorated with a dusting of white. The long allée of Marché Biron with its glass-front display rooms was nearly deserted... the shopkeepers inside, their little dogs peering out from the heated interiors.

Marché Biron
Saint-Ouen
Métro Porte de Clignancourt

Jardin des Tuileries... la neige

And the snow came, just as I had wished for in Paris!

We saw snowmen and snowball fights... We saw bundled little children and les chiens in their sweaters... The cold air makes your face sting and the Christmas lights make your eyes shine brightly...

I loved it all!

Snow in Paris... sur le toit de l'Eglise Saint Roch

This morning when we woke up, this is the view from our apartment window looking out on Saint-Roch. The many surfaces of the roof were coated in white. What a beautiful winter scene in Paris!

Bon dimanche...