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

 

Piccola Strada

Piccola Strada


Just where I would like to be
watching the parade of characters
while sipping a cool beverage with friends.


allons-y!

Piccola Strada

6, rue Yvonne le Tac

75018, Paris

Fête de la Musique - le solstice d'été

Fête de la Musique
June 21

Celebrating the summer solstice in Paris is an experience beyond
imagination with every street corner, church, bar, park,
and even the pedestrian bridges filled with music and musicians of all genres.


Le Pré aux Clercs was just on our corner
and the perfect way to sit on the terrace and watch the sun set...
at 11:00pm


Make plans for tomorrow...
wherever you may be.

Le Pré aux Clercs

30, rue Bonaparte

75006, Paris

Paris en été - Paris-Plages

Paris in Summer

Paris-Plages

If you are staying in Paris for the summer (or visiting) 

you can have a Seine-side holiday replete with sand, 

beach chairs, misting fountains, volleyball, and more.  

Essentially, it is a beach vacation for the Parisians 

who do not leave during the grandes vacances  

and for the city's visitors.  

The dates for 2014 are July 20th through August 20th.  

Perhaps I am mistaken but these appear to be barges of sand!

Paris-Plages

Louvre to Pont de Sully

75001-75004, Paris

 

City Daily Photo Theme Day - "Celebrating Summer"

Jardin du Luxembourg

How to celebrate summer in Paris?

Where do I start?

While you consider all the possibilities, 

have a seat in one of the green chairs 

at Jardin du Luxembourg and watch the action.

The first of each month is Theme Day 

for the City Daily Photo people.

Click here to see contributions from all over the world.

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

Fête de la Musique!

 

 

Fête de la Musique

 

 

If you are in France, you are surely enjoying the music today.  In Paris the streets, parks, and churches are filled with music of all genres.  I will never forget the delightful close of a very busy day as we sat on the terrasse of Pré aux Clercs and listened to the wonderful sounds of smooth jazz.  As you can tell from this photo, the jazz quartet was a visual delight as well.

 

 

For the summer solstice,

have a celebration with food and music,

centered on family and friends

 

 

 

Pré aux Clercs

rue Jacob et rue Bonaparte

75006, Paris



 

 

 



Fête de la Musique - solstice d'été

Summer Solstice

So what does the solstice d'été have to do with music?  In Paris and many parts of France the summer solstice is accompanied by a grand celebration of music, with all genres and forms.  You can visit the churches for special concerts, listen to street musicians in the squares and gardens.  The cafés have jazz quartets and pop music and everything in between.  The music begins early and extends to the wee hours of the morning.

"The musicians are asked to perform for free, and all the concerts are free for the public. It’s the reason why they are used to play in open air areas as streets and parks or in public buildings like museums, train stations, castles… Furthermore, the Fête de la Musique is a way to encourage the major music institutions (orchestra, operas, choirs, etc.) to perform outside their usual locations." (official site here)

This photo was taken of the "piano man" on June 21, 2010, Fête de la Musique, a wonderful day spent with friends soaking up beautiful weather and a variety of music.  

Wish I was there today.

Pont Saint-Louis

75004, Paris

La Fête de la Musique

Fête de la Musique

21 juin

I have been thinking about this wonderful day of music in Paris and all of France this week, knowing that today is "the day."  Two years ago I was in Paris with friends Marie, Virginia, and Mary and have special memories about the fun we all had that week, meeting new friends and on this day enjoying music all over the city.

Marie and I finished the day at Le Pré aux Clercs sitting on the terrace in front of the open windows enjoying the soft sounds of a jazz quartet.  L'heure bleue turned to a clear night filled with the sounds of music.

I will not be there this year but will try to enact a bit of that atmosphere at home. 

What a great celebration to welcome summer!

Le Pré aux Clercs

30, rue Bonaparte

75006, Paris



La Fête de la Musique

Last year we were all there for the summer solstice, listening to a jazz quartet, enjoying the cool breeze of the evening on the café terrace for my last night in Paris.

Wish I was there today.

Enjoy, my French friends, as I am there in spirit.

Les fleurs rose

Before summer is totally behind us, I thought the beautiful blue Paris skies in the Jardin du Luxembourg would bring you another glimpse of l'été à Paris.

I'm off on an adventure with Nanette to find some castanets -- I will still be posting daily but with fewer comments until I return.