La patineuse artistique

In the bright midday sun of a winter day,

the ice skaters moved around the temporary ice rink 

in front of Hôtel de Ville. 

This young woman was in a world of her own

as she gracefully made her turns, jumps and spins.

Hôtel de Ville

Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
75004 Paris

Jardin du Palais Royal - XXXII

Palais Royal

the fountain

It may be winter, 

but as long as the water will flow in this fountain, 

you will find a hearty soul or two gathered around the perimeter, 

feet propped.

She was sitting facing the sun 

watching the patterns of the fountain.

Jardin du Palais Royal

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 patineuse artistique

In the bright midday sun of January,

the ice skaters moved around the temporary ice rink in front of Hôtel de Ville. 

This young woman was in a world of her own

as she gracefully made her turns, jumps and spins.

Hôtel de Ville
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
75004 Paris

Expédition Polaire!

I saw the above billboard in a Métro stop during my November visit and quickly snapped a (poor) shot before the doors closed.  I even knew the station location but the billboard had been replaced before I could return for a better photo.

In January, Holly pointed it out on the side of a bus pulling away from the curb and I hastily "clicked."  If you have ever seen the fountains of Versailles you would understand the amazement of the snow and ice on this scene.  The Apollo fountain depicts Apollo the conqueror on his chariot pulled by four horses representing force and ardour.  He is getting out of the water among sea monsters to enlighten the Earth as he represents the rising Sun.  In Versailles all the statues of Apollo represent Louis XIV, the sun king.

This is the Apollo Fountain on a July day many years ago for contrast

To my Paris friends, take many snow photos to share with me. 

Wish I was there to see the snow again

 and would just die to see the Apollo Fountain in snow and ice!

Le Château de Versailles
78000 Versailles, France

Le Grand Colbert

I took this photo last December not knowing that Marie, our concierge (J), and I would enjoy a dinner here in April.  We sat adjacent to Alan Alda, his wife, and another couple, but left them to dine in peace. 

However, I was humming the theme from Mash off and on.

Don't you think that this would be a great place to ring in the new year?

Allons-y!

Le Grand Colbert
2, rue Vivienne
75002 Paris

La Tour Eiffel - en hiver

It was a dark and snowy night but the twinkling of la Tour lights up the December sky.

(Taken from the Suresnes American Cemetery, in the suburbs of Paris, only five miles from city center.  The 7.5 acre cemetery contains the graves of 1,541 Americans who died in World War I and 24 Unknown American War Dead from World War II.  The cemetery is located high on the slopes of Mont Valerien)

Suresnes American Cemetery
123, Boulevard Washington
92150 Suresnes

Jardin des Tuileries -- au printemps, en hiver

As the temperatures in Paris are rising, it seems a good time to recall a familiar setting in a colder month. This photo was taken in April at Jardin des Tuileries while walking and shooting with Marie and Peter.

I loved the contrast with this winter scene of the same pond when Holly and I were there in early December. You can see the full-sized original post here.






Jardin des Tuileries
au printemps, en hiver


For more reflections look here at James' Newtown Daily Photo

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"?)

Driving Miss Daisy -- Carrousel Reflections

The rainy, very cold December day found these two ladies out on a jaunt, taking a spin on the carrousel (which, for the record, is rotating counter-clockwise)...



Un-named carrousel
Boulevard de Courcelles and
Rue de Miromesnil
Place Prosper Goubaux

See more reflections at James' Newtown Area Photo.

Jardin des Tuileries - en hiver

I do not know what pleased me more...

The solitude of Tuileries in winter or the little tracks on the snow-dusted frozen pond...

All is quiet in le Jardin des Tuileries

.

Carrousel VI -- Place Prosper Goubaux

Rain mixed with snow did not dampen the enthusiasm for riding this carrousel, found in the 17ième arrondissement, next to Métro Villiers... The children were with parents and grandparents on this Saturday afternoon.

I do not have a name for this carrousel, but with the help of some friends I have begun to notice the rotation of the merry-go-rounds. This one is counter-clockwise and you can take a look at the others I have featured: here, here, here, here, and here. It is said that the German mechanisms, often found in the Paris carrousels, were patented to run counter-clockwise while those in the United States usually rotate clockwise. The jury is still out on this... more research to come.

Un-named carrousel

Boulevard de Courcelles and

Rue de Miromesnil

Place Prosper Goubaux

Paris en hiver... Jardin des Tuileries

In December the Jardin des Tuileries was full of people braving the frigid weather. This photo was taken on the west end of the garden and you can see the Musée de l'Orangerie in the background. In posting this photo I could not decide between the color shot above or the black and white below. It seemed that there was barely any color at all in the top one... Which do you prefer, or neither?




.

En hiver...

You do not see many full length fur coats on the streets in Paris...

She looked much warmer than I felt snapping this shot

Bunnies in the Champagne - reflection

These bunnies playing in the champagne fountain (and splashing, drinking, and swimming) were a treat for children and adults alike. The window-viewing of les grands magasins is quite crowded, particularly when there is so much activity in one window!

Here is a video by Holly



For more reflections look at James' Newtown Area Daily Photo here.

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...