Eglise Saint Philippe du Roule - Illumination

Whether the lighting in the churches is from a natural source filtered through stained glass windows, from an ornate chandelier, or from simple candles, it enhances the architecture and the quiet peace within.

Bon dimanche

Eglise Saint Philippe du Roule
154, rue du Faubourg St Honoré

Where is this?

Unless you have been in this very spot you may not guess, but this is from the platform of a Metro station. One generally thinks of Metro stations beneath ground but this is from the very large Bastille and this is a raised platform open to the water below, the Bassin de l'Arsenal or Canal St. Martin.

Last year I bought a book about the Metro in Paris and it has almost more than you ever wanted to know. It makes for good reading in and is a wonderful reference but I do wish that there was a picture-book of all the Metro stations inside and out.

L'architecture de Paris

In the streets just north of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, we stumbled upon this modern building as it reflected the old one just opposite. Although I generally prefer the older buildings, the new structure with its many glass panes serves an artistic function as a reflection device.

Bon weekend

Pétanque avec des amis

Although I have seen mostly older gentlemen playing pétanque in Jardin du Luxembourg and Jardin des Tuileries, we found several mixed groups of twenty-somethings playing in the long promenade around Bassin de la Villette. The play was animated with squeals and shouts, mixed with quiet whispers of strategy.

I will show you more of this scene with some of the young women competing with the men in future posts.

Bassin de la Villette
Quai de la Loire

Dans l'ombre de la Tour Eiffel

This sweet trio was seen on the lawn (la pelouse) in front of la Tour Eiffel prior to the celebration of 14 juillet. They were a bit early for the fireworks.

Parc du Champ de Mars

Brasserie Bofinger - Taking a Break

Just around the corner from Bofinger on Rue Jean Beausire in the Marais, these gentlemen were taking a break, likely getting ready for the rush of the noon-time diners.

This is a favorite of mine, as I enjoy capturing people in la vie quotidienne, a routine that is anything but for someone who loves these vignettes of Paris.


Brasserie Bofinger
5-7, rue de la Bastille

Hôtel du Nord - le dimanche

What an extraordinary spot for a Sunday afternoon with friends. Marie and I joined Janeen for a leisurely déjeuner in April after a busy morning in the markets. Hôtel du Nord is situated on the bank of Canal St. Martin and has a history to match the ambiance with its black and white tiled floors, zinc bar, and rich wood. With its welcoming service and reasonably-priced tasty French cuisine, I could be a regular here.

Hôtel du Nord
102 Quai de Jemmapes

(Be sure to click the link above above for the clever website)

Église Saint-Étienne du Mont - l'orgue

The organ of Saint-Étienne du Mont is a marvel of architectural design and carving, dating back to the early 17th Century. It would be a challenge to count the cherubs and angels in this church, starting here with the organ. If you decide to count, do not forget to look at the ceiling for the little cherub faces.

I have shown this church before, here and here. It is just across the square from the Parthenon in the 5ième arrondissement.

Bon dimanche


Église Saint-Étienne du Mont
1, place Ste-Geneviève

(Crikey, Cadel!)

Paris, en noir et blanc

I wish that there were special glasses you could wear that would give you this view of old Paris without the graffiti and bright posters for teaching English... Just take me back in history. I will go to one of Hemingway's old haunts and look for writers and artists.

Un Chapeau Rose

Walking from our apartment to Jardin des Tuileries is a small boutique of hats. This bright pink with a feather seemed perfectly French to me.

Bon weekend

Marché Bastille

Each of the Paris street markets is different with a flavor and personality of its own. Do not assume that because you have seen one market in Paris that you "have seen them all."

This bustling area along the Boulevard Richard Lenoir is boisterous and colorful with something for everyone.


Marché Bastille
Boulevard Richard Lenoir
(le dimanche et le jeudi)

Ces yeux bleus

The blue eyes on this French house cat captured my attention, and it would appear that there was something about me that piqued his interest as well.

Perhaps he was feeling guilty that he and his friend had smoked all of those cigarettes. Hummmm....

La dame et le chien

Not a courier, but definitely transporting precious cargo

Rue de Lancry

10ième arr.

Un mélange de vélos

These bikes near Place d'Aligre remind me that today is a "rest day" on Le Tour de France. I do not think that any of these will be found in the race when it resumes on Tuesday.

Rue Théophile Roussel
près de Place d'Aligre

Église Saint Roch -- un petit musée?

Built in 1653, it was only between 1750 and 1770, that the interior of the Church was completed by top artists: Falconet, Vien, Doyen, Boullée. Today still, this church shelters a great number of works of art, paintings and sculptures, rescued from other churches destroyed during the tumult of the French Revolution. Each one of its inside chapels is a small museum.

Bon dimanche


Église Saint Roch
Rue St. Roch et Rue St-Honoré

Parc de Monceau

Marie and I came across this scene in April at Parc de Monceau. I am not sure that I understood what was going on here but...

Hey, save some for me!


Parc de Monceau
Boulevard de Courcelles
Métro Monceau

Un Bon Soldat

The uniforms of the French military are quite elegant for the 14 juillet, and it was a wonderful opportunity to photograph many individuals as well as the "regiments." As this soldier walked past me to join his battalion, I requested a photo. He nodded agreement and I quickly snapped.

I imagine maman would be proud to see her son in his fine uniform.


Le Quatorze Juillet
2008

Le Quatorze Juillet!

I remember thinking that so much of France's military equipment was being paraded down the Champs Élysée that we should hope there was no immediate need on the globe for assistance. The tanks, the humvees, the trucks, the so-large-I-cannot-imagine what they ares, the horses in finery, the planes, the firetrucks... all of the personnel. The length of this wide avenue was full to overflowing. It was magnificent!

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Today is a special day for me as I started my blog one year ago today. I drove to Birmingham to see Virginia, and the two of us "birthed this baby" so its birthday would always fall on Bastille Day. I will be forever grateful to her for her guidance and wonderful sense of humor as we laughed our way through "delivery."

Thanks to all of you who read my blog and who have, through your own blogs and comments on mine, enriched this experience, sharing a bit of your world with me. I was not sure that I could post 365 days in a row, but it is now just a part of me. Merci beaucoup!

Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris

Although the parade for 14 juillet is not until tomorrow, tonight begins the Bals des Pompiers, the firemen's parties held at each station in Paris on 13-14 juillet. There is much partying in the streets and it is one of the most festive events in Paris.

I wonder if these guys partied all night long... probably not.

Jardin des Tuilleries -- Sunset

From the plateau of the west end of Jardin des Tuileries, the fading light displays in silhouette some memorable landmarks of Paris.

Moon over Église Saint Roch

On the last night in Paris, I saw this view from the bed and jumped up to snap it before the moment escaped. I will be in Paris again and this scene plays out regularly each month, year after year. Why the urgency for this particular shot, quickly assembled and not a singular best? It totally captured the emotions of this April trip as I returned to familiar places that I count as mine and branched out for new discoveries.

This was the scene of the familiar, the rooftop of Église Saint Roch, with the new excitement of the full moon ascending through wispy clouds. It was the dénouement of moments which quickened my heart, took my breath away, and brought a veil of water to my eyes. How can one have such feelings about a single city, its people, its quotidienne? How cliché to say that one "loves Paris," and yet I do.

Église Saint Roch

The Labyrinth of Chartres Cathedral

The labyrinth of Chartres Cathedral was laid out in the nave of the cathedral in the early 13th Century as the church was being built. This chemin du paradis is walked even today as it was centuries ago, slowly and prayerfully, by pilgrims. On this day there were people of all ages, some with bare feet and some in shoes. Many walk the 260 meters on their knees as was the practice in the Middle Ages.

With several hundred people in the cathedral, the labyrinth was silent... a sight one does not soon forget.

Bon dimanche

Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres
Chartres, France

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

Deux guitares

Would you see these colors anywhere but in Paris?

Vraiment?

Paul Beuscher Bastille (since 1850)
15-27, boulevard Beaumarchais

En Glandant

Looking through the stalls at Marché d'Aligre on a Sunday morning, I saw this man just lounging on his motorcycle (zoom-zoom), probably just waiting for customers.

I titled this "Chillin"* but wondered if there was a French expression equivalent. I will change it if someone will tell me. changed it thanks to much reader assistance. It was Malyss who gave me several suggestions, and "glander" seemed the best fit. I also liked the Italian "dolce farniente" for the way it rolls off your tongue. What other languages have an expression for this?


*Chillin' = chilling = slang for "taking it easy"
French - glander
Italian - dolce far niente
Dutch - unitrusten
Czech - leháro or flákáni



Marché d'Aligre
12ième arr.

Bassin de la Villette -- le dimanche

A beautiful weekend afternoon brings all ages to the parks, to the gardens, to the banks of the waterways of Paris. Bassin de la Villette is no exception and this papa was kind enough to smile for me.

Who dressed that baby?

Bassin de la Villette
Quai de la Loire
19ième arr.

Montmartre Space Invader

The urban artist for these "space invaders" is called simply "Invader" and guards closely his identity. These mosaics were started in Paris in the mid-90s where he lives and they are found in 31 other cities in France. He calls the installation an "invasion" and creates books and maps for the specific locations.



I have been photographing them for years but the thrill is not so much in the shot (I mean it's not like they are going to run off while you focus and set the F-stop) but it is the discovery itself. So, I will not have a regular display of these guys* made of durable ceramic tile but thought you would like to see how carefully the ivy has been trimmed around this one found in Montmartre.




*unless I start running short on photos

Quatre Juillet

Okay, this is a Paris photo blog and truly this is a Paris photo, but it is quatorze juillet and not quatre juillet. I was thrilled several years ago to travel to Paris alone for Bastille Day primarily to see the view above. I stood on the barricades for several hours and almost missed this shot as the planes moved overhead so quickly.

I hope that my French friends do not mind that I borrowed this photo to wish everyone in the USA a happy Fourth of July!


Avenue des Champs Elysées

Église Saint-Jean-de-Montmartre

Angels abound in this relatively new church (1904) of reinforced concrete.

There are many treasures to be found inside and out.

Bon dimanche

Église Saint-Jean de Montmartre
19, rue des Abbesses

Marché Bastille

From a simple black cardboard box comes an array of color and fragrant blooms elegantly suited for a princess.

One wonders about the buyer and the seller, and just who will be the recipient of a spring bouquet?


Marché Bastille
Boulevard Beaumarchais

(Vive Le Tour 2011! -- La Barre-de-Monts)

Comme à la Maison

This (very) petite salon de thé is found nestled in Village Saint Paul, in the Marais. The menu is limited, but delightful, with fresh crisp salads and rich quiches. First suggested by Richard Nahen of Eye Prefer Paris, it is a regular stop for daughter Holly and me. Marie and I enjoyed a refreshing déjeuner in April but passed on and devoured the most delicious chocolat chaud I have ever had.

I will return in cooler weather for another of those!

Bon weekend!

Comme à la Maison
9, rue Saint Paul


(Don't forget... Le Tour starts on samedi!)

For other weekend reflections go here to James' Weekend Reflections.