Rue Saint Paul - fenêtre ouverte

Rue Saint-Paul

What does a simple window adorned with the vestiges of daily living

reveal about those who live within?

Window on Rue St Paul

75004, Paris

Métro St Paul ou Métro Pont Marie



Bassin de la Villette - Pétanque

In the long promenade around Bassin de la Villette,

one can see many games of Pétanque and players of all ages. 

 

Although this man seemed quite intense

let me assure you that it was a lively, spirited game among friends,

including women.

(Couldn't this be an Olympic sport?)

 

Bassin de la Villette

Quai de la Loire

75019, Paris

Métro Laumière

Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky Cathedral - III

Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky Cathedral

As we walked down the street to take a broad view of this magnificent cathedral,

the reflection of a car window captured the gold onion dome turrets

against the afternoon sky.

bon dimanche

Saint-Alexandre-nevsky Cathedral

12, rue Daru

75008 Paris

Métro Ternes ou Métro Courcelles

For more reflections see James' Weekend Reflections

Métro Bastille

The retro look of the building makes a striking background

for the yellow Métro sign at Bastille.

Métro Bastille

Rue de Lyon

75012, Paris



Repetto - Danseuse étoile

Repetto

Who could not resist a stretch on the ballet barre?

(for Nanette)

Repetto
22, rue de la Paix
75002, Paris
Métro Opéra

Hôtel du Nord - V

Hôtel du Nord

You can tell by the atmosphere why I am drawn back time and again.

I said a year ago that I could be a regular here, and now it appears to be true.

 

The ambiance and mood speak of Paris in times past

and absolutely begged for black and white.

Hôtel du Nord
102, quai de Jemmapes
75010, Paris
Métros Gare de l'Est, Colonel Fabien, et
Jacues Bensergent
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I would invite you to visit a new blog written by Jacqueline Bernhardt, a college student who came for the summer and now is hopelessly in love with Paris.  Please stop by Jacqueline's A Parisian Girl Trapped in an American Body and welcome her to the blog world.


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Déjeuner pour deux

Comme à la Maison

How about a cozy lunch for two?

Comme à la Maison
9, rue Saint Paul
75004, Paris
Métro St Paul, Métro Pont Marie

Parc des Buttes Chaumont - le dimanche

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

This large public garden (as it is referenced) is the third largest in Paris with more than 5km of trails and paths.  The main feature of the park is the Temple of Sybil which sits at the top of an island in the middle of a lake.  In 2009 a suspension bridge, about 200 feet long and over 70 feet above the water, was built to allow access to the island.

There are three restaurants, reception halls, and two Guignol theatres. 

Perhaps most enjoyed are the green grassy slopes on a sunny weekend afternoon.

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

75019, Paris

Métros Buttes Chaumont, Laumière, et Botzaris

Tartine et Chocolat - vêtements pour bébé

Tartine et Chocolat

This boutique is next door to Repetto on Rue de la Paix

so it is a stop for me on every visit to Paris.

Some chic babies in Paris will be dressed in saumon et gris this season,

but I do not think that those little soft shoes will do well in the chalky dust of Tuilleries. 

At this age, she will probably ride in a poussette (stroller), oui?

Tartine et Chocolat

24, rue de la Paix

75002, Paris

Métro Opéra

Église de la Madeleine

The sounds of stringed instruments and finely-tuned voices

regularly fill this cavernous Neo-Classical church.  

The concerts bring in visitors and Parisians alike to Église de la Madeleine

bon dimanche

Église de la Madeleine

Place de la Madeleine

75008, Paris

Métro Madeleine 

Parc de Monceau - Carrousel Jules Verne

As dawn gives way to the bright spring sky,

the animals of the carrousel whispered to be set free

Carrousel Jules Verne

Parc de Monceau

75008, Paris

Métro Monceau



Parc de Bercy - Jardin romantique

Parc de Bercy is a group of three connected gardens:

The Romantic Garden with its fishponds and dunes,

The Flowerbeds,

The Meadows with its open meadows and tall trees.

This was my first visit in late March, a warm day with a high sun,

no clouds and a great reflection in this Japanese pond.

I will be back

Parc de Bercy
75012, Paris
Métro Cour St-Emilion (SE end of the park)
Métro Bercy (N end of the park)

Bassin principal - Jardin du Luxembourg

If ever you are in Paris alone, Jardin du Luxembourg will provide your entertainment. 

Sailing boats in the octagonal basin

Watching a lively game of pétanque

Taking a ride on a very simple carrousel

Checking on the bees at the apiary

Enjoying a performance in the theatre of marionnettes

Playing a sport: tennis or basketball

Strolling through the shaded gardens

or

Reading a book in a familiar green chair

Jardin du Luxembourg
75006, Paris

Deux pies - Rue Crémieux - IV

Rue Crémieux is a short walking street of two-story houses facing each other.

The jewel tones of the houses give the street a fanciful appearance.

Many of the homes have tromp l'oeil as seen here and in the photos today. 

This maison violette with its two magpies may have a story to go along with the art.
Magpies are said to be very intelligent and also attracted to shiny objects,

like the jeweled ring. 

Is there a fable about magpies by Jean de La Fontaine?

 

23, rue Crémieux

75012, Paris

Métro Gare de Lyon, Métro Quai de la Rapée,

ou Métro Ledru-Rollin

L'accordéoniste - Marché d'Aligre

After stuffing ourselves with oysters on Rue d'Aligre

we heard the peppy tune of this accordionist in the street.

Perhaps he was just out for a Sunday meet-up with other musicians.

(for Vreni)

Rue d'Aligre

Marché d'Aligre

75012, Paris



Avenue George V - le Quatorze Juillet

This is not a usual sight on

Avenue George V

This was at least a vehicle that I could identify

as opposed to the one below which was huge and strange

(photos taken 14 juillet 2008)

Ave George V
75008, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - illumination

This well-known example of French gothic architecture is getting a makeover for its 850th anniversary.  Yes, 850 years old - It was consecrated in 1163!

New bells, the restoration of the organ and more environmentally-friendly lighting... She is making preparations to celebrate her birthday in great style and you can see the evidence of the freshness in this photo.  If you will be in Paris between December 12, 2012 to December 9, 2013, be sure to visit (or re-visit) this icon of the Paris landscape.  There will be a full schedule of events during the year's celebration.

If you want to have a more personal experience in a visit to Notre Dame, be there as it opens daily at 8:00am, and you will have it almost to yourself.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

6, Place du Parvis Notre-Dame,

Place Jean-Paul II

75004, Paris



Le quatorze juillet - La Fête Nationale

Le quatorze juillet,

a day of celebration in France and not coincidentally my second blog anniversary!

Two years ago I posted the above photo as I ventured into this daily Paris photoblog, never thinking that I would be able to manage a post every day.  Please look here for the story of how it all started and the friendship I share with Virginia (Paris Through My Lens) who helped me "birth this baby." 

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The photo above shows two French sailors preparing for the grand military parade on Avenue des Champs-Elysées.  I stood on the baricades for hours in order to have a good position to capture the excitement and emotions of the day. 

Now, I have a small oil painting created by Carol Schiff of this moment,

a treasured work of art that I enjoy daily.

Le quatorze juillet

Avenue des Champs-Elysées

75008, Paris

(on this festive day there is no nearby Métro,

bus, taxi so be prepared to walk for miles)



 

Galerie Vivienne - magasin d'antiquités

In my nearly two years of posting, I have featured many of the "galeries" of Paris.  Galerie Vivienne is one of the remaining seventeen or so 19th century covered passages in Paris.  It was built in 1823 of two mansions and covered as we might find in a modern-day shopping mall.  Today, this elegant reflection of times past boasts "fashion, culture, pampering, food."

This shop was closed (Lundi) but the view from the window features both the shop items as well as the magnificent mosaic tiles of G. Facchina.  You can see a direct view of Facchina's artistry in the passage here. 

Galerie Vivienne

Rue des Petits Champs, 

Rue de la Banque, et Rue Vivienne

75002, Paris

Métro Bourse, Métro Pyramides, ou Bus 29  

Dalloyau - fours frais assortis

May I tempt you...

to one of these little jewels in the window of Dalloyau?

 

(If you will have two, I promise not to tell - shhhhh)

 

Dalloyau

5, boulevard Beaumarchais

75004, Paris

Métro Bastille



Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves

As different as night from day is the Vanves Flea Market. 

It sits on the south side of Paris and is much smaller

with many outdoor tables set along the sidewalks. 

In order to find the best treasures

you should be there when they open on Saturday/Sunday at 7am. 

Yes, that is early! 

In order to beat out the serious shoppers

you want to be there within the first hour, or just stay in bed.

This fellow was a bit formidable, and no, I did not buy him.

(I thought that I was going to have to pay to even take a photo!)

I will bring you back here for more stories and photos.

Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves
75014, Paris
Métro Porte de Vanves

Café George V - les chaises rouge

Although there is a bit of color clash here,

I could be persuaded to enjoy un café with my friends.

What will you have?

Café George V

120, ave des Champs Elysées

75008, Paris

Métro George V

Sillicat s'est perdue

What a precious face

I do hope that Sillicat found his way home!

Rue de la Butte aux Cailles

75013, Paris



Romanian Orthodox Church of the Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - II

The narrow Romanian Orthodox Church is almost invisible from the street

but the interior is rich with golds and royal blue. 

The altar sits like a bejeweled crown

dwarfed by the tall stained glass windows of the apse.

 

For a small space there is much detail to absorb.

bon dimanche

(for Ramona)

Romanian Orthodox Church of the Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

9 bix, rue Jean de Beauvais

75005, Paris

Métro Maubert-Mutualité

Lunettes de vue

All of Paris must be in need of lunettes de vue (eyeglasses)

as there is an optician storefront in every block.

I think that they are second to pâtisseries in number!

(I am making that up but there are too many to count)

Optique

139, rue Saint-Honoré

(at Rue du Louvre)

75001, Paris

Un reflet et une réflexion - Que pensez vous?

June, in the Marais, a bus crossed my path. 

Although I was first taken with the uniforms and clicked,

I later wondered about the troubled look on the left

and the wiping of a tear on the right.

Often a photo asks more questions than it answers

Added note:

Part of what captured my attention is the resemblance to my dad

(living and thriving with my mom still today)

A bus in the Marais

75003, Paris

    To see more reflections go to James' Weekend Reflections

Musée du Louvre - "Enfant jouant avec une tortue"

"Enfant jouant avec une tortue"

Pierre Hébert (1849)

This charming sculpture was found in a quiet corner of an upper floor. 

Although the Louvre is massive, there is no need to see it all at once. 

Be selective and truly absorb the details.

1er étage - Richelieu

Musée du Louvre

75001, Paris

Métro Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre



Les puces de Saint-Ouen - Vernaison

Les marchés aux puces...

or simply Les Puces (the fleas!)

Marché Vernaison is one of the markets within Saint-Ouen with winding passages and many vendors where you can find anything from furniture to beads, textiles, paintings, antique toys, silver flatware.  It is enormous and you can easily lose your way and the time wandering from one stall to the next. 

If you are a serious shopper looking for bargains, this may not be the best market for you.  It is said that the deeper you go into the market, past Marché Paul Bert, the better luck you may have.  Think of this as a forest and you must venture into the very deepest woods to discover the real treasures.

This is the largest antique market in the world receiving between 120,00 to 180,000 visitors each weekend.  Next week I will take you to le marché aux Puces de Vanves which is on the opposite side of Paris but equally exciting for the treasure hunter.

Marché Vernaisson

99, rue des Rosiers

75018, Paris

Métro Porte de Clignancourt



La tribu des oiseaux

The boutique on Rue Saint Roch offers stylish hats,

but tonight, this fluff of a dress steals the spotlight.

Rue Saint Roch
75001, Paris

Le lustre

Walking back to the apartment after a night shoot,

this chandelier caught my eye.

The fine furnishings, architectural features and golden glow

give a glimpse only seen at night.

75001, Paris

Basilique Saint Denis - les colonnes et les arcs

Basilique Saint Denis

a delicate balance of columns and arches

a visual puzzle of architecture, stained glass, and sculptures...

astonishing

bon dimanche

Basilique Saint Denis

93200 Saint-Denis

Line 13, Métro Basilique de Saint Denis