Le Square Trousseau

Le Square Trousseau

This corner spot is a favorite year-round,

 filled with locals. 

Some are celebrating a special event, 

others just enjoying the company of friends.

 (Joyeux anniversaire, Daddy - Tu me manques)

Le Square Trousseau

1, rue Anton Vollon

75012, Paris

Boulangerie aux Castelblangeois - un régal pour l'oeil

Boulangerie aux Castelblangeois

Just before anyone considers a New Year's resolution 

regarding the consumption of delicious desserts, 

gaze one last time at these beauties.

Actually, there are no calories when feasting with the eyes.

miam-miam

Boulangerie aux Castelblangeois

104, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine

75012, Paris

Métro Ledru-Rolin

Rue Montorgueil - Dépêchez-vous!

Dressed for work in one of the restaurants of this "foodie street" 

he hurried along with the empty "boîtes."

So where was he going in the opposite direction 

of his restaurant with the empties?

Rue Montorgueil

75002, Paris

Chartres Cathedral

Seen through a window as Marie and I climbed the many steps 

to the top of the bell tower, 

the interior of Chartres Cathedral 

appears to be a blended neutral color.

The major renovations and makeover 

of this eight hundred year old cathedral have created a stir.  

I look forward to checking them out myself 

before passing judgment, but you can read about it here.*

bon dimanche

Notre Dame de Chartres

Chartres, France

*Thanks to traveling friend, Mary G, for the link

Jardin du Palais Royal - les filles

Jardin du Palais Royal

French girls on their way home after school...

There is always activity in this hidden, lovely garden,

even in the winter.

Jardin du Palais Royal

Place du Palais Royal

75001, Paris

La Bocca - Il fait froid

La Bocca

brrrrr....

As you can see in the background, 

many of the Paris cafés have heaters 

and plastic framed terraces for the winter.  

This gentleman was writing, 

perhaps waiting for someone.

La Bocca

59, rue Montmartre

75002, Paris

 

Église Saint Roch - nativité

Saint Roch 

The most beautiful sculpture of the nativity...

Christmas blessings and a hope for peace on earth.

Église Saint-Roch

Rue Saint-Roch

75001, Paris

Les ballerines de Palais Garnier

The ballerinas of Palais Garnier

On a rainy December morning these ballerinas 

danced in the windows of the gift shop of Palais Garnier.

Never miss a chance to dance...

Palais Garnier

75009, Paris

Printemps - un grande table de fête!

Printemps

What a grand party that was!

Macarons, cristal, Champagne, et des chaussures!

Printemps

64, boulevard Haussmann

75009, Paris

Champs Elysées et La Grande Roue

Champs Elysées and the Big Ferris Wheel

La Grande Roue becomes an iconic landmark 

between November and February each year.  

It sits in Place de la Concorde at the foot of Avenue des Champs Elysées.  

An adult can ride for 10€ and see all of Paris.

Avenue des Champs Elysées

75008, Paris

 

Les choristes de Noël

The Carolers

Each December 8th the churches of the Left Bank 

gather in the 5ième to sing the French Christmas carols 

carrying candles through the streets.

We have joined them on several occasions 

after evening services at Saint-Nicholas du Chardonnet.

bon dimanche

Celebration of the Immaculate Conception

Saint-Nicholas du Chardonnet

75005, Paris

 

Printemps - 2006

Printemps 

Christmas Windows 2006

The artistry and animation of the Printemps windows

 in 2006 were remarkable, 

and there was no corporate name associated for promotion.  

There was no Chanel, Lagerfeld, etc.

The theme, I suppose, was dancing pots and pans, 

and each window had distinctive bright colors.

I thought you would like a vivid photo of the 2006 windows.

Printemps

Boulevard Haussmann

75009, Paris

Qu'est ce que c'est?!

What is this?

Can you guess?

It is a reflection, inverted (180°),

an ornate ceiling, with a mirror 

and a chandelier....

It is the elegant dining room of

Le Grand Vefour at Palais Royal.

Taking a photo of the mirror on the ceiling  (from outside)

is the closest I have ever been.

Tant pis pour moi

Le Grand Vefour

Palais Royal

75001, Paris

Ma Bourgogne - la terrasse en hiver

Ma Bourgogne

the terrace in winter

In the frigid temperatures of December,

this is how you enjoy the terrace at Ma Bourgogne

The heaters are quite toasty 

and the regular waiters greet you with a smile.

Ma Bourgogne

Place des Vosges (northwest corner)

19, place des Vosges

75004, Paris

Des sapins de Noël

Christmas trees

The first time I saw trees bundled like this on the streets of Paris, 

I first thought of mummies.  

These are quite tall and grand 

when you consider the size of many Paris apartments.  

Can you imagine toting one of these 

over your shoulder through the Paris Métro?

Passage du Grand Cerf

Rue Saint Denis

75002, Paris

Le Tir Bouchon

Le Tir Bouchon

Cascading ivy, 

bucket of stargazer lillies, 

color theme of rouge and rose foncé,  

handwritten blackboard menu...  

all should have been sufficient to entice my entrance.

As I checked out this restaurant on line for my post, 

I added it to the "definitely try" on my next visit.

Le Tir Bouchon

22, rue Tiquetonne

75002, Paris

Chocolat Foucher - chocolatier confiseur

Foucher

Maison de Chocolat depuis 1819

Rue du Bac is a meandering shopping street just behind Bon Marché.  

This may be the "home" boutique for these fine chocolats, 

and it even offers a salon de thé for a quiet respite from the holiday shopping.  

I could imagine finishing the gift list with selections of chocolates 

and then settling in for a chocolat chaud for myself.

Chocolat Foucher

134, rue du Bac

75007, Paris

Église Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts - l'horloge

Église Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts

Built in 1902, the Neo-Gothic style with light-colored brick (and a working clock!) belie the lovely interior with its Cavaille-Coll organ.  Based on several stops here and a visit to the church's website, it has an active congregation.

bon dimanche

Église Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts

57, rue Traversière

75012, Paris

Robert Combas - Rue des Haudriettes

Robert Combas

A French artist born in Lyon in 1957, he has exhibited in France and New York City.

This painting was created in 2000 and is titled,   

La femme lumière de l’homme

From a statement on his website, his art is meant to...

 “provoke, that is, to trigger a reaction in the spectator 

only to ‘invite’ him, beckoning him in 

and whispering in his ear ‘come over and talk to me, 

I want to tell you about the stupidity, violence, beauty,  

love, hatred, seriousness and fun, the logic 

and senselessness that pervade our day-to-day lives’ ”.

Robert Combas mural

4, rue des Haudriettes

75003, Paris

 

l'émerveillement!

Awe!

The Christmas windows of Printemps are amazing

as can been seen in the face and reflection of this young girl.

bon weekend

Printemps

Boulevard Haussman

75009, Paris

Marché d'Aligre - les fleurs du marché

Marché d'Aligre

This market serves the neighborhood 

and is not usually frequented by tourists.  

No matter the season or the weather, 

you can be sure to find a broad array of flowers.

Marché d'Aligre

75012, Paris

 

Avenue des Champs Elysées

Avenue des Champs Elysées

Dressed for the Christmas season

the "avenue" is awash in alternating shades 

of blue and purple

Ave des Champs Elysées

75008, Paris

Rue de Castiglione - café

An empty café on an (almost) empty street...

just in view of the Colonne and Place Vendôme

In a few hours, the city will awake 

and these chairs will be full

Rue de Castiglione

75001, Paris

Les danseurs de Rue Mouffetard

Dancing with the Parisians on Rue Mouffetard,

dans un manteau rouge (in a red coat),

turning, swirling, and dipping...

parfait!

(joyeux anniversaire, chère Holly)

Dancing on Sunday on Rue Mouffetard

75005, Paris

Église Saint Nicholas du Chardonnet

Église Saint Nicholas du Chardonnet

Like many of the churches in Paris (and France and all of Europe), 

this early 18th century church has a marble plaque 

listing those of the church who "Morts pour la France, 1914 - 1918"

This is but one church among hundreds in the city 

who lost a generation of young people to World War I.

bon dimanche

Église Saint Nicholas du Chardonnet

23, rue des Bernardins

75005, Paris

(joyeux anniversaire, Cherie)

La Seine et les reflets d'or

The reflections of the golden-hued lights 

were interspersed with silver.  

The lone green light and its reflection 

makes me think of Gatsby.

La Seine from Pont du Carrousel

75001, Paris

Des reflets pendant la nuit

Night Reflections

Walking in the empty streets, parapluie (umbrella) in hand, 

long velvet coat, warm gloves,

and holding a single red rose...

...a gift from an unknown young man

yes, she is definitely a French girl

Rue de la Paix

75001, Paris

Leurs chemins se sont croisés

Crossing Paths

There were actually three photos of this mother/daughter pair 

walking down Rue Saint-Paul in the Marais.  

The blurred figure moving in the opposite direction 

gave this shot a touch of mystery...

 with a sinister mood.

Le Petit Saint-Paul

40, rue Saint-Paul

75003, Paris

le Marais

Le Perchoir - mes amis

Le Perchoir

(the rooftop bar)

There were only three of us that evening, 

plus the family of one of the workers, two or three others.

We enjoyed a sunset and drinks, 

chatted with these two who were pouring the beverages, 

a wonderful evening in this magical place.

When I returned to Le Perchoir a few months ago,

 there were hundreds of people in the space, 

most of whom were twenty-somethings.  

It had lost a bit of the mystique but still worth it for the view.

To see what it looked like last November, click here. 

Le Perchoir

14, rue Crespin du Gast

75011, Paris

Le Raspail - un café de la nuit

Le Raspail

Many of the Paris cafés are enjoyed much later 

than the Petits-déjeuners (breakfast) sign would indicate here.  

You may notice the "Vins & Bières" on the side window. 

As I recall, it was so late when this photo was taken 

that the only people on the premises were sweeping up 

before stacking the chairs and turning out the lights.

Le Raspail

58, boulevard Raspail

75006, Paris

Le Poissonnier - Theme Day: "Worker"

Le Poissonnier

Marché d'Aligre

On Sunday mornings he is usually just inside the covered market 

as you enter the door from rue Theophile Roussel.  

He is knowledgeable about the products, intense, and personable.  

You can see why I come back frequently.

Marché d'Aligre

75012, Paris

On the first day of each month City Daily Photo Bloggers from around the world

produce a photo based on a theme.  This month is "WORKER"

Click here to see all the others

Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis

Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis

If you have not been to Paris recently 

you might not recognize the magnificent Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis.  

After more than a year of work,

 the exterior has been brought back to a nearly new appearance.  

I had only seen the doors in a very sombre, dark and indistinguishable color.  

As you can see, the details of the newly-painted doors are displayed in bright red, 

ah yes, Paris rouge.

bon dimanche

Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis

99, rue Saint-Antoine

75004, Paris

(joyeux anniversaire, Renée)

 

Quai de Bourbon - l'automne

Quai de Bourbon

Looking towards Pont Louis-Philippe from Pont Marie, 

the quai and the riverside walk are almost deserted.  

Golden leaves will soon be swept from frail branches into the Seine.  

Within a month, this will be a monochrome palette, 

save the red doors and a few window boxes.

Paris will take on her winter beauty

Quai de Bourbon

75004, Paris

 

E. Dehillerin - le coq

E. Dehillerin

The copper and brass rooster (le coq) 

dominates the front window of E. Dehillerin. 

Perhaps he is reflecting on the last of the autumn leaves of Paris.

If you enjoy cooking and cooking implements 

stop in here and also at Mora and G. Detou nearby.

bon weekend

18-20, rue Coquillière

75001, Paris

Le Métro - après minuit

The Métro

(after midnight)

Truly, the deep interior of the Métro looks the same day or night, 

but in the very late hours before closing the sounds are amplified.

The clicking of heels, 

the laughter of party-people, 

and often an eerie silence

in the curved halls 

that snake from platform to platform.

Paris Métro after midnight

75008, Paris

Dear 4-eyes, gee!

Passage du Grand Cerf

"Dear 4-Eyes, Gee"

Opened in 1825 in the 2nd arrondissement,

 it is now restored and charming with many artists and several ateliers.

Please forgive the silliness, 

but it just called out to me.

Passage du Grand Cerf

75002, Paris

Les Ombres d'Automne

Jardin du Palais Royal

The alleys of trees are a delight no matter the season.  

The green park chairs of Paris are covered in autumn leaves 

which may lead to snow as winter closes in.

Well, not too soon, svp

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001, Paris

Rue Gabrielle - 'shabby chic'

Rue Gabrielle

Montmartre

The dark reflection in the old glass panes 

adds to the mystery of this premier étage.  

The trace of last year's vines 

and the slant of the frame itself are in stark contrast 

with the fresh red geraniums.

I will take this "shabby chic" any day

33, rue Gabrielle

75018, Paris

Église Saint-Nicholas du Chardonnet

Église Saint-Nicholas du Chardonnet

On a quiet Monday morning 

the church was vacant with rows and row of chairs, 

and an abundance of shadows

bon dimanche

Église Saint-Nicholas du Chardonnet

23, rue des Barnardins

75005, Paris

Institut de France

Institut de France

The Institut de France is a French education society 

grouping five académies, 

the most famous of which is the Académie française.  

It is impressive by day but an exhilarating sight at night

Institut de France

23, quai de Conti at rue de la Seine and quai Malaquais

75006, Paris

C'est sureal!

A chicken, table and chairs, a family, and a photographer...

This is more a collage than a photo, and

the little one with the hat has discovered the photographer.

bon weekend

Rue Montorgueil
75002, Paris

Café La Palette

La Palette

Night or day, 

La Palette attracts a crowd.

Café La Palette

43, rue de Seine

75006, Paris

 

Ombre d'arbre

Mona Bismark American Center

The autumn sun softly outlines the leafless tree.  

The lady graciously demurs

Mona Bismark American Center

34, avenue de New York

75016, Paris

Stohrer - Pâtissier-Traiteur

Stohrer - Pâtissier-Trateur

When Louis XV married the Polish royal Marie Leszczynska in 1725, 

her pastry chef followed to Versailles.  

Five years later this chef, Nicolas Stohrer, 

opened his bakery at 51, rue Montorgueil where it stands today.  

Open seven days a week (!)

 it still satisfies the tastes of Parisians and the visitors.

Stohrer - Pâtissier - Trateur

51, rue Montorgueil

75002, Paris

Place Michel Debré

Dressed for the autumn weather with its scattered showers, 

this woman braved the streets with a confident gait.  

She was in chestnut brown from head to toe, 

save the locks of red under her hat.

Must be a French Girl

Place Michel Debré

75006, Paris

Église Saint Pierre de Montmartre

Église Saint Pierre de Montmartre

Built on the site of a Roman temple and a 7th century Merovingian church, 

Saint Pierre de Montmartre was consecrated in 1147

 and is one of the oldest churches in Paris.

Although it sits in the shadow of the grand Sacre Coeur,

it has some fascinating features and architecture.

As the sun falls on the stained glass windows, 

a kaleidoscope of  color splashes on the old stone floors.

bon dimanche

Église Saint Pierre de Montmartre

2, rue du Mont Cenis

75018, Paris