Le Douze - des reflets

Window of le Douze

a window of bright, shiny objects, 

chandeliers, figurines, 

and even a photographer

le Douze

12, rue Jacob

75006, Paris

La Seine en hiver

The Seine in Winter

Taken from almost the same spot on Pont des Arts as my header 

the starkness of winter stands in contrast to the lush, colorful shot of summer.

I find a still, almost silvery beauty 

of the river in winter.

view of Pont Neuf

from Pont des Arts

75001, Paris

Un café et des cocktails

a colorful café

This terrasse on Rue de Turbigo, captured my attention first for the colorful café chairs, but the Cafés Richards cups were my favorite.  The mixture of colors and patterns remind me of the simple design and secondary colors of Fiestaware.  After the 2010 trip an artist friend, Carol Schiff, created this beautiful interpretation of the cups, a daily reminder of my Paris obsession.

Café Étienne

14, rue de Turbigo

75002, Paris

Repetto - une réflexion

Repetto

The reflection here belies the upscale street of Rue de la Paix.  

Perhaps the black and white image gives it a less polished look, 

but I can assure you that the rent here would be quite high.

Repetto

22, rue de la Paix

75002, Paris

Métro Opéra

Passage du Grand Cerf

Passage du Grand Cerf

This passage of 1825 is filled with interesting shops and boutiques, and there seems to be a theme of art, antiques, and fine craft.  The natural wood framing, tiled floor and high ceiling bring the architecture and history to life.

This lovely mademoiselle was enjoying 

window shopping with her papa.

Must be a French girl, oui?

Passage du Grand Cerf

Rue Dussoubs et Rue St. Denis

75002, Paris

 

Église Saint-Eustache

 

 

 

Église Saint-Eustache

 

 

This masterpiece of late Gothic architecture unveiled a bell tower framed in blue skies and white clouds, a reward for looking up.  The tower is finished in Renaissance style which would be expected for a church of this age.  Rennovation and reconstruction over the centuries produced many interesting details.

 

 

The construction of the present church was begun in 1532 and finished over a hundred years later.  The first church on this site was established in 1223. 

 

 

 

 

bon dimanche

 

 

 

Église Saint-Eustache

2, impasse Saint-Eustache

75001, Paris

 

 



Moules ou Mussels?

 

Moules or mussels?

 

 

As fond as I am of the handwritten chalkboard menus of Paris, this one leaves me cold.  The English translation combined with the perfect lettering abandons the charm of the handwritten French.

 

 

What do you think?

 

 

 

Paris Cafe

off Rue Mouffetard

75005, Paris

 



L'Écailler du Bistrot

 

 

 

L'Écailler du Bistrot

 

 

If you are fond of seafood you will love this restaurant devoted to shrimp, fish, prawns, lobster, and most importantly (to me) oysters!  We were there for a midday meal of oysters and to sample their featured fish of the day.  I was not disappointed and as I type about the salty sea flavor of these delightful mollusks, my mouth is watering.  At home I might have been mixing a coctail sauce, but here they needed not a single seasoning or spice. 

 

 

The next trip to this bistrot, I will just have an assortment of oysters...

with a side of baguette.

 

 

 

L'Écailler du Bistrot

22, rue Paul Bert

75011, Paris

 





École de Filles

École de Filles

Beautiful architecture and a serene setting belies the sign indicating that between 1942 and 1944 there were 140 school age children from the 2ième arrondissement who were murdered at Auschwitz.  

"Never forget"

École de Filles

44, rue Dussoubs

75002, Paris

Passage du Caire

Passage du Caire

Compared to the elegant upscale Gallerie Vivianne, this passage of the same era is in deplorable condition.  The structure is mostly intact and if you squint your eyes you can imagine how lovely it must have been in the late 1700s.  It is reportedly the oldest surviving passage in Paris.

I am hopeful for a brighter future for Passage du Caire

Passage du Caire

237-239, rue St. Denis

75002, Paris

Métro Sentier

Crêperie Oroyona

Crêperie Oroyona

On Rue Mouffetard there are many choices for a crêpe  

sur le pouce (on the run), but this is my favorite.  

You can have a savory crêpe, a sweet crêpe, and a drink for 5,5€

I first photographed the pretty crêpe-maker several years ago 

and returned with a photo for her.  

She has been there on Sunday afternoons on each return trip.

Crêperie Oroyona

36, rue Mouffetard

75005, 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

Église Saint-Louis des Invalides - l'orgue

Saint-Louis des Invalides

The design of this elaborate, ornate organcase is attributed to Jalues Hardouin-Mansart.  It is the only representative of the Louis-XIV era among the organs of Paris.

The instrument was built by Alexandre Thierry (1687).  Major revisions were carried out in the mid 1800s and more recently in 1957.  The organ is not the most ornate aspect of this mostly white and gilt church.  It is not my favorite but I can appreciate the detail as well as the sounds that are brought forth.

bon dimanche

Église Saint-Louis des Invalides

Les Invalides

75007, Paris

Livraison de fleurs

Flower delivery

On this quiet street in the 11ième 

the colorful arrangement was headed briskly to its destination.  

I was tempted to follow this young woman 

in the red coat and the curly red locks.  

She is a student I think 

and was not dressed as a delivery person.  

So many questions...

Rue St. Sabin

75011, Paris

La Tour Eiffel - la réflexion

La Tour Eiffel

The boutique window on Rue de Sèvres is not the address 

for la Tour Eiffel but it looks quite settled among the paper houses.  

The trees and Haussmann buildings seen in the window reflection 

add to the setting.

bon weekend

IKKS, clothing store and boutique

12, rue de Sevrès

75006, Paris

Elle doit être une fille française?

On the street, in the rain,

une trottinette rouge,

red ballerina skirt,

black and white striped leggings,

puffy coat,

rubber boots,

and totally unfazed by the rain?

Yes, she must be a French girl

French girl #42

rainy Paris street

75004, Paris

Le Marais - une vitrine étrange

An odd window in the Marais

A plastic lobster and starfish,

a small world globe,

a jar of coral,

two cast metal crawfish,

a basket of shells,

an antique chest,

and...

a dead stuffed bird.

One never knows what one will find in Paris.

Rue de Birague

75004, Paris

pots de chiminées - Chimney pots

Chimney pots

Chimney pots in abundance on this rooftop near Sacré Coeur 

make a charming scene with turquoise-framed windows 

jutting from the mansard roof.  

Just imagine:  The view from these windows is Sacré Coeur, 

the lawn, and a delightful carrousel.

Rue Lamarck

75018, Paris

Palais Garnier - des illuminations

Palais Garnier

illumination

From the grand staircases to the illustrious sconces and lights, 

Palais Garnier is the place of dreams.

Do not forget to dream...

Palais Garnier

Place de l'Opéra

75009, Paris

Église Saint-Roch

Église Saint-Roch

Rows of chairs and the long carpeted aisle 

give an indication of the size of this church on Rue Saint Honoré.

Saint-Roch is filled with art, stunning architecture, a storied past...

and three magnificent organs.

bon dimanche

Église Saint-Roch

296, rue Saint Honoré

75001, Paris

Rue du Cherche Midi - un balcon

Rue du Cherche Midi

a balcony

Plants, flowers, clay planters, espaliered tree,

Greek key wrought iron, dart and egg architectural detail,

soft color contrasts...

Yes, I could live here.

What about you?

9, rue du Cherche Midi

75006, Paris

Palais Royal - un vélo très cher

Palais Royal

If you could read the mark on this bicycle 

you would have an idea of its price.  

Seen in the upscale shop at Palais Royal 

it was gleaming in beautiful reflective silver as if to taunt me.

...still pouting because Santa did not leave me a bike this year...

again!

I am joining in James' Weekend Reflections today.

Take a look at other reflections from around the world.

Marc Jacobs

Palais Royal

34, rue de Montpensier

75001, Paris

Des bouchons

Wine and Champagne corks

A wine shop on Île Saint Louis had a window 

filled with corks.  

The light of the afternoon sun 

made me stop in my tracks 

before we hurried along 

to meet Paris friends for a glass of wine.

Rue Jean du Bellay

Île Saint Louis

75004, Paris

Bressaï - Pour l'Amour de Paris exposition

Bressaï - For the Love of Paris exhibition

November 8, 2013 - March 8, 2014

This free exhibit at Hôtel de Ville is a delight for photographers and everyone who sighs at the romance of Paris.  Even in the first week of opening, the wait was less than 15 minutes on a weekday in November.

The Brassaï, Pour l'amour de Paris

exhibition tells the extraordinary

story of the passion that has united 

for more than 50 years Brassai, the

writer, photographer and moviemaker,

to every nook and cranny of Paris,

but also to intellectuals, artists,

great families, prostitutes and little rascals.

In short, to everyone who defines the

legend of Paris.  Paris remains indeed

in the heart of his reflection, the

governing theme of his work.

(www.parisphoto.com)

Put this one on your list

Hôtel de Ville de Paris

Salle Saint-Jean. 5, rue de Lobau

75004, Paris

Une fille française?

French girl?

Retro bicycle..

pouring rain...

stylish lace-up boots...

black swing-coat...

wicker basket...

and, of course, a precisely wrapped scarf

Yes, she's a French girl...

 Boulevard Raspail (in front of Hôtel Lutetia)

75006, Paris

 

Le Perchoir - a rooftop bar

Le Perchoir

(the perch)

This stunning rooftop bar is 7 flights up with a view from each corner.  It is found on an unlikely industrial office street with no sign or indication of what could be found inside.  Feeling certain that I had the correct address, it still made me a bit uneasy that I had led Peter (Peter's Paris) and Virginia (Paris Through My Lens) on a wild goose-chase.  We walked through large (open) industrial doors into an open space and found an open winding staircase.  


When we reached the top of the building (by the elevator) we found a delightful 360° view of Paris.  Looking at the bar, it made me think of a Moorish tent in the middle of the desert.  We enjoyed beverages and took many photos before leaving this oasis in the 11ième arrondissement.  


Do not miss this and get there early as the rooftop is limited to 110 persons.  There is a wonderful restaurant on the floor below for which you will need reservations.

Le Perchoir

14, rue Crespin du Gast

75011, Paris

Chapelle Saint-Vincent-de-Paul

Chapelle Saint-Vincent-de-Paul

Saint Vincent de Paul was born in 1581 and after early years of study, graduated in theology and was ordained in 1600 at the age of 19.  In 1617 he founded the "Ladies of Charity" from a group of women within his parish who came to be known as the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul.

He worked for some time in Paris among imprisoned galley-slaves, and established a group known as the Vincentians, priests with vows of poverty, chastity, obedience.  The Vincentians (also known as Lazarists) are today present in over 80 countries.

bon dimanche

Chapelle Saint-Vincent-de-Paul

95, rue de Sèvres

75006, Paris

Métro Sèvres-Babylone

Repetto en hiver

Repetto


It is always a treat to see the Repetto windows on Rue de la Paix 
with crystal chandeliers and wall of mirrors.  
The snow-flocked trees frame the ballet scene vignettes.


By January 7, the windows will have a heap 
of once-worn pale pink pointe shoes to announce Les Soldes.

Repetto

22, rue de la Paix

75002, Paris

Les Marquis de Ladurée - papier et chocolat

Les Marquis de Ladurée

Expanding the Ladurée brand beyond the pastries and macarons, Les Marquis de Ladurée is a luxury product dedicated to exquisite gourmet chocolates.  The flagship boutique is found just off Place Vendôme with a window full of branded chocolates.

What you may not notice at first glance...

Everything in the windows other than the chocolates are made of paper.

The chandeliers, the candles, the plates, the flat-ware, the goblets, 

and even the "crystals" hanging from the chandeliers.

Les Marquis de Ladurée

14, rue de Castiglione

75001, Paris

Métro Gare d'Austerlitz

Métro Gare d'Austerlitz

As you look beyond the Métro platform, you can see the trains approach and depart.  So many of the stations now protect the awaiting passengers with glass panels and the view is only be into the darkness of the subway tunnels.  I rather enjoy the few above-ground stations and the ability, for now, to peer down the winding tracks.

If you are vacationing during these holiday weeks, 

be safe and travel well.

Métro Gare d'Austerlitz

Platform, Line 5

75005, Paris

Photo of the Year 2013 - Theme Day

 

 

 

 

Favorite photo of the year

 

 

This black and white is my favorite for the action, interest, and detail.  A breezy but sunny day on Rue Saint-Honoré was enjoyed by this woman sitting alone and enjoying her cafe.  The waiter is in watchful attendance while the lovers in the background enjoy a bottle of wine.

 

 

 

For me, this photo exemplifies life in Paris, la vie quotidienne.

 

 

 

I am joining the City Daily Photo blog

theme day: Best Photo of the Year. 

See the other entries here

 

 

 



La Coupe d'Or

330, rue St Honoré

75001, Paris