Un cycliste dans une rue

A cyclist

In a narrow street of Provins (a short train ride from Gare de L'Est) we found this cyclist, moving so slowly that it was a marvel he kept his bicycle upright.  It was mid-morning and perhaps he had delivered the contents of those empty boxes to a market, mushrooms or berries?  He was chatting with a gentlemen who was walking in the same direction, someone he knew.  With a population of about 12,000, the locals all know each other.

Although it rained when we were there, 

it did not dampen our enjoyment of this Medieval town.

Beyond

Provins, France

Carrousel Jules Verne - Parc de Monceau

Carrousel Jules Verne

This carrousel tells the story of Jules Verne in the rides, 

the architecture, and the art panels.  

It is rather small as Paris carrousels go, 

but the colors make this a focal spot in a beautiful park.

Carrousel Jules Verne

Parc de Monceau

75008, Paris

Place Armand Carrel - un cycliste

Place Armand Carrel

If you saw my post yesterday with a reference to Le Tour,

you will likely agree that this cyclist was not a contender either.

Taken on a Sunday afternoon just outside Parc des Buttes Chaumont, 

we saw many cyclists of all ages enjoying the blue-sky weather.

Place Armand Carrel

75019, Paris

Métro Laumière

Une bicyclette rose

A pink bicycle

No, this is not one of the bikes from Le Tour de France, 

but a bright statement of maman and her little one.

Coton Deux

37, rue de Turenne

75003, Paris

Église Saint-Laurent - l'orgue

Église Saint-Laurent

Saint-Laurent was founded in the 6th century as the chapel of an abbey.  

The present church dates to 1429 and finally completed in the 19th century.  

The organ was built by François and Hippolyte Du Castel 

between 1682 and 1685.  Over the centuries it has been 

rebuilt and restored in four different centuries 

but 20 original stops date from before the revolution.  

You can hear this magnificent organ 

on Saturday and Sunday masses and for occasional concerts.

bon dimanche

Église Saint-Laurent

68, boulevard de Magenta

75010, Paris

Métro Gare de l'Est

Homme de musique - Rue Cler

Rue Cler

This charming man was a regular for many years, 

but I do not recall having seen him in the past year or so.

He has a lovely voice and sings with animation and passion.

Have you seen him lately?

bon weekend

Rue Cler

75007, Paris

Parnasse Lingerie - boutique de lingerie

French Lingerie

Window shopping...

Our favorite "French girl" loves to shop 

at Victoria's Secret when she comes to the USA.

She has just returned to Paris 

and I wonder if her suitcase was brimming with lingerie.

bon weekend

Parnasse Lingerie

9, rue d'Odessa

75014, Paris

 

Sur le quai de la Seine

Quai du Louvre

It would appear to be an after-work party with friends.

Just come as you are...

...and bring une baguette et du fromage

(Note the Longchamp bag and man-scarf 

on the fellow walking up to the group)

Quai du Louvre - Seine

Near Pont des Arts

75001, Paris

Joining "July in Paris"

Have a look here

 

Cimetière du Père Lachaise XIX

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

The sculpted paths in this old cemetery 

often feel like a rambling garden.  

In the summer, trees provide shade from the sun 

and the hilltop position lends itself to cool breezes.

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

75020, Paris

Dodo Manège - la petite fille en rouge

Dodo Manège

The carrousels of Paris will amaze you.  

This is a unique little carrousel tucked away in Jardin des Plantes,

well-known by the children of Paris. 

Joining "Paris in July"

Take a virtual trip and have a look 'here'

Dodo Manège

Carrousel, Jardin des Plantes

(near Gare d'Austerlitz entrance)

75005, Paris

Jardin du Palais Royal - la fontaine de jouvence?

The Fountain of Youth?

Was he meeting a friend or just resting 

before getting back onto the streets of Paris?

He certainly selected a beautiful spot for propping his feet

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001, Paris

Métro Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre

La Sainte-Chapelle

La Sainte-Chapelle

As you enter through the lower chapel of this Gothic flamboyant church, 

you are struck with the deep, rich colors trimmed with gilt.  

As you climb the narrow staircase to this upper chapel,

 seeing the panorama of stained-glass windows 

you will gasp at the magnificence. 

 I have seen it many times, knowing just what I will see,

 and it still takes my breath away.

bon dimanche

La Sainte-Chapelle

8, boulevard du Palais

75001, Paris

Square Henri-Collet

Square Henri-Collet

This meandering garden pays tribute to Henri Collet (1885 - 1951) 

a French composer and music critic who lived here in the 16th arrondissement.

The benches, fountains and paths among the plantings 

make this a popular spot in the neighborhood.  

For those who work nearby it is a lunchtime respite from busy thoroughfares.

Square Henri-Collet

18, rue Gros

75016, Paris

Métro Mirabeau

Cimetière Montparnasse

Cimetière Montparnasse

Carefully attended and beautifully adorned, 

there are surely many stories about this grave.  

Certainly it belongs to a person 

who had a loving and dedicated family.

bon weekend

Cimetière Montparnasse

75014, Paris

Mairie de Nogent-sur-Marne

Mairie de Nogent-sur-Marne

Just east of Bois de Vincennes are a series 

of beautiful villes situated along the Marne river. 

 If you take the RER A to Nogent-sur-Marne, 

the Mairie is only a one block walk (west).

It almost looks like scene from a fairy tale

Mairie de Nogent-sur-Marne

Place Roland Nungesser

94130, Nogent-sur-Marne

Paris en été - Paris-Plages

Paris in Summer

Paris-Plages

If you are staying in Paris for the summer (or visiting) 

you can have a Seine-side holiday replete with sand, 

beach chairs, misting fountains, volleyball, and more.  

Essentially, it is a beach vacation for the Parisians 

who do not leave during the grandes vacances  

and for the city's visitors.  

The dates for 2014 are July 20th through August 20th.  

Perhaps I am mistaken but these appear to be barges of sand!

Paris-Plages

Louvre to Pont de Sully

75001-75004, Paris

 

Le Défilé Militaire - des pompiers

Les Sapeurs-Pompiers

One of many groups in the Military Parade of Quatorze Juillet...  

On the eve of the Bastille Day celebrations the pompiers have parties 

all over Paris that do not end until the sun comes up.  

All of the arrondissements have Bals des Pompiers 

and by some count it may be as many as 60 (!) in Paris and the near suburbs.

Have you been to one?

Avenue des Champs Élysées

75008, Paris

 

Quatorze Juillet! - Bastille Day

Military Parade

of Bastille Day

2008

The parade involves around 7,000 soldiers 

(5,000 on foot, the rest are crew members or cavalrymen), 

300 vehicles, 240 horses and more than 80 planes and helicopters.

And, a celebration for me as today makes 

4 years of daily photos on Paris and Beyond

without missing a day!

A special thanks to all of you who follow my blog 

and to Virginia (Paris Through My Lens) 

who helped me "birth this baby" four years ago.

Avenue des Champs Élysées

75008, Paris

 

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - flèches d'église

Notre Dame

These spires of Notre Dame are intricately detailed in design.

If I had not been the one with the camera 

I am not sure that I would have easily identified the church.  

The drain spouts definitely help in knowing that it is Notre Dame 

although there are many similar in and around Paris.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

75004, Paris

Le Défilé Militaire

Republican Guard Cavalry Regiment

Military Parade

(quatorze juillet)

The uniforms were perfect, 

from the elegant helmets to the rich leather boots.

The horses were exquisitely groomed and trained.

There will be 250 horses in the celebrated parade on Monday

Le Défilé Militaire du quatorze Juillet

Avenue des Champs Elysées

75008, Paris

Chez Clément - restaurant d'hôtes

Chez Clément

The terrace after a spring rain

with a bit of reflection

May you have a weekend free of showers

bon weekend

Chez Clément

17, boulevard des Capucines

75002, Paris

Île de la Cité - les serveurs

Les Serveurs

Dressed perfectly for the job, 

waiters are perhaps one of my favorite subjects in Paris

I did not exactly ask for permission 

but I pointed to my camera 

and tilted my head posing the unspoken question.  

With a slight nod, permission was given.

Île de la Cité

75004, Paris

Cimetière de Passy et la Tour Eiffel

Cimetière de Passy

This storied cemetery is just across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower

which can be seen at every turn as you walk among the tombs.

I hope that you can find a view unobstructed by cranes.  

It is not easy.

Cimetière de Passy

75016, Paris

Des Vélibs

Vélib bikes

Lined up and ready for riding...

It is an easy way to get around Paris and much faster than walking.  

However, you need to have a good knowledge of the streets,

 and I would not recommend taking photos while riding (bien sûr!)

Vélib station

Place André Malraux

75001, Paris

Rue Audran

Rue Audran

The casual, slightly askew collection of flowers, plants and pots 

is perfect for the little workshop of two potters.

I must go back for another visit

l'atelier

Rue Audran

75018, Paris

Église Saint-Étienne du Mont

Église Saint-Étienne du Mont

There are so many obvious treasures in this church, 

but one cannot overlook the small details such as this.

bon dimanche

Église Saint-Étienne du Mont

1, place Ste-Geneviève

75005, Paris

Canal Saint Martin

Canal Saint Martin

This young boy and man captured my attention 

as each seemed to be in deep thought.

The scene left me 

with more questions than answers

Quai de Jemmapes

Canal Saint-Martin

75010, Paris

Les Floralies - Rue Cler

Les Floralies

Rue Cler

On this pedestrian street, 

the local residents have a wide selection 

of fresh produce, flowers, linens, chocolates, and a daily market.

The terrace cafes are a great place to watch pedestrians 

and the street's activities.

bon quatre juillet

Rue Cler

75007, Paris

Le Carrousel - Dodo Manège

Dodo Manège

Hidden in Jardin des Plantes this fanciful, unusual carousel is a delight for all ages.


As you can see from the photo, these are not your ordinary carousel animals,
but, there are enough creatures to satisfy all tastes.

Dodo Manège
Jardin des Plantes
75005, Paris

Beaucoup de Fleurs

Beaucoup de Fleurs


On a quiet street just 
 east of the Eiffel Tower you can find some exquisite Paris  architecture. 
This building boasts flowers in both the design and the window boxes.

75007, Paris

City Daily Photo Theme Day - "Celebrating Summer"

Jardin du Luxembourg

How to celebrate summer in Paris?

Where do I start?

While you consider all the possibilities, 

have a seat in one of the green chairs 

at Jardin du Luxembourg and watch the action.

The first of each month is Theme Day 

for the City Daily Photo people.

Click here to see contributions from all over the world.

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris