Passage du Caire - Restaurant le Champollion

Le Champollion

Not quite the lunch hour, 

but the tables and chairs are ready

The heaters under the awning keep it a moderate temperature 

on all but the most frigid days.

(Do not forget to look-up

at the head sculptures on the building)

Le Champollion

Place du Caire

109, rue du Caire

75002, Paris

Cassiopée & Co - Antiquités-Brocante

Cassiopée & Co

If you are looking for a little treasure to remind you of a special trip,

do not forget the brocantes

Buy a single silver spoon to use every day...

and people will wonder why you have a dreamy look

 as you stir your coffee or tea

bon weekend

Cassiopée & Co

Village Saint Paul\

23-25, rue Saint Paul

75004, Paris

Rue Saint Julien le Pauvre

Rue Saint Julien le Pauvre

When you turn a corner in Paris 

you never know what you will discover...

a pedestrian street,

one of the oldest churches in Paris,

a mixture of centuries of architecture,

and a quiet place for un café

4, rue Saint Julien le Pauvre

75005, Paris

Charcuterie d'Auvergne

Au Sauvignon - Cafe Bar

It was just too cold to sit on the terrace

which is best enjoyed in warmer weather.

Madame may have ordered from the 

"Patisseries Artisanales" 

rather than the Charcuterie d'Auvergne.

Au Sauvignon

80, rue des Petits Peres

75007, Paris

Poilâne

Poilâne

 Deep under the street, the Poilâne wood-burning ovens 

scent the air with the smell of baking bread.  

I can close my eyes and recall the delicious aroma 

of early mornings on Rue du Cherche-Midi.

"... mark it with a 'P' and put it in the oven

for baby and me"

Poilâne

8, rue du Cherche-Midi

75006, Paris

 

Rue des Petits Pères

Rue des Petits Pères

Just opposite the Basilique Notre Dame des Victoires 

this morning view is filled with the winter blue skies of January 

as light and shadows bounce around the buildings.

This building on the "pie-slice corner" is the other side of the building 

on Rue de Feuillade posted last week.

2, rue des Petits Pères

75002, Paris

Basilique Saint Denis

Basilique Saint Denis

It is worth the trip to the outskirts of Paris to see this basilica, 

with its outstanding array of 

stained glass windows, 

Gothic arches, 

funerary art, 

tombs and sculptures.

bon dimanche

Basilique Saint Denis

1, rue de la Légion d'Honneur

92300, Saint-Denis

 

Note de cendrier

Ashtray note

It is difficult to believe that the French have limited smoking to outdoors.  

When I think of the French film there was always a sultry type with a cigarette.  

The restaurants do not allow smoking except on their terraces 

which makes it difficult to enjoy the open-air cafes.  

I was amused by this little note written on the paneled courtyard wall, 

imploring so politely that the smoker use the ashtray provided 

and not throw the butts on the ground.

joyeux anniversaire, Nanette

Courtyard, Rue de Seine

75006, Paris

Patisserie reflet - Le Moulin de la Vierge

Le Moulin de la Vierge

Although there are several of these boulangeries in Paris, 

this is the original shop with its wood-fired ovens.

It is worth a trip to Rue Vercingétorix

to gaze at the original tiles and mirrors,

etched glass doors, all

unchanged over the past century. 

bon weekend

Le Moulin de la Vierge

104, rue Vercingétorix

75014, Paris

Métro Pernety

Rue la Feuillade

Rue la Feuillade


Looking from one apartment window towards another,
admiring the architecture,
the tall windows,


...and wishing that I had the blue street sign
in my office.

Rue la Feuillade

75002, Paris

 

La Tour Eiffel

La Tour Eiffel

I cannot count the number of photos I have taken of the Eiffel Tower, 

but it still takes my breath away like I am seeing it for the first time.

I have been to places where the hype exceeded the excitement of actually being there, 

but the Eiffel Tower marks the landscape with golden light 

as I gasp yet again and hold my breath to take the shot.

La Tour Eiffel

from Palais de Chaillot

75007 and 75016, Paris

Une grand-mère et trois petits-enfants

A grandmother and

three grandchildren

At the first hour of the opening day of Niki de Saint Phalle exhibit 

at Grand Palais, we happened upon this petite grandmother 

with her three grandchildren.  

We first encountered them outside the entrance 

patiently waiting for the doors to open.  

It was not a hurried run through the exhibit, 

but a lingering enjoyment over the sculptures and paintings.

Niki de Saint Phalle exhibit

17 September 2014 to 2 February 2015

Grand Palais - Galeries Nationales

75008, Paris  

Passage du Bourg l'Abbé

Passage du Bourg l'Abbé

Built in 1828 by Auguste Lusson, 

it ran between the Passage du Grand Cerf and Passage de l'Ancre.

 Although the passage itself is only a shadow of its former grandeur, 

it is in the process of renovation.

  

The passage opening seen here is the work of Henri Blondel 

who was also the architect of Bourse de commerce.  

The two figures (caryatids) flanking the entrance 

were carved by Aimé Millet and are allegories of Industry and Commerce.

Passage du Bourg l'Abbé

3, rue de Palestro

75002, Paris

 

 

Église Saint Germain des Prés

Église Saint Germain des Prés

The 1,000 year old tower 

reigns over the remainder of the church.

The recent renovations make the tower appear 

almost white against the bright blue skies.

bon dimanche

Église Saint Germain des Prés

3, place Saint Germain des Prés

75006, Paris

Le weekend - shopping

Weekend shopping

On any given morning 

you will find people headed to their neighborhood market 

or to the street markets.  

You will notice that everyone knows one another 

and that there is a relaxed social atmosphere.

Wish I was headed there this morning...

29, rue de Turbigo
75002, Paris

Chaussures d'or

Gold shoes (petite)

Can you imagine how thrilled 

a little girl would be 

to wear these petite gold shoes, 

to twirl in her full skirt 

as she watches the little gold puppy-dogs dance?

Look here to see reflections from around the world
James' Weekend Reflections

Arcade of Palais Royal

75001, Paris

Les toits de Paris

The roofs of Paris

The clay chimney pots and roofs 

offset the winter blue skies.

 

Surely there are as many layers of history 

as there are angles of these buildings

a convergence of streets

75006, Paris

La femme et sa chien

Rainy day in Paris...

out for lunch with friends...

warm pink coat...

ah, Paris...

Who says it's a dog's life?

Rue de Turbigo

75003, Paris

Moulins Burgeois - un camion de livraison

Moulins Bourgeois

"A miller, and much more"

Coming out of Eric Kayser one morning we found these friendly delivery men bringing in the heavy sacks of flour from Moulins Bourgeois.  We asked permission for their photos and I was fascinated by the source of the flour which is transformed into the indescribable pastries and breads of Eric Kayser and other pâtisseries/boulangeries.

The company was established in 1895 in Verdelot and today continues to produce "classic bread-making flour, traditional French flour, gruel and flour from the USA, stone ground and organic flour."  With a staff of 80 people they serve a customer base of artisan bakeries, both within 200 km of the mill and Internationally to Europe and Asia.  

At home, would I notice a flour delivery to a bakery I frequented?

Probably not, unless it was Eric Kayser, John-Paul Hévin, Julien, Pierre Hermé, Dalloyau, Ladurée, La Petite Rose, Pâtisserie des Rêves, Stohrer, Coqueliqot.... just too many to name

Eric Kayser

8, rue Monge

75005, Paris

Le Bateau Ivre

Scouts and Guides de France

On a Sunday afternoon a large group of Scouts 

performed in the square of Église Saint Sulpice 

and then walked to Jardin du Luxembourg.  

The poem "Le Bateau Ivre" 

written by a young Arthur Rimbaud in 1871 

has been written on the long stone wall in the narrow street.

This lone Scout paused ever so briefly to take notice.

Le Bateau Ivre

Rue Férou

75006, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame

If you go to this well-known landmark very early in the morning 

when the doors are first opened 

(and it is not in the months of March through October), 

you can take your time photographing the amazing architecture 

and details absent the crowds.  

The Cathedral is open every day at 8am 

and on Saturdays and Sundays at 7:15am.

Since I did not take my own advice on this particular visit, 

you will notice that my photo (and all of the others I took) 

are aimed away from the tourists.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre Dame

Place Jean-Paul II

75004, Paris

 

Le petit dans le jardin

The small boy in the garden

He was bundled against the elements and ready for the day.  

Paris children seem to play outside no matter the weather.

It is difficult to call le Jardin du Palais Royal

just a "garden."

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001, Paris

Les Médailles Militaires

Military Medals

The many shops in the arcades 

around the courtyard of Palais Royal are filled with treasures.

bon weekend

Palais Royal

75001, Paris

Elle pleure

She cries

She has cried many times 

over the past century

for loss of innocent lives

She cried again 

on January 7, 2015

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

75020, Paris

Buveuses de thé

Tea drinkers

On a brisk afternoon we found we found 

these women enjoying tea in the winter sun.

I wonder if they knit as well?

L'Oisive Thé

Salon de Thé et Tricot

8 bis, rue de la Butte aux Cailles

75013, Paris

Carrousel Montparnasse

Carrousel Montparnasse

Although this carrousel looks a bit shabby, 

a close inspection reveals that it consists of the original wood horses.  

Most of the carrousels in Paris today have been "updated" 

and the wood replaced with artificial polymers and plastic.  

These horses could do with a bit of paint, but all together look quite good.

Carrousel Montparnasse

Gare Montparnasse

75015, Paris

des gants et des mitaines

des gants et des mitaines

(gloves and fingerless gloves)

This window is as tempting as the fine Paris pâtisseries...

delicious array of colors

The prices are not that much more than some of the elaborate pastries, 

and these will last much longer without any of the calories!

Paris window 

Rue Saint Honoré

75001, Paris

Chapelle Notre Dame des Anges

Chapelle Notre Dame des Anges

The plain street exterior of this church belies 

the exquisite Gothic Revival architecture of the interior.

There are nearly forty stained glass windows,

each with a story to tell.

bon dimanche

(a bit late)

Chapelle Notre Dame des Anges

104, rue de Vaugirard

75006, Paris

Rue Cremieux

Rue Cremieux

This short pedestrian street is quiet and colorful.

Well maintained, I could imagine living here 

and knowing all of the neighbors.

bon weekend

Rue Cremieux

75012, Paris

la Voiture Rouge

la voiture rouge

Oh, could you imagine leaving Gare de Lyon

in this set of wheels?

It was exquisite.

Gare de Lyon

75012, Paris

La vie est bonne n'est-ce pas?

Life is good, isn't it?

I do not know if this is my best photo of the year, 

but it does exemplify the relaxed approach to life seen in Paris.  

Draw in deep breaths 

and love life as it unfolds.

Paris terrace

75012, Paris