Pont de Sully

Pont de Sully

This is one of the few cast iron bridges
remaining in Paris today.  Built (rebuilt, actually) by
Haussmann in 1876, Pont de Sully is actually two bridges
connecting the eastern tip of Ile Saint Louis
with the banks of the 4th and 5th arrondissements.

Pont de Sully

Paris, 75005

Marché aux Fleurs

Marché aux Fleurs

Rain or shine, the Sunday market

does not disappoint with an array of flowers and containers,

plus the birds, rabbits, and chickens!

Marché aux Fleurs

Ile Saint Louis

75004, Paris

Dimanche des Rameaux

Dimanche des Rameaux

(Palm Sunday)

In preparation for Palm Sunday in Paris

the ancient but active church of Saint Louis en l'Île

has both palm branches and a donkey.

The music for Dimanche des Rameaux includes

Puccini's Messa de Gloria

bon dimanche

Église Saint Louis en l'Île

Île Saint Louis

75004, Paris

 

Lutétia Île Saint Louis Restaurant

Le Lutétia

The usually busy tables were noticeably vacant on this rainy May afternoon.  However, from inside the large windows give a great view of the quai, the Seine, and Pont Louis Philippe.

In the course of an hour or two we watched several stories unfold in the rain:

a drowning in the Seine, a family drama on the terrace, and wedding pictures on the quai below.

You do not always have to rush around Paris to see the city.  

On some days the city comes to you.

Lutétia Île Saint Louis Restaurant

33, quai de Bourbon

75004, Paris

Aux Anysetiers du Roy et des hortensias

Aux Anysetiers du Roy

pink hydrangeas!

Although the bright pink hydrangeas* were the focus of my photo, this charming restaurant set in a Medieval building has more history than can be imagined.  Serving simple, classic French fare, Madame oversees all the food preparations.  Devotees of this  non-touristy restaurant swear by the French onion soup, Cassoulet Maison,  Boeuf Bourguignon and Crème Brûlée.

Set on the quiet Île Saint Louis, 

one can step back hundreds of years

 into a building which has not changed by much 

and enjoy traditional French comfort food ...

which has not changed at all.

Aux Anysetiers du Roy

61, rue Saint Louis en l'Île

75004, Paris

*corrected - merci beaucoup Lance, Jane, and Alan!

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

Crèche - Église Saint Louis en l'Île

Église Saint Louis en l'Île

Nativity Scene

As churches in Paris prepare for Christmas, 

the congregations express creativity and individuality 

as seen in this Nativity scene at Église Saint Louis en l'Île.

bon dimanche

Joyeux anniversaire, Holly!

Église Saint Louis en l'Île

Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île

Saint-Louis en l'Île

75004, Paris 

 

Pont Louis-Philippe - Île Saint-Louis

Pont Louis-Philippe

Yes, the rain was relentless, 

but Paris keeps moving without regard to the weather.

This stone arch-bridge connects the Quai de Bourbon 

on the Île Saint-Louis with the Saint-Gervais neighborhood on the right bank.  

It is decorated with stone laurel wreaths 

surrounding metallic rosettes which are best seen from the Seine.

Pont Louis-Philippe

Île Saint-Louis

75004, Paris

 

Église Saint-Louis en l'Île

Église Saint-Louis en l'Île

Almost hidden in the narrow streets of Île Saint Louis

stands the lacy spire of Église Saint-Louis en l'Île, the only church on the island.

It was built from 1652 to 1765 in the Baroque style, 

designed by architect François Le Vau. 

 St-Louis' interior was essentially stripped during the Revolution 

as were so many French churches, 

but the odd outdoor iron clock, dating from 1741, survived.

bon dimanche

Église Saint-Louis en l'Île

Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île

Saint-Louis en l'Île

75004, Paris

Wedding photos

This beautiful couple posed for photos on Ile Saint-Louis on the Quai d'Orleans.  

The temperature was a brisk, 

but the photographer moved quickly to get the desired photos.

The American photographer got her share of photos as well from above.

Bride and Groom

Quai d'Orleans

Ile Saint-Louis

75004, Paris

Galette des Rois

Galette des Rois

"King's Cake"

Tomorrow is Epiphany, January 6th, and every pâtisserie in Paris will have these delicious puff-pastry almond and butter cakes.  It makes my mouth water just to think about it.

Each cake contains a fève, a small porcelain figurine and the lucky person who finds it will wear the crown.  Where I live in the US, we have the cakes but they are nothing close to the French version.  We bake our own.  Our tradition says that the one who finds "the baby" (plastic) is the King and will host the next party.

I will put a real French fève in my Galette des Rois.

Galette des Rois

Boulangerie on Ile St Louis

75004, Paris

 

 

Église Saint-Louis en l'Île - la crèche

 

Je vous annonce une grande joie

Église Saint-Louis en l'Île


 This church with first construction in 1642 is an active parish with many events.  Although much of the church was dark, the nativity scene had been well-attended and flooded in light.


This is the same church where Peter, David and I saw the donkey on Palm Sunday in April.


bon dimanche

 

 

 

Église Saint-Louis en l'Île

Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île

Saint-Louis en l'Île

75004, Paris

 

Église Saint-Louis en l'Île

This parish church found on the same street as Berthillion on l'Île Saint-Louis,

on the quiet end of the street with few cars. 

This is the same church where we saw a donkey on Palm Sunday.

Construction started in 1642 at the direction of Louis XIV using the plans of François Le Vau who was also designing Versailles.  The interior is filled with art and this sculpture seems appropriate for wishing the moms a wonderful Mother's Day.

bon dimanche

Église Saint-Louis en l'Île

Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île

Saint-Louis en l'Île

  

Monsieur et sa trottinette

Two minutes before I saw this gentleman zipping by on his trottinette, I captured a younger man going in the opposite direction.  As you can see from the photo, monsieur is moving at a good pace.

The trottinette is not just a child's sidewalk ride to school!

zoom-zoom

Rue Saint Louis en l'Île

Île Saint Louis

75004 Paris

The commute

When I saw him coming in my direction,

I knew that I would only get one shot... He was FLYING!

So, would a Parisian say this is a scooter, a trottinette, or something else?

Il va travailler à trottinette?

Rue Saint Louis en l'Ile
Ile Saint Louis
75004, Paris

Brasserie de l'Ile Saint Louis - les serveurs

At the Brasserie de l'Ile Saint Louis, we see what looks to be a dance between these two busy waiters.

And... I found a little zoom-zoom too!

Bon weekend

Brasserie de l'Ile Saint Louis
55, quai Bourbon

Reflections on the Seine

Walking along Quai de Bourbon with an eye on the Seine, the clear sapphire sky made a nice contrast to the moss on Pont Marie. The water and lights provided a green-tinged reflection in the cold, dark river.

For more reflections look here at James' Newtown Area Photo.

Boulangerie St Louis -- miam, miam

Boulangerie, pâtisserie, fromagerie, charcuterie,

épicerie, marchand de vin....

How can you not love the French language with the beautiful sounds of these words! As a quiz, which of the above does not belong? You say "marchand de vin" as there is no alliteration? Oh, mais non! Je pense que tu te tort because how can you stop at each of these and not also stop in at the wine shop for une bouteille de vin rosé to round out le dîner? (Trick question, n'est-ce pas?)

J'adore baguettes! At any time of day you will likely find a queue for the warm baguettes, and the aroma of baking bread will lure you off the street. I found this scene at Boulangerie St Louis (on Ile Saint Louis) on my recent June trip to Paris, and identified with the young woman who seems to be having trouble with her decision. The little person in the stroller looks quite interested as well!