La Campagne?

The Countryside?

Non, it is Maison du Lac in the serene

setting of Jardin Romantique in

Parc de Bercy

bon week end

Maison du Lac

Parc de Bercy

75012, Paris

La Tour Eiffel en hiver

Do you know that it takes 

about 60 tons of paint every seven

years to keep the tower looking young?

The tower is actually three shades of brown (often called "milk chocolate")

 with  the darkest at the bottom and the lightest at the top.

La Tour Eiffel

75007, Paris

Jardin du Palais Royal - en hiver

Jardin du Palais Royal

The lovely fountain was sealed in ice - December 2010

The red and white rope was a signal to stay out of the fountain,

a suggestion lost on these young boys.

I hope that Paris did not get that cold this year, 

but regardless, we will all be glad to see winter go.

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001, Paris

Jeune patineur

Young skater

Contrary to the experienced skater of yesterday,

beginning skaters may need a little help.

Hotel de Ville

75004, Paris

Square du Vert Galant

Square du Vert Galant

This little tear-drop of green is not exactly a secret place, 

but it is most often photographed from the other direction

(as seen in my banner photo above).

The view from Pont des Arts gives the illusion 

of a ship's bow.  You can access this little park

at the midpoint of Pont Neuf.

Square du Vert Galant

75001, Paris

Les portes de Palais Royal

The Gates of Palais Royal

These gold spears on the gates 

must receive a coat of paint each year

as they always look as if they are solid gold

Oh, they do close and lock the gates each

evening so do not fall asleep on one of the benches or

you may be forced to spend the night

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001, Paris

Une bataille de boules de neige

Snowball Fight!

Well, it was very good natured fun 

with lots of laughter and the squeals of children

They seemed totally oblivious to the photographer,

and she was glad not to have been pelted with a block of ice.

Square Armand-Trousseau

Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine

75012, Paris

Il fait froid!

It is cold!

Although January and February can be frigid in Paris,

rarely does it stop the city, the Parisians, the tourists.

I have only seen snow twice in Paris, 

but the December 2010 snowstorm emptied the streets...

except for the crazy photographers and a few children.

Quai Voltaire - Pont du Carrousel

75007, 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

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

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

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

 

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

Père Lachaise en hiver

Père Lachaise

In summer these bare branches are filled 

with leaves making a canopy of shade from the heat and sun.  

In winter, the "tree bones" litter the narrow stone paths 

with a mosaic of shadows.

If you are a winter visitor, put Père Lachaise on your list.  

You can wander through the 110 acres 

and almost have the place to yourself, 

or you can get a map (here) and locate a specific grave.

The long shadows of winter will give you memorable photos.

le Cimetière du Père Lachaise

16, rue de Repos

75020, 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

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

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

Pont des Arts - sous la neige

Pont des Arts

Taken a few years ago during a dusting of snow,

the bridge is seen after a pruning of locks

bon weekend

Pont des Arts

75001, Paris

Jardin du Palais Royal - sous la neige

Palais Royal in the snow

In the first week of December 2010, the snow started to fall gingerly as seen here, 

and by the 8th of December, it was a traffic-stopping blanket of soft whiteness.

The green leaves still on the sculpted trees 

are a pleasing contrast to the white carpet.

Jardin du Palais Royal

75001, Paris