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

Les Amants du Pont de Bir-Hakeim

The Lovers on the Bridge

No, not really.  

They were posing for a film.

Tant pis

Happy Leap Year Day

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

75015, Paris

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

Quick of step

she was gone 

in an instant...

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

75015, Paris

 

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

Built between 1903 and 1905 this steel bridge has two levels,

 the lower one for vehicles and pedestrians, 

and the upper level (the viaduct) supports Métro Line 6.

The iron sculpture framed by the yellow poplar leaves

is one of four on the main arches of the bridge.  

This one was designed by Jules-Felix Coutan and represents Labor.

This was my first visit to Pont de Bir-Hakeim,

and I will share more photos with you soon.

(Joyeux Anniversaire, Renée!)

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

entre 75016 et 75015, Paris

La Seine et des Bateaux

The Seine and Boats

In warm, sunny weather living on a boat

 moored on the Seine seems like paradise.

I will have to remember to check out

 this scene in winter as well

La Seine et Pont de Sully

75005, Paris

.

Pont Alexandre III

Pont Alexandre III

Adorned with gilt, ironwork, 

and more details than can be seen in a single photograph, 

Pont Alexandre III is a great spot for photographs.  

At night you can enjoy the lights 

of La Tour Eiffel with reflections on the Seine.

Pont Alexandre III

Connecting 8è and 7è

75008, Paris

Pont des Arts - As-tu un clé?

Pont des Arts

Do you have a key?

This pedestrian bridge is in the news this week.  

The bridge was closed for a period of time 

as the weight of the "love locks" was so heavy 

that it tore a portion of the railing away from the bridge.  

The city (or the mysterious lock-remover) 

has periodically pruned locks from this bridge

 and Pont de l'Archevêché, 

but they re-appear almost as quickly as they are removed.  

Pont des Arts

75001, Paris

Pont d'Arcole - la nuit

Pont d'Arcole

Walking in Paris at night 

after most of the crowds are gone is a favorite of mine.  

Each of the 37 bridges over the Seine 

is different and I am sad to report that 

I could probably name less than half of them.

One advantage of the winter months 

is that the night starts much earlier.

Pont d'Arcole

75004, Paris

Monsieur?

Pont d'Arcole

Man on the bridge with an umbrella, uh...

Charming man on the bridge in the rain with an umbrella...

...nothing more to say

Pont d'Arcole

75004, 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

Pont Notre Dame - l'automne

Pont Notre Dame

The late afternoon sun drenched the trees 

along the Quai de Gesvres giving them a golden orange glow.  

If you look under the arch of the bridge, 

you can see their reflections in the Seine.

Pont Notre Dame

75004, Paris

La Seine - Port de la Tournelle

Port de la Tournelle

From Pont d'Archevêché one can monitor the activity along the Seine.  

Take a walk below the street levels, alongside the boats of the Seine.  

It is quiet with few tourists.

Port de la Tournelle

75005, Paris

Métro Maubert-Mutualité, Cité

Pont de l'Archevêché

Pont de l'Archevêché

Based on the hefty weight of 

 many locks in the foreground, 

the larger ones have likely been removed or 

"pruned" 

One does hope that 

Edith and Hernando are doing well...

Pont de l'Archevêché

behind Notre Dame

75005, Paris

Fête de la Musique - solstice d'été

Summer Solstice

So what does the solstice d'été have to do with music?  In Paris and many parts of France the summer solstice is accompanied by a grand celebration of music, with all genres and forms.  You can visit the churches for special concerts, listen to street musicians in the squares and gardens.  The cafés have jazz quartets and pop music and everything in between.  The music begins early and extends to the wee hours of the morning.

"The musicians are asked to perform for free, and all the concerts are free for the public. It’s the reason why they are used to play in open air areas as streets and parks or in public buildings like museums, train stations, castles… Furthermore, the Fête de la Musique is a way to encourage the major music institutions (orchestra, operas, choirs, etc.) to perform outside their usual locations." (official site here)

This photo was taken of the "piano man" on June 21, 2010, Fête de la Musique, a wonderful day spent with friends soaking up beautiful weather and a variety of music.  

Wish I was there today.

Pont Saint-Louis

75004, 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

Pont des Arts - love locks

Love locks

Pont des Arts

I have photographed the "love locks" for years on the Pont des Arts and always said that if my sweetheart came with me to Paris that we would put one here on the Pont des Arts.

He did come with me last March and after attaching our lock threw away a red key (which was superfluous for a combination lock).  It was at the moment of sunset, and we were in good company with others on that March evening.  In October I went back to check on our lock and it was most assuredly missing.  The fact is that all of these lovers' locks weigh down the bridge and it appears that the locks are periodically "pruned."  In May of 2010, they all disappeared overnight but the city of Paris claimed innocence.

We will return and affix another lock, a tiny discrete one, which should not cause any attention (or pruning).

(Happy Valentine's Day, D)

Pont des Arts

75001, Paris

  

La Seine en automne

La Seine

The magnetic appeal of the Seine is present 

even on a dreary autumn day

bon weekend

La Seine 

from Pont au Double

75005, Paris

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

 

 

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

Suspension bridge

This suspension bridge leads to a large rocky cliff with a 32 meter waterfall.  The nature of the bridge construction means that there is a sway as these people walk to and fro.  

If you are afraid of heights this might be one to avoid. 

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

Rue Botzaris

75019, Paris

Metro Botzaris, Metro Buttes Chaumont

La Seine et Square du Vert Galant

Square du Vert Galant

as seen from Pont des Arts

An early evening in April we strolled to Pont des Arts, hand in hand. 

So romantic, we were alone...  

with about a hundred of our fellow romantics, picknickers, and flaneurs on the bridge. 

We watched the sun set into Seine

and tossed our key into the water below. 

Yes, the key was red.

(joyeaux anniversaire, D)

Pont des Arts

75001, Paris



 

Pont des Arts - l'amour

Pont des Arts, a moonlit night, padlocks on the bridge, and ...

Paris in love

It is just not the same anywhere else

Pont des Arts

75001, Paris