Un, Deux, Trois Touristes

How cute are these little ladies?!! They were sitting in front of my friend Mary and me one afternoon as we enjoyed a sip at a local café across from Saint Sulpice. They were pouring over their map and planning their next sight. When I realized that all three were wearing their handbags just the same way, I chuckledand whipped out my camera.

Automne dans le Marais

These photographs were taken almost exactly a year ago in le Marais district of Paris. I just love the colors of this "Virginia creeper" and the fallen leaves almost as much as I loved walking the streets and photographing this old and lovely part of Paris.

Le Petit Palais

Last November about this time my friends Karen, Peter and Alice joined me for a wonderful photography exhibit at le Petit Palais. Directly across from Le Grand Palais ( which I have not visited...yet), it is just a marvelous setting for their permanent collection of paintings, sculpture, and the temporary photographic exhibit that we so enjoyed. Outside is a beautiful courtyard and a small café where you can dine while enjoying the view. This week Laurent featured a very nice photograph of this, and it reminded me that I hadn't shared mine with you. I'll admit this is not the best view but c'est la vie!!!

Alright..... time for some shameless self promotion. Have you considered the new Paris Through Your Lens Calendar for your nearest and dearest amis this holiday season??? Look to your right on the sidebar for the big square that says: LA BOUTIQUE! Merci!

Another Look

Last Wednesday I posted a photograph of *Au Vieux Paris d'Arcole near Notre Dame. One nice reader, Stephanie, supplied us with a link here. Yesterday Jackie, of Jacran Cottage blog, posted her own photograph of this 500 year old building as well. When asked where it was located I added that if you turned to your left, you would see Notre Dame looming a block away. So today, that very view along with a different shot of this most charming restaurant.

* Would one of my dear French readers translate pour moi? I tried Babelfish and it made no sense. Quelle surprise!!!

Tight Fit

In Paris, everything's a tight fit, whether it's parking spaces, flats, hotel rooms, the famous toilettes, and especially the cafés and restaurants. Dining or even having a verre de vin can be an intimate experience with those seated beside you. Elbow to elbow is the norm, not the exception! Today's photo is a good example of how they manage to squeeze in a table pour trois into the smallest of spaces. Tucked inside this doorway in the Marais, a perfect spot to enjoy some people watching while you dine.

Afternoon Walk

Joigny, France

July 2009

Today I join Aileni's Monochrome Weekly group of exceptionally talented photographers.

Click here to see their work as well.

Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés

This Sunday another peek inside one of Paris' oldest churches, St. -Germain- des -Pres. We've visited several times but it's worth another look I think.

Ooh La La......Paris Rouge IX

Spotted at a brocante in the French countryside

Oh I know what you're thinking.... those Parisians are trés naughty. Well not exactly. These were both snapped in sleepy little towns in the French countryside! My Francophile amie StyleSpy will like these terrific pumps today I think. And about the bottom photo....well they're rouge. Vive la France!!!

Street Market in Bray -sur- Seine, FR

( Don't even ask if I bought any of these! )

Les Joueurs de Carte - The Card Players

Card playing is serious business at Luxembourg Gardens.

Deal 'em!

Remembrance Day

I do apologize that I did not realize that in France, this day was set aside for remembrance of fallen soldiers as in our country. This past summer I found this beautiful gravesite at Cemetiére Montparnasse .

Paris Rouge VIII

Hotel de Ville, Paris

( Paris City Hall)

Thought I'd run out didn't you? Mais non.

A café less than a block from Notre Dame and the Hotel de Ville

I must go back when it's open. I had so much fun photographing this charming place. The wisteria vine was just amazing. I might sneak in another photo from here before I stop!

Les Chapeaux II - The Street Market

More chapeaux, this time in the town of Bray sur Seine. The street market there is just delightful. There were hats to be bought. Have a look.

Lisa tries one one for size!

Les Beaux Enfants

Petit French Stranger # 46

Today two very sweet portraits. I actually chatted with le garçon and his grandpa on the streets of Paris. His grandpa was feeding him bites from a cup of glace, so he was a happy boy. La petite fille, was snapped from a distance at the Bois de Boulogne. Don't you love her little smocked dress and very French kerchief?

The American Cathedral in Paris

Flags of the States

This Sunday we visit the beautiful American Cathedral in Paris. It was consecrated in 1886 to coincide with the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in New York City. This Episcopal church welcomes English speakers from around the world. Their permanent parishioners number approximately 400. It increases with tourists, students and business people living in France for a short time. I had planned to attend a service here when I went back to Paris in July. An unplanned trek back to Charles de Gaulle Airport to retrieve my lost luggage prevented it. Fortunately, Peter and I were able to visit later that week. You might want to check his blog for additional photos and much more information as always!

Napoléon I

We have previously visited Malmaison here. The former manor home of Josephine and Napoléon, it contains sculpture and an abundance of portraits of them both. Today this bust of Napoléon I that I thought was far too beautiful to have been displayed in the back stairwell. For more information about Malmaison, click here.

UPDATE: I'm adding this link, which has a great number of photographs along with information about the "loving" couple. I'm still researching the name Malmaison.

Merci to Paula for this link explaining the meaning of Malmaison. My, we've all had a little history lesson today. Very interesting. Be sure to read all the comments, more there as well.

Mon Jour de Chance!

Many of you may remember that my talented artist friend Shellsherree, down under in Brisbane, recently used one of my Paris photos to produce a wonderful watercolor illustration, which she posted on her terrific blog. Well, I opened my mailbox a few days ago and voilà! Imagine my delight as I tore away the tissue and pink ribbons and found my very own Shellsherree original in my hands! I plan to frame it and hang it over my dressing table , so I can enjoy it each and every day when I splash myself with my violette eau de toilette. My friend KB recently called me a "girlie girl", I've been called worse.

Merci, merci my dear Shell,

xx

V

PS Ohhhhh, you want your own SS original you say? Well go right here to her Etsy Store! See how easy? Now we can all have one......or two...............!

Automne á Paris ou á Birmingham?

This is a first on both of my blogs. Today I feature photographs from Paris and my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. I appreciate the similarities between the two places I love the most. Want to guess? Is it Euro Birmingham or Southern Paris???

I'm Late!

Le Marais

I was across the street, setting up a shot of those beautiful doors and then life happened. Much more interesting than just a doorway I think.

Row , Row, Row

Another take on the rowboats at the Bois de Boulogne.

I'm joining the terrific photographers at Ailenis's Monochrome Weekly again this week. Please visit and see their fabulous work!

Oh my! My dear amie Shellsheree has done it again. She's used yet another one of my photographs for a delightful Shellsherree watercolor. This time it's macarons. Oh I love them so, and I love her artwork just as much. Merci my dear friend for this honor.

Musée d'Orsay, Les Sculptures

As a rule I shy away from photographing great works of art. I feel that they should be viewed in person and certainly my photographs could never do them justice. I've made an exception today, but perhaps I shouldn't have. I'm not sure. That said, here I am posting two pieces from the Musée d'Orsay. I liked the sculpture against the architectural details of this former railway station turned fabulous museum. At least I didn't have someone take my photo standing in front of them!

Église St. Urbain

This Sunday we go to Troyes, France and visit Église St. Urbain. Construction on this beautiful example of Gothic architecture was begun in 1262 and it wasn't completed until 1389. Unfortunately the church was closed when we visited so I have only exterior shots.

Deux Conversations

An Afternoon at the Bois de Boulogne

The title today is thanks to my dear friend Jilly ( Monte Carlo/Menton DP). Yesterday I shared this photo with her, and she commented that actually it was two conversations, between lady and gentleman, and also the birds! I completely missed that. Merci Jilly!

Chez Julian

I was strolling through my artist friend Shellsherree's great blog and stumbled on this delightful painting. I recognized the car and went straight to my photo stash to find my photo taken in front of Chez Julian. Located in the 4th ème, it is a lovely, if a bit pricey little restaurant. I fell in love with the car thinking I was just exceptionally fortunate to find it parked there. Apparently it's a part of the charm of Chez Julian. Either that, or Cali (whose photo sparked Shell's great artwork) and I both got very lucky!

Hotel de Vauluisant - Bleu in France

The Hotel de Vauluisant, built in 1564, caught my eye with its lovely blue details. Today it serves as a hosiery museum featuring stockings worn my the kings of France. ( Non, I did not visit). It also houses a museum of the history of the province. Worth a look if you get the chance to visit Troyes, France.

A Showstopping Metro Station

Only in Paris would you find a Metro stop that's this colorful and fun! This is the Palais-Royal/Musée du Louvre station at Place Colette. Redesigned in 2000 by Jean-Michel Othoniel, he named it Kiosque des Noctambules ( kiosk of the night walkers). Consisting of brightly colored glass balls threaded on aluminum, it features two cupolas that represent day (red/yellow) and night (blues and purple). In the sunlight it is quite something to see!

Many thanks to Sharon at Bookish Blonde for sharing the LOVE YOUR BLOG Award with me.

Café le Nemours

Located by the beautiful Palais Royal and Comédie Française, Café le Nemours is the perfect spot for a glass of bubbly on a warm summer afternoon, or anytime for that matter! Sit outside and admire the lovely view of Place Colette and the colorful Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre Metro station. Come back tomorrow to see that!!

Reflection of our waiter

Couleurs Primaires

Jardins des Plantes

You can't please all of your readers all the time but today, I'm sure I'm pleasing at least one! Starman has suggested that I do a Primary Color post. As luck would have it, I found one photo that fits the rouge, bleu, jaune theme. Pour toi, Starman!

Église St. Julien le Pauvre

This week I featured Square René Viviani on the Left Bank. I mentioned that it was adjacent to Église Saint Julien le Pauvre. This Sunday we visit this Melkite Greek Catholic parish church and one of Paris' oldest. Built in the 13th century, it's not as grand as most of the churches in Paris, but one that you should see. I have some dear Greek Orthodox friends here in Birmingham so I especially enjoyed visiting this church.

The Stage Crew - 100 French Strangers Challenge

French Stranger #44

At the end of my stay in Paris last August, I reluctantly took my last stroll through the Palais Royal. I was a bit disappointed that the beautiful Fountains of Pol Bury had been covered with a stage and bleachers. I stopped and had a really nice chat with this gentleman. He explained that that they were preparing for an upcoming dance performance. When I asked for his photograph, I got this nice "toast"! Another member of the stage crew gave me a big smile for the camera as well. As much as I love Paris and want it to remain the same as I remember it, I know that each time I visit, the city will be brimming over with the most fabulous and creative events for me to enjoy. Paris je t'aime!

I have previously posted photos of the Pol Bury Fountains here.

French Stranger #45

Stohrer - Sinfully Délicieux Since 1730

Recently our blog friend Katie (Katiefornia) has been frolicking around Paris and posting some yummy treats she's been buying on a regular basis at Stohrer's. Established in 1730 by the former pastry chef at Versailles, it has been one of Paris' most revered patisseries ever since. It is located on rue Montorgueil in the 2 ème. Katie's photographs resulted in yet another delightful Shellsherree original. Today I follow along in Katie and Shell's fine footsteps ( am I a copy chat?) and show you my photos of this beautiful shop as well. Now, it's time to get back to my book..... French Women Don't Get Fat!

Life is Just a Crate of Cerises!

Beaucoup !

rue Mouffetard Street Market

ou peut-être trois!

Fontaine-Fourches, FR