Thursday, September 30, 2010

Paris Rouge XXXIV - Belle Balcony


In another life, this was my balcony. La sigh!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Beaucoup de Couleurs

crayons de couleur


Merci, the very trendy concept store in the Marais, has the most wonderful displays. Maybe it's the former teacher in me, but I wanted one in every color!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Step Inside


This charming courtyard almost lured me in.  I resisted the urge to sashay in and have a look around. I wish I had.

Monday, September 27, 2010

le Menu

le Marais

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Les Magnifiques Portes


Today's Sunday Church Series takes us back to the lovely Église St. Madeleine.  I'm featuring this  photograph because I think it illustrates the immense size ( 33' high X 15' wide),  as well as the bas reliefs of the Ten Commandments on these magnificent bronze doors.  (Taken in November 2008, you can see the renovation scaffolding as well.)

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Tout au Loisirs



Tout au Loisirs is a place you could poke around in for days. Every imaginable bead and bauble, plus ribbons, feathers....... Located not far from the Hôtel de Ville, it's a must see if you're into jewelry making or just looking for some good photo ops!



Friday, September 24, 2010

Le Cimetière du Montparnasse


Today's photo might be the last LARGE one you see for a while. Just when I'd learned how to enlarge them with the help my blog tech advisor Peter last summer, now Blogger tries to make it all better. Well maybe they've listened to our comments and maybe they've made it a blogmare.  As of now, I'm stumped. Genie has promised to help me. ( If all else fails, JB is waiting in the wings with dread no doubt).  Stay tuned.

Merci mille fois, mon chère Katie who sent me a beautiful postcard from Paris yesterday.  Katie is on her annual fall Paris holiday,  which we all enjoy vicariously.  Visit her great postcard blog here.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Les Roses Jaunes

POUR MOI???

Well actually non, but I enjoyed passing them as I walked to the Metro one day on rue St. Antoine. I was visiting Paris Karin's blog the other day and realized she and I had captured the exact chaise avec fleurs. Have a look at hers and her blog.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Le Petit Chien


It's no secret that Parisians adore their dogs, and they are welcome almost everywhere, including restaurants. Ce chien mignon was perched on a chair beside her doting owner ( her usual spot) while we dined outside at L'Isola, off rue Mouffetard last summer.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

People Watching

Opera Garnier

The national pastime of Paris. I'll admit I love it myself. Actually this photograph proves it!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Une Soirée à Paris


An evening walk along the Seine. Pretty special, n'est-ce pas?

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Portes rouges, Ciel bleu

Èglise Saint Urbain

This Sunday a visit back to Troyes, France. This church was closed by the time we arrived , but we enjoyed photographing the exterior.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Éclairage


Opèra Garnier

Friday, September 17, 2010

So Paris!


Need I say more?

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Leo et Pipo


I found this charming ( although now faceless) little man quite by accident. I looked up Leo and Pipo when I got home and found that it's two artists that paste these charming figures, from times gone by, around Paris. When I get back to Paris, I'm going to search out more of their work!
To see more images go here.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

100 French Strangers - Attention!!!


French Stranger #70

This skillful waiter at Ma Bourgogne was a stranger the first day I arrived, but after that he took very good care of me whenever I stopped by for a glass of wine or dinner.

PS ... and he never dropped the first glass!

And for my dear friends that have followed my new baby kitty, read all about how she got her cute name and see what my dear friend Shell has created. You too can buy her artwork here!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Adornment


It seems to me that almost every building in Paris has some wonderful detail that catches the eye. I liked this face and the pretty lantern hanging below it.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Une Très Chic Maman


Last June we took a little rest in the pretty little park behind Notre Dame. That day there were lots of children running about, along with the tourists madly snapping shots of the cathedral. We spotted this chic Maman videoing her toddler. We all three took photos of her, I got only one of her petit garçon!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Église Saint Séverin


Today's Sunday Church Series takes us back to the beautiful Saint Séverin in the Latin Quarter. I've shown you many photographs from inside, but this last visit we all stuck our cameras through the iron fence to capture the lovely courtyard and flowers growing there. It always amazes me how many delightful things I discover when I revisit places in Paris. I had never noticed this lovely angle before. ( I have another one to share later on!)

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Ma Petite Chatte Noir


Blog break aujourd'hui. Un petit cadeau pour moi, Meeps.

(Rescued and now here for me to love.)

Friday, September 10, 2010

D´jeuner Avec Chandelles


Last trip I took Marie and Genie to my favorite little restaurant, Reminet ( Île de la Cité) for lunch. I was so impressed with myself that I actually found it again, that I didn't think that perhaps we would need une réserve. Not to worry, they had a table for us downstairs. We were delighted. We had the lovely room all to ourselves. This nice vignette was lit by a scrumptious Manuel Canovas candle. We had a wonderful time taking photographs and enjoying our delicious lunch, wine, dessert, and I'm sure they were tickled to have les américains downstairs!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

The Handwriting on the Wall?



While staying in the countryside SE of Paris last summer, we visited the Musée Paul Dubois-Alfred Boucher in Bray sur Seine. This was a piece I especially liked by sculptor, Alfred Boucher.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

World Cup Mania......Redux


I'm sure JB will point out that I'm about two months late with these photos. He's liable to also add that his visit to Paris caused him to miss one whole day and night of the mind numbing, never ending thrilling soccer semifinals of the World Cup. One afternoon, while the big boys were sipping beverages and cursing the French team unmercifully at the café below, the little boys were having a delightful, free spirited pickup game on the plaza around the Stravinsky Fountain. Boys will be boys!



Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Zoom Zoom Zoom! - Paris Style

Doesn't everyone scoot around Paris in high heels?

( I snapped her sitting outside a café near my apartement last June. Didn't even have to get out of my chair!)

This one is dedicated to my scooter lovin' friend Chuck in Seattle!

Monday, September 6, 2010

100 French Strangers - Nutella Crêpes


French Stranger #69

A little confession today. Until this past week, I had never tasted Nutella. I know what you're thinking, I'm wondering the same thing. My granddaughter Eva gave me a spoonful, and I've been fighting the urge to run down to V. Richards Market, buy a jar, grab a spoon and hide in the closet ever since!! While I'm baring my soul, I'll add that I've never had a crêpe in Paris either. More reason that I must go back, very soon and remedy all of that.

Now I have managed to photograph some friendly folks that make those delightful crîepes, and today is no exception. Capturing her terrific smile was yet another reason why J'ADORE my 100 French Strangers Challenge!

From Snapshots to Photographs
I will be beginning a new series of 5 Monday evening classes in the Birmingham area for amateur photographers that want to learn to take better photographs and have a lot of fun doing it! Contact me. virgjones at gmail.com

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Les Portes de Bronze


Today's Sunday Paris Church series takes us up to the beautiful la Basilique du Sacré-Coeur. I love these grand bronze doors. I'm curious about the obvious wear at the bottom of each. I'm going to guess that perhaps many have used a foot to help push the massives doors open over many, many years. Please share if you have the answer!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

What's Wrong With This Picture?



I don't know about you, but this just didn't seem right to me. Mojitos and Ice Tea are to be enjoyed back home, not in Paris. What do you think? Of course, bring on the glace et sorbet!!!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Un Café Avec Mes Amis


Today a lovely reminder of a special morning last June. This day my Paris loving amie, Mary and my very fun blog ami, JB ( Mainz Daily Photo) arrived at the same time at CDG and arrived at my doorstep ensemble. After we shared hugs and bisous (and JB addressed computer and cell phone issues pour moi), we adjourned to the small café on the corner. Another Paris moment I'll always remember with a smile.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Un Dimanche au Dodo Manège


In June, Genie, Marie, Mary and I took a little detour to the Jardin des Plantes. Last summer,despite two trips to the gardens, Melissa and the children and I never found this special carrousel, but Genie knew the way! This one is a bit different, the animals are all extinct! We were charmed by the most adorable children enjoying a Sunday afternoon with their families. Moving targets are hard to capture, but I liked this beautiful little girl, sur la girafe!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Derrière la Grille


I'm fairly certain that this little courtyard is in the small alleyway leading from the side door of the Église St. Paul in the Marais. ( And no, I didn't push this gate! )