Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Prèmiere Neige à Paris

Snow dusted steps to the Seine
janvier, 2010

Our Laurent at Daily Photo in Paris  left a comment that yesterday Paris had its first snowfall.  I was surprised to learn that snow in Paris is rather rare, so imagine my delight when we arrived last January to find the remains of a previous snowfall on the city.  Most of you will remember that during the night the "Paris Photography Gods" made me very happy.  We awoke the next morning to a glorious snowfall.  This photo was taken on the day of our arrival. It was very, very cold that day.  Did we stop racing around the city? Of course not!  The adrenalin rush cannot be denied!!!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Le Cercle d'Amis


Maybe you see this as just a jumble of chairs. To me, it represents the delightful way that Parisians gather with friends.  Sometimes it's in the grass seated in a circle as they share a picnic lunch.  More often, I think it's in parks such as Luxembourg, the Palais Royal, or here at Tuileries.  The chairs are gathered in a circle for conversation and perhaps a glass of wine or champagne.  Paris, j'adore!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Sunday Church Series - Candles


Notre Dame,  probably the most visited church in Paris. For good reason.  I learned early on that she is too magnificent to capture all at once. Her beauty lies in the details.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Christmas In Paris I


Galerie Vivienne is a beautiful place to shop anytime, but at Christmas, it's lit to the hilt!  This covered passageway has a wonderful assortment of shops and places to dine or have a cup of thé.  Located near the Palais Royal, you may take the Palais-Royal or Bourse métro.

4 rue de Petits-Champs

Friday, November 26, 2010

La Grand Roue - Je n'ai pas le courage


As the Christmas season begins, Paris does what she does best, dresses to the hilt!  First she decks out the store windows in every imaginable delight, then she drapes herself with a zillion strings of lights .  As if that weren't enough, up goes the grand roue at Place de la Concorde.  I will share more photos in the weeks to come.  For now, try to imagine taking a ride and seeing Paris from above. Some of you might ask if I've had the pleasure. Well non, non et non.  There have been those that have tried to persuade me.  Je n'ai pas le courage!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

How Grand...


to be young and spend a delightful summer afternoon playing games among the columns in the beautiful Gallery d'Orléans at the Palais Royal.  A very special day for all of us.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Stohrer, How Do I Love Thee.....


...let me count the calories!  Since 1730 this iconic Paris patisserie has been tempting Parisians and tourists alik . Want to guess who won't gain a kilo ?  :)

51 rue Montorgueil

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Bustling!


Well Genie at Paris and Beyond started it here.  Then Laurent over at Daily Photo in Paris turned on the lights here. Today, I can't compete with their gorgeous perspective, but I thought I'd show you what it's like at the Place de la Concorde after dark from another direction.  Even at night,  the traffic is still whizzing by, but I love it.  The obelisk, the fountain, the lights... it's magical.   Oh and that's the Hôtel de Crillon to the left. I wouldn't mind a glass of champagne there one day........

Monday, November 22, 2010

Le Garde


Père Lachaise Cimetière

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Sunday Church Series - La Sainte-Chapelle


Oh this is one place you must visit when you visit Paris. I have only been once and it was an overcast day in November, 2008.  It was still breathtaking, and I won't ever forget it.  Today another view.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

le Garçon


Having fun while having a glass of wine at Place des Vosges one afternoon. 

Friday, November 19, 2010

100 French Strangers - Alexis, le Couturier

French Stranger #70

Oh I've been holding onto these photographs since last June. It's time to start sharing.  Meet Alexis.  You know the name because we've window shopped here and here.  I dropped by several times, but the shop was always closed.  In June, while wandering around the Place des Vosges, I found his shop and voilà, the door was open!  Alexis is a dress designer, an "over the top" dress designer.   He was polite but more or less went about his (cell phone) business, after he agreed to let me photograph his shop. Later that week, while JB, Peter and Owen were getting to know the music store owner across the street, Mary and I slipped in to say, "Bonjour" to Alexis.  More to come.

SECOND THOUGHTS
I announced last week that I would suspend posting on the weekends, but I've decided to go for it. I still  have many to share, and Mary and I will be hopefully be returning to Paris en janvier!!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Looks Like Automne in Paris


Visit a street market anywhere in Paris,  and you can indulge in the autumn harvest.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

" Madame, la boule."




Those of you that have followed this blog for quite a while will remember my delightful adventures with the pétanque players at Luxembourg Gardens, the summer of 2009.  The foursome that befriended me couldn't have been more entertaining and accommodating.  They took such pains to show me how the game was played and all about the scoring ( and the conversations regarding the scoring!). At one point I was instructed to go down to another court for a translation.  A wonderful Paris memory.  Today, the all important boule!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Portes Bleues Et Un Vélo

Today's photograph was chosen to introduce a wonderful new book to you my dear readers. The cover of French Essence, features a similar door and a bicycle!  This is Vicki Archer's second book, and it debuted in the US this month.  Mine arrived on Saturday, and I've been curled up with it ever since. This is Vicki's second collaboration with the talented Paris photographer, Carla Coulson.  These two make a magical team and their first book, My French Life, is one of my very favorites.


Visit Vicki's blog French Essence and Carla' blog, Carla Loves Photography!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Par Ne Pas Oublier

Porcelain crosses and wreaths can be found on many graves all over Paris.  I think they are more beautiful as they weather.  The bright green moss, even in janvier, is in striking contrast.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Place de la Concorde


I'm pretty sure this could be used as the classic, predictable "Paris tourist" shot,  but I'm sharing it anyway! I was probably risking life and limb by standing in the street trying to capture the Champs Élysées while dodging cars!

Blog Update
In a valiant effort to make my photographs last till I can return to Paris, I will now be posting lundi- venredi.  I hope you won't desert me.
Bon weekend everyone.

Friday, November 12, 2010

L'escalier - Le Petit Palais


Last week my chère amie Genie over at Paris and Beyond featured a detail of a railing at the wonderful Petit Palais.  I dug around and found this view of the staircase taken in November, 2008.  I remember that day very well.  Karen, Alice, Peter and I tromped through a cold blowing rainstorm to get there only to find everyone outside due to a bomb scare.  We were amazed to find a kindergarten class there waiting patiently in the rain as well.  When we were allowed in to view the fabulous photography exhibit, les petit enfants were seated on the floor with clipboards and pencils to sketch the statue in the middle of the room.  I posted a photo here.  I still smile when I remember that scene!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Time...


to pop over to Cartier for a new watch?  Oh,  Place Vendôme gives "upscale shopping" a whole new meaning.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Carrousel Une Vue


I love this view from the delightful carrousel just across the Seine from la tour Eiffel.  I hear that the city of Paris is making the owner move. I can't verify that but maybe some of my French readers will let us know if this very special carrousel is still there.  My Eva and Davis enjoyed their rides here so much.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Parlez Vous Français??


Some of you have gathered that when in Paris, I'm a purists of sorts.  Although my French is the subject of many snickers, and I do so appreciate having English spoken when I falter,  I do NOT want  "my" Paris "Americanized".  This cute little table/chairs caught my eye and it was only when I downloaded the photos that I realized the whole menu was en anglais,  as well as the coasters, and the worst....smiley faces!  HAPPY HOUR??  Non, non et non... c'est Joyeux Heure! :)

Monday, November 8, 2010

Coup de Foudre

 
Daughter Melissa and Eva

Mon premier voyage, notre première journée!  As we strolled down Boulevard du Montparnasse that afternoon, la Tour welcomed us to Paris.  This is where I fell in love!  The rest is history.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Automne à Paris


Le Métro, Montmartre 

Friday, November 5, 2010

Paris Pour Moi


I play this game with myself: Pick one photograph, just ONE, that says Paris!  I don't know that I will ever be able to answer that.  This, from Place des Vosges, comes very close.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Fermé



Shop Window
Place des Vosges

What Is It ? Where Is It?  contest est fermé and we have a winner!( Click here and have a look.)  Ma chère amie Mary ( Mad About Paris) correctly guessed Charles de Gaulle Airport.  Those of you that fly into Paris on Delta/Air France will  find you luggage awaiting you ( if you are very lucky) and then you will exit through a bank of doors.  This colorful mural of la Tour is right there to greet you! 

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

A Show of Hands - Palais Royal

A Weaver's Hands

I thought we'd just stay in at the Palais Royal one more day.  Last January, there was an amazing art display that feature hands at work.  You know how much I loved that!  I don't think my photographs do the work justice but wanted to give you a sense of the exhibit.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Imite le Chef


I love this photo.  My Eva and Davis along with their Birmingham amis Katherine and Ethan happily prancing around one of the two Pol Bury fountains in the Gallery d'Oléans at the Palais Royal. Our families spent a magical afternoon there.  The adults sipped wine and savored the setting sun while the children ran up and down the arcade, threw rose petals in the air and made a little village in the dusty white "Paris dirt".

Monday, November 1, 2010

What Is It ? Where Is It??


We haven't had a What Is It/Where Is It?  contest lately. I don't think this will stump many of my Francophiles,  but we'll just see about that.  Contest ends on Wed.  As usual, fabulous prizes will not be awarded.  Bragging rights should be sufficient!