Strolling Across Place Vendôme

Trés chic!  As Genie would say, "Must be a French girl!"

(Looks like she might be headed straight to de Beers to do a little shopping!)

Arrêtez et sentir les roses

Église Saint-Médard

Thank you my dear friends, for your thoughtful comments and emails following the devastating tornadoes that ripped our state apart on Wednesday.  Your outpouring of concern has touched my heart more than you will ever know.

You can make your generous donations here. It is an agency I support.

Waiting...

Ma Bourgogne

Doing what waiters in Paris do best.

Café Pour Deux

Move closer ma chère.

Les Lanternes Roses

I tossed around Paris Rouge but knew I'd be called out on that! 

Familiar Arches

For those of you that have visited Paris a few times,  I'm sure you know exactly where this is.  Oui! Place des Vosges in the Marais. I spent a lot of time right here last summer as my little flat was just a few blocks away. There was usually a street musician playing. This day the harpist.

Sunday Paris Church Series - Le Crucifix

Église Saint-Merri

Joyeuse Pâques to all of my dear readers that celebrate this holiday.

Able to Leap...

Jardin de Tuileries, janvier 2011

chain link fences in a single bound! 

Please don't ask me to explain why I like this photograph, I just do.  Feel free to write your own title today.
Would love to hear your creative ideas.

Les Croix

Cimetière de Passy

Peter's Paris From Above

My last day in Paris, this past January, Peter ( Peter's Paris blog) gently nudged me to take a deep breath and ride the grande roue at Tuileries.  I'm so glad I did. I got some great photos from high above Paris...after I opened my eyes! Where else could I have had this wonderful view of the city j'adore?  Peter captured some as well, as you can see.

Shhhh, it's his birthday today!

100 French Strangers - The Flower Shop Owner

French Stranger #75

Zinc des Fleurs  has always been one on my favorite little shops on rue Mouffetard.  This Sunday, the charming owner stepped out,  and of course I asked to take his photo!

Un Joli Balcon

I could live here, and you??

Paris Rouge XLVIII - Le Sac à Main

What better way to spend a warm afternoon along the Seine. I toyed with black and white, but her great handbag was too good to pass up.

Pollenating in Paris

Today's photos were taken with Genie and Marie last June at  Église Saint-Séverin, one of my favorite churches in Paris.  This lovely enclosed courtyard adjoins the church. We all three had great fun trying to shoot through the iron fence!

Les Bouquinistes - All Lined Up

I really need to spend more time here. I've found some great prints etc., but always get overwhelmed at the selection and don't take the time to really have a closer look. When reading this link, I found that there are over 240 bouquinistes that share 900 of the "green boxes", selling 300,000 books, magazines, prints, cards ( and some tacky souvenirs).  I love the fact that these stalls have been here, unchanged,  along the Seine for so long.  Isn't that what we love about Paris........

Mes Chères Amies à Paris

Well as many of you know, my dear Paris loving amies Genie and Marie (M) are in Paris at this very moment. We had planned to chat every single day but alas, with the 7 hour time difference, that still has not happened! ( I hope to stay up late tonight and get these early birds when they wake up!)  I'm missing them a lot, so today a look back to a wonderful déjeuner at Le Reminet last juin. Le sigh.

Gros bisous Genie and Marie,
V

Le Conversation II

Marché Art & Création Bastille
Blvd. Richard-Lenior
Paris, 11eme

Seems a bit disinterested doesn't he. Perhaps she is telling him something he doesn't want to hear.

Le Moulin de la Galette

When in Montmartre last January, visiting our jewelry/textile artiste amie Shauna's lovely boutique, she suggested this restaurant for lunch. What a wonderful choice! Don't be fooled by the "touristy" location (right below the windmill). The food is delicious. I think this lovely lady on the signage at the door looks a bit like our talented Shauna.

le Moulin de la Galette

83 rue Lepic

75018  Paris

Paris Rouge XLVII - The Street Gallery

 I love the way the French are able to turn major renovation projects into something creative and artistic. Spotted in Montmartre.  I wouldn't mind a few of those on my new walls. LOVE the rouge scaffolding of course.

Vert du Jalousie

Today mes chère amies Genie and Marie (aka M) are dashing off to Paris for a week. To make matters worse, they will be staying in the fabulous apartment that Mary and I adored last January, and will get to spend a week with our dear Janeen!  Did I mention meeting up with fellow bloggers Peter, Nathalie and who knows who else?  Meanwhile, I'm limping around packing and unpacking, packing and unpacking. Color me VERT!!! ( But very happy that I will get to chat with them daily and live vicariously through their photos.)

Dimanche Sur le Pont des Arts

This photograph was taken shortly after yesterday's Louvre shot.  Strolling along the Seine that Sunday morning was a photographer's paradise! Look closely and you can see all the locks of love attached to the sides.

Grues sur le Louvre

Normally I would never take this shot, but my friend Wayne, Meandering in Lotusland (Vancouver), is a crane fanatic, so this lovely Sunday morning I took this just for him.  Of course we had no idea what the cranes were for, but Peter had a look and said there might be some major reno going on or an upcoming exhibit. Regardless, it is always nice to see what's being spiffed up around Paris!

La Vieille Fenêtre

Montmartre

Why is it that old and dilapidated looks so very charming when it is in Paris??

Paris Rouge XLVI - The Tourist Shot

Sometime you just have to take that great tourist shot.  No apologies. The  Moulin Rouge is so Paris and well.. it's so very.......ROUGE!!  That made me very happy.

Dimanche à Jardin du Luxembourg Avec Mon Amour

"Grow old with me, the best is yet to be."
Robert Browning

For my Birmingham area readers I will be offering another series of photography classes. Designed for amateur photographers with any type digital/film camera who want to be more creative and learn to take better family and vacation photos.

Community Education South

 Mondays -April 25-May 23

6:00-8:00 PM

For more information:

Contact me at virgjones@gmail.com

Stop and Smell the Peonies

Printemps à Paris, must look something like this. 

Faire la Queue...Pourquoi?

Parisians are willing to stand quietly in long lines outside of boulangeries at any time of day. Pourquoi you ask? For the best baguettes etc. on the planet.  I've done it myself and was happy to spend the time in order to be handed a buttery pain au chocolat or a warm baguette. C'est magnifique!!

Sunday Church Series - Église Saint Jean l'Evangéliste II

The face on this beautiful angel at the entrance of Montmartre's Église Saint Jean l'Evangeliste ( featured last Sunday here) has captivated me since the first time I set eyes on her on my visit in 2008.  Unfortunately, the angle required to capture her at her best,  has escaped me...twice!  This last visit in January, the weather was cold and rainy, again.  I still couldn't compensate for the the glare.  I've done what I can in editing and decided to share her as is. Perhaps I'll get another chance one day.

La Chaise et La Fleur

Another stroll down the very charming Passage Molière.

Fanchon en Mars

21-23 Passage Molière

Doors in France II - French Bleu

If memory serves, I took this photo in July, 2009.  I just noticed the serpents and the bull/monkey at the bottom!  The color of the door is lovely I think.