Monday, December 31, 2012

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Non Madame, pas de photos!




Yesterday, some of my readers asked me if I'd ever been refused photos in Paris.  Today seems like the perfect time for this story.


I arrived in Paris last January with "my list" clenched in my fist.  I had researched several specialty shops in Paris Made By Hand,  that I was dying to photograph.  Alexandra Sojfer's parapluie shop was at the top of the list.  After a very long first day in Paris, we finally arrived on the doorstep after dark.  I walked in, greeted the gentleman at the counter and asked to take a few photographs.  He apologetically  told me that I could not take any photos inside the shop. With that, the designer herself breezed in from the back and made it very clear that there would be none, although I pulled the "I'm here from the U.S. to take photos" card. Sadly I was then forced to press my lens against the glass and get only passable photographs.

Since 1834, this family has handcrafted exquisite umbrellas. If you get caught in a Paris shower without your umbrella, expect pay the price for one of hers!

Alexandra Sojfer
218 Blvd. Saint Germain
75007Paris
Métro: Sèvres Babylone

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Trois Amis


I love it when I ask to make a photograph and I get this reaction!

Friday, December 28, 2012

Paris Rouge - Damman Frères Thé


Thé shops can be found all over Paris.  Located on rue Mouffetard, it is one of three Paris stores.  Damman Frères has been in the tea business since 1692.  

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Trop Fatigué


I have felt like these tourists at the Panthéon many times.  I think if I didn't travel with such energetic friends I would have done this very thing!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

A la pêche aux euros


We happened upon Monsieur, dangling a line in the water below the Daniel Buren's Les Deux Plateau at the Palais Royal.  Pourqoui??  Peter has a few words with him, and he explained he was catching euros on a magnet.  He did not share how many he's captured.



Tuesday, December 25, 2012

L'ange - Sainte Trinité





This beautiful papier maché angel stood beside the altar at Sainte Trinité church.  The créche was off to one side. The crates used here were also stacked on the altar. Lovely

Joyeux Noël à toi et toute ta famille

Monday, December 24, 2012

You'll find...


Père Noël hanging around all over Paris!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

M Is For...


Merry Christmas from Merci and me!

Merci
111 boulevard Beaumarchais
75003 Paris
Métro: Saint Sébastien Froissart

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Signes du Samedi - Ladurée


Don't you wish you could pop in Ladurée for your last minute gifts and stocking stuffers!

Friday, December 21, 2012

Noël à Paris - Hôtel de Ville de Paris


In addition to the large skating rink that is set up in from of the Hôtel de Ville de Paris, this beautiful double decker carrousel adds to the magic.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

La crèche


This crèche at the Basilique Cathédrale de Saint-Denis is one of the most unusual I've seen anywhere in Paris.  If I didn't know better, I'd think les petits enfants had been rearranging the figures.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Paris Rouge - Coeurs rouges


Lest you think all Christmas trees in Paris are fabulous, over the top creations, meet the dear little tree that greets you in the courtyard ouyside Moulin de la Galette restaurant in Montmartre. I think the rouge hearts are the perfect choice.

83 rue Lepic
75018 Paris

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

La Grande Roue de la Concorde


Place de la Concorde's obelisk  with the Grande Roue de la Concorde in the background, decked out for Christmas.  It went up 16 novembre and will come down 13 janvier. Prix 10 euro, and worth it for the views of Paris from above.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Les Décorations


Last January I noticed that many of the cafés and restaurants had added festive decorations over their signage.  Today, I'm sharing not ONE but THREE photos. Consider it an early Christmas gift, or  perhaps a  Christmas miracle!


Sunday, December 16, 2012

Sunday Church Series - La Chorale


Late one afternoon, we wandered into the Église Saint-Merri and found this group practicing for an upcoming concert.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Signes du samedi - Pas de chiens



There is a dear little playground adjacent to the Église Saint-Médard on rue Mouffetard.  Good things these petits garçons didn't bring their chien along!

Friday, December 14, 2012

Jingle les cloches


Père Noël better have some mighty hefty elves to jingle these bells!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Les petits écharpes


Even les petits enfants wear their scarves with a flair!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Lumières de Noêl


It seems each neighborhood has it's own light displays during the holiday season.  This one by St. Germain des Pres reminded me of those on the Champs Élysées several years ago.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Simple et festive


The Panthéon decorated with trees simply dressed with festive red bows.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Café avec amies


Friends enjoying a sunny afternoon for a café.  
The Village St. Paul

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Scandaleux à Paris!



Sometimes Paris windows just make me laugh out loud as I pause to snap the photo! 

Friday, December 7, 2012

Les lumières de Noël


Even in January, you can still enjoy the festive lights strung across so many Paris streets.

For more lights of Christmas in Paris, visit My French Life. They have published the second in the series Postcards From Paris featuring my photographs right here!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

L'Oisneau de Feu

L'Oisneau de Feu

I have a love /hate feeling about the Stravinsky Fountain.  Although I deep down really love the vibrant colored sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle and her husband Jean Tinguely, the black pieces don't seem to fit there. In addition, I don't think I've ever seen the fountain when all of the sculptures were working and moving as it was designed.  That said, this evening when the Église Saint-Merri was warmly lit, it makes a striking image against this 14th century church.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Hôtel Jeanne d'arc


Well if the mirror is any indication, this must be a delightful place to stay in the Marais.  

3 rue de Jarente
75004 Paris

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Soccer au Palais Royal


Jackets, scooters and skateboards are stashed against a column in the Gallery d'Orléans

Imagine being a young boy living in Paris. On Wednesdays you are out of school,  so you are free to meet up with your friends for a quick pick up game of soccer.  Where do you play? Why the Palais Royal of course.  Be careful that you don't kick you ball into the Pol Bury Fountains!!!!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Nöel lèche vitrine


The shop windows in Paris during the Christmas season are just spectacular.  This day I caught my friends doing a little window shopping at Galerie Vivienne.

Merci MY FRENCH LIFE for featuring a number of my Paris Christmas photos!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Sunday Church Series - Église Saint-Merri


Sitting at a café near the Stravinsky Fountain late one afternoon, the lights caught my eye...the street lights as well as the ones in the apartment windows, illuminating this old church.

76 Rue de Verrrerie
75004 Paris 
Metro: Hôtel de Ville

Saturday, December 1, 2012

City Daily Photo Theme Day - My Street

 The view from our bedroom

For the past two years, my street in Paris has been our fabulous apartment on rue St. Roch. The tall windows overlook the Église St. Roch , and we wake up every morning to the sound of the church bells. Mon amie Mary and I are planning another trip this janvier.  La vie est belle!

Today I join City Daily Photobloggers around the world who are posting photos of their street right here.

Friday, November 30, 2012

L'amour à Hôtel de Sully


These doorways in the courtyard of the Hôtel de Sully at Place des Vosges, seems to always have friends sitting in the doorways.  This couple seemed to be more than friends.  Amour ?


Thursday, November 29, 2012

Village de Noël


This shop on rue Butte- aux- Cailles, was still dressed for Christmas.  It was closed that day so we couldn't go in and poke around.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Coucher de soleil


You will probably never see a Paris sunrise taken with my Canon, but I have a few sunsets that I especially love.  This one with La Conciergerie in the distance is a praticular favorite of mine.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Beaucoup de choix


Les Puces de Saint-Ouen, was visual overload for me.  I found too many choices to peruse and to photograph. I loves this old valise and the tango music in this stall.

Monday, November 26, 2012

La grille


Winding our way through this divine little out of the way street ( there was a sign, "PRIVÉ"- phfffttt ) on our way to have a look at  Le Procope, I found so many things to photograph that it took longer than expected!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Sunday Church Series - Basilique Saint-Denis


This beautiful church is located in the suburb of St. Denis, about 9.4 km  north of Paris.  A beautiful church not to be missed.

2 rue de Strasbourg, St. Denis
Mètro - St. Denis


Saturday, November 24, 2012

Paris Rouge - Madame et son vélo


Cranking up her iPod and biking off.  I have nothing but admiration.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Musique sur le pont


The Pont des Arts, a pedestrian bridge,  is always alive with musicians, artists and other creative Parisians.  This friendly gentleman's music added to our stroll across to the Left Bank.  

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Les préparations


Le Reminet

Today as all of us celebrate Thanksgiving here in the U.S., perhaps my expat friends in Paris will dining on something more French.  Today I am most grateful for my family, friends here and around the world. Bon appétit!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Un blanc, un rouge et un appareil photo


La vie est belle à Paris...toujours!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Mademoiselle Li's


Artist Hippolyte Romain created this lovely little tearoom, Mademoiselle Li, in the Jardin d'Acclimation in the Bois de Boulogne.  As the Jardin's artisitic director, his delightful illustrations are found all over the park, and on the outside walls of the masion de thé.  We had lots of kiddos with us the day we visited so the tearoom was not on the list.  Maybe I'll have another chance one day.


Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting blogger Janey ( Thick and Thin Air) and husband Tom as the stopped in Birmingham on their way through B"ham.  Janey loves Paris too and we met through this blog.  We had a great time sharing travel stories but of course it wasn't long enough. I hope they will make this a regular stop from now on and we can continue....

Monday, November 19, 2012

Automne à Paris


 Here in Alabama, we call this Virginia Creeper. I would love to know what the French version is called.  In Paris,  it is glorious in the fall when the leaves turn , but I love it in the winter as well,  when only the vines are left, winding their way up the walls.