Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Bises Pour Madame


This cold Sunday afternoon,  as we walked to the entrance of Luxembourg Gardens, these two policemen approached the two ladies who were selling roasted chestnuts on the sidewalk.  My first thought was that they were going to ask them to leave.  Not at all.  First came the lyrical "Bonjour Madame!", then smiles and bises all around.  Only in Paris!

24 comments:

Alain said...

Une chanson française dit :
"Les agents,
sont de braves gens
qui se promènent..."

A French song says:
' Policemen,
nice people are
which go for a walk... '

Nicola said...

What a wonderful shot and so French! You captured the moment perfectly.

Unknown said...

How lovely...and brilliantly captured...I like the smiling policeman ;)
Catherine
xx

Joe said...

How charming. Looks its from an old movie. Where is Carey Grant when you need him.

Leif Hagen said...

V de B - did they give you a French kiss, too?!
Bien sur charmant!

The Clever Pup said...

It's a timeless photo. I would have said circa 1940. It looks like Colette kissing a gendarme.

Daryl said...

I love love love that he is looking right at you!

Harriet said...

I love the way the gendarme's entire visage is smiling at you!

Jewel Yet to Find said...

Only in Paris indeed! Oh, those smile! Love the shot.

Pamela said...

I love his smile and hat!!! Great photo!!

Malyss said...

Always good to be friend with the maréchaussée!

TheChieftess said...

Sweet shot! Love the Gendarme's wink!!!

Alexa said...

Oh la la, this is a fabulous shot! Le jeune flic on the right looks mighty pleased to have you capture this oh so Parisian scene.

Elizabeth at Eiffel Tells said...

You have captured the moment beautifully. Love the expression on the face of the policeman in the foreground.
Warm regards

la fourchette said...

Oh I *love* the sly look on the face of that gendarme on the right!! This is a great - and very fun - shot.

Anonymous said...

Lord, how did you get that exact right moment? Including the impish grin on Monsieur #2.

It must be, if I can quote the new WV, utinv nielpsen.

Virginia said...

Alain, I'd love to hear you sing this one!:)

Hiker,
I waited of course. Then got very lucky. An UTINV NIEIPSEN is exactly what did it.

And for the record I've tried to photograph the Paris police before and they turned their backs and did not want to allow phtographs. Maybe having Luxembourg Garden duty makes them very happy and agreeable. I think so.

PeterParis said...

A fantastic shot!!!

You are right, normally you are not supposed to take photos of policemen (or -women) "en face", when on duty. (Don't ask me why.) The "képis" these guys are wearing show however that they are not belonging to the "Police Nationale", but rather to the "Gendarmerie", (part of the army) or possibly to the "Garde Républicaine". That should not make much of a difference, they are all "the police". I guess you were just lucky to meet some real nice and friendly guys. (I wouldn't say that policemen in general are not nice people.) :-)

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I think they were after her 'chestnuts' Virginia!!

Auberge chez Richard said...

Wonderful pic. Un petit verre de blanc pour tout le monde!

French Basketeer.com said...

Love this!

Anonymous said...

what a perfect Paris moment.

Cezar and Léia said...

Ha, this can be only in Paris for sure! Very well timed for the capture!
God bless you!
Cezar

Aidan said...

Virginia,
I can't tell you how much I enjoy scrolling through your photographs. They make me happy. I love this one, especially the look on the police who isn't in the act of greeting Madame. He loved being the subject of your lens.
Bisous,
Aidan