Virtually Delicieux!

Mes chers amis, pardon, pardon, pardon!!!!! for the sleeper (yawn.....) post yesterday. Today I try and make up for it by posting one of the most delightfully frou-frou shops in Paris, Ladurée, the mecca of macarons of course! Regretfully ( I cannot begin to describe how regretfully ) when we stopped by here last August, the shop was closed. Do you see my nose prints on the window?? Oh wait, maybe those are the adorable chien prints that they used for their newest fab packaging and displays!! I am showing you everything including the parfum, soaps and candles I spotted inside the shop. I must go back and see it all on my next visit. For now, just close your eyes and imagine one of those scrumptious macarons melting in your mouth!! Shell Sherree? Darlin' I hope you enjoy this post today!

Restoring

While visiting Saint Germain des Prés last summer I happened upon this young woman
hard at work. Carefully removing years and years of soot and grime from this wall engraved with names. A delicate and time consuming work.

Our friend Chuckeroon at Richmond Upon Thames might know more about what she is doing and using for her work

The Music Man

French Stranger #47

My daughter Melissa just came back from a two week stay in Paris. She joined Richard Nahem for one of his Eye Prefer Paris tours and made another visit to the Marais district of Paris. One of her favorite stops was this musical instrument shop. When she described it , I knew just who she was talking about. I visited this lovely man and his shop last November. I thought I had previously posted a photo, but I'm unable to locate it in a search so hopefully it is new to you as well! When we walked in, he was

waxing this beautiful music box that he had just acquired. What a dear he was and before we left, he even played a waltz for us! His shop was a treasure trove of every kind of instrument you could imagine. He even allowed me access to his workshop in the back! Today a few photos for you. As a note, I did not find him this past summer. I had no idea where in the Marais he was located. Melissa says it's near Place des Vosges.

Night Falls on the Palais Royal

You must all know by now that that the Palais Royal is one of my favorite places in Paris. For me, it's a photographer's dream.

Rendre Grâce

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. It's a time when we gather friends and family and give thanks for all our blessings. I know it's not a holiday in France, but this is my blog, and I have a lot to be thankful for here as well. I've spent the most WONDERFUL times here with family and dear friends. How on earth did a girl (?) from Alabama get this lucky? Merci mille fois mes amis. Je reviendrai.........soon! :)

Paris Rouge X

Photographer's Luck??

When I started this Paris/French Rouge series I never dreamed I would be posting #10. And oui, I have more!

la Cité de l'Architecture et du Partrimone

la Lampe Rouge

Antiques Faire - St. Sulpice

Les Bouquinistes

I struck out on street portraits here!

Stroll along the banks of the Seine and you will find the famous Paris bouquinistes. They offer an amazing selection of vintage books, magazines, prints, posters, records and of course, the usual tourist fare from their tin roofed green boxes. Unlike the obnoxious souvenir sellers around the Eiffel Tower and the Sacre Coeur, these vendors have a very French, "take it or leave it " attitude! I LOVE that attitude. Let me look, and I'll let you know if I want to buy! Plan to spend some time here, but don't be disappointed if you come away without any street portraits. The booksellers tend to be a bit camera shy.

Musée Carnavalet Redux

Last November I visited the Musée Carnavalet and took many photos that I've previously posted. My faithful reader Harriet ( who I believe loves Paris as much as I do!) has asked for more, and I have two for her today. When I visited last July, it was Bastille Day and I was unable to go inside. I took these from and through the gorgeous gates outside. Harriet, pour toi mon amie!

Notre Dame de Paris

This Sunday I've selected two photographs of Cathédrale Notre Dame taken in March, 2007. I realize that these two shots are not exactly the most original , but I've not been inside since that time. Both were taken with the trusty Nikon Cool Pix camera I was using at the time. I think this rose window is one of the most beautiful I've seen anywhere. I like the bottom photograph as it illustrates the difference between the number of tourists in March and in June! Perhaps if you've been fortunate enough to visit Notre Dame this will bring back some nice memories.

Un, Deux, Trois Touristes

How cute are these little ladies?!! They were sitting in front of my friend Mary and me one afternoon as we enjoyed a sip at a local café across from Saint Sulpice. They were pouring over their map and planning their next sight. When I realized that all three were wearing their handbags just the same way, I chuckledand whipped out my camera.

Automne dans le Marais

These photographs were taken almost exactly a year ago in le Marais district of Paris. I just love the colors of this "Virginia creeper" and the fallen leaves almost as much as I loved walking the streets and photographing this old and lovely part of Paris.

Le Petit Palais

Last November about this time my friends Karen, Peter and Alice joined me for a wonderful photography exhibit at le Petit Palais. Directly across from Le Grand Palais ( which I have not visited...yet), it is just a marvelous setting for their permanent collection of paintings, sculpture, and the temporary photographic exhibit that we so enjoyed. Outside is a beautiful courtyard and a small café where you can dine while enjoying the view. This week Laurent featured a very nice photograph of this, and it reminded me that I hadn't shared mine with you. I'll admit this is not the best view but c'est la vie!!!

Alright..... time for some shameless self promotion. Have you considered the new Paris Through Your Lens Calendar for your nearest and dearest amis this holiday season??? Look to your right on the sidebar for the big square that says: LA BOUTIQUE! Merci!

Another Look

Last Wednesday I posted a photograph of *Au Vieux Paris d'Arcole near Notre Dame. One nice reader, Stephanie, supplied us with a link here. Yesterday Jackie, of Jacran Cottage blog, posted her own photograph of this 500 year old building as well. When asked where it was located I added that if you turned to your left, you would see Notre Dame looming a block away. So today, that very view along with a different shot of this most charming restaurant.

* Would one of my dear French readers translate pour moi? I tried Babelfish and it made no sense. Quelle surprise!!!

Tight Fit

In Paris, everything's a tight fit, whether it's parking spaces, flats, hotel rooms, the famous toilettes, and especially the cafés and restaurants. Dining or even having a verre de vin can be an intimate experience with those seated beside you. Elbow to elbow is the norm, not the exception! Today's photo is a good example of how they manage to squeeze in a table pour trois into the smallest of spaces. Tucked inside this doorway in the Marais, a perfect spot to enjoy some people watching while you dine.

Afternoon Walk

Joigny, France

July 2009

Today I join Aileni's Monochrome Weekly group of exceptionally talented photographers.

Click here to see their work as well.

Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés

This Sunday another peek inside one of Paris' oldest churches, St. -Germain- des -Pres. We've visited several times but it's worth another look I think.

Ooh La La......Paris Rouge IX

Spotted at a brocante in the French countryside

Oh I know what you're thinking.... those Parisians are trés naughty. Well not exactly. These were both snapped in sleepy little towns in the French countryside! My Francophile amie StyleSpy will like these terrific pumps today I think. And about the bottom photo....well they're rouge. Vive la France!!!

Street Market in Bray -sur- Seine, FR

( Don't even ask if I bought any of these! )

Les Joueurs de Carte - The Card Players

Card playing is serious business at Luxembourg Gardens.

Deal 'em!

Remembrance Day

I do apologize that I did not realize that in France, this day was set aside for remembrance of fallen soldiers as in our country. This past summer I found this beautiful gravesite at Cemetiére Montparnasse .

Paris Rouge VIII

Hotel de Ville, Paris

( Paris City Hall)

Thought I'd run out didn't you? Mais non.

A café less than a block from Notre Dame and the Hotel de Ville

I must go back when it's open. I had so much fun photographing this charming place. The wisteria vine was just amazing. I might sneak in another photo from here before I stop!

Les Chapeaux II - The Street Market

More chapeaux, this time in the town of Bray sur Seine. The street market there is just delightful. There were hats to be bought. Have a look.

Lisa tries one one for size!

Les Beaux Enfants

Petit French Stranger # 46

Today two very sweet portraits. I actually chatted with le garçon and his grandpa on the streets of Paris. His grandpa was feeding him bites from a cup of glace, so he was a happy boy. La petite fille, was snapped from a distance at the Bois de Boulogne. Don't you love her little smocked dress and very French kerchief?

The American Cathedral in Paris

Flags of the States

This Sunday we visit the beautiful American Cathedral in Paris. It was consecrated in 1886 to coincide with the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in New York City. This Episcopal church welcomes English speakers from around the world. Their permanent parishioners number approximately 400. It increases with tourists, students and business people living in France for a short time. I had planned to attend a service here when I went back to Paris in July. An unplanned trek back to Charles de Gaulle Airport to retrieve my lost luggage prevented it. Fortunately, Peter and I were able to visit later that week. You might want to check his blog for additional photos and much more information as always!

Napoléon I

We have previously visited Malmaison here. The former manor home of Josephine and Napoléon, it contains sculpture and an abundance of portraits of them both. Today this bust of Napoléon I that I thought was far too beautiful to have been displayed in the back stairwell. For more information about Malmaison, click here.

UPDATE: I'm adding this link, which has a great number of photographs along with information about the "loving" couple. I'm still researching the name Malmaison.

Merci to Paula for this link explaining the meaning of Malmaison. My, we've all had a little history lesson today. Very interesting. Be sure to read all the comments, more there as well.

Mon Jour de Chance!

Many of you may remember that my talented artist friend Shellsherree, down under in Brisbane, recently used one of my Paris photos to produce a wonderful watercolor illustration, which she posted on her terrific blog. Well, I opened my mailbox a few days ago and voilà! Imagine my delight as I tore away the tissue and pink ribbons and found my very own Shellsherree original in my hands! I plan to frame it and hang it over my dressing table , so I can enjoy it each and every day when I splash myself with my violette eau de toilette. My friend KB recently called me a "girlie girl", I've been called worse.

Merci, merci my dear Shell,

xx

V

PS Ohhhhh, you want your own SS original you say? Well go right here to her Etsy Store! See how easy? Now we can all have one......or two...............!

Automne á Paris ou á Birmingham?

This is a first on both of my blogs. Today I feature photographs from Paris and my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. I appreciate the similarities between the two places I love the most. Want to guess? Is it Euro Birmingham or Southern Paris???

I'm Late!

Le Marais

I was across the street, setting up a shot of those beautiful doors and then life happened. Much more interesting than just a doorway I think.

Row , Row, Row

Another take on the rowboats at the Bois de Boulogne.

I'm joining the terrific photographers at Ailenis's Monochrome Weekly again this week. Please visit and see their fabulous work!

Oh my! My dear amie Shellsheree has done it again. She's used yet another one of my photographs for a delightful Shellsherree watercolor. This time it's macarons. Oh I love them so, and I love her artwork just as much. Merci my dear friend for this honor.

Musée d'Orsay, Les Sculptures

As a rule I shy away from photographing great works of art. I feel that they should be viewed in person and certainly my photographs could never do them justice. I've made an exception today, but perhaps I shouldn't have. I'm not sure. That said, here I am posting two pieces from the Musée d'Orsay. I liked the sculpture against the architectural details of this former railway station turned fabulous museum. At least I didn't have someone take my photo standing in front of them!