Je Suis en Voyeur

Palais Royal, late one evening.

The View

You all know how I feel about la Tour Eiffel. But when she was built, the French weren't all that enamored with her. Today, a few comments from some of the more disgruntled bystanders, published in 1887.

" this truly tragic street lamp"

"this belfry skeleton"

"this high and skinny pyramid of iron ladders...which just peters out into a ridiculous thin shape like a factory chimney"

"a carcass waiting to be fleshed out with freestone or brick, a funnel-shaped grill, a hole riddled suppository"

Designed by Gustav Eiffel for the entrance for the Universal Exposition of 1889, the contest rules stated that the structures must be designed so that they could easily be deconstructed. Eiffel's contract called for the removal by 1909. Luckily by then it was being used as an important radio communications tower and was allowed to stay!

If you are interested in learning more about Eiffel's Tower, may I recommend Jill Jonnes' book by that name. I had the pleasure of hearing her speak last summer in Paris here.

For this next week, I'll be with fellow bloggers and blog readers, so I won't be able to visit as much I usually do. I hope you'll understand. I promise to treat you to photos of the festivities as soon as possible, and I'll try and check on your comments often! This is a little hint.

100 French Strangers - The Friendly Waiter

 

French Stranger #62

Last July, I enjoyed a lovely lunch right here and this nice gentleman took very good care of me.

Through the Kitchen Window

In January, we were so fortunate to stay in a lovely flat that we rented from friends in Cincinnati. I loved this perfect Paris view from our kitchen window. Ahhh Paris!

This week I will be joining some very dear friends and bloggers. I will be checking in from time to time but won't be able to visit your blogs as often. I hope you will understand. Photos to follow!

Cimitière Père-Lachaise, Another Look

There is so much to photograph at the beautiful Cimitière Pére-Lachaise. This is one of my favorite photographs although I'm not sure what it is. It could of course be a mausoleum, but looks more like a small chapel. We must await Mary Gilbert's or another Paris expert's verdict on this one.

Today, I really couldn't decide between the color and the monochrome. Votre choix

Le Visage

Square George Cain on Rue Payenne in the Marais. I've posted several previous photos from this quiet corner of Paris.

Argent

I think in another life I must have lived in a lovely Paris apartment with all the argent the maids could keep polished. This table full at the Paris Flea Market was just begging me to indulge my Southern love of silver. Well I had to walk right on by without so much as a teaspoon or napkin ring. Mon ami Mark was horrified to hear that! Maybe I'll return next visit and find a little something while I'm there looking for that lace scarf !

Paris Rouge XXIV - Où Sont Les Touristes?

It was January. It had snowed recently. It was cold. It was damp and foggy at Place du Tertre. Not a good time to be trying to entice les touristes. This hearty artiste was one of a very few that braved the inclement weather that day.

Sunbathers on the Roof

le Louvre

The French version of "If you've got it, flaunt it!"

Don't tempt me to join them this summer!

Le Train Bleu

Monday, Starman asked if I had lunch or dinner here at le Train Bleu. I replied that I'd not dined but enjoyed a glass or two of champagne in this beautiful place last summer. I decided I'd post this photo to prove it! Located in the Gare de Lyon, it is over the top gorgeous. I highly recommend it.

While we have the champagne out, let's just drink a little birthday toast to our friend Peter! Joyeux anniversaire mon ami!

Tour de Livres

The Paris Flea Market is THE place to go for wonderful old books. When I had a second look at this photo, I laughed as I imagined this scenario: "Bonjour Monsieur, may I see the book that is third from the bottom, s'il vous plait?" What do you think my chances would have been?

The Faces of Paris

Today I'm featuring a piece of garden art on my Birmingham blog. It reminded me so much of the lovely faces I've found over windows and doorways in Paris. The top photo was taken just down the street from the Galerie des Gobelins. The photo below I found at the gorgeous Gare de Lyon.

Sweeping Up

Église Notre Dame de-Lorette - Church of Kept Women

In a Quiet Room

For me, part of the charm of the Musée de Rodin is its grand setting in the former Hôtel Biron. I love the old wood floors, antique chandeliers, aged mirrors and the beautiful shuttered windows with views of the gardens. I found this quiet spot on a cold and rainy afternoon in November, 2008.

Oh my goodness. My chère amie Shell Sherree has done it once again. She has taken this photo at Père Lachaise and turned it into this lovely work of art. I am so touched that she has chosen another of my photographs to illustrate in her own special way. My dear Shell, I have no words.

Non Madame!

This funky little shop in Montmartre intrigued me. The floor was a colorful mosaic and the walls were embellished with euros and all sorts of delights. Of course the camera had to come out. Shortly after these photos were taken the owner scolded me. I guess that N O on the wall is for NO Photos! Pardon Monsieur, but I got all the shots I wanted!

I had a nice surprise yesterday. Fellow blogger Anne In Oxfordshire, kindly featured one of my photos and had some very nice words about my blog. Merci dear Anne!

Afternoon Sun , the Palais Royal

I took this photograph late one afternoon at the Palais Royal. You can glimpse Musée du Louvre at the end of the street. This was just a few days before I had to say au revoir to Paris last July. Il était trés difficile. Scenes like this remind me of all the things I love in Paris. You understand, don't you!

Paris Rouge XXIII - arnaud Delmontel

If you've been to Paris, don't need me to describe the delicious aromas that greet you the minute you walk inside a patisserie! Aujourd'hui, arnaud Delmontel, Montmartre.

For my photography amis, I chose not to crop this one because I rather liked the way that gray, cold day made this almost a monochrome with just the shop in color. Paris en janvier! :)

For my fashion amies, an example of the "puffy Paris jackets" that I will NEVER , EVER wear!

Memories

November 2008, my dear friend Karen and I trekked off to Paris. Recently she sent me this photo taken during our visit to la Tour Eiffel. She captured me doing what I love to do! Merci mon amie for this photo that brought back some very nice memories of a special trip to the city j'adore!

Patiently Waiting

I spotted this gentleman ( a younger Paul Newman?) at the Musée Rodin last summer. He was waiting outside a special exhibit that we did not see. The photograph on the wall was enough!

Another Beautiful Sunset on the Seine

The exquisite Notre Dame de Paris at sunset. To be honest, when I found this photo, I got a bit teary eyed. Sometimes the beauty of Paris just overwhelms me. What more can I say.......

Morning Stretch

I thought we'd stay a while longer at the Centre Pompidou. This is a sight that I see all over Birmingham but rarely in Paris. I'm sure people run, but I'm not sure where. I've spotted a few runners in the Palais Royal Gardens but not so much anywhere else. Do Parisians care less about staying physically fit? Maybe they walk so much, they are too tired to run? Or perhaps they'd rather sit outside a café and sip wine instead ? Je ne sais pas.

I Heart Paris.....

Aujourd'hui, un hommage à la ville que j'adore et tous mes chers amis.

( You know who you are!)

le Petit Garçon

Back at Parc Monceau today. If this little fellow looks familiar, well he has been here before! I found yet another view of him and couldn't resist. I just love his little bucket hat, and he was having such fun that day. Another............Paris moment I won't forget.

The Gate

Parc Monceau, established in 1769, in the 8ème is a beautiful place, and one that I think gets overlooked by most visitors to Paris. The gates on both sides of the parc are stunning. Today a silhouette pour toi.

100 French Strangers - Glaces et Sorbets

French Stranger #61

This stand outside the entrance to Luxembourg Gardens was a "must stop" for Eva and Davis. This nice gentleman always had a smile for us. There were many delicious choices but of course we always asked for chocolat!

Napping in Paris

Maybe it's just me, but after nice long lunch in Paris it has just never occurred to me to find a patch of grass and stretch out for a nap. Of course one thing leads to another and you might end up like this. Both photos were snapped at the lovely Square René Viviani right across the Seine from Notre Dame. Well, perhaps when in Paris......... :)

A Trip Back to Saint Chapelle

Today, Easter Sunday, I thought I would share another photograph of one of the most beautiful churches in Paris, Saint Chapelle. The day we visited it was gray and overcast, yet just look at these beautiful stained glass windows. If you've never had the pleasure of visiting this special place, these amazing windows cover three of the walls. It is a MUST SEE in Paris. I hope to one day see it again on a gloriously sunny day.

Les Chapeaux Trés Chic

Tomorrow is Easter and so today I've featured a beautiful hat on my Birmingham blog that reminded me of this photo I took last summer in Paris. Marie Mercié looks like my kind of shop, and I would have walked across the street and ventured inside but it was closed. Next trip I'll do just that, don't you worry!

P.S. Marie Mercié's website is worth a look. Oh my!

Coiffure Madame??

I'm not sure I should share this whole story but this photograph, taken last January, brought it all back. Last summer in Paris, I momentarily took leave of my senses. I felt the need of a little trim, so I waltzed right in a salon near our apartment, and with the help of an English speaking client, made an appointment for a haircut later in the week. I shared my grand idea with my daughter Melissa and Peter. They both looked at me in disbelief. My daughter went on to question my sanity. It went something like, " Are you crazy? You're going to let someone cut your hair that speaks no English and you don't speak all that much French???" Peter was more diplomatic, as always. He just looked at my hair and said, " I don't think you need to cut it". In the end, I didn't go and regrettably didn't cancel as there was that damnable "language thing"! I still wonder what kind of wonderful coiffure I could have had. Maybe next time I'll throw caution to the wind! I'll keep you posted.

Field Trip - Paris Style

I can hardly imagine what it must be like to be a kid in Paris. Around here a class field trip may be an outing to the potato chip factory or the local zoo. But in Paris it might be a picnic on the Champs de Mars with la Tour Eiffel as a nice backdrop or a visit to the amazing la Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine!

Click here to see an adorable gaggle of kindergartners I captured at the Petit Palais in November, 2008.