Pétanque - Les Spectateurs

It is really no secret that photographing the pétanque players in Luxembourg Gardens last summer was one of my favorite pastimes, but I found the specateurs just as interesting! This next trip, I plan to go right back, pull up a chair and hopefully make some new friends !

Green With Envy - Les Jardins des Tuileries

I fell in love with les Jardins des Tuileries in March, 2007. Melissa, Eva and I strolled the gardens and although it was cold and gray, we voted it one of our most treasured Paris memories. November , 2008 found me right there again. I LOVE these green chairs found all over Paris. I can't wait to pull up one , prop my feet on the edge of a fountain and savor Paris!

Les Gros Diamants?

I've been fortunate to do two night shoots at the Louvre. In the evening it's a magical place to be. The pyramids sparkle like giant diamonds! I think I might have shot this at the same time as the photograph below.

Lamplight

As night falls on le Louvre, these beautiful lamps light the way.

La Silhouette

Hmmmm, this gentleman looks very familiar.

Johnny Hallyday - the French Elvis??

I'm just going to be honest. I think the fact that Johnny Hallyday was and still is the darling of the French is absolutely hysterical. He just seems so very Las Vegas/Tom Jones but he is loved all over France. But the man is older than I am , you've got to hand it to him!

Well today I include two clips for your pleasure. The first is from 1962 and Johnny is singing "Let's Twist Again" in French. I love this one! The second is from 2007 and a much older and more "seasoned" Johnny sings " Derriere L'amour.

Counting Euros, Counting My Blessings

Oh I'm truly blessed with wonderful blog friends. Today I'm counting the Euros left from my last trip in January, but much, much more. I'm also counting my blessings. A dear blog reader has been generous enough to share a roundtrip ticket to Paris that he won and could not use. I am forever grateful. Because of this wonderful gift, I will be off to Paris en juin!!! Of course I plan to take you all with me , virtually!

Mon amie Mary advised me to NEVER turn in my Euros when I come home. She said, "Save them, they will be your little gift when you return to Paris again." Indeed. I found these in a coin purse, and some nice bills as well. Je vous remercie mes chers amis!

Un Bon Déjeuner!

Last summer, Mary, Peter and I enjoyed a lovely lunch at Aux Marches du Palais near the Palais de Tokyo. ( A quick shot from our table. The composition could use some work!)

Merci to Travel Insurance.org for featuring this blog as one of

51 Fantastic European Travel Blogs!

Through The Looking Glass

Our apartment last summer.

Paris Rouge XXVII- Rouge ou Blanc?

Well this pretty much says it all. The start of a good meal, shared with my friend Mary, yesterday's birthday girl!

Mad About Paris

Joyeux anniversaire mon amie Mary. She and I have been friends since we met on Virtual Tourist ( she was Mad About Paris and I was Paris Mumsie!) three years ago. We share a love of Paris and all things French and so much more. So far we've been together in Paris twice and we're planning another in the very near future. This photo was taken from the apartment window last summer. Mary was looking for a rainbow over the Val de Grace. Here's to many more rainbows in Paris mon chère amie!
xx

Virg

Merci to my dear blog reader and fellow Francophile, Genie who sent this along for you first timers to Paris. Some greta tips!! 10 Things NOT To Do In Paris

Just Playing in the Dirt - Palais Royal

I've told you how delightful it is to find photos from trips gone by that were "hidden" and I've

just discovered. Today I have three for you. Last summer we met our dear Birmingham friends, the Wilsons at the Palais Royal late one afternoon. Eva and Davis had great fun digging around in that white powdery Paris dirt!

Annick Goutal - Dreaming......

of a bottle of her divine violette parfum or eau de toilette or........something! Last summer Mary G. ( that's her going in the door ) and I ducked in for a little look around. I spritzed myself to a fair the well with the violette. Mary has another favorite. One day maybe we'll just waltz in there and throw down a lot of euros and buy till our heart's delight. .....or well.. maybe we'll just slip in for more free samples.

Annick Goutal Paris

Sunday Afternoon on Rue Mouffetard

A familiar scene on rue Mouffetard. Sundays after the singing and dancing has concluded everyone makes their way up the street and they gather in small cafes to have coffee or wine and enjoy the day. I can hardly wait to relish this experience once again.

le Monde

Last summer we wandered around an antiques fair at Saint Sulpice. This gentleman had just taken a seat outside of a booth selling old books and newspapers. He was reading what could have been a vintage or current le Monde. I love how men in Paris don a jacket for no reason at all. A little extra effort that I appreciate. I guess I've seen about as many tee shirts and baseball caps as I care to!

I Love Paris When It Drizzles

A rainy day in the 5eme. I think that may be mon amie Mary's parapluie! Sweet memories.

Today Frank Sinatra will sing "I Love Paris" pour vous and be sure and watch the video, some very nice images!

A Little Intimidating

Last summer while trying to get to the Musée Rodin, we got caught up in a rowdy little Paris demonstration. Quelle surprise! You can't be there long without seeing or hearing one. The gendarmerie were out in full force, and I think just their presence kept things orderly. I turned around and snapped this young boy scurrying past them as fast as he could. I know just how he felt!

Table Pour Deux - le Mouffetard

I love this little place. We passed it twice a day or more when we stayed up the street last summer. Not a lot of room for more than two to share a glass of wine or coffee street side but from this spot, you can sit and see all the delightful activity on rue Mouffetard. Note the lovely detail work across the top and on the columns.

An Afternoon Along the Seine

This next trip I'm going to really try and do less sightseeing and find more time to just sit and relax and just BE in Paris. This looks like a good place to start. An afternoon just enjoying a glass of wine, maybe a baguette et fromage along the banks of the Seine. Who knows, maybe I'll meet some nice new friends here.

100 French Strangers - Grand Mère et Petite Enfant

French Strangers #62-63

My 100 Strangers has been featured in B-Metro, a Birmingham magazine, and they were kind enough to mix in my dear French strangers as well. I really can't express how much I've loved capturing the many delightful and interesting strangers I've met in France. Today I have two more for you. I am anticipating my return to Paris to try and find the rest!

I found this photograph in my archives and burst into smiles all over again. I walked up on this delightful grand-mère et sa petite-fille in Luxembourg Gardens last summer. What a find!!

Montmartre - Les Nombreuses Étapes

Montmartre is all about steps. The hellish steps up from the Métro for starters. Then more steps to the Sacre Coeur. And then if you are really energetic or cave to peer pressure, a zillion ( give or take a few hundred) beautiful old worn stone steps to the dome of the Sacre Coeur with its spectacular view of Paris. Pour moi, j'adore les étapes de descendre!

Les Macarons de Californie

Today we leave Paris for just one day. We'll travel west from Paris to Brentwood, California. Last week while staying with my dear blog reader Judy, she thought of every single thing I might like to drink or eat. We paid a visit to Europane in Pasadena for a nice selection of macarons. I'll bet you're wondering if they were up to "Paris standards"...........OUI! They were delicieux. I had several, and I highly recommend them. I took this "food shot" poolside on Judy's gorgeous deck overlooking a canyon. Tellement la Californie!

L'escalier

I wish I knew where I took this last January. I believe I just stuck my camera up against a window. It's typical of most apartment entrances, but maybe larger than most, but every bit as charming.

It's Seven O'clock Somewhere... But Not in Paris

I first thought a sundial, but I can't imagine how that would work. Perhaps someone will enlighten us all.

Paris Rouge XXVI- Bar Américain ?

Publish PostCall me silly, but when in Paris, the last place I want to go is a "bar américain"! I've not been to Mondrian, but maybe I'll have a look on my next trip. I'll let you know just how "américain" it really is! Regardless, I really like their black awning and red umbrellas! :)

Through the Window

I've shared many photographs from the lovely Musée Carnavalet in the Marais. Just one more...um deux ?

Fenêtre du Jardin

There is a special little park, le Square Georges Cain on rue de Payenne, where I've found the most wonderful subjects to photograph. I've previously posted them here and here. Today what I think is reminiscent of a rose window in a church.

The Perfect Spot

Really, what could be a better place to sit and perhaps have a sip of wine in Paris? Relaxing by the fountain at les Jardins des Tuileries with a view of le Louvre...parfait!

My 100 Strangers Challenge is featured in this month's issue of B-Metro Magazine. Take a look here!

Table Pour Dix

...plus the pigeon.

Paris Rouge XXV - French Card Sharks?

I'm not card savvy, so I don't know what they are playing. I did appreciate the fact that these gentlemen, at Luxembourg Gardens, were kind enough to allow me to photograph their game. I've featured another photograph, here.

St. Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus

Today is Theme Day for the City Daily Photo bloggers around the world. The theme this month is STATUES. I thought I'd join in on this blog and feature one of my favorite statues in all of the churches I've visited in France.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Notre Dame de Lorette church is undergoing some much needed restoration as you can see by the wall behind this lovely statue of Saint Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus, the patron saint of missions. Pope Pius XI considered her the "star of his pontificate". She died at the age of 24 and is thought to be one of the greatest saints of the 20th century. I love the simplicity of this beautiful piece of sculpture.