le Métropolitan

Monceau 

Line 2

One of the 83 remaining original art nouveau Métro signs designed by Hector Guimard in 1900.  This one is at the entrance at Parc Monceau.

Le Massage de Dix Minutes

Sunday on rue Mouffetard is a must for me. Unfortunately the dancers had left by the time Mary and I arrived.  Not to worry, we found this great opportunity to have a quick, but very needed massage on the street for whatever we wanted to pay.  At that point, my back was screaming for help so I was willing to pay some euros!  Mary photographed while I enjoyed myself.

Paris From Above - A Breathtaking View

I have climbed the 6 bagillion steps to the dome of the Sacré-Coeur twice.  I'm glad I took so many photographs to prove it!  BTW, I googled my brains out trying to find out exactly how many steps from the basement to the dome. I think Peter counted them one by one the last trek, but he's away on vacances so we'll have to await  his return for that tidbit.  Meanwhile, enjoy the view that  most of you probably will never have!

L'horloger

I enjoyed watching this man do his work through the window of his shop.   The name of his business was written in English... Watch Time Is It?  Interesting.

Today I joined my friend Sandi's Traveling Tuesday on her great food blog Whistletstop Cooking. Have a look at the other entries here.

Bonjour Madame!!!!

Parisians on their balconies. Sometimes I can get a wave or a smile. Taken in 2008, it was just the beginning of my fascination ( addiction? ) with Parisian street photography and eventually my 100 French Strangers quest.  As I have spent more time there, I'm bolder and take more risks. J'aime le résultat.

Lapin Agile

Every tourist that has visited Montmartre has probably taken this shot.  Lapin Agile was built around 1855 and artist Andrew Gill painted the charming sign of the rabbit jumping out of the saucepan.  Today you can still enjoy French music in this quaint little cabaret.  I will admit that I've never gone in but after reading about it, I will surely go next visit.

Recently I had a nice comment from a new reader who goes by the name of "Lapin Agile". I had a  look at his blog and couldn't believe my good luck.  L'Auberge "Chez Richard" features terrific recipes that I might actually try, but you can also get a great French fix as well.  HOP on over to Richard's blog and tell I sent you!

Les Barques

Tethered on the  Bois de Boulogne's lovely little lake.

Paris Rouge LVIII - Nemo Was Here

Tagging and senseless graffiti makes my head spin, but I will admit that Nemo's stenciled street art often catches my eye.( Could it be his use of ROUGE?)  I loved this Marais café wall.

Le Parapluie Violet

If memory serves,  mon amie Mary's parapluie! An afternoon shower in Paris together.

Charmant n'est-ce pas??

Admittedly this charming little resto was not shot in the summer. Au contraire, in the dead of winter, janvier to be exact.  I think we could all do with some cooling off so here you have Au Clair de la Lune in Montmartre. I was nosing around waiting for Mary G. and Mary B.G. to finish shopping  and found this dear little place around the corner. I think I need to go back and try it out, et vous??

Bleu ou jaune???

Préférez-vous?

The French answer to duct tape? 

Citroën 2CV, merci Peter for this information.  I'm sure my post today will send Wayne in Vancouver over the moon!

Mon serveur préféré

Ma Bourgogne was a familiar spot for me last summer. When I was alone, I sought this place on Place des Vosges with waiters that recognized me and made me feel welcome.  This was my favorite waiter. He had many talents!

BTW, I have one of these very special Ma Bourgogne glasses thanks to my dear blog friend Alexa, who sent me one from her last visit to Paris.

* I posted this a tad early yesterday, excusez  moi!

Performance Enhancer

Vive le Heineken !

The Delightful Pétanque Players

I do believe that meeting and photographing strangers in Paris is my favorite pastime....among others!  It has almost become a game I play with myself, just seeing how many Parisians I can engage in a VERY brief conversation or sometimes just holding up my camera with a simple, "S'il vous plait???" (with a smile!)

Usually I photograph my pétanque players in the designated areas at the Jardin de Luxembourg, but this afternoon I found these delightful young people playing an impromptu game as the sun was setting at the Palais Royal . Come back tomorrow to see what they used to improve their game! :)

PS I think this is one of my favorite Paris portraits so far. I loved meeting them!

Tomb With a View

As resting places go, I think this might be primo real estate.  Cimetière de Passy .... of course.

Les fleurs et la réflexion

rue Claude Bernard

I just loved the buildings reflected in the shop window. Almost like a garden growing in front of them.

Merci to my friend Vicki Archer who shared this French artist on her blog, French Essence this week.

Amélie- des-crayons sings Le Linge de Nos Mères .

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Le Petit Jardin - Musée Carnavalet

Le Marais.  I wish I knew how the love affair began,  but it's not ended. I think I loved it from my first visit in 2007 when Melissa, Eva and I wandered all over in search of the Musée Picasso! After that, the photography tour in 2008, then........... well it reached fever pitch last June when I stayed there for over a week. It must be my favorite place in Paris, among many others of course.  It feels like home now.

Today, we go back to my much photographed Musée Carnavalet. Paris' history museum, is very special and although I don't always go in and tour the entire museum I always find some delightful finds, inside and out. This is a shot from a window taken in January '10. The colors of the walls, the garden... parfait.

Paris Rouge LVII - Fete Nationale!!!

Two years ago today, I was standing on a bridge in Paris with mon ami Peter watching la Tour Eiffel explode with this most glorious fireworks display. I've shared many images of that evening, but today the one that graces the back cover of Paris Rouge Through My Lens.  A treasured memory of what I think must be the most wonderful evening I've spent in Paris.

We have another raison de célebrer, our dear Genie at Paris and Beyond is celebrating her first blog birthday this very day.  I'm proud that I was present at the birthing last 14 juillet, and she and I have had such great fun blogging together this year. I think she's done a terrific job!! Joyeux anniversaire chère Genie!

Edith Piaf singing Le Marseillaise

Lolita this way

I just realized something while perusing my Paris photos. Many times I'm so intent on getting the front of a shop, the signage, the window that I don't even think to go inside! I'm sure this has saved me a great deal of money in the past.  Lolita ...I have no idea what was for sale there. I must go back.

The oh so élégante door sign was featured here.  I have made this image available on Red Bubble on the sidebar.

Don't Stand in Paris Traffic...

unless it's for a good shot....but hurry!

( I love this, I don't know why but it's just Paris for me and also a night shot that I don't get often)

Mary à Paris

Ma chère amie Mary and I met in 2007 when we found ourselves corresponding on Virtual Tourist. We have been dear friends and Paris travel buddies ever since. I found this photo from our last, but NOT OUR LAST, trip to Paris.. janvier 2011.  I love you Mar and here's to many more rendezvous à Paris!

Bises,

V

Éclatant

Cimitière de Passy  again.   I found so many special images in this place. I have more to share.

Le chic épouvantail

At le Jardin d'Acclimatation even the scarecrow has that je ne sais quoi!  If you or anyone you know is traveling to Paris with children, this should be at the top of your list.  Located in the Bois de Boulogne, it is a delightful place to spend the day. Plenty to see and do for children and adults.  We had a delightful day there.

Monsieur et son chien

This delightful gentleman posed for me, with his dear chien earlier this day and became French Stranger #8.  I snapped this as they left for home.

Temps Orageux

As is often the case when I visit Paris, the weather is..... well Paris! We love it when it drizzles, n'est-pas?

Aujourd'hui Françoise Hardy has just the perfect  chanson pour vous!

Ghosts in the Louvre?

If you find your way down to the lower level of the Louvre, you'll find this room where the sculpture restoration takes place. Eerie? Yes, but what a wonderful find!

Paris Bleu - La cour chachée

Buttes-aux-Cailles

La liberté éclairant le monde

Today as we in America celebrate Independence Day, I thought it would be fitting to share this photo of Lady Liberty ( la liberté éclairant le monde) as she stands in Luxembourg Gardens.  The first bronze model of the Statue of Liberty, given by the sculptor Bartholdi.  Another larger model stands on the Île aux Cygnes, near the Pont de Grenelle facing southwest towards New York Harbor.

As a little connection with the US and Paris today, may I recommend a new blog I found...

An American Mom in Paris.  This is one very funny lady!  Give her a visit.

Parked

Le Tour de France began yesterday in Passage du Gois.  Sadly this lovely old vélos won't be a contender.

Here's a First

I never thought it would happen, but I have finally stumped Peter, my go to guy

 for all things Paris.  Peter, JB, Owen, Mary and I struck off down this street last June and I think the flags must have some meaning. Of course I took no archive photos and when I enlisted Peter's help, he couldn't recall the street either. What I do remember is that it is near Place de la Bastille. Regardless, I thought the ROUGE and the flags made a festive shot, especially since we in the U.S. are waving our flags this holiday weekend!  

I'm pleased to announce the publication of my book, PARIS ROUGE THROUGH MY LENS, now available on BLURB. See the badge on the sidebar.

Le Pompidou au crépuscule

Taken from a café at the Stravinsky Fountain last January