Écoute clandestine

Mary and I were having a delightful time in a small park in Butte aux Cailles , getting to know a mom and her son,  when I spotted these gentlemen having a nice time visiting with each other on this sunny day in Paris. These are the photographs that I really love capturing.

Pourquoi?

have I never grabbed my friends (ou peut-être mes amis grabbed moi)  and marched into Café Marly and enjoyed a nice drink while watching the sunset on la Pyramide???  Je ne sais pas. Je suis triste.

Paris Rouge - Evening on rue Arbalète

Since I was behind her ( on rue Mouffetard) I was able to focus on the shop up the way, without disturbing Madame and her friend at Café Mouffetard.

French Kudzu

My southern readers understand perfectly.  Kudzu is an invasive vine that would have covered the entire southeastern U.S. by now if we weren't vigilant and the fact that is dies back in cold weather.  This vine, which climbs all over  the walls in Paris reminds me of it, although it's a lot more esthetically pleasing, even in winter.

Today I FINALLY remembered to link to James' Weekend Reflections.  Click here to see all the entries.

Samedi signes - Bon conseil

Translation:  15 minutes in the hand, 150 years in nature!

I'd like to see more of these banners in the U.S!  From my experience there, France is much more committed to recycling.  Maybe one day it will be a priority here.

Pas de photographies - Colette

Colette, a very trendy shop, was close to our apartment.  Mary and I stopped in so that I could catch a few photos. "Non  Madame!"   Well,  les toilettes was very funky and fun,  so Mary and I snapped a few when no one was watching!

Il Fait Froid!

Admittedly, after we left Paris the temps dropped dramatically, but even so, it was pretty chilly while we were there. Most cafés/ bistros have outdoor heaters and many drop thick plastic curtains to keep their patrons warm and happy.  This little café offered something I don't think I've ever seen in Paris, lap robes.  The blue is a nice compliment to the red/white chairs bien sûr.   Vive la France!

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!

Charmant !

This might be my candidate for Favorite Fenêtre Française from my last trip.   As we walked to Le Reminet on rue Grands Degrés,  this caught my eye.  Even on a cold January day, it had that certain je ne sais quoi!

P'tit Déj Avec Moi??

A charming little café on rue de la Butte aux Cailles.

100 French Strangers #78 - Josué

#78

It's been a while since I posted one of my *French Strangers.  This last trip in January I found several.  Today the friendly cook at L'Oisive Thé et Tricot in the Butte aux Cailles neighborhood.  He makes some delicous meals in that tiny little kitchen!  I first heard about this delightful tea and knit shop from another Paris blog.  I contacted Aimée, the charming owner via Facebook and told her to expect us in January.  Mary and I had a delightful cup of tea there while I popped up and down taking photos the whole time.  Not to worry, you'll meet Aimée and we'll have a longer look around the shop soon.

* For you newcomers to my blog, the 100 Strangers Challenge originated on Flickr. Its purpose to challenge photographers to become more at ease approaching a stranger and asking to take their picture. I started on my B'ham blog and reached 100 long ago. I've had such fun meeting strangers in France, I took up the challenge there.  I have found the French to be as warm and willing to have their photographs taken as those right here in my hometown.

Samedi Signes - Bon!

By now you know how I love to visit Merci , every trip I make to Paris.  What many don't know about this store is that profits go back to a children's charity in Madagascar, hence the name.  One of my favorite spots is the downstairs area where you can find all kinds of hip household and garden items. There's also a neat little café overlooking their courtyard garden.  This trip, they'd used some of their terrific metal letters for the wall.  How apropos!

And on that note, may I wish you all al BON weekend!
V

Le Cimetière des chiens d'Asnières-sur-Seine II - Tipsy's Secret

Tipsy

Yesterday was the first of many photos from le Cimetière de chiens.  Terry, one of my thoughtful readers,  left a comment with this link from *le Figaro .   Apparently dear sweet Tipsy was buried with a diamond encrusted collar worth 9,000 euros and his/her neck and the grave was robbed recently!   The name Tipsy ran a bell and as luck would have it......I had taken a photograph when we visited in January.  I share it with you today. 

*For an English version of the crime click here

Mary, Marie and Richard decided that the directions to the cemetery posted on the internet were not the quickest, so I give you Mary's directions here. It's a delightful, short walk through this charming little town. I highly recommend!

"Take the line 13 (direction Asniéres-Gennevillers) to the Gabriel Péri stop.  Take rue des Bas east toward the river - turn right on rue Renan to left on bvd Voltaire...follow to the entrance to the cemetery."

Le Cimetière des chiens d'Asnières-sur-Seine

I've kept you waiting long enough for this very special resting place in Paris. Actually it's located in the suburb of Asnières-sur-Seine, but well worth the Metro ride and nice walk through the area.  Built in 1899,  making it most likely the oldest pet cemetery in the world.  In addition to dogs, you will find the graves of cats, a monkey and a horse as well as other assorted dearly departed pets.

This day my friend Mary Gilbert, Marie Z. Johnston ( and her cute pooch who thankfully did not seem disturbed to be visiting doggy graves) and Richard Nahem joined us for the trek.  The first visit here for all of us!  It was a crisp sunny day and we spent probably an hour or more,  pouring over the simple and the elaborate gravesites, some with the most heart wrenching tributes.  Today one special little mausoleum for the family's chats, Mimi et Plume.  I will have many more photos to share with  you later.

Sea Bird

The fountains in the gardens of Paris are usually full of brightly colored sailboats, pushed to sea by children with their sticks I've shown here.  In January,  no sailboats were to be found at the Jardin du Luxembourg this chilly but sunny Sunday afternoon.  A few children brought their own remote operated speed boats however.  This petite jeune fille was in control and the others watched intently!

Paris, le ville de l'amour!

This is one of my favorite photographs, and I love sharing it with you today. 

                         Gros bisous, 

                         V

L'alphabet en français...

One of my favorite stores in Paris.  Merci in the Marais, has an extensive collection of colorful letters made from metal, wood, whatever suits you.  I'm always anxious to see another creative way they have used them on the big wall.

Sunday Church Series - Basilica Saint Denis

Located about 5.8 miles north of Paris, the Basilica Saint Denis is noted for it's Gothic architecture and as the final resting place for most of France's kings, queens and their families from the 10-18th centuries.  As we entered the church that afternoon I stopped in awe as the sun streaming through the beautiful stained glass windows created the most amazing rainbow of colors on the walls.

Our friend Owen and his delightful wife Anne joined us that day.  He has a marvelous post with such wonderful images today at his Magic Lantern Show blog. Please drop over and see them.

Samedi Signes - M is for Métro

I love these yellow Métro signs.  This one seemed so cheery this bright sunny day.

Les Halles Métro 

Late Night Seating

or early morning. Some 24/7.  In Paris, there's always a table waiting.  

Un banc de trois

Yet another reason I love photographing every inch of Paris when I visit.  What are the chances you could walk up on a scene like this ???  At first we thought perhaps this chat had come with the lady but shortly after she tried to shoo him away.  Sunday at Luxembourg Gardens never fails to delight me.

Merci le Nouveau Paris for selecting this blog among your best Paris blogs. I'm honored to be in such good company. 

Mercredi at the Palais Royal II

Back in November 2008, I took a walk to the * Palais Royal and found this delightful scene.  School's out in Paris on Wednesdays so the children take advantage of some much needed free time.  I can't imagine how wonderful it must be to take a ball and go to the Palais Royal for a quick soccer game with friends!  As Peter and I left our green chairs by the fountain,  I spotted yet another group of fun loving boys. I think the boy on the left could be one that I photographed 3 years ago. Maybe, but still nice to see this group having such fun in such an historic place.

* For you that are very familiar with the Palais Royal, you might have spotted the temporary walls around the Pol Bury fountains.  More on that later!

Deux Vélos

I'm drawn to bicycles in Paris.  These were tied up near Shakespeare & Company.

Serendipity

What are the chances that it would snow in Paris over the weekend AND that Belle Inspiration Magazine would publish a group of my Paris in the Snow photos at the same time?  To celebrate, I decided to share one of the photographs they featured, the courtyard of The American Cathedral in Paris during a delightful snowfall in January 2010.  If you want to see some nice photographs from this weekend's snow, slide on over to Peter's Paris and have a look at his!

Merci to Belle Inspiration's editor Mimi Bleu for sending along this peek at my photos!

Cimetière de Saint-Denis

Last month, Genie, Holly, Peter and I joined  Owen ( Magic Lantern Show) and his delightful wife Anne, for a day touring  Basilique Saint-Denis.  Owen is a lover of French cemeteries, so after we toured the church, he took us a few short blocks to the municipal cemetery.  It was late and we only had about 15 minutes to get our photos, but we took advantage of the opportunity until the guard shooed us away.  We adjourned to a local café for coffee, tea and chocolat chaud. The perfect ending to a lovely day.

Samedi Signes - Tribute

This banner hangs over the doorway at *Shakespeare & Co. as a tribute to founder George Whitman who died on Decemeber 14, 2011 at the age of 98.  He established the bookstore in 1951 and lived in a small apartment over the shop till his death.  George was quite a character. I love the photograph they chose here.

* The shop's website has a lovely tribute that you might want to see.

Shakespeare and Company

37 rue de la Bûcherie

C'est Irrésistible!

Little boys and water.  These handy green fountains, found in all of the parks in Paris are a kid magnet.  This petit garçon was spotted at the Palais Royal bien sûr ! 

Tools of the Trade

                                    Ustensiles de cuisine et matériel cuisson professionel

I love poking around this wonderful store.  If they don't stock it, you probably don't need it in your kitchen!  The salesmen are a delight as well. More on them another day.

E. Dellherin

Depuis 1820

18 and 20, rue Coquillière - 51, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau 

75001 Paris


LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE A WINNER!
Congratulations to Pamela who hosts the dreamy blog, French Buttons.  She will receive Annie Poon's delightful print of Café Nemours!

Le Verre a Pied II

Back to one of the places I have visited many, many times. It's on rue Mouffetard, and I shared some prints of photos I'd taken with the owner on my last visit. I have fond memories of a few years ago when I had breakfast there and realized I'd left my euros in my room up the street. With my poor French, he understood and let me bring the payment back. I have never forgotten his kindness.  It was nice to reconnect with him.

To repay his kindness, I had a nice lunch there that same day.

I have another reason for featuring Café Nemours today.  Recently I found some delightful black and white drawings of Paris on Etsy.  Artist Annie Poon's Nemours scene caught my eye and I purchased it.  Annie was kind enough to include an extra 8x10 print for a GIVEAWAY!  Thank you Annie for your generosity.  Now all you have to do is leave a comment if you want to enter. I'll draw a lucky winner on Thursday so come back then to see if  your name was drawn!