One Last Look

If you look closely in the background, you can see the famous la Samaritaine, one of Paris' grand magasins before it closed in 2005 dues to safety issues.  It is now under complete renovation, to the tune of 450 million euros. I would have loved to see Paris from its rooftop café.  Let me hear from you, dear readers, if you were able to have the pleasure before it closed.

Marche avec moi

These two ladies, perhaps mother and daughter,  walked slowly through the Palais Royal gardens this chilly January afternoon.  They found two chairs around the fountain to rest, right next to ours.   I have another photo to share.

This is my selection for The World in Black and White today right here.

Vue des Tuileries

I know it's gloriously springtime in Paris now, but alas, so many of my trips have been in winter months so today I will share a view of the Louvre from Tuileries taken last January.  Although the well trimmed branches are bare, I do so love the reddish brown color!

Cirque d'hiver

Originally named Cirque Napoléon in 1852, this 20 sided building with its intricate bas relief work looks like an elaborately decorated cake!  Visit the website here for schedules and events. 

                    Cirque d'hiver

110 rue Amelot

75011 Paris

Metro: Filles du Clavaire

Sunday Church Series - View With A Price

I'd guess that many of  you have not ever had this particular view.  Taken from the dome of the Sacre Coeur,  it's a trip up that is not for the faint hearted!   I have seen it twice, once by mistake in 2007,  and the second time due to peer pressure!  This was taken July, 2009 with blog pals Peter, Maya and Janet.   Peter has concurred that this is the bell tower of  Saint-Pierre de Montmartre ( his blog post here )  and the small Cemetery of the Calvary adjacent.  If you've never visited this little resting place in Paris, it's probably because you weren't at the gate on the only day it's open, November 1st of each year.  I would love to have a chance to see it,  but Peter's photos will probably have to suffice for most of us.

Paris Rouge - Les Sacs

How kind of Galeries Layfayette to choose Paris Rouge for their shopping bags!

French Guy?

Oui, oui et oui.  Black, black and black.  The shoes don't do it for me but the hair surely does!  I found Monsieur doing a little work on his computer during lunch outside  Saint Julien-le Pauvre in the Square René-Viviani.  

La brocante

Sometimes when I'm in Paris, the very special places I like to haunt for photos, often  surprise me.  It's no secret that le Marais is one of my favorite places to visit, eat, photograph.... even stay.  Last January  Mary and I took a spin through the Villages St. Paul and found an added delight......a brocante!  These linens caught my eye......but not my pocketbook. I''m having second thoughts!

Nemo Was Here Again!

I love, love, love it when I get emails from readers and yesterday I heard from Jennifer who was inquiring about a photo I'd posted by Paris street artist Nemo.  She is going to Paris in July and wanted to find it for herself!  I sent her more details, but while I was searching, I found this one of my Eva on what might have been the first day we were in Paris in May, 2009, having a closer look at a Paris chat.  That led to an ongoing count of all the "real" Paris chats she and Davis found each day!

Le garçon et le chef

I caught these two waiting in the doorway at L'Isola, off rue Mouffetard.  That day, I was a bit early for dinner and caught them waiting longingly for customers.  Sadly, when I returned to Paris this last time,  I found that they had closed.

L'artiste - Jef Aérosol

When I shot this a few years ago, I didn't even realize that Jef Aérosol loves les chats noirs!  Even more reason to like his fun stenciled art around Paris.

Fermé

While in Paris, occasionally I'm turned away from shops that won't allow photographs or run in to the pesky problem of cafés or stores that are closed. Pas de problème!  I simply press my lens against the glass and snap away. This time, I got the benefit of a passerby, which made this photo much more interesting in my opinion.

Today I join James' Weekend Reflections gang right here.

Signes du Samedi et Paris Rouge - Interdit!

Merci to my friend Carla Coulson who spotted this boy in the bright red jacket  behind me, as we chatted over coffee one day in the Marais.  Note the sign has been "altered" by a clever artist. I would love to know the name!

Update: Merci  to my friend Sandi, who is in Italy right this minute and has solved the mystery. The artist appears to be Clete Abraham!

Magique !

Richelieu Wing,  Musée du Louvre

L'opéra Restaurant

L'opéra

Architect Odile Decq has done a masterful job of nestling this contemporary restaurant inside the opulent  Opéra Garnier, without missing a beat.  No, I've not dined there, but pressed my nose and lens against the gate and gazed longingly.  I've included the menu as best I could shoot it. I think for a nice splurge in Paris, this might be my place of choice.

Les jardins des Paris

Jardin des Plantes

"Nous n'avez pas de jardin?  Moi non plus.  Aimons celui que nous inventons."

Colette

("You don't have a garden? Me either.  So let's love the one we imagine. ")

Fruits de mer

How can you pass this street side window at Chez Clément ( Opera)  and not head inside for dîner??

Bonne Chance Monsieur!

I discovered the pétanque gentlemen for the first time at Luxembourg Gardens, the summer of 2009.  That day I pulled up a chair and got friendly with a group of men, some of whom I see over and over when I return.  They were a mix of nationalities and only one spoke any English at all. They were very friendly and tried as best they could to explain the game.  One thing I've noticed, is that a cloth to wipe the dust off the metal balls seems to be obligatory.  I have never seen one quite this worn and tattered. I'm thinking it might bring bonne chance!

Update: Merci to my blog friend Herm who has kindly written a little poem explaining the tradition of La Fanny in pétanque right here!

Coucher due soleil

Not bad for 698 years old!  La Conciergerie is presently undergoing renovations, so if you are traveling to Paris this year,  check its status if you're interested in going inside.

Signes du Samedi - You Are Here!

Parisinfo.com

Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau

I'm not sure at the time that I realized the sign near our apartment was in English!  Very clever and Mary and I couldn't resist being les stupide touristes américans and took turns taking each other's picture.  Now I look back and wish that this samedi I was right there again. C'est la vie

Mr. Pidds Takes a Ride

This cute pup belongs to my friend Zabie Johnston.  We met via Facebook friends in Paris.  Zabie's blog is French Market Maven and Mr. Pidds goes wherever Z goes.   He lunched with us at Le Rubis and then hopped the Métro and scampered along for an afternoon at le Cimetière des Chiens.  We worried that he might find it bit sad and depressing, but he thought it great fun and proved to be quite the trooper.  On our ride back home, I snapped this cute portrait.  ( He's better behaved than some Métro passengers I've seen in my day!)

Monsieur et le pigeon

Pol Bury Fountain, Palais Royal

Today I join The World in Black and White 

Je suis une oreille indiscrète

Guilty as charged, especially in Paris.


For those of you in the Birmingham area, I will be teaching From Snapshots to Photographs at Samford After Sundown in late July for five weeks.  Click HERE  for more information.

Cour du Coq

Mary, Peter and I were in a hurry that morning so there wasn't time for Peter to push the doors to see if we could get inside and have a closer look. Quelle dommage!

Paris Rouge - Le Rubis

These old barrels have been repurposed as sidewalk tables at Le Rubis.  A nice place to stand for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.  Mary and I had a nice lunch there with Richard Nahem and Zabie Johnston ( and her pup Mr. Pidds ).  This is a nice, inexpensive place ( with a zinc bar!) to have French home cooking. Family owned and very friendly.  ( Tip: Skip la toilette)

Le Rubis

10 rue du Marché-Saint Honoré

75001 Paris

Sunday Church Series - Basilique du Sacré-Coeur

This is what I'd call a "postcard photograph"of Paris so I decided to make it one. It's also a special one for me because I shot this from the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette last January,  on my last afternoon in Paris.  A beautiful memory to bring  home with me.  Merci chère Mary for taking me to this beautiful spot.  A perfect end to another very special  trip to Paris with you.

Signes du Samedi - Alain

I was on a hunt for these charming old signs this last trip and found this one in the Marais.  It made me think of our friend Alain who hosts Montpellier Croix d'argent - Sète canal maritime.  Don't you love the little moustache below!

Beaucoup de choix

Marché des enfants rouges
39 Rue de Bretagne
75003 Paris

L'artiste - Marché de la Création Bastille

I met artist Didier Léspagnol on 14 juillet 2009 as I wandered the streets of the Marais.  He was selling his prints at Place des Vosges that day.  He was quite charming.  I bought 6 prints.  I have photos to prove it here.  Each trip I seem to find him there or on Saturdays at the Marché de la Création Bastille on boulevard Richard Lenoir.  It's the largest open air art market and open year round 10-7.  Today a look at Didier's stall.  If you happen to meet him one day, buy some prints. Tell him I sent you.

Marché de la Création Bastille

Boulevard Richard Lenoir

Paris 75011

Metro: Bastille/ République

Paris Rouge - Le photographe

Some of you might remember this photographer I met at Marché des Enfants Rouges as Fabian Breuvart and his friend were French Strangers # 72 and 73 .  Well this last trip I returned to give him a copy of the photograph.  He was hard at work doing a shoot inside of  his shop, but stopped long enough to accept my gift.  Look at all that red. My kinda guy.

Frais!

 Marché des Enfants Rouge.  If you are in the Marais, you must go here!

39 rue de Bretagne

Paris 75003