Les souvenirs II - Paris Dirt

Yesterday I shared a photo of Eva and Davis, along with our Wilson friends from Birmingham,   as they shared a great afternoon at the Palais Royal,  doing what kids do.... even in Paris.  Later, they decided that the white, powdery Paris dirt in the gardens would be a good place to make a little village. I have a feeling Eva and Davis now feel the same way as their Mumsie about the Palais Royal!

Les souvenirs

In June 2009, I was lucky enough to spend three weeks in Paris with daughter Melissa and her Eva and Davis.  Having the gift of time in Paris, we were able to enjoy the city at a more leisurely pace. An added bonus was the arrival of our  Birmingham friends the Wilsons,  who just happened to be staying at the Palais Royal.  I think one of my very fondest memories of that trip was the late afternoon we joined them in the gardens. The adults sipped wine and the children got the wonderful chance to just be kids in Paris!  They played Follow the Leader around the Pol Bury Fountains, made little houses in the white, powdery "Paris dirt", and ran from one end of the gardens to the other.  It was a late afternoon in Paris I will never forget.

I think I will share a few more photos with you this week of that special day. 

Les mouettes

I'm always fascinated to see seagulls in Paris.  If you feed them,  they will come.

The City Daily Photo Theme for June is....... ZEST!

Les têtes

 

Visit the Bird/Flower market shops on any day,  and you'll discover many wonderful finds.

Paris Rouge et Bleu

Sometimes Paris Rouge just falls in my lap. 

Les bateaux

The first time I saw these boats tied together at the Bois de Boulogne, was a fabulous exhibit of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's,  Paris From Above.  Luckily mon ami Peter Olson was along and as we left the exhibit, we made our way on foot to this very spot.  As the weather turns warm and hopefully sunny in Paris, I'm sure the Parisians will find there way here for picnics and boat rides.

Sunday Church Series - Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Shadows, Saint- Germain- des- Prés

La boule bleue

Dimanche, jardin du Luxembourg

Après la pluie

The rains subsided and the sun appeared!  Everyone in Paris came out to enjoy this unexpected Sunday weather.

Un bon souvenir

Last November, we arrived in Paris very early.  After a little nap and nice lunch, we joined our dear Paris friends at Cafe Lutetia.  Good times, and a very warm welcome back to Paris.

Le lancer

At Luxembourg, the older men rule the pétanque courts,  but a few younger ones slip in.  I love the men in the background as much as I do this handsome player.

Le menu vert

Sometime I just love the small details for no reason!

SInger

 

If you travel to Paris, of course you must visit the Palais Royal.  It is no secret that it has become one of my most favorite spots in the whole city. Since my second visit in 2008, it's always on my To Do List.  I love the gardens for photographs and people watching, but the exquisite shops all along the arcade are just a delight.  Go, you'll thank me for this tip.

Sunday Church Series - Les Sieges

 Eglise Saint Paul -Saint Louis
99 rue Saint Antoine
75004 Paris

La fumeuse

 

C'est Paris!

La cour

Stroll around Place des Vosges and push doors. 

Toujours la pluie

 The French love their art and I am always amazed that they will queue up for hours.  Last November as we left the fabulous Brassaï exhibit at the Hôtel de Ville, we saw this line waiting in the rain.  This particular umbrella, says it all in Paris!

Trou de serrrure

Magnifique!

Rayures

 

Buren's Les Deux Plateaux has, since its installation in 1986,  evoked the usual love/hate discussions in Paris.  I will admit that I have always loved them.  Maybe it's the fact that I had to view them behind walls during the multi million dollar restoration from my first visit in 2007 till the miraculous day in January 2010, when the walls came down overnight, and I finally had a shot at them, I don't know. They are graphic and offer me a zillion photo opportunities. J'adore!

Vide

This chilly November day, the outside seat at CRU seemed a little lonely.

Cru

7 rue Charlemagne

Village Saint Paul

75004 Paris

Le magasin des jouets

Known simply as le Boutique de Palais Royal, this charming toy store offers not one electronically operated toy. Another reason I love Paris shops!

Today I join James' Weekend Reflections right here!

Les Arcs

The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is even more beautiful at night, especially with the Grand Roue and the Arc de Triomphe in the background.

Zoom!

Passage du Grand-Cerf

This is how they roll in Paris.

Le Métro

Fast, efficient and economical.  I wish my city had this rapid transit.

Imposant!

I have friends pouring into Paris lately and all I ask is that SOMEBODY will stop in L'opéra and have lunch, dinner, a drink.....anything and just report back.  I think it's worth a nice glass of wine to see inside this lovely restaurant designed by Odile Decq. I think she did a masterful job of fitting this contemporary space into the side of this magnificent building.

Paris Rouge - Le Vespa

Taken from a cab as I recall. Look closely and you'll see her very high heel!

Sunday Church Series - Poussez

I am grateful that I have been able to visit Paris so many times.  Through the years, I've found museums and churches and special places that I revisit time after time. The Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis Church is one of those places.  Located in the Marais, it's not a grand cathedral but just a lovely place of worship in Paris.  This door, leading out the front doors, bears the marks of over 400 years.  I love the wear and tear.

`Eglise Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis
99 rue Saint-Antoine
75004 Paris

L'arc

Sometimes that tourist shot is more than I can resist.  I don't apologize.

Jours de fête

This needs no explanation. You know why I stopped and shot this a dozen ways! 

Jours de Fête
72 Quai de Jemmapes
75010 Paris,

City Daily Photo Theme Day - SQUARES

In full bloom

Today, my City Daily Photo Theme is Squares.  Oh this didn't take long. I thought SQUARES, what can I find that isn't a SQUARE , but in IN a SQUARE.....  Square Georges Cain,  in the Marais,  is one of the quiet corners of Paris. Worth the time to find it.

Square Georges Cain

7 rue Payenne

75003 Paris

To see more SQUARES from around the world, click HERE!