Thursday, December 31, 2015

Parisian Playground


As we walked from the Mètro through the Palais Royal, we found a few families strolling there as well. This girl was playing a game with her brothers among the Buren Columns and these fabulous columns as well. 

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Illuminé




The magnificent Hôtel de Ville, Paris has housed the City of Paris' administration since.....1357!  

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Sax sur le pont

 Sometimes while rushing across a bridge in Paris, you need to stop, take a seat on the bench and devote a few minutes to this.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Charmant



Spotted at the Notre Dame International High School in Verneuil-sur-Seine, FR. This was taken during my visit there in mid November. As you can see, They have had some warmer temps as well and we found geraniums blooming in Paris as well.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Sunday Church Series - Saint-Denis Basalique


This organ was built in 1841 by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. Click HERE to read more about this magnificent organ and hear it being played as well.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Wheeeee!

More and more we see Parisian children using their trottinettes as a way to get around the city. What's even more interesting is that so many adults use them as well!

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Les sapins de Noël


As we all know, Paris can do Noël over the top, and then at the same time, par it down to just the simple. These green, fresh trees needed no decoration outside Café Nemours.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Paris Rouge - Au Printemps



I do believe that the Christmas windows at Printemps were some of the most magical for the children of Paris, in 2010. 

Monday, December 21, 2015

Musique du Mètro

How sweet the sound after trudging up countless flights of steps to hear this group playing Vivaldi!

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Noël Arrive!



La Grande Roue de Paris at Place de la Concorde is nothing less than spectacular. I took this photograph in November, 2008 and this year I passed by during the day and it appeared the lighting etc. was a bit different. Several years ago Peter Olson and I went up and although it was a drizzly day, the view of Paris from above was spectacular.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Christmas Cheer!



If you are very, very good, Père Noel might leave Doni Belau's beautiful new book, Paris Cocktails,  in your Christmas stocking. I would have bought it just for the clever rouge cover alone, but inside you will find gorgeous photographs and over 100 tasty cocktail recipes. Doni as many of you know, is the editor of the fabulous Girls Guide To Paris website for all things Paris.

PS Try the Education Sentimental on page 168. Don't let the name fool you. 

Friday, December 18, 2015

Regardez Papa!


What could be more fun than finding this trop mignon petit garçon posing on one of the Buren Columns at the Palais Royal. His parents were happy for me to take his picture, and I think he was pointing out to Papa, the crazy American lady taking his photo!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Monday, December 14, 2015

L'homme de la photographie



These vintage Paris photographs covered construction walls across the plaza at Hôtel de Ville last month. I was not the only photographer who stood and waited, and waited, and waited till just the right subject walked into our lens.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Saturday, December 12, 2015

La fille dans l'arbre


This young girl was having a grand time climbing this tree in the playground area at the Saint Médard church on rue Mouffetard. There were several boys looking on as she climbed higher and higher!

Of note: This was just one day after the attacks in Paris, and it was good to see Parisians out and enjoying the beautiful sunny Sunday.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Remembering


second visit to Paris in November, 2008 was my first taste of Noël in Paris. The entire façade of Galeries Lafayette was draped in lights. It was amazing. In recent years they have pared down the building lights, I would venture due to the electrical costs. 

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Palais Royal Selfie


And I included Phil and Mary! We spent a lot of time walking to and fro through the Palais Royal last trip as it was a block from our apartment. Since it's my fav place in Paris, I was a happy girl.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Monsieur K

Steve shows us the beautiful 16th century conference room overlooking the grounds.

Meet my dear friend Steve Kocheran-Letrouit, known as Monsieur K by his students.  Steve hails from Ohio, but calls Paris his home now.We met on Facebook years ago and seeing him when I return to Paris is always a delight. For the last two years, I have been trying to visit the Notre Dame International High School, where Steve teaches history. This trip I finally made it, accompanied by my companions Mary Gilbert and Phil Nuxhall. Located in Verneuil-sur-Seine, the school is housed in a 16th century chateau formerly owned by the Tocqueville family. The 30 minute train trip and the stroll through the charming village brought us to this beautiful campus. Steve and two of his students gave us a tour of the school and grounds. It was a wonderful day.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

la Garde Républicaine

As Mary and I were having a look at the beautiful library at the Institut de France, I glanced out of the window and was stopped in my tracks.  The Republican Guard was parading by below in the pouring rain. I had already been told no photos in the library which I understood, but decided to press my lens against the window and get a few shots, in hopes that no one heard the clicks.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Pétanque à Place Dauphine


Through the Parisian grapevine I have heard that there are often pétanque players at Place Dauphine. It's no secret that I've been enamored with these guys at Luxembourg Gardens since 2009. This last visit, I finally found this nice group of men, young and old at Place Dauphine. This player was most accommodating. Merci, Monsieur!

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Fermature



The Monday after the attacks in Paris, I walked through the Louvre's Cour Carrée as it was closing. I loved the warm lights from within, against the gray façade.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Nöel est ici!



Galeries Lafayette is known for their magnificent holiday decorations and this year did not disappoint. I have photographed for many years and I believe that this year is ranks very high on my list! I especially loved this image as it reflects the stores beautiful galleries.

For more photographs of this year's spectacular decorations, please visit my photo essay on Bonjour Paris.

Today, I also join James' Weekend Reflections right HERE!

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Le petit garçon et son papa


I am always drawn to the children in Paris scooting along on their trottinettes. This day it was through the arcade at the Palais Royal. Papa seemed to know he was close behind.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Les Mouettes

I spent this afternoon in Paris alone. I started in a place I love, Tuileries. It was a gray afternoon, but I decided to seize the day and just take time to do what I love most in Paris..... nothing but wander. As I approached the first pond, I noticed seagulls flocking around a gentleman in a motorized wheelchair, taking great delight in feeding them. I think this might have been an afternoon ritual for all of them. When done, he left and they lingered, perching on the edge of the fountain....hoping.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

CDP Theme Day - Your Shop Windows

One of the perks of visiting Paris in mid November is that the city's grands magasins are decked to the hilt for Christmas. Printemps' windows were magical and drew many children who looked on in awe. I think this photo is also a nice Paris Rouge addition!

To see the other shop windows around the world from my fellow City Daily Photobloggers click HERE!
Printemps
64 Boulevard Haussman
75009 Paris

Monday, November 30, 2015

Always Be Ready

When in Paris, you never know what you will walk up and find. As we made our way through the usually quiet Place Dauphine, I spotted this mime having a casual conversation with two women. Only in Paris!

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Sunday Church Series - Notre Dame de Paris



The week following the attacks on 13 novembre, we walked past Notre Dame. There were tourists lined up for blocks to get inside for a glimpse of this exquisite cathedral and in addition, a strong military presence. Comforting and sad as well. 

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Les Couleurs



For the past two Novembers I arrived to find Paris bursting with golds and yellows. This year, due to the warmer temps, most of the leaves had fallen, although a few hung around for my camera. Merci chers arbres.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Pluie à Paris

As we exited the Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre metro, it was gently raining. If memory serves, not one of us had an umbrella. Oh well, the reflections made up for the rain!

Today I happily join James' Weekend Reflections right here!

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Liberté,Égalité,Fraternité

On previous visits to Paris, we might have walked right past these sentiments painted on a Parisian street, but after the events of 13 novembre, this one caught Mary's eye right away and she pointed it out to me. Merci Mary, my very best spotter in Paris. May our Parisian friends stay safe.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Bleu, Blanc et Rouge



On Sunday after the awful events that occurred on Friday night, we saw more French flags than usual. Thanks to the keen eyes of my friend Phil, he spotted these tee shirts hung over an apartment balcony. 

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Un autre jour à Paris

Last Sunday was a gloriously sunny day in Paris. After the events that took place on Friday night, and the gray, quiet day on Saturday, Parisians (and tourists) flocked to the streets and cafés, with what seemed like a craving to get back to normal again. We made our usual Sunday pilgrimage to rue Mouffetard (sadly no dancers), had a lovely lunch with our friend Anne and made our way up the rue stopping to buy scarves and gifts. I could hardly wait to get down to the Jardin du Luxembourg to photograph the mums, the pétanque players and people watch. We arrived to find it closed as were all of Paris' gardens. Not to be denied, I pushed my lens through the bars and saw two gendarmes patrolling the empty gardens. The mums in the afternoon sun were my consolation prize.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Bonjour mon ami


This last week Mary, Phil and I stayed in the apartment of our friends near Place des Victoires, just a block from the Palais Royal. This is one of Paris' best kept secrets. It's been a favorite haunt since my second trip to Paris in 2008, and I never miss a chance to come to the gardens and relax and people watch. Because of the events on November 13th in Paris, we had to rearrange our outings a bit and I found myself spending more time here. I was able to take more time with my photographs and really see this incredibly beautiful place as I've never done before. 

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Sunday Church Series - Remembering



On Monday, following the terrorist attacks on Friday evening, I slipped into the majestic Église de la Madeleine. There was a noon mass in process. Candles were lit all around the church. I suspect there were more than usual. 

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Je suis Paris



 Palais Royal

I returned home yesterday from a week in Paris I shall never forget. It was a week filled with fear and horror but more importantly, a week filled with love, laughter, friends, the kindess of strangers, new sites, old familiar favorites and a renewed love of Paris. Vive la France!

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Je Suis Paris

Dear Friends,
As you may know, I am in Paris this week. I have received many inquiries regarding our safety and many kind comments. Please know that we are safe and join us in praying for those who lost their lives or were injured in the senseless attacks last night. 

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Monday, November 9, 2015

All That Glitters


Without a doubt, Galeries Lafayette is one of the most elaborate of all the Grand Magasins in Paris. The gorgeous dome is jaw dropping and during the Christmas season, it is spectacular. Next week I will be meeting Indré Gasiune, their International Online Reputation Manager for a tour, photos and lunch. I promise to share many photos of GL all dressed up for the holidays!

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Les Danseurs



Every Sunday around noon, the locals gather a the bottom of rue Mouffetard and sign old French songs they all know and love and many dance. Often those in the crowd join them as with this grand -mère with her sweet petite fille.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Le fabricant de bulle


On November 1st, I posted a photograph of two young girls popping giant bubbles at the Hôtel de Ville. Many have asked what was used to produce these delights. Here is the young man, who with a shallow pan, a jug of bubble solution, two sticks and some string, produce these rainbow colored bubbles to the amazement of young and old!

Friday, November 6, 2015

Le reflet et les chaussures


I never met a Paris shoe store window I didn't adore.

Today I join James' Weekend Reflections right HERE! Go see the others.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Jolie petite fille


I spotted this adorable little girl at Luxembourg Gardens and as luck would have it, I photographed here more than once that day. She was having a lovely time with Papa and as they left the gardens I got one more chance. 

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Les feuilles
















Ladurée's newest shops devoted to nothing but chocolat. How divine.

14 Castiglione
75001 Paris

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Paris 2 Pattes



What could be more fun than seeing Paris with a real Parisian guide in a drop dead orange Citroën 2CV!! They even tuck a parapluie noir onboard just in case it rains in Paris! HA