Another Reason I Love Paris

This was the day I spent all alone, wandering up one street, across a bridge, down another. At last, late in the afternoon, I was on my way to meet friends for wine and later dinner. I underestimated the route to the café by a long shot. At first I was put out, but decided it was yet another Paris moment when I could wander this street in the Marais to my destination. As I poked along, I looked up, which is a wonderful thing to do in Paris. What's up is often the best choice. As I approached this group of flats covered in vines ( be still my heart), I spotted this window lit from within. I forgot all about my long walk and knew I'd found another treasure.

Allons-y !

As I made my way across the Pont des Arts, taking photos to document the sacrilege to the bridge,  a group of kindergartners blew past me followed by their teacher. I was in hot pursuit to see what they were in such a hurry to see.  Ahhhh yes, the one lone panel of heavy duty glass on the whole bridge. A test by the city of Paris to see if it "works". This was the one and only place on the entire bridge where these petits enfants could actually see the Seine and beyond. They stopped, looked and listened as their teacher pointed out what she wanted them to see and learn. The one bright spot on the Pont des Arts that day.

Amour à vente

I shared a photograph of the Pont des Arts before the love locks became epidemic and the aftermath yesterday. Today, a look at the love locks salesmen set up their wares in broad open daylight. They don't like to have their photos taken so you see this one has walked away from the merchandise. 
They are kind enough to offer locks at many price points. I don't know how much they sell for, but I'm sure the largest ones ( that will take a city worker a good while to cut off the bridge) aren't for those who are marginally in love. What having a policeman posted there or between two bridges handing out fines would cost, could be offset by the fines if they were diligent. Now the city of Paris is looking at an enormous expense cutting them off and repairing the damaged bridges. A problem that should have been taken care of years ago.

Pour l'amour??

The Pont des Arts in 2011

 

Pont des Arts 2014

Let's get this straight. I love Paris and I love the lovers in Paris that you see on every corner expressing that. What I DON'T love is the destruction of some of Paris' most beautiful bridges with the onslaught of "love locks" over the past few years. Ironically they call them "love", but they are causing immense weight and deterioration on these structures, not to mention the eyesore they have become.  I've seen numerous articles, blog posts and posts on Facebook about this and what the city of Paris should do, but last November I was shocked that the practice continues!  As I walked up to the Pont des Arts, I saw that now the locks extend down the sidewalk. The entire bridge is a disgrace. Parts have collapsed due to the weight and been patched with plywood, which of course has been tagged. Locks were being sold right there and seemingly sane tourists were buying them and writing their names with markers, so kindly provided by the "salesmen". At this point it would take city workers days (weeks?) to cut them all off. What a waste of time and money. This is a mini series of sorts as I will post a few photos for the next few days of what this lovely bridge looked like a few years ago and what's happening even today. I have a bright photo to share for the end.

La table, la chaise et les nus

 

I love the little surprises I find when I download my photos!

Boules

A few years ago, Mary Gilbert drug me to the 20eme to what was advertised as a "grande brocante" that would cover many streets in Quartier Saint-Blaise. We had visions of miles and miles of antique French treasures that we could snatch up at a great price. What we found was similar to American garage sales, rows upon rows of less than chic items. We were rather discouraged until I spotted what might have been the best item anyone had to offer.  This vintage pétanque set in a worn case caught my eye. If I could have figured a way to fly it home, it would be mine.  Alas, I had to pass it up.

Here in the states, people love bocce ball and boules. With my limited knowledge, I think I can safely say that pétanque is similar to both but played with smaller metal balls. I think my love of this set stems from the delightful times I've spent in Paris watching the men ( and a few women) play pétanque in the gardens.

Sunday Church Series - Église Saint-Séverin

This charming courtyard with the graceful old tree adjoins the church. In the summer there are  hollyhocks!

1 Rue des Prêtres Saint-Séverin

75005 Paris

DARTY

Darty I discovered, is a big box store in Paris for all things electronics. The ad is eye catching, n'est-ce pas?

Les ballerines

Jardin du Luxembourg

Honestly, when I happen upon scenes like this , I feel it's a gift to be able to capture a special moment in time.

Les Arbres

 Cimetière de Passy on a November morning

Paris Photo

Another plus for visiting Paris in November is Paris Photo. Everywhere you look around the city you will find wonderful photography exhibits, many free. The Jardin du Luxembourg always has something interesting on their fence- this trip fabulous photos of ocean life. Of course the big event is always held the Grand Palais. I've toyed with visiting this mega exhibit but decided it was too much to take in with limited time. Meredith Mullins says it's sensory overload and has to take it in on several visits. Maybe I'll get there one day. Until then, I will continue to enjoy all the other exhibits that Paris has to offer.

Après le dîner

After dinner at Café St. Regis,  Ile St. Louis

View From the Quai

Last November, Peter and I enrolled in Meredith Mullins' street photography workshop at the Mona Bismarck American Center.  After a great discussion with our group, Meredith sent us out to the streets to do our assignments. I wandered down on the quai and was able to photograph some of the boats tied up there for the first time. On my way up, I loved this shot of people in silhouette on the pedestrian bridge with la Tour Eiffel in the background.

Les chérubins

This last November, Peter and I took another spin through one of my favorite resting places in Paris, Cimetière de Passy.   I never fail to find lovely doors and stained glass windows there. Located just steps from Trocadéro, the residents have a commanding view of la Tour Eiffel. If you don't have many days to see Paris, I always suggest this as a wonderful alternative to the larger cemeteries.

2 rue du Commandant Schloesing

75016 Paris

Les réverbères

During night shoot at Notre Dame, I turned and found another yet another Paris night scene I couldn't pass up!



FROM SNAPSHOTS TO PHOTOGRAPHS

I am pleased to announce that I am now partnering with Vestavia Hills United Methodist's Conservatory of the Arts, and will teach my basic photography course beginning Thursday, February 5th, from 6-8 p.m. The course fee is $165 and all classes are taught at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church.

This fun, five week course is designed for amateur photographers who want to improve the quality of their photos.  All that is needed is working knowledge of your digital camera. For more information regarding the class, click HERE.

Street Art

 

Seen on rue Bonaparte, a new kind of abstract street art

FROM SNAPSHOTS TO PHOTOGRAPHS

I am pleased to announce that I am now partnering with Vestavia Hills United Methodist's Conservatory of the Arts, and will teach my basic photography course beginning Thursday, February 5th, from 6-8 p.m. The course fee is $165 and all classes are taught at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church.

This fun, five week course is designed for amateur photographers who want to improve the quality of their photos.  All that is needed is working knowledge of your digital camera. For more information regarding the class, click HERE.

Bonjour ou au revoir?

A quiet morning in the gardens of the Palais Royal.  I love to imagine the story here.

L'école Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts

 

One of the many advantages of our location in Paris last November was being just a few doors from l'école Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts, on rue Bonaparte.  Each time we walked past,  I peered through the gates but decided we wouldn't allowed inside.  Non! The day Peter joined us for a walk, he marched right through with Mary and me in tow.  I was a bit nervous that we might be thrown out on our ear, but Peter was right of course. We wandered about and took a zillion photos of this wonderful school. Thank you Peter for being our faithful guide and taking us to places in Paris we would not have the courage to find on our own.  There will be many more photos to come of this visit.

Un espresso svp

The only time I drink one of these is in Paris and most often with Peter, a world class espresso drinker! Maybe it's the pretty cup ( not cardboard) or the little sweet that always comes with it. C'est Paris and that's enough!

Reading In Paris - Le journal

The events in Paris in the last week have left us all reeling. My heart has been with my friends and the citizens in Paris. It is hard for me to believe that the city that I love dearly and where I feel the safest, has been so devastated by violence.

For about a year, I have been a faithful follower of photographer Peter Turnley. Peter is an extremely talented photojournalist who has done plenty of time in war torn countries. Now, he lives in NYC and Paris.  His amazing BW images of Paris life captured my heart immediately. This past week, he had just returned to New York when he felt compelled to return to Paris to capture the events there. Prior to that, he ran a few photos of people reading newspapers in Paris. I remembered this image and post it today as a tribute to those who died at Charlie Hebdo and those who will hopefully continue the tradition, as well as the others who lost their lives this week in Paris.

This photo was taken on a quiet day in the gardens at the Palais Royal about a year ago.  

Sunday Church Series - Église Saint-Severin

One of the oldest churches on the Left Bank, I especially love this church for it's beautiful palm tree shaped pillars and of course the colorful and more contemporary stained glass windows by artist Jean Renée Bazaine created in 1970. We revisited this special church this last November. It is one of my favorites.

1 rue des Prêtres Saint-Severin

75005 Paris

Today I pray for the safety of all those coming into Paris to march and show their solidarity, but also for my dear friends who live there. My heart is heavy with worry for you all.

Paris....

during more carefree days, just over a month ago.  Praying things will return to normal soon for the people of Paris.

Today I join James' Weekend Reflections right HERE

Place de la République....

where I, and I suspect many of my readers, wish we could be right now.

JE SUIS CHARLIE

The World Mourns With Paris

Ultramod...

How do I love thee?  I cannot count the ways. This millinery shop in Paris is like stepping back in time and I could stay there for hours. My companions never seem to feel the love as much as I do. Maybe if I get there again, I'll slip off, pack a lunch and spend the day photographing every single brim, trim and tassel to my heart's content!

Ultramod Millinery

2-3 rue de Choiseul

75002 Paris

Le quai

 

"It's Paris, it raining." I heard that my first trip to Paris in 2007. Some things never change.  Of course it does, and you seize the moment to capture the reflections, the mood.  Paris at it's best I think.

Meeps' Parisian cousin

Try and visualize this scenario: Mary, Peter and I are enjoying a leisurely lunch by the window of a lovely cafe when Mary spots a chat noir across the street that looked exactly like my Meeps.  He came across the street and I jumped up, grabbed my camera and flew outside to snap a few photos.  With a polite, "Merci, mon petit chat", I then slipped back inside and finished my lunch. Shortly after, the owner came by, scooped him up and took him home.

Sunday Church Series - Église-Saint-Julien-le- Pauvre

This Melkite Greek Catholic parish church is one of Paris' oldest churches, built in the 13th century.  Located behind the Square René Viviani, just across the bridge from Notre Dame, it's not one of Paris' grandest but certainly should be one to put on your list to visit while in Paris.

79 rue Galande

75005 Paris

Les lanternes

 

When Mary and Peter and I get together in Paris, there is just no telling what we will find.  Last November, we wandered around and found this little alley. Peter went ahead to scout out an exit, then we followed.  A great find!

Deux Amies

Don't you just love it when you download your photos and find a photo you didn't even remember taking? That is the case here. I really can't pinpoint where it was taken but loved these two friends sharing the blanket to ward off the chilly November weather.

CDP Theme Day - Photo of the Year

This moment captured at the Hôtel de Ville in November tops my list for favorite photo of the year.  It was magical watching the gorgeous bubbles float across the façade of this beautiful building.

My fellow City Daily Photobloggers around the world are posting their favorite photo of the year. Click HERE to see them all!

BONNE ANNÉE!