Taking a Break

There was a street band set up on the corner of Boulevard Saint-Germain almost every time we walked by, but they were always on a break or shutting down for the day. This is all I could get.

Mini Meeps, l'acrobate!

While posing on the Buren Columns at the Palais Royal, Meeps decided to show off her acrobatic skills!

Sunday Church Series - Église Saint Germain des Pres

Because I have visited many of Paris' churches over and over, each trip I try and find something new to photograph. This last trip in November, 2014, I was in and out of St. Germain des Pres several times as we stayed just a block away. My eye was drawn to the beautiful painted columns. I could be wrong, but I don't think I've seen columns like this in other churches. As one of Paris' oldest churches, this sacred space could stand some loving care, but I love the nicks and chipped paint. Reminds me of how long this church as stood and all that has happened inside these walls.

Pour les enfants

How adorable, high chairs for the children that resemble Paris café chairs. 

Jardin du Luxembourg

Pluie

It rains in Paris..... a lot. Embrace it .

L'escalier

The Mona Bismarck American Center's stairway. I have been fortunate to visit this beautiful space in 2013, for the Yousuf Karsh exibit and then in 2014 for Meredith Mullin's street photography workshop. 

Où suis-je??

I am thinking most of my readers, even my Parisian readers, won't know where I took this photo.Actually, now that I have a look at the only two photos is snapped this day, I wish I had taken more and framed them differently. Love the arches and the detail. I will let my commenters have a guess today, then I will share the location. 

Mini Meeps Goes To Paris

Many of you, especially Facebook friends know my chic chat noir Meeps. She's a scarf loving kitty who loves Paris from afar. Each trip I make, she nestles into my suitcase in hopes that she can steal away and join her Parisian cousins. Well a dear blog friend knitted me a Mini Meeps, complete with scarves, and I took her along the last two trips to Paris. Today Mini Meeps as she gazes over the city of Paris from the rooftop deck of Galeries Lafayette. Stay tuned for more Meeps adventures.

Anticipation

This adorable Frenchie was patiently waiting for a bit of baguette or even better, a bite of boeuf bourguignon!

Ma Bourgogne 

Sunday Church Series - Saint-Eustache

Perhaps not one of the most visited churches in Paris, but one of my favorites. Built between 1532-1632, it should be on your Paris list of churches.

Église Saint-Eustache

2 Impasse Saint-Eustache

75001 Paris

Only In Paris...

do you come up upon someone who appears to be a mime, who then bursts into song with , "I lovvveeee you!" At the Sacre Coeur, artists abound. Since he sang to us, I assume he's not a mime. I am sure the French have a word!

Le Jour du Macaron

All I can say is, "Merci, Pierre." Were it not for Paris' Pierre Hermé, we wouldn't be celebrating Le Jour de Macron today, here and in Paris.  For those of you who are imagining those heavy coconut blobs that we know as macaroons, forget all that. The macaron is two tiny wisps of an almond flour meringue cookies with a delightful creamy filling inside. If made correctly, under perfect weather conditions, the shell is crisp as air and then the filling completes the experience.

Today I feature a photo from my first taste of macaron in November, 2009. It was in Pierre Hermé's shop in the Marais. I had caramel. It remains at the top of my list, but violette, tasted at Ladurée is another favorite. I also pay homage to some of the best macarons I've ever had on this side of the pond. My dear friend Genie, in Mobile, Alabama, makes homegrown macarons and her divine pistache avec Nutella butter cream rivals any I've had in Paris. Enjoy!

For my Birmingham readers, my next session of FROM SNAPSHOTS TO CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHS begins April 9th. Click HERE to register online.

Bientôt !

Geranium's will be spilling over balconies all over Paris! 

Les Ballerines

These exquisite lamps were beautifully displayed on the steps at the Opéra Garnier's Boutique.

Les choix

Love these old signs in Paris. Now what will you choose?

Bonjour Chat!

Ohhhh, I love this image of Eva captured during our three weeks in Paris, 2009. We passed this street art by Nemo, every single day, going to and from the Censier Daubenton métro. During our time in  Paris, Eve kept a running count of the cats she spotted in Paris. Maybe she included this one!

Poppa et sa petite fille

Sunday afternoons at Luxembourg Gardens is always a delight. Poppa was very kind to allow many photos.

Deux Chats

These two very docile cats were the main attraction as this organ grinder played his tunes. Before I was allowed to snap the first photo, I was shown the euro basket. I complied. I'm not sure how he keeps those cats in that basket with all that's going on in front of Galeries Lafayette, and the traffic. Oh and yes, that would be Peter patiently waiting in the background!

Les chaises noires

If this doesn't scream Paris, I don't know what does!

Nemo

It's no secret that I abhor the senseless tagging found all around Paris and all of our cities as well. That said, I love the real Paris street artists like Nemo. His work always makes me smile.

Paris Rouge - Les chaussures

I had to be quick on the trigger to catch madame as she sped down the street with her fabulous red pumps!

She's watching.... and listening

I think walking (trudging?) up through the métro and hearing this talented group of musicians is just another Paris moment that I will never forget. On two visits, I've climbed the stairs at the Bastille stop and heard the most beautiful classical music played by this very talented group. Vivaldi in the métro...c'est Paris!

Play It Again, Pierre

Wedged into the entrance of this tiny bar/café in Montmartre, the sound of his playing drew me in from the street.

Des milliers de visages

Last November, as we left Luxembourg Gardens and started our walk towards the Panthéon, we noticed that the dome had been wrapped in a sea of faces during the renovation which has been ongoing for some two years. Last night as I researched this, I learned that not just the façade, but the interior is clad in even more. The credit goes to someone I have admired for several years, JR. I first learned of him through his Inside Out Projects around the world. I have even tried to start one here in my hometown of Birmingham. JR's work is amazing, and I'm thrilled he has been given this beautiful space for yet another innovative project. Have a look HERE at the photos! Now try and imagine how disappointed I am that I did not get a ticket and go inside and see the other installations! How do you say, "I could kick myself!" in French?

Shopping avec bébé

This jeune fille was taking her shopping trip to the marché very seriously.

Beaucoup des livres!

The  Abbey Bookshop, gives Shakespeare and Company a run for their money. Started in 1989 by Canadian Brian Spence, their website claims they have over 35,000 books in English. How they have any idea how many books are in this fabulous shop, I have no idea. Located near the Saint Severin Church, it's worth a stop.

L'homme

I spotted this man in silhouette at the other side of this tunnel. I took some shots and then I think he spotted me. Shortly, he walked into the tunnel and came in and out of sight, always seeming to keep me in sight. Something told me I needed to turn and leave the quai. Sometimes I listen to that inner voice. 

He's Watching

Using my street photography skills from Meredith Mullin's workshop in Paris last November.

Les urnes dans le jardin

As I reached the end of the Jardin des Tuileries, making my way to the Winogrand exhibit at the Jeu de Paume, I turned as spotted this lovely fall image.

La Fontaine

I feel certain this lovely small fountain at Luxembourg Gardens has a name and perhaps my readers will share that with all of us. As our group sauntered from L'orangerie, Joe and I stopped for multiple photo ops here. Funny, when I take a photo it's often for one reason,  but when I view on my computer with time to contemplate, I sometimes see it in a new way. Now it's evident that the fountain, with its lovely sculptural leaves were cast in copper so that they would take on this lovely green patina. J'adore.

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Aging

I snapped this sweet photo at the Palais Royal. Grand-mère avec son bébé.

Today, the first of the month, I join all of my talented City Daily Photobloggers around the world how are posting their take on our theme....aging. Hopefully I'm not in any of their photos!

Click HERE to see their photos.