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 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. 

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.

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!

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.

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. 

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.

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 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. 

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!

Today I join James' Weekend Reflections

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. 

Au revoir

À bientôt!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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. 

Les feuilles

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

Les Marquis de Ladurée

14 Castiglione

75001 Paris

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

Paris 2 Pattes

Les feuilles mortes

Cimetière de Passy

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Ephemeral

Ephemeral - Lasting for a short time

 Well this was a tough theme this month but as I scrolled through my images I found this. As I was snapping madly trying to capture these gigantic bubbles at the Hôtel de Ville, these two jeune filles were madly trying to pop them. I think I got lucky on this one! Bubbles, lasting a very short time.

Today my clever City Daily Photoblog friends around at the world have posted their entries on our monthly theme. I hope you will click HERE and have a look.