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. 

Illuminé

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

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.

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 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.

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!

Joyeux Noël

Sainte-Trinité

l'Hôtel de Ville

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.

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. 

Musique du Mètro

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

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.

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. 

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!

Paris Rouge - La cerise

Louis Vuitton never disappoints

Fist Bump

at the Musée Rodin.

Les volets

Closed for the evening.

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.

Down to the Seine

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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!

Les voûtes

Musée du Louvre

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.

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!

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.

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.

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