Bonne année tout le monde!

Looking forward to sharing many more photos with you in 2017!

Homme au travail

Pasting new advertisements at Concorde

La vie est belle!

A sunny morning at the Palais Royal. My happy place.

100 French Strangers #86

Way back in 2009, I informally joined a Flickr group doing the 100 Strangers Challenge. The rules were a challenge for photographers who wanted to get more at ease with street photography. Your goal was photographing 100 strangers, with one catch. You had to have some interaction with them. No drive by shootings. I started it early on in my photography and hit 100 here in Birmingham. The summer of 2009, when my daughter Melissa and my two grands were in Paris for 3 weeks, I upped it to my personal 100 FRENCH Strangers Challenge. With not much French, the interaction had to suffice with me holding my camera up and saying, "S'il vous plait??" I stopped counting years ago but thought it might be fun to start up where I apparently left off.

This lovely man with checking his phone at the the Marché aux Puces this last trip. I walked past and stopped to snap. He heard the CLICK and looked up. I smiled and asked and he nodded. I think this might be one of my favorite Paris portraits. Merci Monsieur!

Ma nouvelle maison?

Rue Crémieux, near Gare de Lyon, is probably one of the most colorful and charming streets in Paris. Peter and I explored this in 2009 and after a very long, long day of walking, he lured me back for another photo shoot. How could I resist!  Mary and I agreed that this flat, with the chat noir was meant for us!

Joyeux Noël

Saint Trinité

City of Light - Hötel de Ville

City of Light II - Deck the Streets!

Paris knows how to put on the glitz for Christmas and many streets are strung with beautiful lights as well.

City of Light

In November, 2008, I experienced Paris all decked out for Christmas for the very first time. Galeries Lafayette absolutely took my breath. Due to energy costs, they discontinued this fabulous lighting a few years later. I'm grateful for my photos to remind me of that magical trip.

Paris Rouge - Le métro

Assemble nationale's cherry red seats never disappoint.

Ligne 12

L'ange et les Tours

One of my favorite, very quirky shops in Paris is Tombées du Camion (fell off the truck). I first found it in Montmartre years ago. Imagine my delight to find not one but two locations when we visited the Marché aux Puces. If you want unusual, this is the place for you. You will thank me for this.

Peter's Paris

In 2008, my second trip to Paris, I connected with Paris blogger Peter Olson.  Since then, I've been fortunate to spend many wonderful hours walking the streets of Paris with him. He's probably more knowledgeable than most Parisians, he's Swedish after all, and our journeys around Paris never disappoint. The City of Paris benefits from his expertise as a Paris Greeter. After 13 trips to Paris, Peter and I have walked many, many miles, explored numerous sites and of course enjoyed many laughs and glasses of champagne. I have called him "The Most Patient Man In Paris" and after years of photo walks, he still holds the title!

This photo of Peter is exactly like every walk we take. He's ahead, I'm behind. It's how we roll!

Sunday Church Series - Paroisse Saint Pierre - Saint Paul

Ici repose Joséphine de Beauharnais

Reuil-Malmaison, FR

Paris Rouge - Un demi-vélo

Ride in peace and always look up!

Les chaises après la pluie

Jardin des Tuileries

When in Paris, embrace the rain.

Today I join James' Weekend Reflections. Click HERE to see all of the creative entries.

Look Up!

Musée du Louvre

Le Sigh.......

Remembering a lovely day with Peter and Mary, discovering charming vine draped passageways in Paris. 

Incroyable!

The giant bubble makers are usually always in the plaza in front of th Hôtel de Ville.  I often get so absorbed in capturing the bubbles, I don't notice the children who are delighted as well.

Paris Rouge - Les chaises et les vignes

Marché aux Puces in autumn, is even more colorful and charming!

Château de Chantilly

Closing time at the chateau, light rain, fog.

À la patinoire

Les Marches Noël runs along a good portion of the Champs Élysees all the way to Place de la Concorde from November 11-January 8. Small white stalls sell gifts, souvenirs, food and even vin chaud, a crowd pleasure. I'll be honest, it's not one of my favorites, but as I needed to get from Avenue George V to Tuileries, walk through it all I did. I stopped to enjoy the little ones at this small skating rink. This cute petit garçon and his Papa, were having a very good time.
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Louvre reflet

These four guys walked up at just the right time. I showed them the photo and gave them a thumbs up!

Today I join James' Weekend Reflections after a brief absence. I always love to see what the participants have to share with all of us. Click HERE to see them all!

Watchful

Keeping an eye on the comings and goings in Tuileries.

A Welcome Sight!

This photo is very special for me. I"ve always loved the Pont des Arts, but in the last 5-6 years the awful "love" locks absolutely ruined this Paris treasure. It was originally built in 1804 and was the first metal bridge built in Paris ,but due to bombardments during both WW and being rammed by a barge, it was closed and rebuilt to exact specifications. The love locks compromised the bridge and in 2014 it was closed and several sections of replaced with glass panels. A total of 45 tons of locks were removed. Today it's again the lovely bridge we all remember and love!

Le flûtiste

Musée du Louvre

Street musicians in Paris are always a delight. I try to always stop and listen, and leave them something. 

Le Carrousel

Jardin des Tuileries. I have no idea how I got this image, but I like it!

Sunday Church Series - Restoration in Progress

One of Paris' oldest churches, Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés, is undergoing some restoration around the altar area of the church. This is a church I have visited many times and I'm glad to see it being taken care of. This ladder leaning against the wall next to the old painted columns, that I"ve photographed many times, is a sign of progress.

Le chaise et les feuilles

We spent a lovely morning at the Marché aux Puces. The stalls were dripping with my favorite Boston ivy vines. This is a place where you can wander for hours. Lots of beautiful antiques and linens and quite a bit of memorabilia and "stuff"! I'd recommend taking a taxi or Uber here.

Check!

This was one of the four blue sky days I had the entire two weeks in Paris. I thought the chess players and the pétanque players would be out in droves but sadly, non. These hardy souls were about it. 

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Transitions

I have a love/hate relationship with the Paris Métro. The endless stairs are very challenging for me, but on the other hand, it's an efficient and affordable means of traveling the city. The real bonus is that often various metro stations feature interesting displays, like this fabulous series of Richard Avedon's photographs in the Hôtel de Ville station. These installations create a lovely transition from a mundane place to wait, into an underground musée!

Today, I join my City Daily Photoblog friends around the world for yet another Theme Day. Click HERE to see their take on our first of the month theme.

Les Ombres

When I return to favorite spots in Paris, like the Jardin du Luxembourg, I'm always searching for new photo opportunities. This was one of only four really sunny, blue sky days I had in Paris and the shadows of my favorite green chairs made shadows that I photographed over, and over, and over!

Mousse chocolat, je t'aime!!!

Well I was in Paris for two solid weeks and walked by this store, took photos through the window and I regret to tell you that Peter and I did not go in. Now I see when researching the store that what I photographed was not ice cream but their Bar à mousses aux chocolat!! I walked past a chocolate mousse BAR. I don't think I'll ever get over this and be able to move on with my life. On the other hand, had I indulged, I would have been there every single day and.....

Chocolat Chapon

69 rue de Bac

75006 Paris

École nationale supérieure des Beaux Arts

Peter and I ducked into the Beaux Arts and discovered that the beautiful courtyard with statuary was under some restoration. Made for an interesting angle trying not to include unsightly construction!

14 rue Bonaparte

75006 Paris

Sunday Church Series

Just last Sunday, hard to believe it's been only a week,  I worshipped at the majestic  American Cathedral in Paris. This was my third service, and I always look forward to worshipping in this glorious cathedral. Two young members of the congregation read Scripture flawlessly, Dean Lucinda Laird gave a thought provoking message, and the choir sang a favorite of mine, "King of Love My Shepherd Is." After the service, visitors are invited the back of the sanctuary for coffee and warm greetings from staff and members. If you have not attended or visited, I urge you to do so on your next trip to Paris.

The American Cathedral in Paris

23, avenue George V

75008 Paris

Home Again

I'm home after two beautiful weeks in Paris. The weather was....Paris. Not many sunny days, but the temps were mild and although we had rain, it was always just a light rain. When in Paris, embrace it all! I have many photos to share. I'm still downloading and editing so I'll just pick one of my most favorite places I visited this trip.... Foundation Louis Vuitton.  Frank Gehry's design and Buren's fabulous installation is a show stopper. It's been on my list for over two years, and Peter and I just enjoyed it so very much. Many more posts to come on this!

Au revoir

For the next two weeks, I'll be in the place I now consider my second home...Paris. I promise to post photos on Instagram ( @vjonesphoto) and Facebook, (Virginia Jones Photography) . I won't be blogging but promise to share many new Paris images as soon as I return. I thank you all for following this blog, my Instagram and FB pages. I love sharing my favorite memories with all of you. ..... V

Scoot!

As many of you know, street photography in Paris, I really love. I hope to visit the Palais Royal many times in the next two weeks and find more families and cute kids!

Raise Your Hand

if you think I should fly off to Paris tomorrow!

Maison Fabre, Palais Royal.

Color Coordinated

Nice when your window shades match the autumn leaves outside of your flat!

Only In Paris

I know I'm in Paris when I spot moto drivers wearing spike heels!

Lumière et ombres

Sometimes, just the light on a building is enough to stop me in my tracks for another photograph.

Soon, very soon.....

This time next week, I will be staying just a few doors from Poilâne's flagship boulangerie on rue duCherche-Midi! I could get into some serious trouble!

Amis

It seems young Parisians love to gather in this doorway near the Colonnes de Buren at the Palais Royal.

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Out of Focus

Oh i had to dig deep for this out of focus shot for our monthly theme! As a rule, the out of focus shots hit my Mac trashcan asap!

Today, I skid into the CDP Theme Day with lots of blog friends around the world. Click HERE to see the entire gallery!

Fond Memories!

Remembering our time with my talented friend Carla Coulson. Mary, Peter, and I so enjoyed being with her this trip in 2013.

Sunday Church Series - Saint Denis

Basilique cathédrale de Saint-Denis, featuring over 70 incumbent figures and tombs of French royalty. Many immortalized with their beloved pets such as these. This is a stunning cathedral and when the afternoon sun streams through the stained glass windows, it is breathtaking.

Paris je t'aime

I am getting there as fast as I can!!!!  There has never been a time when I needed Paris more than I do right now.

Nouveaux amis

Say what you will about the French, but Southern women know how to make friends, even in Paris. My friend Martha had been in Paris about 6 hours when, as I was off shooting, she marched right up to a delightful French couple here in the playground area with their grandson, and made friends! With that, Martha was off and running making amis all over Paris that week!

Paris Rouge - P.A.R.O.S.H.

 P.A.R.O.S.H at the Palais Royal, always an eclectic mix. I love Paris!

Miam Miam!!!!

Step inside and enjoy the fragrance of freshly baked bread at Arnaud Delmontel! I can hardly think of anything more wonderful.