Old Favorite

These two were probably the first of a long line of my 100 French Strangers, taken in 2008. I swear I didn't pose them. I walked by and there they were. They were kind enough to allow a photo or two and were quite friendly.

Sunday Paris Church Series - Asking Forgiveness

Recently my friend Peter Olson posted a collage of views of the Sacré Coeur from different vantage points all over Paris. He pointed out that photos were not allowed INSIDE. Oh my, I have to confess (it is a Catholic basilica) that I mistakenly took a number of photos inside the church in 2013, not knowing that photos were not prohibited. This is the only church in Paris that I'm aware of, that doesn't let you take photographs. Lesson learned, but please enjoy the magnificent mosaic dome.

Attrayant

Venture 18km west of Paris, and you'll find yourself in this charming village of Marly le Roi. 

Parisian Field Trip

Lucky students who get to wander through the Louvre and head down to Tuileries for what appears to be a soccer game in the gardens. These boys carried poles while others bags of soccer balls. I stopped to observe the parade as it passed. French kiddos act just like American kids!

Trompe l'oeil ?

In Paris, it seems there are always buildings undergoing restorations. The French go to great links to make the construction process pleasing to the eye. Recently the Vendôme Column was covered in its likeness. Can you spot the real lantern?  I searched the internet to determine if the column was actually having repairs done or whether it was covered due to the work being done on the Ritz Hotel. The Ritz was scheduled to open this month, since being closed in 2014, but a fire several months ago might have delayed that. I will look to my Parisian friends who are in the know for this tidbit of information.

L'école

Thanks to Peter, we walked right in the gates of École des Beaux Arts like we belonged there. No one even seemed to notice us. That's the way we like it! For over 350 years artists have trained here. An amazing place.

La neige

The remnants of a light snowfall added a lovely touch to Cimetière du Montmartre.

Moules

Où sont les frites????

Les vignes sur la porte

In Paris, even the vines arrange themselves artistically!

La boutique de parfum

While wandering around the 6eme, I stepped into Le Labo, perfumes et scents. The very handsome and very friendly young man behind the counter could have sold me just about everything in the shop, but alas as always, un problème....euros.

Le Labo

6 rue de Bourbon le Château

75006 Paris

La neige

Rumor has it there was a light dusting of snow in Paris this week. This was taken sever years ago. The morning we arrived, there was snow still on the ground from earlier in the week. Just as Peter and I headed fro Tuileries, it began to rain. Quelle dommage. This is about all I got.

Charmant!

Opened in 1960, the Musée de Montmartre is considered the most charming museums in Paris. Step inside the 3 century old buildings and see the works of Renoir, Dufy, Utrillo. This day the museum was closed but it remains on my list. 

La Croix

A cold January day at Cimetière  de Montmartre, we found this cross.When finding the link, I was amazed that this cemetery opened in 1825. 

Un petit cadeau pour les oiseaux

Left for the birds, but it looked tempting!

Seul

Time alone in Paris gardens is a good thing.

La Saint Valentin

L'amour

Musée Rodin

Gare Lazare

Thankful that Mary was able to navigate the buying of our tickets at Gare Saint~Lazare. While she took care of it all, I photographed. Merci Mar!

Humour français

I rank Paris shop windows very high on my list. 

Wishing you all a bon weekend!

Fantasy at Place Collette

The "Paris photography gods" were smiling. What could be better than walking up on Monsieur Bulle, making these exquisite creations at Place Collette with the Othoniel's Metro stop behind.

Coming Back to Life

I never had the pleasure of visiting la Samaritaine before it closed in 2005. Now it's under a grand renovation to transform the former department store in the Art Nouveau style to a upscale hotel with rooftop bar. Other parts will become a"luxury supermarket, featuring a sleek wavy glass front. It will be exciting to see when completed. Paris always finds a way to keep the old while mixing in the contemporary.

Fermé

Opening soon,  I'm sure.

Le tour des livres

"Monsieur, may I see that book that is on the bottom left? Merci!"

Spotted in a tiny shop around the corner from Galerie Vivienne.

Le petit garçon et son caneton

Enjoying a walk through the Burn Columns at the Palais Royal

La feuille

Cimetière Père Lachaise

Les croix, les arbres

Reflections, Père Lachaise

Today I join James' Weekend Reflections right HERE. You will enjoy the creative reflections my fellow bloggers share each week.

Les journaux

Bistrot Vivienne

I love the newspapers on a stick. Keeps them in the café but now sure how easy they are to read.

Details

I am convinced that I could spend an entire day in the Cour Carrée at the Louvre and find enough exquisite details to shoot. I will admit to walking THROUGH this quiet place many times on my way to and from the more famous courtyard with I.M. Pet's pyramids. This last trip as it was getting dark, I wandered in alone and was there in this beautiful space with only a few others. I sat on a bench and took it all in. I'll share more images at another time. This courtyard on the eastern side is a quiet getaway from all the tourist madness just a few yards away. Try it.

La Chandeleur

I'll have to be honest, had I not read all about this on Facebook yesterday, this auspicious day would have passed me by. Join me in celebrating the jour des crêpes! Try flipping your crêpe in the pan while holding a coin in your writing hand. If you can catch it, your family will be prosperous for the coming year. This explains a lot with our family.

Today, I honor La Chandaleur with a photo of my very favorite crêpe guy! Be sure to look him up at his stand on the corner of Boulevard Saint-Germain by the church. You'll be glad you did.

CDP Theme Day - Scene From a Coffee House

Today is the first of the month and I'm sure you know by now that we City Daily Photobloggers around the world are posting our photo for this month's theme. Last November Mary, Phil and I landed in Paris, threw our suitcases in the apartment and walked down the street to have coffee and a pain au chocolat at LePain Quotidian Victories, just behind the Palais Royal. A great way to start our trip.

If you'd like to see the other clever photos, click HERE to be whisked to the City Daily Photo portal and a posting of all of our photos!

Le Pain Quotidien Victoires

5 rue des Petits Champs

75002 Paris