Mignon!

This petit enfant was playing on a little playground in Butte aux Cailles. His maman gave me permission to photograph him.

Amical parisien

This photo was taken in November, 20008, my second trip to Paris.  I had not even started my 100 Strangers Project on my Birmingham blog. Later, I would add this blog and searched for 100 French Strangers over the years since. The "rules" are that the person must be a stranger and you must have some verbal interaction with them. For most Parisians, it was VERY minimal, but I loved meeting so many friendly French strangers.

 Boulangerie et PatisseriePaul

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!

Maman et bébé

Beautiful faces captured at the Medici Fountain, Jardin du Luxembourg

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.

100 French Strangers #84-85

As I've said many times, "You know those Parisians, so aloof and never smile!" Another example of the many delightful Parisians I meet every visit. This morning these two at Paul had a grand time posing for me. They were  hilarious.

It's been quite a while since I posted photos of my quest for 100 French Strangers. If you're not familiar, it originate on a FLICKR group and the idea is to challenge yourself to take 100 strangers' photos. The catch is that you must have some interaction with the person/persons before your take their picture. I started it on my Birmingham blog years ago and then in June, 2009 when I spent a good bit of time there, I decided to start the 100 French Strangers. It's a good way to help overcome the fear of street photography and asking strangers for their pictures. I am certain since last posting #83, I"ve already hit 100 but we'll just take up from there and move forward. I encourage you to try it!

Un poulet svp

 

I have had the pleasure of meeting and photographing this delightful man since June, 2009.  I always stop by and say, "Bonjour" and he always welcomes me with a warm smile and delicious roasted chickens on rue Mouffetard.  I love reconnecting with wonderful Parisian friends when I visit.

UPDATE: Thanks to Jeff's comment and Alexa's help, I have connected with Christophe and his lovely wife Janice who is a talented writer and artist and blogger. You can follow her blog here!
Blog world gets smaller and smaller!

French Stranger # 82 - L'artiste

Place du Tertre in Montmartre is usually packed with artists and tourists,  but in January with snow melting on the ground, only a few hearty souls were set up, most waiting and waiting like this gentleman.  The photograph on the left shows he was a bit skeptical as I walked up clicking away. I gave him a smile and a "bonjour".  I almost got a smile back in the top photo. Merci Monsieur!

French Stranger #82 - M. Schakmundès

Ha, I can hear you laughing and saying, 'Well V finally met her match in Paris and actually got thrown out of a shop for taking photos!"  Well that might very well happen one day, but not here.  Actually the proprietor of Les Abeilles, Jean-Jacques Schakmundès was not showing me the door,  he was giving instructions to the man who was helping with a delivery that day.  He was very kind  and allowed me to photograph his charming boutique in the Butte aux Cailles neighborhood.  Since 1993, he's kept over 30 hives in the Paris region.  We'll be back another day for a look at what he has to offer.  In the meantime, click on the link and visit his website.

Les Abeilles

21 rue de la Butte aux Cailles

75013 Paris

Métro: Place d'Italie

100 French Strangers - La vendeuse de poisson

French Stranger #83

On a very chilly January morning, this lady was ready with a smile, despite working with cold fish and ice all morning at the market.  ( Tell me again about how serious and aloof the French are!)

Une photo de moi!

I first visited E Dehellerin in the summer of 2009.  I met and became instant friends with the gentleman on the right. He'd met some ladies from Birmingham once and when he heard I was from there, he said, "Madame, when I come to Birmingham, what is the first thing I should see?"  My answer...."Moi!"  He loved that and was nice enough to pose outside for photos.  When I returned this last January, I took him the photo.  Here you can see he was proudly showing it to his co-workers.

French Strangers #80, 81 - Girl Talk

As we left le Reminet, I wandered ahead and found these two lovely girls enjoy a smoke and a little girl talk.  I thought about taking the photo without them seeing me, but instead asked for permission and they agreed.   I love their smiles!

100 French Stangers - Louie

French Stranger #79 

Yesterday I told you that I snapped that photo while Mary and I were strolling through a small playground on rue de la Butte aux Cailles.  Today meet my new little friend Louie.  Louie's mom kindly allowed me to take his picture. He tried out all of the playground equipment while I snapped away. Très mignon!

100 French Strangers #78 - Josué

#78

It's been a while since I posted one of my *French Strangers.  This last trip in January I found several.  Today the friendly cook at L'Oisive Thé et Tricot in the Butte aux Cailles neighborhood.  He makes some delicous meals in that tiny little kitchen!  I first heard about this delightful tea and knit shop from another Paris blog.  I contacted Aimée, the charming owner via Facebook and told her to expect us in January.  Mary and I had a delightful cup of tea there while I popped up and down taking photos the whole time.  Not to worry, you'll meet Aimée and we'll have a longer look around the shop soon.

* For you newcomers to my blog, the 100 Strangers Challenge originated on Flickr. Its purpose to challenge photographers to become more at ease approaching a stranger and asking to take their picture. I started on my B'ham blog and reached 100 long ago. I've had such fun meeting strangers in France, I took up the challenge there.  I have found the French to be as warm and willing to have their photographs taken as those right here in my hometown.

100 French Strangers - Monsieur Feldman

French Stranger #77

M. Marc Feldman, propriétaire 

Au Passe Partout

rue Saint- Paul

As I wandered near my apartment in the Marais one afternoon, I spotted this man hard at work at his desk just inside the doorway.  I stepped in and asked if I could take some photos.  After all, the place was dripping with old keys and tire bouchons!  He spoke a little English so I asked if I could take his photograph as well.  He consented but asked to share the book he had written, Des Clefs et des Hommes.
Of course I agreed.  I have a few more photos of his interesting shop for you later.I'm one lucky photographer.

100 French Strangers - Another Friendly Waiter

French Stranger #76

Le Pot de Terre, near rue Mouffetard. A lovely lunch with Mary, and Paris friends Lucy and Anne Hervier.

100 French Strangers - The Flower Shop Owner

French Stranger #75

Zinc des Fleurs  has always been one on my favorite little shops on rue Mouffetard.  This Sunday, the charming owner stepped out,  and of course I asked to take his photo!

100 French Strangers - The Shop Owner

French Stranger #74

Mary, Richard and I wandered into Librairie Scaramouche from Passage Molière and Richard was right, a real treasure trove it was. Filled to the brim with vintage posters, postcards, books and movie paraphernalia.  Monsieur behind the counter gave me a rather blasé look when I snapped the first photograph,  but I wandered around and came back and this time I don't think he minded so much.  Is that just a hint of a smile???

Librairie Scaramouche

161 rue St.Martin

75003 Paris

3ème arr.

le Magasin de Pomme

French Stranger #74

Well you know the first stop we made the day we landed in Paris was the Apple Store Opéra!! Oh it is just amazing.

 A meticulous renovation of this beautiful old building blends elegant French wrought ironwork and columns with Apple's trademark merchande displays.  I was fascinated that this enormous two story store is laid out almost exactly like ours here in Birmingham.  Today I feature a very friendly Apple employee whose English was very good as he answered my questions. I regret I forgot to get his name!  I will share a few more photos in the future.

 12 rue Halevy

I regret that we ran out of time before I could visit the Apple Store Louvre. Next time!

100 French Strangers - Thé à la Menthe

French Stranger #71

Last summer ma chère amie Mary took me on a wild goose chase ( I have no idea what THAT would be in French) to the 20 eme for the Grand Brocante.  As I've shared previously, it left a lot to be desired but what it lacked in fine French antiques to be had for a song, it made up for with delightful people that we met along the way.  This young boy was selling hot mint tea and baklava.  Mary and I of course had to have some as he was just a delight as you can see here.