Street Music

Playing on the Pont au Double. I will never forget walking across the bridge hearing his beautiful music.

A Little Sax in Paris

This group of musicians set up and play on the corner of Boulevard Saint-Germain every day, I love to stop and listen!

City Daily Photos Theme Day - Music

How could I offer any other musician but Christian Bassoul! I met him and his band of singers and dancers in June, 2009, when my family found them on rue Mouffetard. For many of my trips to Paris, I make sure I"m there on Sundays. He is a Parisian treasure.

Today, I join my City Daily Photobloggers for this fun Theme Day! 

Le musicien du rue Mouffetard

No matter how many times I travel to Paris, if I"m there on a Sunday, I make my way to rue Mouffetard. The locals gather at the bottom of the street and sing and dance and allow me to take endless photos.

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 bassiste

Finding street bands and musicians on Paris streets are favorite subjects for me. This group was playing near Métro Abbesses in Montmartre.

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.

Paris Greeter

This lovely, smiling street musician was the official greeter the Sunday we visited Luxembourg Gardens last November. She returned his smile. 

Playing For Euros

I had my euros tight in my fist as I made my way down the steps at the Sacre Coeur. Just after I took this picture from above, he stopped, put up his harp and probably went for a coffee. I'm sorry I didn't get to hear him play!

Singing for Euros

 

Singing her heart out on the steps of the Opéra Garnier, with a hat for euros. I hope she was discovered!

Pont des Arts Avant

 

This taken in June, 2010, you can see a few locks behind this musician.  Now......there is no space left as the locks of love have covered every single inch of this lovely bridge.  Hopefully,  the city of Paris will soon remove them all as they pose a huge weight on the bridge and also block the view of the Seine.  I vote to have them gone!

Le bassiste

Street band, Montmartre

Opéra for Euros

This young woman with a remarkably good voice, had an attentive audience.

Musique sur le pont

The Pont des Arts, a pedestrian bridge,  is always alive with musicians, artists and other creative Parisians.  This friendly gentleman's music added to our stroll across to the Left Bank.  

Le batteur

Last week you met the trombone player here.  Today most of the street band including the very cool drummer.

Le trombone

As we made our way through the dancers on rue Mouffetard, past the weekend arts and crafts market , we encountered this lively band of street musicians.  Not bad for a Sunday walk to the Jardin des Plantes! Another reason.... I love Paris!

I think this qualifies for James' Weekend Reflections right HERE~

Un autre moment à Paris

From time to time, I have what I call a Paris moment *.  A very special experience that reminds me of just how much I love this place.  This afternoon as we were walking through the colonnade of Place des Vosges, I heard a  harp being played and I knew just who it was.  This harpist I photographed two years ago and shared here, was in the very same spot.  As we stopped to listen, he played l'Hymne a l'amour ** and those of you that know me well,  know that I teared up.  Je suis sans espoir bien sûr!

*  In a Paris Moment, by my friend and very talented photographer Meredith Mullins, was my inspiration!


** Today I'm giving you France's beloved and a much younger Johnny Hallyday's version. Your thoughts??

le Musicien

This should put to rest, the question that I am often asked, "Virginia, why do you return to Paris over and over?" Ceci est ma réponse!

Le Chanteur de Rue

Oh the Place des Vosges. As you know I was so fortunate to stay near there this last trip. It's a very special neighborhood. I had some time alone there and one afternoon, as I strolled around I heard music and this marvelous soprano voice. Imagine my surprise. This man, Jean Do Cardi, was singing, but not with words really. There he was, with his bright blue scarf blowing in the breeze. Another Paris moment.

La Harpiste de la Rue

Of the many things I love about Paris, the street musicians most certainly are at the top of my list. What a delight to wander across a bridge, through the Louvre late at night or down into the Mètro and hear the sounds of a saxophone, the lovely voice of a singer or the jaunty tune of an accordian. Since I spent a lot of time in and around the Place des Vosges this last trip, I was fortunate to find some interesting and unusual musicians. Today, the harpist. I stood and listened for quite a while. He was very talented. It made for yet another Paris moment that makes me smile when I remember....