Les bateaux

The first time I saw these boats tied together at the Bois de Boulogne, was a fabulous exhibit of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's,  Paris From Above.  Luckily mon ami Peter Olson was along and as we left the exhibit, we made our way on foot to this very spot.  As the weather turns warm and hopefully sunny in Paris, I'm sure the Parisians will find there way here for picnics and boat rides.

Paris From Above - "Do You Want To Go Up?"

My last day in Paris, Peter asked where I wanted to go.  I didn't miss a beat... Tuileries.  It is a place I return to again and again. Even in the winter I love it. Perhaps it's because I have such sweet memories of my first taste of Paris with Melissa and Eva right there.   This day it was yet another misty, chilly Paris  day. We strolled from the Louvre right through the gardens and then the grande roue loomed ahead. Peter asked if I wanted to go up. I said, " Oh, non, I don't have the courage!"  Then....I don't know why... as we walked right to it, I turned and said, "Yes, I will do it!" Thankfully Peter had the Euros, and up we went. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, I saw Paris spread all below me! A breathtaking experience... my last day in Paris!

For the REAL Paris From Above by Yann Arthus-Bertand go here.  I saw this at the Marmottan-Monet in July, 2009. It is wonderful!

Les Avirons Rouges

Yesterday on my Birmingham blog I featured French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand as part of Blog Action Day 2009. His recent film Home is available online and has been distributed all over the world. Taken from a helicopter as for his photographs for Earth From Above, his film sends a powerful message about the fragility of our planet.

While in Paris last summer Peter and I toured the Musée Marmottan Monet. A wonderful museum in its own right, but we found an added bonus, a special exhibit of Bertrand's Paris From Above photographs and a short film. One of my favorite photographs was of the rowboats all tethered in the center of the lake at Bois de Boulogne. Fortunately we were very close, so off we went as soon as we left the museum! I've featured these boats here, but I especially liked this shot of the red oars. Worth another look I think.