La Cour

This private courtyard has been locked to the public since the 2015 terrorist attacks. I'm so grateful to have had several visits there before.

Un Cour Charmant

Discovered this sweet courtyard wandering the hilly streets of Butte aux Cailles.

Sunday Church Series - The American Cathedral in Paris

The residence of the Dean of the Cathedral is located above the enclosed courtyard. I always enjoy attending services there when I visit Paris. This trip, Mary and I will be attending a mass at Notre Dame de Paris as we will be meeting Vincent Dubois, one of the organists. I am hoping to be able to photograph him play during the mass. He will be playing a recital at Independent Presbyterian Church here in February. 

Paris Rouge - Serge Ferrai

The showroom for Serge Ferrari is located on a charming cobblestoned courtyard, from the 16th century, in the Cour du Bel Air, in the 12th. The dripping vines made it all the more charming.

Une charmante cour

Push a door at Place des Vosges and if you're lucky it's open to this charming courtyard.

Asseyez-vous

After all the festivities in France yesterday, perhaps we all should sit down have have a rest.

Le Vélo

Tucked away in the Village Saint Paul.

Poussez!

Peter Olson has taught me many, many things about Paris, but one of the first things was "pushing doors", as he calls it.  The huge double doors usually lead to interesting courtyards and are most often locked. He and I have slipped in a few after a postman or resident has punched the code. If you are very lucky, they have been left unlocked.   This day, as we strolled along Place des Vosges, I was the door pusher and........voilà!  We had a grand time snapping away until a housekeeper spotted us and asked us to stop. I took this one as we scooted out the door!

La grille

Winding our way through this divine little out of the way street ( there was a sign, "PRIVÉ"- phfffttt ) on our way to have a look at  Le Procope, I found so many things to photograph that it took longer than expected!

La Cour

Walking up the hill in Butte aux Cailles, I poked the camera through the gate. What a find!

Cour du Coq

Mary, Peter and I were in a hurry that morning so there wasn't time for Peter to push the doors to see if we could get inside and have a closer look. Quelle dommage!

Ma Petite Cour

Humor me.  This time last year, I was in my lovely little flat in the Marais. I found this photograh that I took from my kitchen window one morning.  Wonderful memories of a special time in Paris.

Note: I understand the temps in Paris are more like Alabama weather right now. I'm thankful I'm not experiencing this with the tiny fan and windows in this apartement. This Alabama girl would need some real AC for the heat.

Table et Tabouret

As we strolled down from Montmartre one afternoon,  Peter pushed a door, Mary and I followed close behind, ( she and I are quite brave when we have Peter to do the 'splaining in French if we get caught)  and voilà, a charming little apartement courtyard.  It had one of the tackiest *Christmas trees that we all agreed we'd ever seen.  All was not lost however, many nice photo ops were spotted.   Here's one!

* and oui, you'll have to wait till next Christmas season to see the tree! :)

Step Inside

This charming courtyard almost lured me in.  I resisted the urge to sashay in and have a look around. I wish I had.

Derrière la Grille

I'm fairly certain that this little courtyard is in the small alleyway leading from the side door of the Église St. Paul in the Marais. ( And no, I didn't push this gate! )

Who's There??

French Stranger #39

My very last day in Paris, I decided that if I walked past any courtyards with open doors, I was going to venture in and have a look. I was in "what have I got to lose " mode. As I peeked in here, this young lady who was having a little smoke break, walked around to see who was there. We chatted and I learned that she was from Tennessee, in Paris to visit her boyfriend. ( How romantic!!!) Thanks Mary for this nice photo! Snooping paid off here.