Les Danseurs

Dimanche å rue Mouffetard. I hope the dancers on Mouffetard are back now that the lockdown has ended. 

Sundays on rue Mouffetard

Sundays on rue Mouffetard, a grand time is had by all, young and old. The locals show up and sing and dance, spectators join in the singing and some join in and dance as well. This petit enfant was giving it some thought! 

Michael

I"ve been photographing this guy dancing on rue Mouffetard since 2009. He's a flashy dresser and great dancer. We've never spoken, but I do believe I might have taken him a print. His favorite dance partner was a tall blonde who dressed to the nines. I hear she moved away a few years ago and now  he dances with several of the regular ladies. You can find them every Sunday around 11 -12. Don't miss it. 

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Young At Heart

Chère Nellie, who I photographed for several years when she joined the dancers on rue Mouffetard.

Today, I again join my City Daily Photoblogger friends around the world. Have a look HERE to see their great images! 

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.

Les Danseurs

Every Sunday around noon, the locals gather a the bottom of rue Mouffetard and sign old French songs they all know and love and many dance. Often those in the crowd join them as with this grand -mère with her sweet petite fille.

CDP Theme Day - Motion

It's no secret that the dancers on rue Mouffetard on a Sunday in Paris is the place I return to time and time again. Michel and his partner never disappoint. This Sunday, after photographing them at street level, I found them again from the second floor of our café as we all enjoyed lunch.

Please click HERE to see how my fellow City Daily Photo bloggers have interpreted our monthly theme of MOTION. 

Dimanche

Dimanche à Mouffetard is one of the many special happenings I've discovered in Paris and return to time and time again.  Danielle is a dancer I've photographed so many times. This Sunday, she had yet another dance partner.  I think her dance card is always full!

La petite danseuse

What a delight to have a dance with Grand-père on rue Mouffetard.

Ma chère maman

Sunday on rue Mouffetard, waiting for the singing and dancing to begin, I spot this.  Another reason I love being a photographer. Capturing precious moments like this makes it all worthwhile.

Last Tango in Paris?

Oh I think not. Tango dancing in Paris pops up all over the city. This Sunday as I made my pilgrimage to rue Mouffetard to see my old friends who dance there each week, I spotted one of my favorite subjects... Danielle.  

Vieux amis

As you all know by know, I try to visit the dancers on Sundays at rue Mouffetard as often as I can. I've been fortunate to meet a number of them . Today you will of course recognize one of my favorites, Michel. He's not dancing with his usual partner but dear Nellie.  Nellie came faithfully every Sunday for many years, but my friend Roger told me recently that she's not been in the best of health so she doesn't join them as frequently.  Certainly she was a bright spot in the crowd of locals and one I always sought to photograph. 

Duet

Sunday on rue Mouffetard

Christian Bassoul, who is  always on hand to play the accordion, and Viviane, who dances and often sings a solo.

Après la danse

After the singing and dancing on rue Mouffetard, many of the participants adjourn to smaller cafés up or down the street to have lunch and continuing the dancing.  I discovered this quite by accident as we climbed Mouffetard this Sunday. I hear Monsieur's accordion and poked my camera in the open door.  I was a little to shy to go in and pull up a chair, but who knows, maybe next trip I'll do just that!

Partenaires

Michel and Gisèle

I've photographed this colorful couple dancing on rue Mouffetard since 2009.  He is always dressed in such unusual attire that I sometimes forget to notice what she's wearing although it seems to be white most often.  I've had the opportunity to speak with some of the others but never these two.  I don't think they're married but seem to meet up each Sunday and usually dance together.  Maybe if I get another chance, I'll find out more!

Les jambes

Mylène and VIncent

Madame's  legs as well as her dance moves caught my eye one Sunday on rue Mouffetard. 

Les partenaires

I have been photographing the Sunday dancers on rue Mouffetard since 2009.  I've observed that the dance partners change often each week.  Madame here, is often my subject.  I think her partner was very appreciative, don't you?

L'accordéoniste IV

What's dancing in the street on rue Mouffetard with out the obligatory French accordion?? Of course Christian Bassoul is the originator of this neighborhood gathering, but I've found others that take his place from time to time.

100 French Strangers- Christian Bassoul

 French Stranger #82

In the early 1900's street musicians would sell sheet music to the people on the streets of Paris and everyone would sing.  Meet Christian Bassoul, the man who has revived that delightful tradition.  One sunny Sunday morning, June 2009,  as we walked down rue Mouffetard on our way to the Jardin des Plantes, we came across a crowd of people having the most wonderful  time singing favorite French songs and dancing with each other and willing spectators.  Since that time, whenever I'm in Paris on a Sunday, you will find me right there.  I wouldn't miss it.  This past January, I took some  prints from previous trips and shared them with some of the singers.  Viviane, who I've photographed many times, spoke some English and was very kind to spend time with me.  Today their leader  and accordianist Christian Bassoul.  You can see Christian in this YouTube video from many years ago here. 

I have made contact with Viviane and hopefully Christian as well. I will be sharing many more photographs here.  Being able to correspond and share my photographs with them is a special gift for me.

This Time Last Sunday...

... I had spent about an hour and a half talking with the dancers at rue Mouffetard and sharing some photographs I have taken of them for the last 3 years.  Genie, Holly, Mary and our sweet Paris friend Anne, then adjourned to a café across the street,  and as we sat upstairs having lunch, I took a peek out of the window and decided to try a long shot through the glass.  I love the movement and seeing it all from a new perspective.

You might recognize one of my favorite dancers that I posted here.