Sunday Church Series - Reading in Paris

Église Saint-Suplice

Reading in Paris - Saint Sulpice

Reading in Paris

On this beautiful, blue sky day in November, the Jardin du Luxembourg was the perfect spot to read.

Café et un livre

I always love capturing Parisians enjoying a book whether it's in the Métro, on a park bench,  or of course, a Paris café. 

Passing Time

Long days at the Marché aux Puces. Vendors pass the time reading.

Reading in Paris

Palais Royal

Un Moment de calme

This sweet petite fille was so engrossed in her book, that she and her friend who was seated right behind her, were oblivious to all that was going on around them at the Palais Royal.

Reading in Paris

As a teacher, I am drawn to the Parisians who read in Paris.. the parks, the Mètro, cafés. I hope cell phones don't replace this.

Reading In Paris

Although I think iPhone use is ramping up even in Paris, I still enjoy finding someone reading a book or newspaper!

Le livre de lecture

I would love the time in Paris to be able to sit at the Palais Royal and read.

Reading In Paris - Le journal

The events in Paris in the last week have left us all reeling. My heart has been with my friends and the citizens in Paris. It is hard for me to believe that the city that I love dearly and where I feel the safest, has been so devastated by violence.

For about a year, I have been a faithful follower of photographer Peter Turnley. Peter is an extremely talented photojournalist who has done plenty of time in war torn countries. Now, he lives in NYC and Paris.  His amazing BW images of Paris life captured my heart immediately. This past week, he had just returned to New York when he felt compelled to return to Paris to capture the events there. Prior to that, he ran a few photos of people reading newspapers in Paris. I remembered this image and post it today as a tribute to those who died at Charlie Hebdo and those who will hopefully continue the tradition, as well as the others who lost their lives this week in Paris.

This photo was taken on a quiet day in the gardens at the Palais Royal about a year ago.  

Reading in Paris - Palais Royal

One reads, the other connects by phone.

LIvre de lecteur

Finding a quiet spot a Jardin des Tuileries is easy in the fall when the tourists have all gone home.  It was so quiet, that the two men in the background found time for nap!

Reading In Paris - Palais Royal

Quietly reading in the parks of Paris is a gift that Parisians give themselves.  When in Paris, I always feel like I'm on the proverbial hamster wheel, with so much to see and so little time. An hour or so of reading in a park is a luxury.

I will be teaching FROM SNAPSHOTS TO PHOTOGRAPHS at Samford After Sundown again beginning October 16th for 5 weeks.  Join us!

Un bon livre au Palais Royal

The day I arrived in Paris last January, as Peter and I walked through the Palais Royal, we spotted these two adorable young girls seated on a Buren Column,  enjoying their books amidst the flurry of activity going on around them.  The weather was quite chilly but children of all ages ran and climbed among the columns with their parents happily chasing behind or pushing strollers, while others rode bikes or scooters amongst these very graphic and controversial pillars. Another reason I love Paris, readers everywhere!

I just received news last night that the Girl's Guide to Paris has chosen my blog as one of their best Paris blogs!  I'm am very honored and I hope you will check out their site right HERE!

Matin aux Tuileries

Reading in the gardens, a national pastime and I love it!

Un bon livre dans le parc *

Jardin du Luxembourg

Everywhere you go in Paris, especially the parks, you will find readers.  As a former teacher I think this
says a lot about the French. They read books on the Métro, waiting for the bus, while in cafés, in the parks.  They don't waste a minute, always a book in hand.  A nation of readers.  What a concept.


* Thank you Genie for the translation!

I"m gathering a group of photographers for my Snapshots to Photographs class. I'll teach them in October for five weeks. This series is designed for amateur photographers with any type digital camera. Want to improve the quality of your photographs?  Live in the Birmingham AL area? Contact me!

Enjoying a Good Book

Yes, we're back at the Palais Royal today. I snapped this photo of these ladies just enjoying a warm summer afternoon with a good book. A Parisian pasttime that I plan to enjoy on my next visit. I can hardly wait!

Parisian Pastime I

Reading, a Parisian pastime. Back in May, I wrote about my fascination with the number of people I spotted sitting in parks, cafes, even on the Metro, reading. Now I regret that I didn't put my camera down more and find a nice chair in the park and read as well! Today a few readers I found at one of my favorite spots, the gardens at the Palais Royal. ( I'll be staying very near the Palais Royal this trip. I'm smiling from ear to ear!)

Today I join Aileni's Monochrome Weekly gang. Click here to see their interesting images.

If I'd had my new longer lens I'd have gotten a better shot. As it was, I had to practically sit in his lap to get this!

A Day at Luxembourg Gardens

Everywhere you go in Paris you see people reading.

Eva got 20 rings with her baton!

The French are such.........

rule followers!

All I got was ONE lick!

Peter and Alice can tell you that I have been trying to visit this beautiful place since my first visit in 2007. Well we finally made it today. It's a nice walk from our apartment so we will visit often. We started off with chocolate ice cream cones at the entrance. Then we strolled to the children's play area where Eva and Davis had a terrific time trying out all the fun things to play on. I went to watch pétanque while they played. A few carousel rides learning to catch the rings with the baton and a leisurely walk back home with a few stops for window shopping (most of the shops are closed on Mondays). We rested and headed out for dinner around 7:00. Tomorrow we are shopping at the street market on rue Mouffetard and who knows what else! We are ready to tackle buying Metro passes so we could be on the move.

Added bonus today: Les Pétanque Players