Charmant

I've lost count of how many times I've visited Montmartre. I never tire of this charming place. 

Pollarding in Paris

The French have mastered the fine art of tree trimming. Since my first visit to Paris in 2007, I have been fascinated at the way they manicure the trees in the gardens. I've learned since,  this technique is called pollarding. Love seeing it in the fall at Tuileries.

Paris Rouge - Amis

Mercredi in Paris, the schools are closed, so you see a lot of children in the gardens. These two seemed to be having fun in Tuileries.

La femme dans le jardin

I have no idea what she was thinking this Sunday afternoon in Luxembourg Gardens. I was thinking how much I love this place and wishing I didn't have to leave Paris!

La guitare

Unpacking his guitar along the Seine, I didn't notice the chalk drawing on the sidewalk until I downloaded this photo.

Le couleur pourpre

Not a color you usually find at cafés but a refreshing change!

Sunday Church Series - Saint-Germain- de- Près

Considered one of the oldest churches in Paris, the ladder is indicative of the constant restoration process required to keep up this beautiful church.

Waiting

Especially in the winter months, the artists who gather at Place du Tertre, spend a lot of time waiting on their next subject.

Un, deux, trois

I love the open windows, I love the niches, I love Paris.

Mon Ami

Back in July, 2009, I met the charming gentleman on the right. He had heard of Birmingham, Alabama from some friends who had shopped there before and he asked, "Madame, if I come to Birmingham, what should I see first?" I didn't bat an eye and said, "Moi, Monsieur!" He laughed and we have been friends ever since. This trip in 2012, I took a photo I'd taken that day and he proudly showed it to his coworkers. E. Dehillerin is the premier place for cookware in Paris. I like to say if they don't stock it, you don't need it. Ina Garten shops here and that's good enough for me. I've never bought a thing but I always stop in and say, "Bonjour" to my friends there. 

C'est Paris!

Relais Odéon

132 Boulevard Saint Germain

75006 Paris

Bon hiver!

No matter when you visit Paris, you will always find flowers!

Garçon et le bateau

I wonder how long Parisian children have sailed their boats at the gardens in Paris. 

Le Panthéon

Luckily we had another chance to view this spectacular building on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The Sunday before, it was dark and rainy. That said, we loved it in rain and shine.

Amis

Slip through a door at Place des Vosges and you find the courtyard of the Hôtel de Béthune- Sully.  It now houses  the Centre des Monuments Nationaux. Although it is not open to the public there is a very nice book store that you should visit. This coeur is lovely quiet corner of Paris, and I never fail to find friends sitting in these doorways.

Mona

Why fight a thousand tourists with cell phones at the Louvre. Stop in at the Da Vinci Café, have a nice glass of wine,  and see her up close!

Da Vinci Café

25 rue des Saints Pères

75006 Paris

Le rouge, blanc et bleu `a Paris

I'm thinking the sailboat vendor at les Jardins du Luxembourg is a pretty smart guy. 

Pablo Was Here

Perhaps this quickly drawn image was done in honor of the Musée Picasso's reopening in Paris. Regardless, it made us all stop, smile and snap.

La famille

I love nothing more than spending a fine Sunday afternoon in Paris at les Jardins du Luxembourg. Everyone in Paris seems to rush to the gardens to walk, sit, read, or bring their children to run and play. Today, a special memory.

Ma Mission

Last November Peter and I were part of a street photography workshop led our very talented friend and photographer Meredith Mullins. We gathered at the Mona Bismarck American Center to talk about street photography and then Meredith gave us our assignments. One was to find a spot, and stay there long enough to become part of it, unseen. We had several other tasks as we hit the streets along the Seine. The next day, while just wandering along rue Bonaparte waiting for friends, I walked across the street, leaned against a store front and stood there for maybe 5 minutes or more just snapping away. Normally I don't shoot those begging in Paris,  but this time the woman was such a part of the scene and I was far enough away, I didn't feel as if I was invading her space. This is the photo I selected to share with Meredith and my fellow classmates. 

Bonjour Ya'll!

Imagine my surprise and delight when I stepped inside TREIZE - A Baker's Dozen and offered the obligatory, "Bonjour Madame!" and hear, "Hey, come on in!" Relief in a waythat I didn't have to do my constant, "Parlez vous anglais??" Instead I am greeted by owner Laurel Sanderson ( on the right) and her delightful staff behind the counter. While they made me feel at home with my camera, they continued chopping and dicing for their lunch menu. Behind them, le chef with the biggest grin I've

EVER seen Paris. Laurel hails from the south so we understood each other immediately. Some of the patrons enjoying a late breakfast vouched for the delicious fare. Trust me, if you get to the 7 eme, go see Laurel and her smiling staff. Tell 'em I sent ya.

Treize - A Baker's Dozen

16 rue des Saints Pères

75007 Paris

TREIZE!

If you visited yesterday you know I found a passageway off rue des Saints Pères and investigated. What I thought was possibly an antique store at the far end, was really a delightful little shop called Treize, a baker's dozen ( note the clever signage). I will admit I spent quite a while outside photographing this charming exterior. Tomorrow, we step inside! 

Treize

16 rue des Saints Pères

75007 Paris

La découverte

As I wandered rue des Saint Pères (5eme) near our apartment, I spotted open doors and a passageway. I've trained myself to never pass up an opportunity to investigate when there are open doors in Paris. At the far end I could see what looked like a charming shop, antiques maybe. Off I went. As you will see in the next few days, this is how I've found some of the best places in Paris. Come back tomorrow and see my discovery!

Le Clown

Two very friendly clowns greeted passersby near the Hôtel de Ville that afternoon. A fine time for my battery to die. By the time I'd stopped to change it, they had gone on their way. Only in Paris...

Le chien et son ami

Monsieur was smiling and le chien was winking! Another great day at the Palais Royal.

Baguette To Go!

I think I could possibly do an entire photo series on baguettes to go. Another image that made me smile.

Déjeuner à Nemours

Café Nemours is a bit touristy but it adjoins my love, the Palais Royal, and it's a great place to sit and people watch. Last November, Martha, Sara and I waited for Mary to join us. A grand déjeuner with friends. Sweet memories.

CIty Daily Photo Theme Day - What Would You Miss?

Peter Olson and Mary Gilbert

Asking me what I would miss most of Paris, the city I call my home away from home was daunting. Then I realized that although Paris offers me so many wonderful experiences, it's the friends who I share it with who make it so special.

Today my City Daily Photoblog friends around the world share their special photographs. Please have a look here.

Another Reason I Love Paris

This was the day I spent all alone, wandering up one street, across a bridge, down another. At last, late in the afternoon, I was on my way to meet friends for wine and later dinner. I underestimated the route to the café by a long shot. At first I was put out, but decided it was yet another Paris moment when I could wander this street in the Marais to my destination. As I poked along, I looked up, which is a wonderful thing to do in Paris. What's up is often the best choice. As I approached this group of flats covered in vines ( be still my heart), I spotted this window lit from within. I forgot all about my long walk and knew I'd found another treasure.

Allons-y !

As I made my way across the Pont des Arts, taking photos to document the sacrilege to the bridge,  a group of kindergartners blew past me followed by their teacher. I was in hot pursuit to see what they were in such a hurry to see.  Ahhhh yes, the one lone panel of heavy duty glass on the whole bridge. A test by the city of Paris to see if it "works". This was the one and only place on the entire bridge where these petits enfants could actually see the Seine and beyond. They stopped, looked and listened as their teacher pointed out what she wanted them to see and learn. The one bright spot on the Pont des Arts that day.

Amour à vente

I shared a photograph of the Pont des Arts before the love locks became epidemic and the aftermath yesterday. Today, a look at the love locks salesmen set up their wares in broad open daylight. They don't like to have their photos taken so you see this one has walked away from the merchandise. 
They are kind enough to offer locks at many price points. I don't know how much they sell for, but I'm sure the largest ones ( that will take a city worker a good while to cut off the bridge) aren't for those who are marginally in love. What having a policeman posted there or between two bridges handing out fines would cost, could be offset by the fines if they were diligent. Now the city of Paris is looking at an enormous expense cutting them off and repairing the damaged bridges. A problem that should have been taken care of years ago.