Guess Where I Went? - Musee d'Orsay

Max Ernst Exhibit

( A nod to Marie-Noyale at Larchmont Daily Photo who inspired me with her terrific museum shots.)

If the thought of "doing the Louvre" intimidates you, then the Musee d'Orsay is a must see when visiting Paris. The moment you walk in you realize that in its previous life, this museum was once a very fine train station! Reopened in 1986, its collection of Impressionist paintings is impressive as is the sculpture that amazingly is displayed in easy reach, but I wouldn't suggest "touching"! I took a break and had a lovely lunch at the gorgeous turn of the century restaurant. All in all, a great way to spend the day in Paris.

Oh I know you've seen this clock a zillion times ( in every picture frame in Target, right?) but I just had to take one more shot.

A scale model of Paris that you can actually walk on. It is fascinating to see the "aerial" view.

Yet another famous clock. Here you get the feel of its prior life as a train station.

Lunch with a view!

Le Marais - 100 French Strangers Challenge

Tuesday I walked all over le Marais. It was a bit more crowded with tourists as the day wore on, but I still enjoyed all the interesting places and people. These were taken at Place de Vosges. Some very friendly "French Strangers"!

The artist at work

100 French Strangers #22

Monsieur and Titi

100 French Strangers # 23

What can I say? Charming French artists can sell a lot of prints!

100 French Strangers # 24

FIreworks, Paris Style!

Peter and I enjoyed the Fete Nationale fireworks from the Pont de Grenelle, near the Eiffel Tower tonight. It was just spectacular. See for yourself!

For many more great shots of the celebration, jump on over to Peter's blog and see his dazzling collection of photos!

Joyeuse Fete Nationale !

Musee Rodin

Tuesday is Fete Nationale ( Bastille Day) here in France. If the fireworks that the neighborhood kids are setting off this evening are any indication, tomorrow promises to be a firecracking, flag waving good time. I haven't noticed the aroma of charcoal grills being fired up, so I must assume that the French choose not to celebrate with WELL cooked barbequed pork. (The very idea!) I think it will be fun to see the festivities so I hope to have some photos to share. I don't think I"ll be in the thick of the huge crowds, so don't hold your breath for a photo of President Sarkozy as my latest "100 French Strangers". Stay tuned though.

Pictured below is the Hotel de Ville ( Paris City Hall). Our mayor at home would give up his pipe dream of a domed stadium if he could "rule" from a place like this!

Hotel de Ville

An Afternoon at the Bois de Boulogne

Today Peter and I visited the wonderful Musee Marmottan Monet. More on that on a later post. We walked from there to the Bois de Boulogne. What an oasis on the periphery of Paris. Just a lovely place to stroll, row, picnic or enjoy the woods. Here's a link to Peter's previous post. He has everything you'll want to know about this must see park. Merci Peter!

Knock, Knock

A VERY full day in Paris. Peter and I walked about 500 miles and he will verify that I'm sure. It's late and I'm tired so here you have a nice little collection of door handle/knockers I found today.

Bonne nuit!

Dancin' in the Streets!

I have featured this fabulous street dancing on the rue Mouffetard previously. Aujourd' hui, just one photo. Sometimes, one photograph says it all.

I arrived in Paris today. I will be in here for nine glorious days and then return to Fontaine-Fourches , France where I will lead a small but I'm sure a very productive photography workshop. The countryside there is remarkable. I'm planning to let members of the group contribute photographs to my blog. I think this will be a great addition to my blog.

Thank you all for bearing with me on both of my blogs as I hop, skip and jump around.

UPDATE: My luggage has been found! That's a very good thing!

Watching the Sunset Over the Val de Grace

I'm leaving for Paris today.  I leave you with a  very special image that I've been saving.

Back to the Foire aux Antiquaires - Place Saint Sulpice

What Is It? Where Is It? - Paris Puzzle IV.....SOLVED!

Well I guess I stumped my fine Francophiles this time !!  I'll admit it was a tough one.   As a matter of  fact, my photo in full won't tell you much more.  This is a spiral staircase on rue Manutention that runs beside the Palais de Tokyo!!!  To see more of the Palais you're going to have to blog jump on over to Peter's blog and check his photos of this most unusual museum. And while you're visiting over there, behave yourselves and don't get rowdy or he won't let us come back!HA   

Well here we go. One more for you to figure out . Wonder where it is????  We have had some great winners and I'm hoping for a "dark horse" that will take this one!  I'll leave it up till Wednesday. On Thursday I leave for Paris. Bonne chance!!!!

Lost in Thought

When you take over 3,000 photos  you often overlook some that you missed on first review. Today I discovered these three,  and they all seemed to go together.  These were taken at the Palais Royal.   I think they are thought provoking.

Dear Jacques,.........

Window Shopping, Paris Style

Well, my goodness!  I think in another life I wore one of these!!!

( The question is.......what did I wear UNDER it?)

I've been promising all my friends that I would post a few photographs of the wonderful Paris shop windows.  The French are the masters at window display. Since I shot these through glass, the quality is not as good, but I'm sure you veteran shoppers will get the idea.  I promise, more windows this next trip!

I do love a straw hat.  Isn't this window the best!!!

They let down that fancy grid at night to keep people like me from breaking the glass and making off with every one of these great shoes!

Palais Royal

This was "handbag heaven " for sure. I'll take one of each s'il vous plait!

Palais Royal

I pulled this one from my archives.  I took this photograph of Bonpoint's infant store in 2007. Bonpoint has separate shops for infants, girls , boys, shoes etc.  Check out their trés chic website for more offerings.  Mrs. Obama and her girls shopped here on their recent trip to Paris.  I plan to revisit these shops soon!

Joyeux Anniversaire Amérique!

Yes, a petite version of our Lady Liberty resides in Paris!  This is the original "life size" cast.  She stands 15 feet tall in the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens, home of the French Senate.  This was architect/sculptor Batholdi's miniature mold for our American Statue of Liberty.

Le Cemetière Montparnasse

Mary explained that this is a Jewish tradition to lay stones on the grave. This is my favorite photograph.  I love the pebbles arranged in a circle.

This couple is immortalized in bed with their clothes on.  Anyone have an explanation?

My friend Mary  Gilbert talked me into another cemetery tour at Cemetière Montparnasse.  She's an expert,  so although this is not usually my thing , I must confess I really did enjoy her tour, despite the rain.

Fleuriste

Located on rue Claude Benard, this very Parisian flower shop was a block from our apartment. One Sunday morning while I was walking to the Val de Grace for services, I spotted the owner putting out her flowers.  We had a nice chat,  and she let me snap some photographs .  My 100 French Stranger # 22!

What is It??? Where Is It??? Part 3

Well our friend Dusty Lens has taken the last two prizes.  DL, I'm sending you and Mrs. DL two photographs  I hope you will enjoy.  It's time for some of  you other Francophiles out there to have a turn at guessing today's puzzle. Remember, you must tell me WHAT it is, WHERE it is and today....... explain it for my readers!

I'm sorry that my French friends are disqualified!  Of course you know this, so sit back and enjoy the fun!  Isn't it wonderful seeing how much we all love Paris?   I know I do!

JILL IS OUR WINNER TODAY!  SHE CORRECTLY GUESSED THE NAMES OF FAMOUS FRENCH SCIENTISTS , ENGINEERS AND OTHER NOTABLES DISPLAYED AROUND THE EIFFEL TOWER.  (See photograph below!)

Paris Rouge III

Berthillon

la crème de la crème

les cherises