Jardin des Plantes - L'artiste

This artist was sketching animals at la Ménagerie, one of the oldest zoos in the world, created in 1794.  

Jardin des Plantes V

 A cool, shady place to run free. We found that most tourists flock to Tuileries and it's a mad house in the summer. This was the perfect park to enjoy with the grandchildren. 

Jardin des Plantes IV

I assume this charming little building is for the gardeners to store their equipment. One of my favorite  places here!

Jardin des Plantes III

 Charmant!

Jardin des Plantes II - Ma Famille

Jardin des Plantes I

Today we move to another of Paris' beautiful gardens. We discovered the Jardin des Plantes in June, 2009, when my daughter and I were staying in the 5eme with her two children, ages 4 and 7. That summer we found many fun things to do in Paris with children.

The Jardin des Plantes is Paris' botanical gardens and includes a small zoo, carrousel , and the extraordinary National Museum of Natural History. 

Le Dodo Manege carrousel features a delightful collection of extinct and endangered animals. This is a must when you travel to Paris with children.

City Daily PHoto Theme Day - Parks

Today, the first of the month is our THEME DAY. Paris has an abundance of parks so I chose one that most visitors might never discover. Square Georges Cain is located on a quiet side street in the Marais. Put it on your list.

For all of the CDP bloggers' photos of their favorite parks, click HERE! 

Palais Royal IV

Selfie with friends. In November, 2015, I traveled with friends Mary and Phil. We stayed in an apartment near Place Victoire and spent a lot of time at the Palais Royal. Here we are!

Palais Royal III

I never tire of this view into the gardens.

Palais Royal II

Les vélos

Jardin du Palais Royal

Palais Royal I

 Today really thinking about how much I love the Palais Royal and spending time in the gardens. I'll share a few more photographs this week of past trips. Sadly, this last trip we didn't get a visit here de to rain and having to leave Paris early.

PS. I"m having keyboard glitches and unable to type a few letters so forgive me!

Flea Market Finds - Vêtements vintage

Robes pour filles.

Marché aux Puces de Vanves

Les Vendeurs IV

 After visiting the Marché aux Puces de Vanves, we walked through the lovely Parc Georges Bressens  to the pavilion which houses the weekly book market. Lots of antique and used books and lots of interesting vendeurs.

Les vendeurs III

 Marché aux Puces de Vanves

Les vendeurs II

This nice vendeur agreed to a photograph as well. Some of you have asked me if I always ask permission. It really depends. Sometimes I interact with a stranger and feel like I'd like to ask their permission, which is technically a Street Portrait. Other times, I love standing afar and watching the interactions going on and choose to snap a photograph. This is what is typically known as Street Photography. Many photographers enjoy the interaction with strangers as I do, but that means you miss out on getting that special moment with them doing what they do. Regardless, I would never publish a photograph of anyone that is not flattering. Tomorrow, I'll share a street photo so that you can see the difference. 

Flea Market Finds - Les vendeurs

While shopping and photographing, I managed to meet a few lovely vendors. Monsieur was happy to be photographed, which I appreciated. 

Flea Market Finds

Une collection of verrerie de vintage. Of note the fabulous and longed for blue sky day in Paris.

Flea Market Finds - Un mélange d'objets

Marché aux Puces de Vanves

Marché aux Puces du Vanves - Les acheteurs

Madame et Monsieur enjoying a morning at the flea market. 

Flea Market Finds III - Les souvenirs

Vieilles photographies. 

Marché aux Puces des Vanves

Flea Market Finds II - Les chapeaux

Marché aux Puces des Vanves

Flea Market Finds

 Marché aux Puces des Vanves is a little tricky to find but worth the effort. This small outdoor flea market is set up along one long street in the south of Paris. I found it much easier to navigate, the dealers friendly and some wonderful photo ops. I'll share a few more for the next few days. 

Charming in Chartres

Just a short walk from the cathedral, I found this charming restaurant.

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.

Charmant à Chartres

 The lovely town of Chartres, is just a nice train ride from Paris. The Cathedral is breathtaking, but take the time to wander the streets. 

Sunday Church Series - Abbaye de Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Travaux en cours

For those of you who have followed my blog, you'll remember Alexis. He is an evening/wedding gown designer whose shop is located just off Place des Vosges. For many visits, I found his shop closed, but then I got very lucky one day. He has kindly allowed me in on several occasions to photograph. He speaks no English and I... well you know about that. He nods and lets me take photographs and he attends to his phone. I leave with a merci and that's about it.

This trip, I found some of his sketches with the beginnings of a fabulous new creation. 

Bleu à Provins

Mon préféré

 I love so many bridges in Paris, but the Pont des Arts remains my favorite. When I first visited Paris  years ago, I found the few "love locks" charming. As time passed, they took over this bridge and most others and were destroying them with their weight, not to mention their hideousness. Thankfully the city of Paris stepped in, finally, and cut them off, and now have restored them to their former beauty. 

Vide

Sad to think about Paris empty, with no social interaction on terrasses.

Morning Run

Jardin du Palais Royal