Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Le Square Trousseau



Le Square Trousseau


This corner spot is a favorite year-round,
 filled with locals. 
Some are celebrating a special event, 
others just enjoying the company of friends.


 (Joyeux anniversaire, Daddy - Tu me manques)



Le Square Trousseau
1, rue Anton Vollon
75012, Paris

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Boulangerie aux Castelblangeois - un régal pour l'oeil


Boulangerie aux Castelblangeois


Just before anyone considers a New Year's resolution 
regarding the consumption of delicious desserts, 
gaze one last time at these beauties.


Actually, there are no calories when feasting with the eyes.


miam-miam


Boulangerie aux Castelblangeois
104, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine
75012, Paris
Métro Ledru-Rolin

Monday, December 29, 2014

Rue Montorgueil - Dépêchez-vous!



Dressed for work in one of the restaurants of this "foodie street" 
he hurried along with the empty "boîtes."


So where was he going in the opposite direction 
of his restaurant with the empties?


Rue Montorgueil
75002, Paris

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Chartres Cathedral



Seen through a window as Marie and I climbed the many steps 
to the top of the bell tower, 
the interior of Chartres Cathedral 
appears to be a blended neutral color.


The major renovations and makeover 
of this eight hundred year old cathedral have created a stir.  
I look forward to checking them out myself 
before passing judgment, but you can read about it here.*


bon dimanche


Notre Dame de Chartres
Chartres, France

*Thanks to traveling friend, Mary G, for the link

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Jardin du Palais Royal - les filles



Jardin du Palais Royal


French girls on their way home after school...


There is always activity in this hidden, lovely garden,
even in the winter.


Jardin du Palais Royal
Place du Palais Royal
75001, Paris

Friday, December 26, 2014

La Bocca - Il fait froid



La Bocca
brrrrr....


As you can see in the background, 
many of the Paris cafés have heaters 
and plastic framed terraces for the winter.  


This gentleman was writing, 
perhaps waiting for someone.


La Bocca
59, rue Montmartre
75002, Paris
 

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Église Saint Roch - nativité



Saint Roch 


The most beautiful sculpture of the nativity...


Christmas blessings and a hope for peace on earth.



Église Saint-Roch
Rue Saint-Roch
75001, Paris

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Les ballerines de Palais Garnier



The ballerinas of Palais Garnier


On a rainy December morning these ballerinas 
danced in the windows of the gift shop of Palais Garnier.


Never miss a chance to dance...



Palais Garnier
75009, Paris

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Printemps - un grande table de fête!



Printemps


What a grand party that was!


Macarons, cristal, Champagne, et des chaussures!



Printemps
64, boulevard Haussmann
75009, Paris

Monday, December 22, 2014

Champs Elysées et La Grande Roue


Champs Elysées and the Big Ferris Wheel


La Grande Roue becomes an iconic landmark 
between November and February each year.  


It sits in Place de la Concorde at the foot of Avenue des Champs Elysées.  
An adult can ride for 10€ and see all of Paris.



Avenue des Champs Elysées
75008, Paris
 

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Les choristes de Noël



The Carolers


Each December 8th the churches of the Left Bank 
gather in the 5ième to sing the French Christmas carols 
carrying candles through the streets.


We have joined them on several occasions 
after evening services at Saint-Nicholas du Chardonnet.


bon dimanche



Celebration of the Immaculate Conception
Saint-Nicholas du Chardonnet
75005, Paris

 

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Printemps - 2006



Printemps 
Christmas Windows 2006


The artistry and animation of the Printemps windows
 in 2006 were remarkable, 
and there was no corporate name associated for promotion.  
There was no Chanel, Lagerfeld, etc.


The theme, I suppose, was dancing pots and pans, 
and each window had distinctive bright colors.
I thought you would like a vivid photo of the 2006 windows.



Printemps
Boulevard Haussmann
75009, Paris

Friday, December 19, 2014

Qu'est ce que c'est?!



What is this?
Can you guess?


It is a reflection, inverted (180°),
an ornate ceiling, with a mirror 
and a chandelier....


It is the elegant dining room of
Le Grand Vefour at Palais Royal.

Taking a photo of the mirror on the ceiling  (from outside)
is the closest I have ever been.


Tant pis pour moi


Le Grand Vefour
Palais Royal
75001, Paris

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Ma Bourgogne - la terrasse en hiver



Ma Bourgogne
the terrace in winter


In the frigid temperatures of December,
this is how you enjoy the terrace at Ma Bourgogne


The heaters are quite toasty 
and the regular waiters greet you with a smile.



Ma Bourgogne
Place des Vosges (northwest corner)
19, place des Vosges
75004, Paris

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Des sapins de Noël


Christmas trees


The first time I saw trees bundled like this on the streets of Paris, 
I first thought of mummies.  
These are quite tall and grand 
when you consider the size of many Paris apartments.  


Can you imagine toting one of these 
over your shoulder through the Paris Métro?



Passage du Grand Cerf
Rue Saint Denis
75002, Paris

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Le Tir Bouchon




Cascading ivy, 
bucket of stargazer lillies, 
color theme of rouge and rose foncé,  
handwritten blackboard menu...  
all should have been sufficient to entice my entrance.


As I checked out this restaurant on line for my post, 
I added it to the "definitely try" on my next visit.



Le Tir Bouchon
22, rue Tiquetonne
75002, Paris

Monday, December 15, 2014

Chocolat Foucher - chocolatier confiseur



Foucher
Maison de Chocolat depuis 1819


Rue du Bac is a meandering shopping street just behind Bon Marché.  
This may be the "home" boutique for these fine chocolats, 
and it even offers a salon de thé for a quiet respite from the holiday shopping.  


I could imagine finishing the gift list with selections of chocolates 
and then settling in for a chocolat chaud for myself.



Chocolat Foucher
134, rue du Bac
75007, Paris

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Église Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts - l'horloge



Église Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts


Built in 1902, the Neo-Gothic style with light-colored brick (and a working clock!) belie the lovely interior with its Cavaille-Coll organ.  Based on several stops here and a visit to the church's website, it has an active congregation.


bon dimanche



Église Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts
57, rue Traversière
75012, Paris

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Robert Combas - Rue des Haudriettes



Robert Combas


A French artist born in Lyon in 1957, he has exhibited in France and New York City.
This painting was created in 2000 and is titled,   
La femme lumière de l’homme

From a statement on his website, his art is meant to...


 “provoke, that is, to trigger a reaction in the spectator 
only to ‘invite’ him, beckoning him in 
and whispering in his ear ‘come over and talk to me, 
I want to tell you about the stupidity, violence, beauty,  
love, hatred, seriousness and fun, the logic 
and senselessness that pervade our day-to-day lives’ ”.



Robert Combas mural
4, rue des Haudriettes
75003, Paris
 



Friday, December 12, 2014

l'émerveillement!


Awe!


The Christmas windows of Printemps are amazing
as can been seen in the face and reflection of this young girl.


bon weekend



Printemps
Boulevard Haussman
75009, Paris


Thursday, December 11, 2014

Marché d'Aligre - les fleurs du marché



Marché d'Aligre


This market serves the neighborhood 
and is not usually frequented by tourists.  


No matter the season or the weather, 
you can be sure to find a broad array of flowers.



Marché d'Aligre
75012, Paris
 

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Avenue des Champs Elysées



Avenue des Champs Elysées


Dressed for the Christmas season
the "avenue" is awash in alternating shades 
of blue and purple



Ave des Champs Elysées
75008, Paris

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Rue de Castiglione - café



An empty café on an (almost) empty street...
just in view of the Colonne and Place Vendôme


In a few hours, the city will awake 
and these chairs will be full


Rue de Castiglione
75001, Paris

Monday, December 8, 2014

Les danseurs de Rue Mouffetard



Dancing with the Parisians on Rue Mouffetard,
dans un manteau rouge (in a red coat),
turning, swirling, and dipping...


parfait!


(joyeux anniversaire, chère Holly)



Dancing on Sunday on Rue Mouffetard
75005, Paris

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Église Saint Nicholas du Chardonnet



Église Saint Nicholas du Chardonnet


Like many of the churches in Paris (and France and all of Europe), 
this early 18th century church has a marble plaque 
listing those of the church who "Morts pour la France, 1914 - 1918"


This is but one church among hundreds in the city 
who lost a generation of young people to World War I.



bon dimanche



Église Saint Nicholas du Chardonnet
23, rue des Bernardins
75005, Paris

(joyeux anniversaire, Cherie)

Saturday, December 6, 2014

La Seine et les reflets d'or




The reflections of the golden-hued lights 
were interspersed with silver.  


The lone green light and its reflection 
makes me think of Gatsby.



La Seine from Pont du Carrousel
75001, Paris

Friday, December 5, 2014

Des reflets pendant la nuit



Night Reflections


Walking in the empty streets, parapluie (umbrella) in hand, 
long velvet coat, warm gloves,
and holding a single red rose...


...a gift from an unknown young man


yes, she is definitely a French girl



Rue de la Paix
75001, Paris

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Leurs chemins se sont croisés



Crossing Paths


There were actually three photos of this mother/daughter pair 
walking down Rue Saint-Paul in the Marais.  


The blurred figure moving in the opposite direction 
gave this shot a touch of mystery...
 with a sinister mood.



Le Petit Saint-Paul
40, rue Saint-Paul
75003, Paris
le Marais

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Le Perchoir - mes amis



Le Perchoir
(the rooftop bar)


There were only three of us that evening, 
plus the family of one of the workers, two or three others.
We enjoyed a sunset and drinks, 
chatted with these two who were pouring the beverages, 
a wonderful evening in this magical place.


When I returned to Le Perchoir a few months ago,
 there were hundreds of people in the space, 
most of whom were twenty-somethings.  
It had lost a bit of the mystique but still worth it for the view.


To see what it looked like last November, click here



Le Perchoir
14, rue Crespin du Gast
75011, Paris

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Le Raspail - un café de la nuit


Le Raspail


Many of the Paris cafés are enjoyed much later 
than the Petits-déjeuners (breakfast) sign would indicate here.  
You may notice the "Vins & Bières" on the side window. 


As I recall, it was so late when this photo was taken 
that the only people on the premises were sweeping up 
before stacking the chairs and turning out the lights.



Le Raspail
58, boulevard Raspail
75006, Paris

Monday, December 1, 2014

Le Poissonnier - Theme Day: "Worker"



Le Poissonnier
Marché d'Aligre


On Sunday mornings he is usually just inside the covered market 
as you enter the door from rue Theophile Roussel.  
He is knowledgeable about the products, intense, and personable.  
You can see why I come back frequently.


Marché d'Aligre
75012, Paris

On the first day of each month City Daily Photo Bloggers from around the world
produce a photo based on a theme.  This month is "WORKER"

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis



Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis


If you have not been to Paris recently 
you might not recognize the magnificent Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis.  
After more than a year of work,
 the exterior has been brought back to a nearly new appearance.  



I had only seen the doors in a very sombre, dark and indistinguishable color.  
As you can see, the details of the newly-painted doors are displayed in bright red, 
ah yes, Paris rouge.


bon dimanche



Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis
99, rue Saint-Antoine
75004, Paris

(joyeux anniversaire, Renée)

 

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Quai de Bourbon - l'automne



Quai de Bourbon


Looking towards Pont Louis-Philippe from Pont Marie, 
the quai and the riverside walk are almost deserted.  
Golden leaves will soon be swept from frail branches into the Seine.  
Within a month, this will be a monochrome palette, 
save the red doors and a few window boxes.


Paris will take on her winter beauty



Quai de Bourbon
75004, Paris
 


Friday, November 28, 2014

E. Dehillerin - le coq


E. Dehillerin

The copper and brass rooster (le coq
dominates the front window of E. Dehillerin. 
Perhaps he is reflecting on the last of the autumn leaves of Paris.


If you enjoy cooking and cooking implements 
stop in here and also at Mora and G. Detou nearby.


bon weekend


18-20, rue Coquillière
75001, Paris


Thursday, November 27, 2014

Le Métro - après minuit



The Métro
(after midnight)


Truly, the deep interior of the Métro looks the same day or night, 
but in the very late hours before closing the sounds are amplified.


The clicking of heels, 
the laughter of party-people, 
and often an eerie silence
in the curved halls 
that snake from platform to platform.




Paris Métro after midnight
75008, Paris



Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Dear 4-eyes, gee!


Passage du Grand Cerf
"Dear 4-Eyes, Gee"


Opened in 1825 in the 2nd arrondissement,
 it is now restored and charming with many artists and several ateliers.


Please forgive the silliness, 
but it just called out to me.



Passage du Grand Cerf
75002, Paris

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Les Ombres d'Automne


Jardin du Palais Royal


The alleys of trees are a delight no matter the season.  
The green park chairs of Paris are covered in autumn leaves 
which may lead to snow as winter closes in.


Well, not too soon, svp



Jardin du Palais Royal
75001, Paris

Monday, November 24, 2014

Rue Gabrielle - 'shabby chic'



Rue Gabrielle
Montmartre


The dark reflection in the old glass panes 
adds to the mystery of this premier étage.  
The trace of last year's vines 
and the slant of the frame itself are in stark contrast 
with the fresh red geraniums.


I will take this "shabby chic" any day



33, rue Gabrielle
75018, Paris


Sunday, November 23, 2014

Église Saint-Nicholas du Chardonnet



Église Saint-Nicholas du Chardonnet


On a quiet Monday morning 
the church was vacant with rows and row of chairs, 
and an abundance of shadows


bon dimanche



Église Saint-Nicholas du Chardonnet
23, rue des Barnardins
75005, Paris

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Institut de France



Institut de France


The Institut de France is a French education society 
grouping five académies
the most famous of which is the Académie française.  


It is impressive by day but an exhilarating sight at night



Institut de France
23, quai de Conti at rue de la Seine and quai Malaquais
75006, Paris

Friday, November 21, 2014

C'est sureal!




A chicken, table and chairs, a family, and a photographer...


This is more a collage than a photo, and
the little one with the hat has discovered the photographer.


bon weekend



Rue Montorgueil
75002, Paris

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Café La Palette



La Palette


Night or day, 
La Palette attracts a crowd.



Café La Palette
43, rue de Seine
75006, Paris
 

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Ombre d'arbre



Mona Bismark American Center


The autumn sun softly outlines the leafless tree.  
The lady graciously demurs



Mona Bismark American Center
34, avenue de New York
75016, Paris

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Stohrer - Pâtissier-Traiteur


Stohrer - Pâtissier-Trateur


When Louis XV married the Polish royal Marie Leszczynska in 1725, 
her pastry chef followed to Versailles.  
Five years later this chef, Nicolas Stohrer, 
opened his bakery at 51, rue Montorgueil where it stands today.  


Open seven days a week (!)
 it still satisfies the tastes of Parisians and the visitors.



Stohrer - Pâtissier - Trateur
51, rue Montorgueil
75002, Paris

Monday, November 17, 2014

Place Michel Debré




Dressed for the autumn weather with its scattered showers, 
this woman braved the streets with a confident gait.  
She was in chestnut brown from head to toe, 
save the locks of red under her hat.


Must be a French Girl



Place Michel Debré
75006, Paris

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Église Saint Pierre de Montmartre



Église Saint Pierre de Montmartre


Built on the site of a Roman temple and a 7th century Merovingian church, 
Saint Pierre de Montmartre was consecrated in 1147
 and is one of the oldest churches in Paris.


Although it sits in the shadow of the grand Sacre Coeur,
it has some fascinating features and architecture.
As the sun falls on the stained glass windows, 
a kaleidoscope of  color splashes on the old stone floors.


bon dimanche



Église Saint Pierre de Montmartre
2, rue du Mont Cenis
75018, Paris