Rue Mouffetard -- Pastry Reflections

Walking down Rue Mouffetard we saw this line of pastries reflected in the counter

Le Moule à Gâteau

111, rue Mouffetard

5ième arr.

See the other "Weekend Reflections" at James' Newtown Area Photo.

Repetto, pour tout le monde

Repetto,

known the world over for its ballet shoes,

also makes les chaussures for women of all ages, men, and children.

Afternoon play -- Square du Temple

Mary, Marie, Virginia and I wandered through the Marais en juin and found ourselves in Square du Temple. The scenes in the photos show carefree children at play with parents, grandparents, nannies but there is a plaque which was erected in 2007 showing the names and ages of 85 children from the area who were deported to Auschwitz between 1942 and 1944. Similar to these children at play, they were between the ages of 2 months and 6 years.

Pere Lachaise -- Un beau visage

The ironwork on this vault is one of a thousand faces in Pere Lachaise. Beautiful cemetaries are a joy to photograph for the architecture, the art and craftsmanship, the history. No one is going anywhere and every now and then you find un beau visage like this.

Ladurée -- le petit déjeuner

In June just a few doors from our hotel on Rue Jacob was Ladurée. The room adjacent to the usual sales room was set for le petit déjeuner. It looked lovely and elegant with its crisp linens, roses, and china.

Did we enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Ladurée? Non, we just grabbed a variety of macarons and headed to Église St. Madeleine where we devoured them all on the flower-covered steps. miam-miam!

Église Saint Germain des Prés

Reportedly the oldest church in Paris (founded in 542), the courtyard of Église Saint Germain des Prés on the north side displays some of the recovered architecture from this church which was destroyed many times over the centuries. In the foreground on the right is a Picasso sculpture of Dora Maar in memory of Guillame Apollinaire, the French poet, art critic, and playwright.

This quiet little courtyard, Square Laurent Prache, is just a small jump from Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. As we walked past these benches several times a day en juin, we found the square a quiet place of contemplation and free of graffiti.

Macarons on Ile Saint Louis

This is a simple display of macarons with a hand-lettered sign to offer the day's flavors. Some of the larger pâtisseries produce machine-made perfectly uniform macarons, and only an expert or a researcher would know. But, when you see macarons of varying sizes, you know that they were individually made, tops and bottoms matched for size, fillings piped by hand. These look delicious and I need to remember that when I am in Paris, I should never pass up a macaron or two (or maybe three)!

You can see the reflections of the people outside with their noses on the window. Does one of them have a camera?

Check out other reflections at James' Newtown Daily Photo

Rue Mouffetard -- Une pièce de théâtre

In June while walking Rue Mouffetard, I was sitting on the curb (don't ask) and watched this scene on the opposite corner. Monsieur was sanding and scraping the brightly colored wall with its farmer and character vegetables. Madame, dressed warmly in her "summer coat" on this Sunday afternoon, approached Monsieur engaging him in conversation.

Madame appeared to be reproaching Monsieur:

1. Monsieur is not working fast enough on his project to paint over this mess;
2. Her son painted the veggie-characters and she is unhappy that Monsieur is sanding away these cartoon figures;
3. She is giving Monsieur advice about a new color scheme;
4. This is her son and he is late for goûter; or
5. None of the above.

What do you think is going on?

Pomi Halles Mouffetard
117, rue Mouffetard
5ième arr.

Virginia posted this mural in a beautiful night shot here and it was featured on Red Bubble. Great minds, n'est-ce pas?

Cour d'Honneur -- Les Invalides

You do not have to be a fan of France's military history to appreciate the beautiful patina on the cannons in Cour d'Honneur. Some of them date from the reign of François 1er, 1515-1567.

I have heard that decorators and gardeners go to extreme measures to get the green patina that the centuries have adorned naturally.

La librairie et le patron

I loved the stacks and stacks of books that the owner of this petite librairie attended so carefully. A gentle little scene you think?

Not so quick. He turned and scowled at Virginia right after I had taken my photos. She probably has the grumpy shot. I must get a silencer on that shutter.

Beyond -- To Córdoba, Spain

The Catedral de Córdoba was formerly the Great Mosque of Córdoba, or the Mezquita. It has long been on my list of places to visit (and photograph). With its 856 columns of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite it did not disappoint! Although the temperature was almost 100F when we visited on September 11th, it was a place that took my breath away.

Built in the 700s by the Moors, it was taken over by Catholic monarchs in the 1200s. Rather than tear it down, as had been done in Toledo and Seville, they built a Baroque cathedral right in the center of it leaving a treasure of architecture and art for future generations.

Tomorrow we are back in Paris.

Zoom-Zoom II

Bleu clair, bleu, noir, et rouge -- Alons-y!

After walking the streets of Paris all morning and a lovely dejeuner with mes amies Virginia and Marie, it was tempting to select a color and GO!

Tomorrow, with your approval, I will take you "Beyond" -- just for the day. Okay?

Église Saint-Séverin

The graceful arches in the ambulatory of Église Saint-Séverin are emphasized by the ambient light of the mid-afternoon sun.

I am fascinated by the architecture of this church and there is much to see both inside out out.

Tournez vous vers le ciel

Always look up -- Otherwise you will miss beauties like this!



Au coin du

Boulevard Beaumarchais et de la Rue Saint-Claude

3ième arrondissement

Pâtisserie Gérard Mulot -- Miam-miam!

The pâtisseries of Paris provide a sugar feast for the eyes and Gérard Mulot in le 6ième arr. has a history of delicious offerings, both savory and sweet. The day in June when Marie and I walked past the pâtisserie on Rue de Seine, there was a line of anticipating customers that snaked out the door and around the corner.

According to Carol G at Paris Breakfasts, you stand in line to pick out your treat, you stand in another line to pay, and then you retrieve your pink box which will hopefully contain just what you selected and paid for! Miam-miam!

Reflections in le Marais

On a walk in the Marais with Mary, Marie, Virginia and Peter we came upon this store window.

It was an artistic display of tools but on reflection (no pun intended, bien sûr) I am not certain whether it was the creative expression of the store or indeed an art display. In the Marais either would be possible!

How did I miss this?

It was not until I posted the Sunday church, Saint Denys du Saint Sacrement, and I was looking for information on Eugène Delacroix that I realized the Musée national Eugène Delacroix was in the same block as my hotel!

I even stopped to photograph the beautiful building, l'Institut Catholique de Paris on Rue de l'Abbaye, from the little shaded Place Furstenberg. We walked past the entrance to the museum tucked away in the corner which would have just been over my right shoulder as I snapped this photo.

Most days as we walked through Place Furstenberg, there were people playing music or just sitting with friends. There was much activity for La Fête de la Musique en juin.

Musée national Eugène Delacroix

6, rue de Furstenberg

6ième Arrondissement

Les chanteurs américains -- Oui ou non?

In June, I spied these two chanteurs who had gathered quite a crowd, or should I say young groupies, on a Friday afternoon on Rue St. Antoine. What do you think? Are they French, American, or are you willing to go out on a limb and tell me another nationality? How can you tell?

I'll give you a hint, they were singing tunes from the 60s.

I'm off on an adventure with Nanette to find some castanets -- I will still be posting daily but with fewer comments until I return.

Le Lion Bleu -- Paris door

I think that if I lived in Paris I would love to have this whimsical blue lion greeting me each day. He looks a bit thirsty to me!

12, rue de Tournon

I'm off on an adventure with Nanette to find some castanets -- I will still be posting daily but with fewer comments until I return.

Flowers left on the church step

The view of Église d'Oratoire from Rue St. Honoré is rather bleak and not at all similar to the majestic front facing Rue de Rivoli. One rainy morning before sunrise Holly and I walked past the worn green doors and noticed this fresh bouquet on the step, carefully bundled with a note.

I'm off on an adventure with Nanette to find some castanets -- I will still be posting daily but with fewer comments until I return.

Les fleurs rose

Before summer is totally behind us, I thought the beautiful blue Paris skies in the Jardin du Luxembourg would bring you another glimpse of l'été à Paris.

I'm off on an adventure with Nanette to find some castanets -- I will still be posting daily but with fewer comments until I return.

La Mairie -- Nogent-sur-Marne

Just east of Bois de Vincennes are a series of beautiful villes situated along the Marne river. If you take the RER to Nogent-sur-Marne, the Mairie is only a one block walk (west). I have already shown Le Carrousel de Nogent and today present the picturesque town hall. The city has a bi-monthly magazine that tells about the current activities and gives a wonderful insight into a vibrant community.

I'm off on an adventure with Nanette to find some castanets -- I will still be posting daily but with fewer comments until I return.

Le Carrousel de Nogent

If you have been to Paris in the winter you know that most, if not all, of the carousels are closed. How about un manège enclosed with glass doors so that it can entertain les enfants during all seasons and weather. It even provides seating for les parents ou les grand-parents.

En juin, I went to Nogent-sur-Marne just to the east of Bois de Vincennes to have an apéritif with friends and discovered this beautiful (and new) carousel sur l'esplanade de l'Hôtel de Ville. The decoration arount the top was inspired by scenes of the town. If you want to see more of Paris than city-life and to venture out a bit, Nogent can be easily reached by RER or Métro and bus and is included in your Zones 1-3 Paris Visite Pass.

I'm off on an adventure with Nanette to find some castanets -- I will still be posting daily but with fewer comments until I return.

Morning stroll

This scene almost escaped me before I could "aim and shoot" and it was not until later that I could definitely say "it's a girl!" -- Do you think that this is the baby's nanny or her grandmère? Although I have never strolled an infant through the streets of Paris, it does occur to me that it must be difficult to handle this Cadillac of a stroller. They weigh a ton and do not exactly turn on a dime. Can you imagine the three steps up to the door and then getting it to the next floor?

I'm off on an adventure with Nanette to find some castanets -- I will still be posting daily but with fewer comments until I return.

Eric Kayser II

The French know how to do it right! This pâtisserie is found in the 5ième Arr. on Rue Monge near Métro Maubert-Mutualité. When I stay in a hotel just around the corner, this is a twice-a-day stop for un café or to pick up something sweet (much smaller than these beauties).

Those macarons are very red!

I'm off on an adventure with Nanette to find some castanets -- I will still be posting daily but with fewer comments until I return.

Un chapeau et un .....?

Un chapeau et un .... je ne sais pas!

I was sneaking a photo of this stylish hat at Le Bon Marché as I had done before and in reviewing my daily collection of photographs, I wondered what exactly was that to the right of my focus. Is this another hat? Surely not -- it looks like wadded up underwear (albeit Parisian lingerie) that has been bunched up on a headband! Quelle horreur! I would wear the fashionable hat on the left bien sûr but not the "underwear headband." Can you imagine showing up at an event with THAT on your head? I can just hear the snickers now....

Sacré Coeur

A different angle in order to escape the thousands who sit on the steps in the summer evenings.

Café Chairs -- Place du Tetre

Here in Place du Tetre are all of these empty café chairs. Where are all of the people we saw swarming this lovely square in Montmartre? Where are all of the t-shirt clad tourists? Where are all of the boom-box hip-hoppers? The costumed characters? The souvenir hawkers? Well, they were here in Place du Tetre, and in front of Sacre Coeur, and on the steps as far as the eye could see.

I found it more restful and less crowded to snap these empty café chairs. I'll be back in December and think it will all be more serene.

Soignez votre anglais...

As you ride in the Métro there are a whole series of these "improve your English" posters.

This particular one urges one to "treat your English" and to "stop the massacre" of English.... avec une jolie infirmière, bien sûr!

So, like a tourist I had a big grin and snapped a photo! Well, at least I was not talking loudly and wearing white tennis shoes! This post is for Virginia who is studying her French!

Repetto -- For Nanette

I cannot say how many pairs of pointe shoes I stumbled over growing up, nor the number of times she extended her leg up the passageway wall in an elegant stretch. No one talks about where the hundreds of worn out pink satin shoes went or how many lambs might have been sheared to make the padded cushions protecting the balerina's toes. Nanette, my dear sister and friend, this one is for you.


Repetto went on "the list" when Carol of Paris Breakfasts talked about finding the boutique here. I had already mapped it out before my arrival in June and walked to this incredible spot just after sunset with three friends (Marie, Mary, and Virginia). It did not matter that it was closed as the windows provided a great peek at an entire wall of pointe shoes, all pink of course.

Repetto
22, rue de la Paix
Paris