Le Saint Médard Café - Paris friendAfter a delightful Sunday lunch in January, I encountered this friendly gentleman as he prepared deux express with the enviable Cafés Richard machine, gleaming of chrome. After a brief exchange about visitors and Paris, he agreed to a photo, and I will be taking a print to him when I return, bien s…
Zoom-zoom - Jardin du LuxembourgUnless you have seen Jardin du Luxembourg on a weekend afternoon you cannot imagine the number of activities, families, children, singles...Yes, you can even have a pony ride, a real one.You can ride a carrousel with brass rings.You can play a game of Pétanque.You can sail a boat.You can read a book…
Jardin du Palais Royal - l'amourSpring is not even in the air, but the lovers in Jardin du Palais Royal are unaware of the season and the weather. These two brought a bit of sunshine to the dreary January afternoon.(pssst, I do not think they are French but not sure why)Jardin du Palais Royal75001 Paris …
Nathalie Garçon - Galeries VivienneI am sure that you do not have to wonder how I selected this boutique for a photo...Yes, it was initially the red walls...and then the amazing hand-blown glass chandelier...It was not until I got home that I discovered this delightful grand couturier, Nathalie Garçon, who created her own line in 198…
Église Saint-Louis-en-l'ÎleThe seventeenth century church on the island of Saint Louis was dedicated to Saint-Louis, Louis IX, King of France. The ornate Baroque style interior is in stark contrast to the somber exterior.Although one may imagine this organ as a centuries-old masterpiece, it has a more recent history. It was…
From CDG to ParisWhen you arrive at CDG airport in Paris, how do you get into the city?Oskar prefers to take the RER which is easy for him as he travels light... one small bag and he is ready to go. The price is good at 9,10€ allé simple (one way) and there are multiple options for stations and transfers after you …
Deux vélosIn the elegant halls of Galerie Vivienne, this pair of bikes parked just around the corner of the old librarie (bookstore) founded in 1826. The large flat baskets on the front of each of these bikes appear to be the perfect transport for stacks of books.I would love to think that I could sport arou…
Surely there is a story about this restaurant in Paris named... "Jet-Lag"All that I have read is that it is an American style (?) restaurant with about two and a half stars (out of five) on several rating sites. Three additional questions:Why would you put an American style restaurant on this wonde…
Rue Mouffetard, timeless...Rue Mouffetard is a familiar sight, but the absence of diners and des flaneurs is a bit unusual. The gentleman's trenchcoat and hat is reminiscent of a past era. Certaintly, the scenery has not changed much along this street in the past fifty years. I think that the blackboards with the handwritt…
Mardi Gras!Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Carnivale.... It is last day to eat galette des rois, the last day of festivities before Ash Wednesday and Lent. For us, far beyond Paris, we will be enjoying the last days of merriment, parades, and parties with hats. …
Must be a French girlAfter posting the French-girl-wanna-be dressed in a red coat, I thought that I would show you the genuine article.Jardin du Luxembourg on a Sunday afternoon is a guaranteed treat for people-watchers and photographers. Virginia, Holly, and Isabelle joined me for an action-clicking afternoon. This l…
Église St. Gervais et St. Protais IIThis 17th century church, situated just to the east of Hôtel de Ville in the Marais, holds many interesting details. The church origins trace back to the 6th century and this current structure was built in Flamboyant Gothic style. On this bright January morning, the rows and rows of pew benches ma…
Must be a French girl...She has the style, the self-assured attitude, the certain je ne sais quoi...Wait... Is that a LLBean backpack?It is not a French girl, but close!Rue d'ArcoleIle de la Cité75004 Paris…
Un petit garçon en rougeJust before walking into the Basilique de Notre-Dame des Victoires, I sensed a movement out of the corner of my eye. Looking up to the left in this premier étage window, I saw this little child actually licking the window. By the time I could swing my lens his way, he was looking wistfully down at…
Place de la ContrescarpeWith all the active fountains in January, I wonder how many are flowing in the frigid temperatures of February.The bright winter sun illuminated the fountain in Place de la Contrescarpe, offset by a background of rouge.Place de la Contrescarpe75005 Paris…
Room with a view...Our apartment in Paris last month had this lovely view from the tall kitchen window. The lace curtain filtered the early morning sun on the Haussmanian building across Rue la Feuillades from our apartment. Having un café et un croissant while admiring this view, we almost felt like Parisiennes.Rue…
L'amour dans le jardinIn the center of Jardin du Palais Royal is a bench. Except in freezing weather or during a rainstorm, you will likely see a couple clenched in an embrace, nothing too racy, but l'amour à Paris.May you give a hug today and receive one in turn.----------------------------I have a treat for you... a …
Saint-Valentin?Seen in a shop window in the Marais, this would make a great dress for a Valentine's Day party.It will be a bit too much for my Valentine's Day plans!Do you have anything special planned for tomorrow, and do you give a Valentine or two?Do you remember passing out Valentines to classmates,maybe even …
Église St. Gervais et St. ProtaisWith a storied history of musicians and composers, this Gothic church is filled with light. The bright January sun doubled the beauty of this stained glass window.bon dimanche Église St. Gervais et St. ProtaisPlace Saint Gervais75004 Paris…
Souvenirs?One of my favorite markets is at Place d'Aligre, a daily market about which I have posted many times. On a recent Sunday I spied two large boxes with an assortment of plastic toys and trinkets. In looking at the photos I took, it seems that I might have wanted a single souvenir to perch at home amo…
Au Panetier - boulangerie de traditionAu PanetierOn each trip to Paris, my "check list" includes two new boulangeries/pâtisseries. Sometimes I have a specific name (Moulin de la Vierge) but often I just stumble into one. Au Panetier has been in the same place on places des Petits-Pères facing Basilique Notre-Dame-des-Victoires since 1…
Un landauUn landau - a pram - a baby carriage - une voiture d'enfantWith the challenges of the Métro, busses, and steps in Paris, how do you manage to stroll your bébé in this fine carriage? Holly has a very old one and I can vouch that they are as heavy as a car and bigger than some I have seen in Paris! T…
Palais RoyalAs one walks out of the north end of the Jardin du Palais Royal, this cavalcade of columns presents a maze of light and shadows marking the exit from the quiet garden onto the streets of Paris.Palais Royal75001 Paris…
Cimetière du MontparnasseGone, but not forgotten by family and friends.Cimetière du Montparnasse75014, Paris…
Expédition Polaire!I saw the above billboard in a Métro stop during my November visit and quickly snapped a (poor) shot before the doors closed. I even knew the station location but the billboard had been replaced before I could return for a better photo.In January, Holly pointed it out on the side of a bus pulling a…
Église Saint-Ephrem Le-SyriaqueThis is as close as I could get to Église Saint-Ephren Le-Syriaque and had to shoot from behind the iron gates.As you can see from the poster this church is often filled with music and is known for its classical concerts. According to the signs, there is a regular Mass on Sundays. The first church…
Oskar at LongchampThe shopping in Paris is "the cat's meow" and Oskar enjoyed visiting the Longchamp boutique before he returned to the USA.(Oskar is my travel kitty, given life by brattcat and named for our first Paris apartment cat and LaPouyette's Oskar who is recovering from an accident.) …
French girl - reflectingSitting in the window of Fauchon on Place de la Madeleine,this young woman was reviewing her journal, perhaps waiting on a friend, reflecting in the winter Paris sun.Definitely a French girlbon weekend(for more reflections see James' Weekend Reflections)Fauchon30, place de la Madeleine75008, Paris…
La Chandeleur -- le jour des crêpesFor this crêpe maker, every day is le jour des crêpes.The Catholic feast day, La Chandeleur, celebrates the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple 40 days after Christmas, on February 2nd. It is also referred to as "Candlemas" or Candle Mass for the blessing of beeswax candles used in the church all d…
