Photo of the Year 2013 - Theme DayFavorite photo of the year This black and white is my favorite for the action, interest, and detail. A breezy but sunny day on Rue Saint-Honoré was enjoyed by this woman sitting alone and enjoying her cafe. The waiter is in watchful attendance while the lovers in the background enjoy a bottle…
Place des Vosges - Ma BourgogneMa Bourgogne No matter the season or the weather, this bistrot in the heart of Place des Vosges attracts both the locals and the tourists. I remember years ago having to choose whether to eat or to drink as we were short of cash and they did not take credit cards. We chose the "house red." M…
Gérard Mulot - citron, citron vert, pistache!Gérard Mulot Some of the best macarons in Paris are found here. Although I make some very fine macarons, I have never been able to make a tree. Perhaps it is because they are all too quickly consumed! miam-miam Gérard Mulot76, rue de SeineMétro Odéon, Métro Mabillon …
Église Saint Germain des PrésÉglise Saint Germain des Prés This 1,000 year old tower stands tall in the St Germain area. The renovations inside and out are heartening with many visitors taking notice. The first time I saw this church I thought it dark and depressing. My recent visits reflect the interest of the congreg…
Hugo et VictorHugo et VictorThis round of mouth-watering tart slices will have you pressing your nose to the glass. Well, you will unless they give you the "look" and you remember that you are not in a dream of your own...Hugo et Victor is the creation of Hugues Pouget who was formerly the pastry chef at Guy Sav…
vive le goûter! - La Pâtisserie des Rêvesvive le goûter!Ah, yes, this is definitely the season!There will be many "reformers" at my gym next week who have made New Year resolutions to get back in shape. Most of them will be gone by February.Interestingly, this is the sign on the window of La Pâtisserie des Rêves on Rue du Bac.La Pâtisser…
des chaussettes!Colorful tightsThis vibrantly colored window on Rue du Bacreminds me of some wild socks I received as a gift.Actually, I do not think that I saw any French women wearing styles such as these.Rue du Bac75007, Paris…
Bûche de Noël - chez moiBûche de Noël"yule log"Adopting another French tradition, we welcome Christmas with a bûche de Noël.Using a recipe inspired by the celebrated Paris pastry shop Ladurée, the bûche consists of a buttercream icing, a roulade of fine bittersweet chocolate, and a filling of rich semisweet chocolate. The…
Un sapin violet - Rue de Sèvresun sapin violetWith an emphasis on color, the new shades of Pantone coffee mugs caught my eye. The crocheted tea cozy is an updated version of an old-fashioned favorite.The windows just dazzle!8, rue de Sèvres75006, Paris …
Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois - la crècheÉglise Saint-Germain l'AuxerroisIn the large space of the "crossing" where the nave, choir, and transept intersect is placed this manger scene. The rug, candles and 15-foot trees give an Old World appearance. bon dimancheÉglise Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois2, place du Louvre75001, Paris …
Printemps - des chaussures et des bonbonsPrintempsChristmas windowsTwo of my favorite things:shoes and macaronsPrintemps64, boulevard Haussmann75009 Paris…
Réflexion - Avenue des Champs-ÉlyséesAvenue des Champs-Élysées...a delicious panoply of lightsChristmas in shades of blue, white, and silverAve des Champs-Élysées75008, ParisMétro Franklin D. Roosevelt…
Cartier - la panthèreCartierThis jeweler has an over-the-top display for the holidays. The building is washed in red light and one expects that the panthers will leap at any moment.This well-known street was unusually quiet which suits me just fine. It could be that the intermittent rain and frigid wind kept the shopp…
Maître Fromager Affineur - AndrouetAndrouetSince 1909, this fromagerie has been offering cheese, selecting and maturing handcrafted/farm cheeses and raw milk cheeses; cheese from the best localities and best cheesemakers in France.The sidewalk stand with samples of cheese along with the name and reputation of Androuet brought the Su…
Lèche-vitrines - Paris à NoëlWindow shoppingon Rue du BacOn a Saturday morning, Rue du Bac turns into a promenade of the families who live nearby. We saw many greetings across all generations as people paused in the street to chat. This young child was warmly dressed and had the requisite trottinette to make the Saturday roun…
Galeries Lafayette - le dôme en violetGaleries Lafayette The iconic art nouveau glass dome is illuminated in purple this year as it celebrates the beginning of its 101st anniversary. The theme is thankfully child-centered at Galeries Lafayette for Christmas 2013, and there are many animated windows to delight children and adults alike.…
Église Saint-Paul Saint-Louis - la porte rougeThe red doorThe renovations at this nearly 400-year-old church have made a remarkable difference in its presence on Rue Saint Antoine. The former door was a deep gray-maroon and lost in the dark pollution-stained surrounding structure. The interior has likewise been restored and repaired.bon dimanc…
Sapins de Noël - Passage du Grand CerfChristmas trees in ParisGiggling on the first occasion of seeing Christmas trees dressed like sausages, I now find them totally charming. The stands made of split tree trunks are quite solid and they are ready to be carried off, through the Métro or by bus to a waiting Paris apartment. The scents …
Canal Saint Martin - en automneCanal Saint MartinThe patches of blue sky were trumped by the electric shades of orange and yellow alongside the canal.bon weekendCheck out James' Weekend ReflectionsCanal Saint Martin75010, Paris…
des coeurs sous une clocheHearts under a clocheJust as this bell-shaped glass was designed to protect English garden plants from frost, this cloche may be protecting fragile hearts.There was an immediate appeal to this window scene which was likely just a whim of the designer. I do wonder though....Blanc d'Ivoire104, rue du…
Printemps - Christmas windows 2013PrintempsThe windows are dazzling and the mirror reflections in this fashion window add to the look. I chose to cut off the name of the sponsor as the displays were much better before the grand magasins sold their window designs. Now the sponsor's name is splashed liberally throughout the windows …
Carrousel de la Tour Eiffel - le zèbre en colèreThe angry zebra!This carousel which sits in the evening's golden glow of la Tour Eiffel is one of my favorites.Many of the horses have pedals and a bicycle wheel. Even the parents can pedal from the sidelines in this renewable energy carousel. The zebra looks none too happy about it.Carrousel de l…
Rue de la Paix - une fille française?Rue de la PaixIt was raining on the evening of Beaujolais Nouveau Day, but this chic French girl with her long black velvet coat and red plaid parapluie was content to stroll down Rue de la Paix to window shop in Place Vendome. The streets were almost empty and the three of us enjoyed the lights, t…
Crèche - Église Saint Louis en l'ÎleÉglise Saint Louis en l'ÎleNativity SceneAs churches in Paris prepare for Christmas, the congregations express creativity and individuality as seen in this Nativity scene at Église Saint Louis en l'Île.bon dimancheJoyeux anniversaire, Holly!Église Saint Louis en l'ÎleRue Saint-Louis en l'ÎleSa…
un vélo bleu - 'forever'a bikeI have wanted one "forever" and hope that I will get a red one for Christmas...with a bell, bien sûr. Are you listening, Santa?(Why should I have to go to Paris to ride a bike?)In front of Shakespeare and Company37, rue de la Bucherie75005, ParisJoyeux anniversaire, Cherie! …
Village Saint Paul - le MaraisQuiet courtyardThe last golden leaves of autumn cling tenuously to the branch and they echo my feelings of departing Paris. I know when it is time to leave for home, clinging to the memories, and knowing that there will be another autumn in Paris, just as there will be another winter and spring and…
Art urbain - Jérôme Mesnager et Julien MallandUrban artJérôme Mesnager, born in 1961, is one of the first painters of the streets of Paris, and is known as the father of the l'Homme en blanc, the man in white. This recognizable figure is known around the world and has appeared from the walls of Paris to the Great Wall of China.Now, with regard…
vin, baguettes, fromages, saucisson sec....A light dinner If I had easy access to this simple fare at home, it would be a regular evening meal.When it was cold and drizzling and we had already walked many miles, this scene around our apartment table was a favorite of mine...-food, wine, and great friends-the laughter was abundant(Thank you …
Scouts Unitaires de France Scouts Unitaires de FranceThese three girls agreed to a photo and I told them that it is my pleasure to buy the "Scout calendar" for 2014. They are available every November and include the saint's name for each day as well as information about the Scouts' activities across France.Rue de Sèvres75006…
Rue du Cardinal Lemoine - a courtyard for all seasonsCourtyardRue du Cardinal LemoinePalms, wisteria, fatsia, evergreens, honeysuckle, and the climbing vines that turn electric shades of yellow, orange and red in autumn.I will have to check out this courtyard in the other seasons. I think that it was designed for appeal no matter the time of year.69,…
