Un defile militaire

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpf4sVvTI3hwldYFeZ_mej4r4e-pAZv8luES8uFWCWsitWU929kdGdNhSUfye8xBp18acaDM3PQ0AcA7VECIrH3seJhVkxsbgJ2n1chhRdCTIhhY-_4JWr43tbcWB9qvoVB4MJ2Y4Zzo/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpf4sVvTI3hwldYFeZ_mej4r4e-pAZv8luES8uFWCWsitWU929kdGdNhSUfye8xBp18acaDM3PQ0AcA7VECIrH3seJhVkxsbgJ2n1chhRdCTIhhY-_4JWr43tbcWB9qvoVB4MJ2Y4Zzo/s640/2008+July+14+DSC_0313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Military Parade</div><div style="text-align: center;">Avenue des Champs Elysees</div><div style="text-align: center;">Quatorze juillet</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The avenue was lined from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde</div><div style="text-align: center;">with a display of the French military and its territories, an amazing spectacle!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Avenue des Champs Elysees</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008, Paris</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Un defile militaire

Military Parade Avenue des Champs Elysees Quatorze juillet The avenue was lined from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde with a disp...

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Champs Elysées et La Grande Roue

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVx1WQmmkaSoDUT7MI0cBtTaDF7d-BKBof3ULEoZ8VmL8ho_krjNhvpaSg5JWka9OjoJqaC7EPjhSmXNHHKskH2SgB-RMtU4tiekY2fWYpGjrE6TEwZi0qOUWAKkTXS7C3PFZ1X8pOj-E/s1600/2013+Nov22+Paris+_20131122+891+DSC_3573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVx1WQmmkaSoDUT7MI0cBtTaDF7d-BKBof3ULEoZ8VmL8ho_krjNhvpaSg5JWka9OjoJqaC7EPjhSmXNHHKskH2SgB-RMtU4tiekY2fWYpGjrE6TEwZi0qOUWAKkTXS7C3PFZ1X8pOj-E/s1600/2013+Nov22+Paris+_20131122+891+DSC_3573.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Champs Elysées and the Big Ferris Wheel</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">La Grande Roue becomes an iconic landmark </div><div style="text-align: center;">between November and February each year.  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It sits in Place de la Concorde at the foot of Avenue des Champs Elysées.  </div><div style="text-align: center;">An adult can ride for 10€ and see all of Paris.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Avenue des Champs Elysées</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008, Paris</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></div>

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 Pla...

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Avenue des Champs Elysées

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWAOIEbNK9w1TbTwOvlQxDpWriUF0pJJggK6ygCmZY7tWS7w6POGjWDtIs5TlQMCtlBCuOCG572P_CqZRmM8TvMsewB4IssF6RZA6GlyHlAu0o_469dSwWfhAm8LkhyoNjVDIEQoWoIQ/s1600/2013+Nov22+Paris+_20131122+896+DSC_3578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWAOIEbNK9w1TbTwOvlQxDpWriUF0pJJggK6ygCmZY7tWS7w6POGjWDtIs5TlQMCtlBCuOCG572P_CqZRmM8TvMsewB4IssF6RZA6GlyHlAu0o_469dSwWfhAm8LkhyoNjVDIEQoWoIQ/s1600/2013+Nov22+Paris+_20131122+896+DSC_3578.jpg" width="645" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Avenue des Champs Elysées</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dressed for the Christmas season</div><div style="text-align: center;">the "avenue" is awash in alternating shades </div><div style="text-align: center;">of blue and purple</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ave des Champs Elysées</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008, Paris</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

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...

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Le Défilé Militaire - des pompiers

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwyFLtq2xZRuJpK2NhCdtF6mb6qACFsVlZETKeWfD6L0BwBdJLuqtypbtm0USR4xAZlDkHh6rm60NxSyC3TnDu5JaqsEHU_5aLzTSsBAgBFkfpnlnNi_HGJV5ccy3tF5D5iqUAl9TjT4/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwyFLtq2xZRuJpK2NhCdtF6mb6qACFsVlZETKeWfD6L0BwBdJLuqtypbtm0USR4xAZlDkHh6rm60NxSyC3TnDu5JaqsEHU_5aLzTSsBAgBFkfpnlnNi_HGJV5ccy3tF5D5iqUAl9TjT4/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Les Sapeurs-Pompiers</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of many groups in the Military Parade of Quatorze Juillet...  </div><div style="text-align: center;">On the eve of the Bastille Day celebrations the pompiers have parties </div><div style="text-align: center;">all over Paris that do not end until the sun comes up.  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All of the arrondissements have Bals des Pompiers </div><div style="text-align: center;">and by some count it may be as many as 60 (!) in Paris and the near suburbs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you been to one?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Avenue des Champs Élysées</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008, Paris</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">  </span></span></i></div>

Le Défilé Militaire - des pompiers

Les Sapeurs-Pompiers One of many groups in the Military Parade of Quatorze Juillet...   On the eve of the Bastille Day celebrations the pomp...

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Quatorze Juillet! - Bastille Day

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfB9Tlp4m4xjlMakbmCtxQUo67F4UU7K20c603gNjzoquq1o0-lQ7pplA3wQZUpu-UbMwcwgjva06hUPRG80qjl0Qsk0y6chH9ZBdywdPzvcR6iECURJt3hLWA2ZkmuULIuOR_Q1ZNy4/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfB9Tlp4m4xjlMakbmCtxQUo67F4UU7K20c603gNjzoquq1o0-lQ7pplA3wQZUpu-UbMwcwgjva06hUPRG80qjl0Qsk0y6chH9ZBdywdPzvcR6iECURJt3hLWA2ZkmuULIuOR_Q1ZNy4/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0253.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Military Parade</div><div style="text-align: center;">of Bastille Day</div><div style="text-align: center;">2008</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The parade involves around 7,000 soldiers </div><div style="text-align: center;">(5,000 on foot, the rest are crew members or cavalrymen), </div><div style="text-align: center;">300 vehicles, 240 horses and more than 80 planes and helicopters.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And, a celebration for me as today makes </div><div style="text-align: center;">4 years of daily photos on Paris and Beyond</div><div style="text-align: center;">without missing a day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A special thanks to all of you who follow my blog </div><div style="text-align: center;">and to Virginia (Paris Through My Lens) </div><div style="text-align: center;">who helped me "birth this baby" four years ago.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Avenue des Champs Élysées</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008, Paris</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></i></div>

Quatorze Juillet! - Bastille Day

Military Parade of Bastille Day 2008 The parade involves around 7,000 soldiers  (5,000 on foot, the rest are crew members or cavalrymen),  ...

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Le Défilé Militaire

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpKfraxNCAHCly1hqoDqlFB7wUlDrN8rGz33fF3a8nGjP0EWVrlzD66WUi6J15FJ1UJyFwn_wkGUWyZtKszgnkYuztPlwdp3EcNU_pz3i7bW9Lc20gqMrAHy9p_QJKRcX6oowSbx1A_o/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpKfraxNCAHCly1hqoDqlFB7wUlDrN8rGz33fF3a8nGjP0EWVrlzD66WUi6J15FJ1UJyFwn_wkGUWyZtKszgnkYuztPlwdp3EcNU_pz3i7bW9Lc20gqMrAHy9p_QJKRcX6oowSbx1A_o/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0265.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Republican Guard Cavalry Regiment </div><div style="text-align: center;">Military Parade</div><div style="text-align: center;">(quatorze juillet)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The uniforms were perfect, </div><div style="text-align: center;">from the elegant helmets to the rich leather boots.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The horses were exquisitely groomed and trained.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There will be 250 horses in the celebrated parade on Monday</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Le Défilé Militaire du quatorze Juillet</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Avenue des Champs Elysées</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008, Paris</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Le Défilé Militaire

Republican Guard Cavalry Regiment Military Parade (quatorze juillet) The uniforms were perfect,  from the elegant helmets to the rich leathe...

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Réflexion - Avenue des Champs-Élysées

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiOveO9ouTe0luuHAkeVbu0MbNQCq_2Iwxhj9z2MgDLvWdnavEDTuu5Kvp6HphYPG3Vpk1TLUV6pwO37Zymq46udS5xZWx1irZ5VKlYbH1ZKV_KBDHdrn-KV4piNu4mLxbUvHVLgecSg/s1600/2013+Nov22+Paris+_20131122+882+DSC_3563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiOveO9ouTe0luuHAkeVbu0MbNQCq_2Iwxhj9z2MgDLvWdnavEDTuu5Kvp6HphYPG3Vpk1TLUV6pwO37Zymq46udS5xZWx1irZ5VKlYbH1ZKV_KBDHdrn-KV4piNu4mLxbUvHVLgecSg/s640/2013+Nov22+Paris+_20131122+882+DSC_3563.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Avenue des Champs-Élysées</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">...a delicious panoply of lights</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Christmas in shades of blue, white, and silver</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ave des Champs-Élysées</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008, Paris</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Métro Franklin D. Roosevelt</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Réflexion - Avenue des Champs-Élysées

Avenue des Champs-Élysées ...a delicious panoply of lights Christmas in shades of blue, white, and silver Ave des Champs-Élysées 75008, Pari...

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Les Vélibs

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RY_5CDVwbofAhMllCiE4lTNgBXmk5XBZafZFsXyBDK5fIeSD94n0dMFRllsJzxU0Jx2oXMfuDDsn-c63jl79par0GWBY5K70GlvhlMBgnVk0B3r7X6zU2fddRJml6-CO_bBB0FjpObI/s1600/2012+Oct+5+Friday_68DSC_8550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RY_5CDVwbofAhMllCiE4lTNgBXmk5XBZafZFsXyBDK5fIeSD94n0dMFRllsJzxU0Jx2oXMfuDDsn-c63jl79par0GWBY5K70GlvhlMBgnVk0B3r7X6zU2fddRJml6-CO_bBB0FjpObI/s640/2012+Oct+5+Friday_68DSC_8550.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Try it!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well, Holly has a big smile because we were having so much fun riding around Paris on the Vélibs.  The cost can be a little as $2.20 to ride for the day.  If you return your bike to one of the 1,800 stations within 30 minutes, there is no additional charge.  We rode for two days all over Paris, mixing it up with the traffic.  On my recent trip, I spent one day riding alone, crossing the Seine bridges and riding as far as Jardin des Plantes from the 2ème. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are 20,000 bikes ready to ride, waiting on you.  Check out <a href="http://en.velib.paris.fr/" target="_blank">the site here</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you are hesitant, start away from congested traffic areas (Place Charles de Gaule for sure!) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On our first 30-minute ride we bumped across the cobblestones of Champs Elysées, passed between Grand Palais and Petit Palais, and then crossed Pont Alexandre III.  What a rush!  </span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Learn the words - It will make you feel so cool - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>do not forget to ring the little bell as you sing, too)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Je m' baladais sur l' avenue<br />Le coeur ouvert à l' inconnu<br />J' avais envie de dire bonjour<br />A n' importe qui<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">N' importe qui et ce fut toi<br />Je t' ai dit n' importe quoi<br />Il suffisait de te parler<br />Pour t' apprivoiser<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aux Champs-Elysées<br />Aux Champs-Elysées<br />Au soleil, sous la pluie<br />A midi ou à minuit<br />Il y a tout c' que vous voulez<br />Aux Champs-Elysées!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Les rues du 15ième</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>75015, Paris</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>

Les Vélibs

Try it! Well, Holly has a big smile because we were having so much fun riding around Paris on the Vélibs.  The cost can be a little as $2.20...

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Le quatorze juillet - La Fête Nationale

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqSaKMkcjS_YCI6v5cJG_8XR5xrF11JHQs5Pt9ym5GYQDjXpIqF2f2HRlPFtZgHc7g2UFISCragb8gMIhvZ3iWvnmDqMO4TpeEFBPxns5rrQpkNMyAW_hHQyVtmBj5-QVKyo3oAQ7zRo/s1600/2008+july+14+DSC_0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Le quatorze juillet, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">a day of celebration in France and not coincidentally my <u><strong>second blog anniversary</strong></u>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Two years ago I posted the above photo as I ventured into this daily Paris photoblog, never thinking that I would be able to manage a post every day.  Please look </span><a href="http://parisandbeyond-genie.blogspot.com/2011/07/quatorze-juillet.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> for the story of how it all started and the friendship I share with Virginia (<a href="http://paristhroughmylens.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Paris Through My Lens</a>) who helped me "birth this baby."  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The photo above shows two French sailors preparing for the grand military parade on Avenue des Champs-Elysées.  I stood on the baricades for hours in order to have a good position to capture the excitement and emotions of the day.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, I have a small oil painting created by <a href="http://carolschiffstudio.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Carol Schiff</strong></a> of this moment, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">a treasured work of art that I enjoy daily.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWGMBZ-Zm9t66QsfiNZkrdI3dcwvj-gdpHSwZt_gyPYBAfZzNvmoeyuOoJVDIX8sAlfxwVbx-v5neXcNbsSrFA1_QIhbXqnZZuw5jiVwBPQAdG0MySjeybF-dee8B1y5o9UQ-kckF9Zc/s1600/french+sailors+-+Carol+Schiff+Gallery+2011+0219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Le quatorze juillet</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Avenue des Champs-Elysées</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>75008, Paris</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>(on this festive day there is no nearby Métro,</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>bus, taxi so be prepared to walk for miles)</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em></em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>

Le quatorze juillet - La Fête Nationale

Le quatorze juillet, a day of celebration in France and not coincidentally my second blog anniversary ! Two years ago I posted the above pho...

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Café George V - les chaises rouge

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vr4NUkr6hga-Rc6-jXPJrjTQ7P9xTXKeOblZXxh81mwlTg4TuJRMObRAtMxdi60DC8iwfI06-_NrhrwjlP4PNPjS5A-8zFpgjPnG_Am4PTOjYGv_ka5jfjelgzLF1EK4hqsscXRRfhI/s1600/2012++Mar+29_4966DSC_4966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vr4NUkr6hga-Rc6-jXPJrjTQ7P9xTXKeOblZXxh81mwlTg4TuJRMObRAtMxdi60DC8iwfI06-_NrhrwjlP4PNPjS5A-8zFpgjPnG_Am4PTOjYGv_ka5jfjelgzLF1EK4hqsscXRRfhI/s640/2012++Mar+29_4966DSC_4966.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Although there is a bit of color clash here,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I could be persuaded to enjoy un café with my friends.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">What will you have?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Café George V</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">120, ave des Champs Elysées</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">75008, Paris</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Métro George V</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Café George V - les chaises rouge

Although there is a bit of color clash here, I could be persuaded to enjoy un café with my friends. What will you have? Café George V 120, a...

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Métro Champs-Elysées Clemenceau

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OKF5Qb5NCL5GANoiBxya0FMLmW-4vXe6eLjqdNw_toZlI48dO_mk75jBM7QF9oOnW7xXvgexnQT9uyOPBQFOMSZRP65mNZ0colb3VdaiUX2JxSxIWZVRaaNoOJrwPR7uEDgV_xD4dx4/s1600/2011+april+2+DSC_0555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OKF5Qb5NCL5GANoiBxya0FMLmW-4vXe6eLjqdNw_toZlI48dO_mk75jBM7QF9oOnW7xXvgexnQT9uyOPBQFOMSZRP65mNZ0colb3VdaiUX2JxSxIWZVRaaNoOJrwPR7uEDgV_xD4dx4/s640/2011+april+2+DSC_0555.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Lisbon the Metrolitano Picoas station has a very French Guimard entrance, a gift from RATP.  In exchange, the Portuguese ceramist and painter Manuel Cargaleiro created these tiles, giving the Métro Champs-Elysées Clemenceau station a unique atmosphere. </span>  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Merci à <a href="http://paris-bise-art.blogspot.com/2009/06/champs-elysees-clemenceau.html">Paris-bise-art</a>) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Métro Champs-Elysées Clemenceau</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Avenue Winston Churchill et</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Avenue des Champs Elysées</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008 Paris</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

Métro Champs-Elysées Clemenceau

  In Lisbon the Metrolitano Picoas station has a very French Guimard entrance, a gift from RATP.  In exchange, the Portuguese ceramist and p...

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Un Bon Soldat

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqgI6gdgcpJCi1uFzLDiOMRhwAUM0Esjmf2sRYhlvCsHWLjZlrJNK6rs-d89ibQqrGhOwl5hRDWHN5LZclcca1eV1mvUco2JX6YiTGhtX-kPzbcKXXVXfdY4LColf_Bgm-oxD-cYGIMo/s1600/2008+july+paris+DSC_0226.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629414702764691522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqgI6gdgcpJCi1uFzLDiOMRhwAUM0Esjmf2sRYhlvCsHWLjZlrJNK6rs-d89ibQqrGhOwl5hRDWHN5LZclcca1eV1mvUco2JX6YiTGhtX-kPzbcKXXVXfdY4LColf_Bgm-oxD-cYGIMo/s640/2008+july+paris+DSC_0226.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The uniforms of the French military are quite elegant for the 14 juillet, and it was a wonderful opportunity to photograph many individuals as well as the "regiments." As this soldier walked past me to join his battalion, I requested a photo. He nodded agreement and I quickly snapped.<br /><br />I imagine maman would be proud to see her son in his fine uniform.<br /><br /><br /></span><em>Le Quatorze Juillet<br />2008 </em></span>

Un Bon Soldat

The uniforms of the French military are quite elegant for the 14 juillet, and it was a wonderful opportunity to photograph many individuals ...

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Le Quatorze Juillet!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMB4HQdawyfgB728wNC0az-gNn-X5Jb5XdrFr01lM58GPrC2Epm4QoVrBCzVKT663h9w6y0UvRw-Q7K8eQGmajIpQH6U0CEwpD_6iXDFiG9Ikwn3b3re0x15XbMSmjj6Dio8c8I2SIVE/s1600/2008+july+paris+DSC_0307.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629043092283396546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMB4HQdawyfgB728wNC0az-gNn-X5Jb5XdrFr01lM58GPrC2Epm4QoVrBCzVKT663h9w6y0UvRw-Q7K8eQGmajIpQH6U0CEwpD_6iXDFiG9Ikwn3b3re0x15XbMSmjj6Dio8c8I2SIVE/s640/2008+july+paris+DSC_0307.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />I remember thinking that so much of France's military equipment was being paraded down the Champs Élysée that we should hope there was no immediate need on the globe for assistance. The tanks, the humvees, the trucks, the so-large-I-cannot-imagine what they ares, the horses in finery, the planes, the firetrucks... all of the personnel. The length of this wide avenue was full to overflowing. It was magnificent!<br /><br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Today is a special day for me as I started my blog one year ago today. I drove to Birmingham to see <a href="http://paristhroughmylens.blogspot.com/"><strong>Virginia</strong></a>, and the two of us "birthed this baby" so its birthday would always fall on Bastille Day. I will be forever grateful to her for her guidance and wonderful sense of humor as we laughed our way through "delivery."<br /><br />Thanks to all of you who read my blog and who have, through your own blogs and comments on mine, enriched this experience, sharing a bit of your world with me. I was not sure that I could post 365 days in a row, but it is now just a part of me. Merci beaucoup!

Le Quatorze Juillet!

I remember thinking that so much of France's military equipment was being paraded down the Champs Élysée that we should hope there was n...

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Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlshrLBXlvC7E33cJoIUasfccsWE3ySGlB7K3HWqFO8GOoMVXMzZSLTAskAiMCJaKIOdihMXegCGz9ojb94v7dJP5DTYm6Y75AQ9eTNZQK7IkXgAuPdUCe-_J8H0wDoKYOusrVLRoWyU/s1600/2008+paris+july+DSC_0346c.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628661535589597474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlshrLBXlvC7E33cJoIUasfccsWE3ySGlB7K3HWqFO8GOoMVXMzZSLTAskAiMCJaKIOdihMXegCGz9ojb94v7dJP5DTYm6Y75AQ9eTNZQK7IkXgAuPdUCe-_J8H0wDoKYOusrVLRoWyU/s640/2008+paris+july+DSC_0346c.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Although the parade for 14 juillet is not until tomorrow, tonight begins the Bals des Pompiers, the firemen's parties held at each station in Paris on 13-14 juillet. There is much partying in the streets and it is one of the most festive events in Paris. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">I wonder if these guys partied all night long... probably not. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span>

Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris

Although the parade for 14 juillet is not until tomorrow, tonight begins the Bals des Pompiers, the firemen's parties held at each stati...

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Quatre Juillet

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAobm0Q9WLojdwiVQuX_iyIFjWmAmB6TBcJ920MWhmTSzNO8gpMieG6fSwPTlx_N8672obxRFDEP6BSs51Qs-uc7OmSinM-J4fWoL6u3ydMa5Z51DRFqFCGFh0-BpNCipWYgjDlKYmRM/s1600/2008+paris+july+14+DSC_0280.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625334832889337762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAobm0Q9WLojdwiVQuX_iyIFjWmAmB6TBcJ920MWhmTSzNO8gpMieG6fSwPTlx_N8672obxRFDEP6BSs51Qs-uc7OmSinM-J4fWoL6u3ydMa5Z51DRFqFCGFh0-BpNCipWYgjDlKYmRM/s640/2008+paris+july+14+DSC_0280.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Okay, this is a Paris photo blog and truly this is a Paris photo, but it is quatorze juillet and not quatre juillet. I was thrilled several years ago to travel to Paris alone for Bastille Day primarily to see the view above. I stood on the barricades for several hours and almost missed this shot as the planes moved overhead so quickly.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I hope that my French friends do not mind that I borrowed this photo to wish everyone in the USA a happy Fourth of July!</span> <br /><br /><br />Avenue des Champs Elysées

Quatre Juillet

Okay, this is a Paris photo blog and truly this is a Paris photo, but it is quatorze juillet and not quatre juillet. I was thrilled several ...

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