Monday, September 30, 2013

Jardin du Palais Royal



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Jardin du Palais Royal


This woman was sitting alone 
with her thoughts
in the Jardin du Palais Royal


The quiet moments in this garden are shared daily 
no matter the temperature or season.



Jardin du Palais Royal
75001, Paris

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Chapelle Notre Dame des Anges


Chapelle Notre Dame des Anges



This glorious window is hidden in a small church on Rue de Vaugirard.  
The plain front and nondescript entrance belie the rich interior.


So often it is the case.
There are so many churches in Paris... explore


bon dimanche



Chapelle Notre Dame des Anges
102, rue de Vaugirard
75006, Paris

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Rue du Jardinet



Rue du Jardinet



Walking in the wet streets after a Paris shower...

better than rain anywhere else




Rue du Jardinet
75006, Paris
Métro Odéon



Friday, September 27, 2013

Café de la Paix - des chaises vert



Green chairs at Café de la Paix


It is Friday and I have reserved these chairs 
for later today...

a virtual Paris get-together with friends
Alons-y!


bon weekend



Café de la Paix
12, boulevard des Capucines
75009, Paris
 

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Les toits de Paris



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From the rooftop of Printemps
...the view is spectacular


Do you see the boxes on the roof of Palais Garnier?


bee hives!
Can you get me a ticket to that roof?
I would be ever so grateful...
I love the bees!


The rooftops of Paris
from Printemps terrace
Boulevard Haussmann
75009, Paris

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Square de la place Adolphe Chérioux - kiosque à musique



Square de la place Adolphe Chérioux
The bandstand



This square is a work of the architect Jean-Camille Formigé 
and was established in 1896.  
It is a long, narrow green space providing benches 
and a play area as well as this bandstand.  
The landscaping and trees buffer the noise from the busy Rue de Vaugirard.



Although hidden in this photo, 
you can see the Eiffel Tower just over the bandstand.



 
Square de la place Adolphe Chérioux
Rue de Vaugirard 
75015, Paris
Métro Vaugirard (at the front of the park) 
 

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

L'architecture de Paris



Rue Mademoiselle


but the beautiful stone work 
and graceful balconies of this early 20th century building 
are worth a second look


...with a different viewpoint





76-78, rue Mademoiselle
75015, Paris
Métros Vaugirard et Volontaires

Monday, September 23, 2013

Les couleurs de l'automne - Le Bidule Café


Le Bidule Café
The colors of autumn


The yellows and oranges of this café 
will soon match the leaves with their autumnal colors.


May you have a week of bright skies and warm colors




Le Bidule Café
2, rue Faidherbe
75011, Paris

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Cathédral Notre-Dame de Chartres - un détail



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Chartres Cathedral
12th Century Gothic


The 300 narrow, winding steps to the bell tower 
reward the adventurous climber with a quiet and lofty view of Chartres 
as well as intricate details.  


The cathedral artisans carved images of beasts and flowers 
in places where they would not be easily seen by anyone but God.


bon dimanche


Cathédral Notre-Dame de Chartres
Chartres, France
(an easy day-trip from Paris by train)

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Jardin du Luxembourg - La Fontaine Médicis



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The Medici Fountain
Jardin du Luxembourg


This quiet space is found just east of the Sénat 
with the closest garden entrance at Place P. Claudel.  
The garlands of ivy on the long sides of the pool 
provide a respite from the otherwise crowded garden.  


Even when all of these chairs are filled, 
there is a hush and reverence, 
perhaps a tacit understanding by those who come here.  


It is one of my favorite quiet places in Paris


bon weekend



Medici Fountain
Jardin du Luxembourg
75006, Paris
 

Friday, September 20, 2013

Rue Mouffetard - les danseurs



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Dancing in the street
Rue Mouffetard


Every Sunday a small crowd gathers on Rue Mouffetard 
in front of Église Saint-Médard to sing and dance 
to the music of Christian Bassoul.  
It is easy to spot the regulars, 
whose easy steps and spins are evidence of the Sunday routine.  
All are welcome to participate 
so if you find yourself in Paris on a Sunday morning, 
find your way to this charming experience and.... 
dance.




Rue Mouffetard at Rue Censier
75005, Paris
Métro Censier-Daubenton

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Louvre -- Le Carrousel du Louvre



Le Carrousel du Louvre


What looks to be a fashionable mall is a corridor to the least-crowded entrance into the Louvre.  You can buy tickets at the Tabac on the lower level and quickly enter - no lines and no waiting!  


To get there take Metro Line 1 and exit at the Palais Royal--Musee du Louvre station, and never leave the covered area going from one underground area to the next.  Just follow the signs to Carrousel du Louvre. 


In the distance you can see the Pyramid



Le Carrousel du Louvre
99, rue du Rivoli
75001, Paris



Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Gwen Choc - boulangerie



Gwen Choc


It is nearly impossible to find a "bad" boulangerie in Paris and each artisan boulangerie-patisserie has a loyal following.  The aroma of fresh bread wafts down the street and the lines form at the appointed hour...


Gwen Choc is a favorite in this area of the Marais.  My favorite neighborhood is Place Maubert and its Eric Kayser boulangerie...  be sure to ask for the Baguette Monge.



Gwen Choc
5, rue du Temple
75004, Paris

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Metro sign



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The high post with its lighted "M" is one of my favorite Metro signs
particularly when seen against a clear Paris sky


The season does not matter



Paris Metro Sign
Near Louvre
75001, Paris

Monday, September 16, 2013

Lenôtre


Lenôtre


A little something for your  sweet-tooth on a Monday.

The Schuss cake is one of the crown jewels 
of a famous French cooking school: Lenôtre.  
The base is a sponge cake with a layer of mousse 
and a topping of whipped cream. 
The varieties and flavors are endless.


Although I admire the aesthetics of this dessert, 
I prefer a tart or a portion of chocolate.


How about you?



Lenôtre
15, boulevard de Courcelles
75008, Paris

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Eglise de la Sainte-Trinité



Eglise de la Sainte-Trinité


This church is known simply as La Trinité or Sainte-Trinité, built between 1861 and 1867 as part of the beautification and reorganization of Paris by Haussmann. It was designed by the Théodore Ballu taking inspiration from French and Italian Renaissance architecture. Prior to the construction, many significant historical buildings were demolished to make way for the church and surrounding roads.

The façade, with its three porches and gallery above, is topped by a large rose window and two large windows. Rising above these windows is a four-story bell tower with two cupolas at the top.


bon dimanche



Eglise de la Sainte-Trinité
66, rue Saint Lazare
75009, Paris

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Bouillon Chartier II



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Bouillon Chartier
une brasserie


Quite often the line extends from the door into the tiled courtyard to wait for a table.  The scene then resembles an alfresco cocktail party.


May you have a restful 
and delicious weekend



Bouillon Chartier
7, rue du Faubourg Montmartre
75009, Paris


Friday, September 13, 2013

Cimetière de Passy



Cimetière de Passy


Just across the way from Trocadéro and the stunning view of la Tour Eiffel 
(and the throngs of people) 
is this quiet cemetery with its own stunning view of la Tour.  
As you walk the narrow shaded paths, 
the chatter of  the many tourists 
along with hawkers of Eiffel Tower key chains 
cannot be heard.


The muffled sounds of the caretaker 
going about his daily maintenance 
and the songs of birds 
will accompany you on a walk 
through the rows of crypts, tombs and markers.



Cimetière de Passy
75016, Paris
Métro Trocadéro

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Jardin du Palais Royal - les promeneurs



Jardin du Palais Royal
the dog walkers


It does not matter how early you get up in the morning.  
The dog walkers are out in force.  
Truthfully, I cannot imagine a more scenic place to gather with others, 
away from the busy streets and sheltered from the elements.  


Can you hear the crunch of the limestone gravel under your feet?



Jardin du Palais Royal
75001, Paris
 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Le Grand Colbert - une brasserie


Le Grand Colbert


In the beginning twilight of the dinner hours, 
the creamy yellow walls are offset by a large vase of flowers.  
The service is quite proper, 
the plat fresh and perfectly prepared, 
and the dessert sinfully chocolate*.  
What a great evening with friends.


miam-miam
*profiteroles with ice cream 
and smothered in hot chocolate sauce



Le Grand Colbert
2, rue Vivienne
75002, Paris

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Le Huitième - une brasserie



Le Huitième


This brasserie is memorable on my usual walk up 
Boulevard de Courcelles from Parc de Monceau.  
The café chairs in Paris come in every color in the rainbow 
and in many styles and designs.  
You do not see many of the orange shades, 
but the view across the wide boulevard 
is that of bright orange window awnings.


It appears that there would be plenty of room 
on this glassed in terrace for all of us.


allons-y!



Le Huitième
13, boulevard de Courcelles
75008, Paris
Métro Villiers