Pomp and Circumstance

One day last September, I was about to
have lunch across the street from the
Palais du Luxembourg (home of the French
Senate), when this colorful crew
showed up.  Found out that they accompanied
the new president, Emmanuel Macron,
as he came to address the chamber.  

Saint-Sulpice

At this 17th-century church—the
second-largest in Paris—you
can see something beautiful
everywhere you look.

[Linking back to Macro Monday.]

ABC Wednesday—Q = "quai"

. . . de la Tournelle, that is.  Can you
imagine a more romantic place to stroll—
or a more fantastic view?

[To see more ABC posts, go here.]

{I'm scheduling this to post, but I might not be able
to link back to ABC Wednesday.  At the
moment I'm on a ship off the coast of Argentina,
and may or may not have any Internet.}

Les ombres du Louvre

I appreciate that these sumptuous carpets
and gorgeous painted dressers are
still here for us to admire.
The chairs aren't too shabby, either.

[Linking back to Shadow Shot Sunday.]

aux puces

I could spend days at the Marché aux Puces,
even if I were just looking—though
buying (and haggling over the price) is more fun.
I was tempted by this pretty silver pot
the last time I was there.

[To see more Weekend Reflections,
visit James's meme.]

bienvenue!

Sign outside Cosi's tiny flagship sandwich
shop on rue de Seine.  (There are
Cosi shops in NYC, but it's just not the
 same here.)  BTW, I like to think
I'm one of the nice ones.

[Linking back to Signs, signs.]

Chez Repetto

Repetto—purveyor of toe shoes and tutus
to the dancers at the Opéra Garnier
since 1947.  Just peering into this place
makes me want to step up to the barre and
do a plié or a rond de jambe.

[Today is Pink Saturday. To see more, go here.]

ABC Wednesday—U is for "Utrillo"

Maurice Utrillo would find Paris much
changed since he painted this
scene of the Consulat d'Auvergne
restaurant 79 years ago.

But he'll still find Le Consulat right
there at 18 rue Norvins in Montmartre
(though he might not recognize the
clientele or the prices).

[To see more ABC posts, go here.]

les groseilles

These pretty red currants were for sale
last summer at the weekly bio
(organic) market—held each Sunday
on the Boulevard Raspail.

[Linking back to Ruby Tuesday
and Our World Tuesday.]

Bonne Année!

A glass of rosé—enjoyed in Paris last year—to
wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

[To see more Weekend Reflections, visit James's meme.]

La Gardienne

I don't know the story behind the lady who's
guarding this doorway in the 12th arrondissement
(if there even is one), but she has a nice face . . .  

and she's found a good way to guard
herself from the ever-present pigeons
(seems to be working pretty well).

[Linking back to Ruby Tuesday
and Our World Tuesday.]

à la gare

ABC Wednesday—L is for "gare de Lyon"

This photo could almost have been taken any 
time since the terminal was built for the
World Exposition of 1900.  Granted, that's a 
fairly sleek-looking train on the left (I believe it's 
a TGV). On the other hand, I don't see 
anyone with a suitcase on wheels.

[To see more ABC shots, go here.]

ET en rouge

And here's another one:
If there'd been a way to get it from Paris
to Brooklyn and if I even had room for it in my
apartment, and if it had actually been for sale . . .
Of course, I didn't bring home this big red Eiffel Tower, 

but I did get this red-and-gold
ET garland to add to my
collection.

[Linking back to Ruby Tuesday
and to Our World Tuesday.]

ABC Mercredi

ABC Wednesday—Y is for "young at heart"

Every Sunday, a group of people gathers in
front of the Saint-Médard church to
play and sing old French songs and to dance.
Spectators and passers-by are welcome
to join in and on this Sunday in September, my
favorite dancers were this chic—and so
obviously French—couple.  (And each time
a dance ended, he kissed her.)

[To see more ABC posts, go here.]

la ruche

This beehive can be seen on the building
at the northwest corner of rue Rambuteau and
rue Pierre Lescot.  If you look, that is—
because this spot is kind of overshadowed by
the construction of the new incarnation
of Les Halles going on directly across the street.

It was  a "sign" for a honey shop;
the shop is gone, but I hope
the hive remains for a long time.

[Linking back to Monday Mellow Yellows
and to Macro Monday.]

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

This 61-acre, entirely-made-by-hand park was
opened in 1867.  Although I was living in Paris 100 years
later, I never set foot here until last September.
Whatever you want to say about Baron Haussmann,
I have to give him credit for looking at an ugly,
smelly, barren hill on the outskirts of the city and
having the vision to see it turned into one of 
the loveliest spots in all of Paris.

{And Happy May Day! If we were 
in Paris, I'd offer you a brin de muguet.}

[Linking back to Weekend Reflections and to
The Weekend in Black and White.]

Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts

This is very much a "local" church, catering
to its parishioners in the 12th arrondissement.
However, it does have two beautiful organs; the main
one, built by Cavaillé-Coll, is considered one of the
best examples of symphonic organs in Paris—and some
powerful music has been recorded in this church.

[Linking back to inSPIREd Sunday and Shadow Shot Sunday.]

le coucher du soleil

Took this shot of the sun setting behind the 
Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais a little over 
a year ago.  I'd love to take more sunset shots from
the rooftop terrace of the Galeries Lafayette
in warm weather, but by the time the sun sets in
the summer, it's close to 10 p.m., and 
that terrace has been closed for hours already.

[Linking back to Monday Mellow Yellows
and Mandarin Orange Monday.
And you know I'm Dreaming of France.]

L'éscalier

I liked this staircase so much, I took 30 pictures of it!
It's in the Petit (keeping in mind that everything
is relative) Palais—where there were lots of beautiful
things to see and not a lot of people, so I
could actually see them.  There's also a very 
nice café, they don't mind if you take 
photos, and admission is free.

[To see more monochromes, visit Dragonstar's meme.]

All alone at the Louvre

If you've ever been to the Louvre and seen the 

Venus de Milo, then you have some idea of 

how long I stood here before I was able 

to capture her all on her own. 

(Even so—and somewhat ironically—I did have 

to use Photoshop to delete one errant arm.)

[It's ABC Wednesday. To see more posts
that feature the letter L, go here.
And as always, I'm Dreaming of France.]