Photo Op

Don't know whether these are professional
models or just a couple having their
picture taken by a pro (and me).  The latter,
I think; there were several couples posing by the
lit-up pyramid at the Louvre that night.

des jeux d'artifice

This was Bastille Day last year, when I
was lucky enough to be right
there on the Champ de Mars—with
several hundred thousand
other lucky folks, but still . . .

It was spectacular—and as much as I don't
like crowds, I'd do it again (might get 
there a bit earlier though).

[Linking back to Skywatch Friday.]

the Louvre at night

I can't imagine why none of these people
are gazing at the view right in front
of them—the pyramid all lit up here in the
courtyard of the Musée du Louvre.

How can they resist?

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

La tour, la nuit

There are actually people who have this view.
I just hope they're sufficiently grateful!

{Oops—can't believe I forgot to post
this on the 1st.  Better late . . ., I suppose.}

Le Louvre: Pei's pyramid

And we're up to the letter L for ABC Wednesday.
I did "Louvre"  last time too.  But that was indoors 
and this is out, that was daytime and this is late at night, 
that was then and this is now . . . (besides, I've 
been playing along with this meme for a long time!).

[To see more ABC shots, go here.]

Sur les Champs Elysées

I probably wouldn't go out of my way to stroll
up this commercialized and overcrowded
avenue these days.  However, when it's all decked
out for the holidays like this . . . well, it's still
too much, but in a fabulous French way,
and if given the chance (as I was
last November) I wouldn't miss it.

Happy New Year/Bonne Année à tous!

ET times two

I know this looks rather romantic on the surface,
but when I took this shot last November it 
was so cold I could barely snap the shutter.
There are also rats living in the Champ de Mars
and they're not exactly shy late at night.
But, hey—who wouldn't put up with a few rodents 
and some frozen fingers for this?

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

Where to Get a Bad Meal in Paris

You'd be better off buying a crepe from the stands
on nearby Boulevard St. Michel than to get drawn
into one of the joints with a "menu touristique" here
on rue de la Huchette, in the student quarter.
There are some good things to be found here
—especially if you're under 30—but food is
not necessarily one of them.  If you really do 
want falafel, head over to rue des Rosiers in the
Marais and join the queue outside L'as du Falafel.
(And if you're a fan of couscous, I believe there are 
still some places in Paris where they serve it up
for free, mostly on Friday and Saturday night.)