birds on a wire

Looking up rue Montmartre, with the
church of Saint-Eustache on the left:
This lively neighborhood now includes the
new and improved Forum des Halles, and you can
still find everything yummy—from snails at
l'Escargot Montorgeuil (founded in 1832) to baba
au rhum at Stohrer, Paris's oldest patisserie (there since
1730)—on the market street of rue Montorgeuil.

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

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.]

la fontaine . . .

in front of Saint-Sulpice church.  It was built
in 1833 as part of a big program to
improve the city's water supply.  Each of the
four statues is a religious figure who was
known for his eloquence—this one is a preacher
with the appropriate name of Esprit (Fléchier).
I love this fountain but I wish they hadn't
plopped it down right there where it kind of
blocks the front of the church.

un citron pressé

The pause that refreshes in Paris:
When you ask for lemonade here, you get
freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar,
and water—c'est tout.  You don't get a whole lot of  
ice (which I could have used on that day last 
July when the temp hit 99°F/37°C), 
but I was happy with my no-chemicals-added
drink on the shady terrace of a Paris café.

[Linking back to Monday Mellow Yellows.]

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.]

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.]

May Day au musée

There are thousands of beautiful
things in the Louvre—not
just paintings and sculpture, jewelry,
furniture, and objets d'art, but 
also the building itself.  This gate is one 
of my all-time favorite elements.
Wishing a Happy May Day to all and to my 
French friends, je vous offre un petit
brin de muguet.

[Linking back to The Weekend in Black and White
and to Shadow Shot Sunday.]

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.]

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.]

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.}

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.]