National Library at night

Just for the atmosphere ...

Rabbit year parade in Paris

On February the 3rd the Chinese New Year started and Paris waiting until Sunday to celebrate the year of the Rabbit in a big Parade. Happy New Year !

New year is approaching

... Chinese New Year of course as you can see with the decorations in the 13th arrondissement where the Chinese quarter is located. In Paris you cannot speak of a "Chinatown" like you can find in New York or San Francisco since it is much smaller and not so delimited. But the Chinese quarters in parts of  the 13th and 20th arrondissement are nice to walk in.

Le Monde

This building is "Le Monde" headquarters in Paris on the Boulevard Blanqui in the 13th arrondissement. This newspaper is our " Times ". It's considered as an intellectual quality newspaper. The funny is that befor they move their headquarters in this building I used to work there. Much better than now in the suburb ...

Red tree at the Italie 2 mall

"Italie 2" is one of Paris few malls. It's located in the 13th arrondissement on the "Place d'Italie" which you can see through the windows.

Le sapin de Noël

Already time to buy the Christmas tree ?

Rue de la Colonie

These little houses located on the Rue de la Colonie in the 13th arrondissement really make Paris look like a small country town Charming, don't you think ?

Lights

I like street lights in Paris !

Charles de Gaulle bridge

The Charles de Gaulle is the latest bridge built in Paris (1996). It crosses the river between the 13th and 12rd arondissement (south east of paris) and it offers a direct link between 2 majors railway stations : Gare d'Austerlitz and Gare de Lyon which tower you can see at the end of the bridge.

Le Dansoir

"Le Dansoir" is the name of this little wooden theatre located on the National Libray square in the 13th arrondissement (south east of Paris). It is a mobile theater which stays 6 months here and which is dedicated to danse events. If you want to have a look inside you can check their website.
I like the contrast of this wood and the towers of the Library. And yes we had a great blue sky these two last days but clouds are back today.

Where has the French gone ?

Looking at this picture you can think that I am still on vacation somewhere in a English speaking country. The modern area doesn't look like "old Paris" and the not to mention the shops and building names ... "The Frog and British library (a pub)", "Accenture (a company)", Natural,Fresh and ready (a food store)" ... well in fact despite all these English names this is Paris ! The area is the new side of the 13th arrondissement near the National Library (you can see its towers in the back). The area has been built upon the railways leading to the Austerlitz station. A great way to gain space and also to prevent the area from the train noise. But maybe the news shops could try French language even though I know that English sounds more "fashionable".

National Library

Two of the 4 towers of the National Library in the 13th arrondissement along the Seine river. As you can see we still have snow and it fall a lot again during the night so this morning everything is white again. I envy people like Virginia and her friend who will wander in the city today while I will be struggling on the road to work ...

East side

This view of the Seine river is taken from the "Pont National" bridge on the very east side of the city. On the left you can see the National Library towwer and on the right the trees fo the Parc de Bercy. This is a part of Paris that has changed a lot these last 10 years and which is still changing.
(click on picture to enlarge)

Bibilothèque Nationale de France

Tower of the National Library in the 13th arrondissement. I may miss towers ?

Art for everyone

During this week-end there is an event in the 12th and 13th arrondissement called "Opéra des rues" (Street Opera). Many events take place in streets, square and even in a shopping center like this one yesterday at the "Italie 2" mall. A great idea !

Swiming on the Seine

The Josephine Baker swiming pool is indeed located on the river and the water used to fill it is taken from the river and cleaned on the location. More information about this pool is available on the Paris website (in French). I've been there and it's a nice sensation to be swiming at the river level.

New Paris

This is not a usual view of Paris but the city is not only a "museum" type city. It's still living and creating new areas like this one in the 13th arrondissement close to the Bibliothèque de France (National Library). This picture is taken on the corner of the Rue Neuve Tolbiac and the Avenue de France.

Pont de Bercy

The Pont de Bercy links the left bank to the right bank in south east of Paris. The big building in the background is the French Ministry of Economy and Finances.

BNF

The BNF for Bibliothèque Nationale de France is the National Library also called François Mitterand Library (former French President). It's in the south east of the city, an area that has been completely re-built these last years. The library is made of 4 towers looking like open books with  a large garden in the middle. 

The boats on the river banks offer cafés and concerts like the red one called "Bateau Phare".