Porte Saint Martin

 The "Porte Saint Martin" is one of the gates of the now-destroyed fortifications of Paris located in the 10th arrondissement. It was built in 1674.

Through a Louvre window

This view is taken from a window in a room of the Louvre Museum. You can see the Tuileries gardens turning red and in the background the Arc of Triomphe and "La Defense" business quarter.
This "La Defense" quarter is the object of a big controversy in France at the moment since young 23 years old French President' son is going to be elected at the head of the Adgency that manages this district. See NYC Times for more details.

Trees on windows

I guess these Parisian love trees ! (click on picture for a better view)

Saucissons

Those of you who live in France or have visited France know about "saucisson". There is no word to translate this food in English and French love it. I took this picture in Montmartre during this week-end fair where many street vendors where selling food. Most of the time the "saucisson" is made of pork but you can also find different meat like the "donkey saucisson" on the Corsica Island in the Mediteranean sea.

Grape harvest fair in Montmatre 2

Today I've decided to break the CDP rule and show more than one picture. Here are some shots from the Fête des vendanges parade in Montmartre that took place yesterday. During more than 1 hour we enjoyed this parade with people coming from all over France in their traditional outfits. It really was a great show !

Grape harvest fair in Montmatre

This week-end in Montmatre we are celebrating the " Grape harvest fair" (Fêtes des vendanges). Montmatre is the only place in Paris where we still have a little vineyard that you can see on this picture. The wine is not very good but not that bad either. It is sold in 50cl bottles and the money goes to the local charities.
You can get more information about this event on the Fêtes des vendanges website (available in English).

Reflexion

During a few days the Eiffel Tower's lighting has been changed to celebrate relationship between France and Turkey but I still did not had time to go an picture it. I'll try to but in the meantime I chose this reflexion at night of the Tower in the Quai Branly museum windows.

Autumn leaves

Autumn leaves are splendid right now in Paris. "Autumn leaves" is also an old French song called "Les feuilles mortes" whose lyrics were written by a famous poet "Jacques Prévert". This song has been sung so many times by so many different singers over the years and one of my favorite version is Barbra's in the 60's both in French and English.

Sweet name for a "Café"

This Parisian "Café" 's name is " Waiting for gold". Quite a good name that makes you want to seat there, doesn't it ?

Marquise

In French the word "marquise" has two meanings. The most common use is for a French noblewoman ranking above a countess and below a duchess, and who is usually the wife of a marquis.
The second meaning is for a glass canopy standing above a door like this gorgeous marquise on a 16th arrondissement chic building.

Nice balcony

Seen on the Avenue Daumesnil in the 12th arrondissement

Clock at the musée d'Orsay

The musée d'Orsay is a former railway station and they kept some of the big beautiful clocks inside the museum.

Safe ride

More and more private cycle paths are created in Paris.

Lights on the Tower

A close-up to the Eiffel Tower lights.

Theme day : contrast

Contrast on the Paris Opéra for the october theme day.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Living barge

When you live on a barge like some people do in Paris, you may need a car and I guess this is the perfect type of car to own.

Eyes on the river bank

Last week-end I did not only visit the Eiffel Tower but also had a trip on the Bateaux Mouches along the Seine. That's the kind of thing you only do when friends come to visit you in Paris and I enjoyed it a lot.

On the banks of the Isle Saint Louis we saw this very strange painting that was being done. I am not sure but I guess it is made for the next big event in Paris which will take place next saturday called "Nuit Blanche" that can be translated as White Night but also meaning a night with no sleep. I will talk more about this event when it happened.

Eiffel Tower one more

I can't resist showing another view taken from the Eiffel Tower. Here is the Seine, the Alexender III bridge and the Concorde Square.

Shadow on the city

This week-end I went to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower, something that Parisians seldom do. The view is always so magic and we had the chance to have a perfect clear weather. The light was going down and the tower'shadow on the city added beauty to the scenery.

A new Parisian

Le Moulin de la Galette

Le Moulin (mill) de la Galette is located rue Lepic in Montmatre, on top of the hill. It is the only remaining mill on the hill and has become a restaurant.

A famous Renoir painting pictured the "Dance at the Moulin de la Galette".

Cows in Paris

A cow exihibition on the avenue Daumesnil in the 12th arrondissement. Even the yellow mailbox has got horns !

General Store

Food stores in Paris are not only "Monoprix".

A bar with a view

Want to have a drink ?

Window

A Parisian window with dogs you don't have to walk.

European days of culture : second day

A close up to the Louvre.

European days of culture

Today and tomorrow the European Days of cultural heritage take place in Paris like everywhere in France and Europe.

During 2 days, all monuments and cultural palces are open free to public.

Bricks

We have quite a lot of bricks made buildings in Paris. Most of them are standing along the "outside boulevards" which are the streets making this circle that gives the city limits. Some inside quarter also have these buildings like this one from in the 12th arrondissement overlooking the Promenade Plantée.

Musée d'Orsay

I've already posted photos of the inside of the Orsay Museum. Here is a view from across the Seine of this beautiful former railway station which has been transformed into one of the best Paris museum.

My new blog

No, Paris has not suddendly changed into this fabulous part of Myanmar called Bagan ! Today I break the CDP rule and I do not post a picture of my town because I want to introduce to you my new daily blog : Come Fly With Me.

Since I have the chance to travel during my holidays, which as you all know, we have plenty of in France ! I wanted to share some of my "coups de coeur" photos I took in different parts of the world. I hope you'll enjoy it and of course I will still be posting Paris pictures on this blog !

JM has already found the blog before I even talked about it. He's the winner for the first comments!

Café

Not open yet.

Foire aux vins

Every september, France is celebrating the Wine Fair (Foire aux vins). Here is a view from my "Monoprix" shop on boulevard de Charonne where they put for the event some glass bubbles with a tube so that you can smell all the different flavours found in wines like spicies, flowers ...

With every flavour you can smell, there is a list of wine associated. It's a great idea and as you can see on the background, we have quite a large choice of wines in that shop.

A sunday on the river bank

"Paris Plages" is over but every sundays of the year the roads on the river bank are closed to car traffic and open for pedestians, rollers, bikes ... it's always a great walk or ride even for a longtime Parisian like me. I just love it !

This "no car" event started on the banks and has now spread to 15 quarters in the city and the 2 woods (Boulogne and Vincennes) where during sundays and public holidays streets are closed to traffic. This permanent event is called "Paris Respire" (Paris is breathing), some of you who already visited the city may have noticed the signs in the street.

A list of the places concerned with maps is available on the City Hall website (French only ... sorry).

Paris for 1 euro

I guess you all want this guy's address !

Saint Gervais - Saint Protais church

As promissed yesterday, I show you today the inside of the Saint Gervais Saint Protais church. You can see that there are no chairs but small wood stools giving a special look to the place.

Rue des barres

This is one of my favourite street in the "old Paris". It leads from the Seine to the Marais and is surrounded by very old and beautiful houses. On the left you can see the back of the Saint Gervais-Saint Protais church which you can enter there. I will show a picture of the inside tomorrow.

Champagne !

Lucky day today as it is the 09/09/09 so let me share with you a "coupe de champagne rosé" I had with my very good friends Pierre & Meiko last week-end. This is also Paris !

Impasse Mousset

A charming dead end street in the 12th arrondissement called "Impasse Mousset".

More Opera

Mozart was also played outside during the "Opera des rues" event. Yesterday we had this great "Cosi fan tutte" version at the Place d'Aligre in the 11th arrondissment. Really stunning.

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 !

Up and down

Typical Montmatre quarter street.

Bridges

I guess my favorite views of Paris are on or above the Seine bridges. Here on the background you can see the Conciergerie.

Gargoyle

One of the many beautifull gargoyles of the Sacré Coeur Basilica in Montmatre.

A southern look

This gorgeous mansion is located rue Payenne in the 3rd arrondissement part of the Marais quarter. It has a "south of France" look due to its yellow walls.

Theme day : Big

One big plant pot in front of the Beaubourg Centre for the theme day.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants