Magic

Late posting today as it is already 10:55 pm in Paris but I waited in order to publish at last a picture of the Paris at Christmas time. In fact I did not have the chance to wander into the decorated Paris yet and today I really enjoyed my day feeling like a tourist in my own town and loving it. I took MANY pictures today and here is one of my favorite. I took it on the Place de la Concorde at the bottom of the Champs Elysées where each year we have that giant wheel.

Let it snow

It started to snow yesterday morning in Paris and for once we have the snow staying a little as this view from a Parisian appartment balcony (mine) shows.

Place des Voges

One side of the Place des Voges in le Marais area.

La Conciergerie at night

La Conciergerie is one of the most beautiful monument in Paris. It lies on the river bank on the Ile de la Cité right in the center of the city.Once a Palace it then became a prison where Queen Marie Antoinette was kept after the French Revolution.

Shopping for Christmas

A French boutique for Christmas shopping ...

Waiting for the train at the Gare de l'Est

This last weekend I took the TGV (fast train) to go near Strasbourg in the Alsace region, east of France on the German border. The Alsace region is very well know in France for its Christmas markets.
Here is a view af the great hall of the Gare de l'Est (east railway station).

Painted windows

A real work of art and sure better than nothing.

More of Le Marais

Part of the "Archives" building in Le Marais with ending of the day lights

Notre Dame de Clignancourt

Right in front of the 18th arrondissement city hall is the church Notre Dame de Clignancourt. Not famous but I like it.

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)

Knocked over by the view ?

A statue in the Tuileries garden.

Assemblée Nationale

The "Assemblée Nationale" also known as the "Palais Bourbon" is the house of the French Parliament.

Rue de Rivoli

The rue de Rivoli is one of the longest street in Paris starting in Le Marais and ending Place de la Conconcorde after 3 kms.
As it longs the north wing of the Louvre museum it has arcades like you can see here with shops and expensive hotels.

Old car

Colonnes

View from The Pantheon.

Gare de Lyon

The Gare de Lyon is the railway station for trains going south.

Eglise Saint Germain de Charonne

I already talked about this church in a previous post but I did not publish any picture of it yet. When looking at this little charming church possessing its cemetery around it (in the back) you feel like you are in a small town out of Paris, but you are in the 20th arrondissement.

Bridges

La Seine river and its bridges.

Theme day : waiting

Waiting to enter the Beaubourg museum (Modern Art) where an excelent exhibition of Pierre Soulages (French paintor) takes place. As you can see I was lucky enough to be inside since rain was starting. People outside were watching street shows while waiting.
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Flags

French are not flag people. We quite never put flag in our homes like you can see in some countries (except for special events like Soccer world cup) and the only places where you can find French Flag are public buildings like this beautiful Hotel Particulier located on the Place de l'Etoile (you can see the reflexion of the Arc de Triomphe in the windows).

An afternoon at the Opéra

I'm sorry for the poor qulaity of the picture but I took it my phone since I did not take my camera this afternoon. I am just back from a fabulous performance of  La Bohème at the Bastille Opéra which you can see on the picture and I could not help but posting something about it today.

Sunset on Notre Dame

As George would say : what else ?

Rue Stendhal

The rue Stendhal, named after the French author, ends with steps when approaching the Eglise de Charonne. A very typical 20th arrondissement scenery, within a walking distance from home.

Gare de l'Est

"East railways station" is located in the 10th arrondissement. It's one of the 6 Paris stations.

Saint Eustache church

Saint Eustache church was built between 1532 and 1640. It is located in the center of Paris near "Les Halles".

Painted wall

Art building

Seen on a appartments building, rue Beaubourg. You see why It is always worth looking up when walking in Paris. I have passed by this building many times before noticing this 2 sculptures.

Père Lachaise in fall

I'm back from a visit of the Père Lachaise cemetery where I took some friends who are staying at home for the week-end. Very nice views with the falling leaves.

Arc de Triomphe

I realize that I never posted any picture of the Arc de Triomphe located on the Place Charles de Gaulle also called Place de L'Etoile (Star square) as all the avenues around are organized like a star.

Art in the garden

Once again a view from the Tuileries garden which I really like. The trees don't have leaves anymore but the sun is there these days and I wanted to share this view with you.

Roof terrace

And if I tell you that this terrace is located on the Champs de Mars right in front of the Eiffel Tower ... one more dream apartment don't you think ?

A view

From the Cité de l'Architecture on the Trocadéro.

Inside the Petit Palais

The Petit Palais is a free city Museum located near the champs Elysées with a nice little garden inside.

Carrousel in Montmatre

One of the nice old carrousel we have in Paris. During the Holiday season from December 20th until January 4th the Paris city makes them free for the children.

Surrounded statue

I will have to come back next spring when the wisteria surrounding this statue will be green again.

Colors on the avenue Carnot

Péché mignon

One thing I did not tell about my little trip on the Champs Elysees for the Armistice day is that I could not help but stop at Ladurée and have some of these incredible macarons ... and by the way I wish you all good luck for this Friday 13th !

Do you ?

Like this shop's name on the Champs Elysées I love Paris, do you ?

By the way, I saw today that they already put the lights in the trees for the Christmas lightings of the Avenue. It will start on November 20th and I will post photos of course.

Armistice's day

I waited until this afternoon to post today's picture because I wanted a fresh one from the Arc of Triomphe where this morning took place the commemoration ceremony of the end of World War I. So I went to the Champs Elysées and I'm just back with these pictures.

For the first time a German leader, Angela Merkel, has attended the ceremony with Nicolas Sarkozy. I think this is a perfect sign to show the friendship that is now in place between France and Germany and it gives hope for the future.

A peaceful street

Who would imagine that this little paved street with houses and little front door gardens is located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris ?

Beret

The caricature of "the French" is the guy wearing a béret (soft wool cap above) and carrying a baguette under is arm. If I often carry a baguette I've never had a béret but I agree you may find old men, mostly in the west southern part of France, who still wear this cap. These are sold in tourists shops.

Théâtre de Guignol

When I posted a picture of the Parc Montsouris 2 days ago, Nadège said she remembered the "Guignol" so that's for her. It's also for all who I guess do not know "Guignol". It is athe main caracter in a French puppet show that also took his name. You can see more on wikipedia and have a lot on this video showing the Champs Elysées Guignol Theater which is basically the same show.

Fountain

A dinking water fountain like you can find in some Paris streets.

Parc Montsouris

The Parc Montsouris is located in the 14th arrondissement in the south of Paris. It is a beautiful park and especially at this time of year.

Reflexion

Tour Saint Jacques

The Tour Saint Jacques is a remaining from an old church that was demolished during the French Revolution.It's been standing here on the right bank for 5 centuries (built between 1509 and 1523) and is located in a square that took its name "Square de la Tour Saint Jacques".
Ever since I lived in Paris the tower was not visible but coverved because it was so old and fragile that rocks were sometimes falling. It's only in march this year that restoration work had been completed and that the tower was "un-packed". We then had the feeling of having a new monument given to Paris though it was only 500 years old ....

Bibilothèque Nationale de France

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

Back home

I'm back home from my week holidays in NYC. The Big Apple is still my second favourite city in the world. I don't know why I chose this picture today ... do you ?

Theme day : doorways

Sorry but I am still in New York today so for the theme day my photo doesn't look very Parisian ... hope you like it anyway.
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