Metro entrance

A very unusual subway entrance. (with rouge letter for Virginia)

Rue François 1er

This street is located in the 8th arrondissement near the Champs Elysees, one of the most expensive area in Paris.

The lady in the sun

This lady resting in the sun in the courtyard if the Hotel de Sully is very special to me as she is my mother. I am not used to post family pictures on this blog but today is a special day as my mum is turning 80 and she's a terrific mum. Happy birthday maman !

Marrons chauds

Cold weather is back (only 9 degrees this morning) and street vendors are back too with the "marrons chauds" which are roasted chestnuts. This guy is selling them in front of the big department store called "Galeries Lafayette" .. as you can see on his plastic bags! Actually they are not allowed to sell on the pavement and so they're always ready to disappear quickly if Police comes. 

Sunday bridge : from under the bridge

Paris bridges seen from under a bridge ... and a nice autumn sky.

See all participants in Sunday Bridge theme on San Francisco Bay Daily Photo

Techno Parade in Paris

Today is Techno Parade day in Paris. Youngsters have fun !!! More about the parade on the official website (click here)

Place Charles de Gaulle

Just for the picture !

Mansart

This statue of Mansart, French architect (1598-1666) lies in the garden of the Invalides. Mansart was one of the architect of that building.

Theatre Metamorphosis

This theater is on a boat on the Seine River. I've never seen any show there but I like the boat. (click here to see their website).

Painted wall rue Mouffetard

This painted wall on the famous Parisian "Fromagerie Androuet" (cheese shop) represents hunting scenes. The paintings were made in 1929 and use the "sgraffito" technique.

Rue de Rivoli

The Street called rue de Rivoli is one of Paris shopping street and is located in the center of the city. In the far background you can see the buildings of "La Defense" the business area in the west suburb of Paris. Yesterday was a nice hot day, maybe one our our last ...

Sunday bridge : les bouquinistes

This bookshop on the river bank near the Pont Neuf (Paris'oldest bridge though the name means "New bridge") is called "Bouquiniste". You can find all sorts of books their. See one of my old post about the Bouquinistes (click here).
To see all participant in Sunday Brige theme see San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.

Planted balcony

You know how Parisian like to put plants and flowers on their windows and balconies. I thinks these plants seem to like there place, a nice building indeed located rue Nicolas Flamel in the 4th arrondissement.

Tour Saint Jacques between buildings

Nice to be back in Paris this morning with a beautiful blue sky. Cold, by the way compared to the weather I had in N'Djamena but isn't the Tour Saint Jacques splendid with this blue background ?

Charles de Gaulle airport

I am leaving for a business trip in central Africa for a few days. See you by the end of next week ! You can still enjoy daily photos of Paris on Virginia' Paris Through my Lens and on Eric' Paris Daily Photo.

Hungry ?

Monday Virginia posted one of my "Péché Mignon" with her Nutella crèpes (see Paris Through My Lens) and here is my other one ... patisseries ! One of the good thing in living in France ...

Having fun at the Louvre Pyramid

Kids having fun in the Carroussel du Louvre where the upside down Pyramid is found.

Shadows

Main entrance (or way out in that picture) of the Hotel de la Monnaie.

On strike

Today many railroads in France will look like this abandoned one located in the 18th arrondissement as it is a national strike day. Unions and left wing political parties are calling for strike and demonstration in all cities to fight against the government project concerning Retirement.
To come back to the photo, this old railway in Paris has been left alone for years and will probably never be used again for train but we hope that it can be changed into a nice pedestrian promenade like they've done near Bastille with the "Promenade Plantée" (see my last year pictures).

Shakespeare and Company bookshop

Ideally located on the Seine River bank in front of Notre Dame, this tiny shop is Paris' most famous English speaking bookshop. You can read more about this shop history on Wikipedia (clik here).

Sunday bridge : lovers

A nice couple on the bridge to celebrate Sunday Bridge theme day.

More Sunday briges on San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.

Dancing in Paris

During the summer, every night on the Quai Saint Bernard arenas, people gather and dance. If you want to have the sound I posted a little video on you tube (click here).

Two men on the balcony

Typical Parisian old rooftops on the Place de la Madeleine.

Back to school

That kid won't be playing in Montmartre stairs this morning as today is back to school day in France.

Theme day : open air market

The lady choosing her peaches at the open air market of the Rue Mouffetard.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Postcard Paris

Let's end August with a "carte postale" view of my city through this picture of a painting in Montmatre's Place du Tertre. That's anyway also a side of Paris I like.

Bike in the city

If you've been in Paris during the past 2 years you've probably noticed that the city has now a lot of bikes on the streets. Not only the Velib, our free bike system, but also private bikes that Parisian now use really more than ever before. This weekend I was in London and I was happy to see that they also started last july with a free bike system like in Paris. The good thing about Velib is that you don't have to care about parking your bike. I think that the owner of the bike of today's photo found a quite nice parking place (not sure it's allowed by the way ...)

Sunday bridge : Pont Bir Hakeim

It's been a long time since I posted a picture of the Lady so on this Sunday bridge theme day I decided to show you the Bir Hakeim bridge crossing the river between 15th and 16th arrondissements. One of my favorite because of the subway riding on top and because of the lights. 

For more Sunday Bridges see San Francisco Bay area Daily Photo blog. 

Paris d'Amour

This exhibition called "Paris d'Amour" took place in the City Hall building and though it ended last July 31th, the posters are still in place along the rue de Rivoli. Maybe because Paris is the city of love ...

Angels upon a window

So cute aren't they ?

Narrow Rue de Nevers

This street is located the 6th arrondissement . Very narrow with nice street lights it leads to the Seine and it is one of Paris' oldest street.

Free relaxing massage on the Seine river bank

Let's continue to have good time on the river bank with these people give a 10 minutes free relaxing massage. They are here every afternoon if weather is fine and I did try it for the first time last Sunday ! If you're in Paris you should absolutely go there. They're really good and on top of it where sitting on these little chairs you are facing ... Notre Dame Cathedral !  I also like this picture because I find the atmosphere of that warm Sunday afternoon on the banks.

Long chair on the boat

Don't you think these chairs are inviting us ?

Willy Ronis exhibition at the Monnaie de Paris

Yesterday I finally managed to see the beautiful Willy Ronis exhibition that took place at the Monnaie de Paris building. It was ending that day and I really feel lucky not to have missed it. He was a fabulous photographer and the exhibition showed some famous pictures like the little Parisian boy with his baguette (see below) but also others less famous and still very touching. A real Master.

Sunday bridge : Pont de Bercy at night

I am back from a week on the splendid Island of Corsica (French Mediterranean island) and to celebrate the Sunday bridge theme day here is a view of the Pont de Bercy at night.
See all participants of Sunday Bridge on San Francisco Bay area daily photo

Away

Yes, I am away from Paris for a while on beautiful Corsica island. See you !

Parisian windows

Lots of Parisians like to put plants and flowers on their windows or balconies. I'm one of them. This is in the 5th arrondissement near the Paris Mosque.

Velib is 3

Velib, Paris free bike, is celebrating its 3rd birthday. Of course it is not perfect but it really didi change the city and it became the first transportation choice for many Parisian (I am one of them!).
Lots of big cities around the world also started their free bike system like recently in London. In France, the city of Lyon (south east) was the first to install these bikes and since Paris did it many other French cities joined the movement.

Boat reflexion

On the Paris Port near Bastille.

Old car for "Paris au mois d'août" event

I took this picture last Sunday 1st of August near the City Hall where this car was passing by, going to a yearly event for old cars like this called "Paris au mois d'août". I especially loved the couple driving this car.

Paris Plages week : sunday bridge

One last picture to end the Paris Plages week and to also celebrate Sunday Bridge theme day.
More participant of Sunday Bridge on San Francisco Bay Daily Photo

Paris Plages week : dancing

Yesterdya evening I went to have an "apéritif" (drink before diner) on Paris Plages and look what I saw : people dancing ! I posted a video of this nice moment if you want to enjoy more of the atmosphere : Dancing on Paris Plages

Paris Plages week : need some fresh spray ?

Giant water spray ... a real great thing when hot !

Paris Plages week : at the pool

Yes , they even built a pool on the bank !

Paris Plages week : resting

While kids are spending their energy, what about a nice calm rest on the river bank ? I can even see tourists with the suitcase, maybe spending some last hours in Paris before leaving the city.

Paris Plages week : kids on the bumps

Paris Plages offers lots of free attractions like this up and down hills for young bikers. They really have great fun and it's especially great for kids who can't afford to go on vacation and don't even own a bike.

Paris Plages week : entering

To start what will be a Paris Plages week, here is one of the entrance to the river banks. Usually it's a quite non stop traffic jam on this expressway entrance but for one month Parisians and visitors can slowly go down and enjoy. I could have used the plant pots for yesterday's bright colours theme day !

Theme day : bright colours

Located on the Seine river banks and on the La Villette water pond, the Paris Plages event is full of colours and fun. I will show you some of it this coming week.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants