Zoom on Notre Dame
Friday, May 18, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
It's not because today is La Saint Eric (in France, a country of Catholic tradition, each day is associated with the name of a said Saint) that I'm showing a bit of Notre Dame, but just because I found out only yesterday that they installed telescopes in front of it, so that people can see the stunning details of its facade better. I did not try it though, because I did not have any coin (1 €) so I can't tell you if it's worth it. One thing I'm sure of, is that it helps making cool photos ;-))
Fête du pain 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
As you all know I'm sure(!), in France the 16th of May is the day of Saint Honoré, the Saint of... bakers! That is why we are currently celebrating bread at the moment. How? In several ways, including a large exhibition in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, where I was able to taste some bread specialty and take this photo. If you notice, the baker in the foreground is a woman, as more and more bakers are now female bakers.
New President
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
That's it, as of today our new President, François Hollande, is in charge. The whole "coronation" took place today which involves a trip to the Elysée to switch places with the former President, then a car ride between the Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe, then a few handshakes with the crowd (we call that a "crowd bath"!) and a few other traditional stuff. As you can see, yesterday's sun was gone today and obviously the French protocol does not include the use of an umbrella... We have an expression in French that goes "mouiller sa chemise", which means "to put in some hard work". I think it could not be more appropriate, providing the amount of work that awaits for him!
Wish you were here (you too I'm sure!)
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
The weather is currently lovely in Paris at the moment; just the right temperature (20°C - 68°F), plenty of sun, and another holiday in the pipe (newt Monday!) this Thursday. I took this photo from the Jardin de Belleville, a park that not many tourists visit and from where you can enjoy a very nice view of Paris. I highly recommend it. BTW the dome that you can see in the background is... the dome of the Invalides Pantheon (thank you Marnie! sorry for the mistake) .
Belleville artist worksops
Monday, May 14, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
Betty Boop visits Paris!
Sunday, May 13, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
I really don't know why someone made posters of Betty Boop and posted them on the walls of Paris, but here is one of them, that I found near the BHV (Bazar de l'hôtel de ville) department store. Maybe in a few days we will discover it's simply an ad campaign! Anyway I thought it would be a nice Sunday photo, even though it's not very Paris centric, nor even French! FYI Betty Boop is an animated cartoon character created by Max Fleischer that appeared for the first tim on August 9, 1930! [Uptade] Doh! I did not even notice that Betty had the body of Marilyn! There must be something going on with these two ladies, as I also found this.
Silver liner
Saturday, May 12, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
Yes, it's a classic. Only the sky was so beautiful today that I could not help but taking a shot.The boat on the Seine is not really a "liner", but a boat on which you can enjoy a nice trip on the river and admire the Seine embankment which, to me, remains the most beautiful thing in Paris. BTW the water level has risen a lot lately; flood pictures to come for sure... I also have to decide on a date for the PDP picnic...
Cycle racing in Paris
Friday, May 11, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
Don't go thinking the Tour de France started earlier this year, this cyclist is probably just an amateur that I caught on "film" yesterday in the Bois de Boulogne. The Bois de Boulogne is a 3.3 square mile park that borders the west side of Paris in which you can find several lakes, restaurants and even a racecourse. That is precisely around this racecourse (called l'hippodrome de Longchamp) that the cyclists train. FYI several buses allow you to go to the Bois de Boulogne, which is a nice location for a picnic for instance.
Playing with Europe
Thursday, May 10, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
In front of the town hall there was until today an exhibition targeted at kids, dedicated to... Europe. They probably organized it a long time ago, and though it's wonderfully timely, as, as you may have heard in the news, Europe is once again at jeopardy. Greece has no more government, Spain and Portugal have a huge debt problem, and France and Germany have to negotiate on the latest treaty. It's not easy to build a new country... BTW, how good is your European Geography (I scored 55)?
Paris Flat Iron
Wednesday, May 09, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
WWII Armistice
Tuesday, May 08, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
Today (May 8), is a holiday in France; we celebrate the WWII armistice (the end of the war). There will be a big event on the Champs Elysées for the occasion (to which exceptionally, both the new and the former President will attend). I happened to be on the Champs Elysées yesterday and I came across this sculpture of Charles de Gaulle, by Jean Cardot that I already posted a long time ago and from - another angle. I thought it was pretty timely, as de Gaulle played a large role during WWII.
And the new President of France is...
Monday, May 07, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
That's it! The polls didn't leave much suspense to be honest, but at least now we're sure; the next French President for the 5 years to come is François Hollande, from the socialist party. He will officially start his new job on May 15 (which does not leave much time for the former President to move out!) and even possibly on May 11 with an unofficial encounter with Angela Merkel from Germany. If you want to know what this new election will change and what "French socialism" really means, I recommend this article. I wish him (or rather us!) good luck.
Saint Michel area
Sunday, May 06, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
I took this photo from the taxi that was taking me home from the airport after my vacation. I did not think it would be any good, but now that I see it on the computer I kinda like it. I took it in the Saint Michel area; you can see on of the pedestrian streets that they have there. I don't really know why this building is all lit to be honest, as to me, this is just a book shop (the famous Gibert Jeunes that all Parisian students know!). Anyway, thanks so much for your best recovery wishes yesterday. It worked, I already feel much better today ;-)
Not that bad weather after all!
Saturday, May 05, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
OK, maybe I exaggerated a bit when I said the weather is awful yesterday. I was just assuming from the weather forecast sites that it would be. And it is not! I took this photo right by the Pont Saint Michel (the one that precisely starts at the Place Saint Michel), a bridge that was first built in 1378 then reconstructed several times since then (the latest "version" was built in 1857). Sorry not much else to add, I'm sick as hell and all I can think of now is... going to bed (I should never leave Paris LOL!).
My beloved Paris!
Friday, May 04, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
Everything comes to an end, especially vacation! After a few days in beautiful Marrakesh, I'm back to my beloved home town (I need to vote on Sunday, remember!). The weather is awful, but I'm sure it won't last... And most important: the 2012 best baguette baker has just been chosen! I have to visit his bakery! FYI, this is an ad I photographed on a taxi; it promotes a new 2 page edition dedicated to Paris in Le Figaro daily paper.
Le débat !
Thursday, May 03, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
I know that you probably don't care about French politics, and I don't want to bore you too much with it (so far I think I mentioned them only twice or three times!), but I can't resist posting a photo about "The Debate", that is a 2 hour "verbal fight" that usually takes place between the two candidates to the second round of the French elections. It took place last evening and even though I'm taking a break in Morocco at the moment, I could not help but watching it (hence the photo!). One of these two little men on each side of the screen is going to be the next French President on Sunday!
1st of May desmonstration
Wednesday, May 02, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
I was not in Paris today, but I anticipated the various Union marches that generally take place on the first of May (I took this photo during a recent demonstration). This year though, no less than 3 official marches took place: the one of the unions, the one of the extreme right party and the one of Nicolas Sarkozy, who is currently running for his reelection. On a different note, I just saw on the news that the best restaurant in the world in not in Paris, nor even France, but in Denmark! The place is called Noma and this decision initiates from Restaurant Magazine, a British publication - which might explain the reason why the first French restaurant is ranked 12th...
Theme day: Bakeries
Tuesday, May 01, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
I know you're probably expecting the typical French bakery, full of croissants and pains au chocolat... Well I have showed you all this several times on PDP already, so for today's theme day I chose something that is currently growing in Paris: bagels. Not that they are about to take over our good old baguette, of course, but they're bringing a nice change to the bread and fast food scene. I found this nice little place at rue Cadet (number 7, a cool semi pedestrian street in the 9th. Like always, have a look at what the other CDP have posted for today's theme day
Morning traffic
Monday, April 30, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
This morning I had to wake up very early and guess what... It was still pouring! I tool this photo while crossing the street... Not fascinating I agree, but I still like it, I don't know why! I'm going to stop taking rainy photos though, because I have the feeling I'll bore you LOL! Still, just so that I can rant on a little more; have a look at the weather forecasts for this week! And to think it's a long weekend...
Youth!
Sunday, April 29, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
It's a shame I cannot show you faces (the French law is very strict about this), for I would have loved to show you this very touching young couple who was spending some time outside the Musée d'Art moderne de la ville de Paris. I don't regret it that much actually as I really like the composition in this photo. I hope you do too. Have a nice Sunday everyone, mine will be very quiet, like Paris at the moment!
Leaving Paris...
Saturday, April 28, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
Yesterday (Friday) was the eve of a long weekend for us: the 1st of May, which is for Europeans - Labor day. This year it's a Tuesday, so you only need to take Monday off and you can enjoy a 4 day weekend ;-) I took this photo at Porte de Saint Clould, near the motorway that leads to Normandy, a region in the north west of France where a lot of Parisians have a country house. As you can see, it was pretty busy. BTW, I never told you about "Bison futé", a public service that gives information and forecasts about traffic in France. It's even in English ;-)
Riding a bike in Paris
Friday, April 27, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
We're starting to feel like the Brits now: the rain won't stop us to do things outdoor LOL! Even riding a bike in the slippery streets of Paris (that is actually why they replaced the traditional cobblestones with tar...). I like these kinds of photos from time to time because they force you to be quick and to press the trigger at the right moment (needless to say the blurry effect is 100% natural, otherwise it would be cheating, something I never do... (ehem!)
Boulevard Saint Michel
Thursday, April 26, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
The rain never stops in Paris these days, which is good for the crops maybe, but not for the mood of the Parisians (including mine LOL!). If it continues like that I'll take a break in the sun... Anyway I took this photo this morning at Boulevard Saint Michel, right by the Sorbonne, after a meeting near Pantheon. I like the reflection effect and the colors. Hard to believe this boulevard was empty though... That's all, sorry, not much to say today ;-)
French tableau...
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
Could this view be any more French? I don't think so ;-) I took it near the place du marché Sainte Catherine, in the 4th arrondissement, where the restaurant Le Marché (to whom this very charming, old fashion mini van obviously belongs) is located. Do also have a look at the windows of the apartment building in the background; they are typical of the architecture of this area.
Rainy days...
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
Those who follow me on Facebook know that last weekend I had lunch - and what a lunch! - at Thib's (and his wife Clotilde), a regular contributor to the comment box of PDP and spent the rest of the weekend with Stuart and Elizabeth in Amboise, in the Loire Valley (Stuart is the one who took the most popular photo on PDP!). Long story short, I did not have the time to take new photos... So here is and "old" one, that I took during the Marathon and that I love! Very timely too, as... it's raining cats and dogs in Paris at the moment ;-)
Trading meat...
Monday, April 23, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
In the rue des Hospitalières-Saint-Gervais there is a superb building that used to be a trading place for meat (it was called le pavillon de la boucherie). That is why there are two ox heads on each side of the entrance door - made by sculptor Edme Gaulle. Incidentally, on one side of the building, there is also a brand new Nike shop, decorated with fancy lights - the ones you can see in the background of this photo. FYI, this building is now a school.
French elections, 1st round
Sunday, April 22, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
Do you remember this post? Well, 5 years have passed and it's time to vote again... The French elections take place in two rounds, today (Sunday) is the 1st round and we have to chose between 10 candidates! According to polls the winners of this first round will be François Hollande (left) and Nicolas Sarkozy (right). Nothing very surprising... And you, if you were to vote for the French elections, who would you vote for (I only kept the 5 main candidates!).
Tour Saint Jacques
Saturday, April 21, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
I already posted several photos showing the Tour Saint Jacques, before and after its renovation, but it never ceases to amaze me, especially when the sun adds a little "salt" to it! FYI the tower Saint Jacques was originally a bell tower that belonged to a church built between 1509 and 1522 then destroyed after the French revolution. Have and excellent Saturday everyone.
A new food experience
Friday, April 20, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
You have probably all noticed in your own country how cooking shows are popular on TV. They are in France too and they have also opened the way to new cooking experiences in real life... Hence this social network called Food Reporter, where people take photos and share the dishes they eat, or this "food lab" called Mademoiselle M, where I had the pleasure of having lunch a couple of days ago. It's not a restaurant, but a lovely place dedicated to cooking, that companies of groups can rent on special occasions. What's in the foreground? Yummy beet mousse.
Doisneau exhibit at Hotel de Ville
Thursday, April 19, 2012 Publié par Eric Tenin
It's cold and rainy in Paris at the moment (which might explain why I have a terrible cold right now!), but it's also a good occasion to take interesting photos... Hence this one, that I took at Hotel de Ville today right under a poster that promotes the Doisneau exhibit they currently have there. Not surprisingly this exhibit is very successful, that is why people have to line up, even when it's rainy!
