Monday, December 11, 2006

Somewhere near Bastille


The weather is not that great at the moment in Paris, but from time to time the sun manages to go through the clouds. It happened yesterday while I was doing my Christmas shopping in the Bastille area (precisely, rue Charrière). I grabbed my camera and took this photo. There is no sculpture nor famous buildings and though I find it very Parisian.

58 comments:

  1. Wow. There is a very serene atmoshpere to this picture, almost look like it could be anywhere but Paris.

    I know exactly what you mean bout the neighborhoods near Bastille. They somehow have retained that timless - uniquely Paris quality.

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  2. Thanks again, Eric, for a Paris photo. It "looks" warm and relaxing, even though it is December. Hope your Christmas shopping went well. Good luck with the rest of it.

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  3. Brilliant Eric, these grey and colours are beautiful and you managed to capture what was possibly the only ray of sunshine Paris has had in days!!! My mother says the weather has been rather awful lately...
    The architecture is so very Parisian indeed. Lovely!

    Can't believe yesterday's post attracted so few comments. I believe it's a brilliant campaign.

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  4. Beautiful "éclaircie", with the sun against the dark grey sky.

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  5. This is exactly Paris, to me. I remember sights very similar from apartment windows, and the thrill of seeing that warm-looking sunlight this time of year. Nicely done!

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  6. Oh, that is the best!

    The lines and the colors and the way the wan sun is warming the bricks — I would love this one framed. It's just lovely!

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  7. un p'tit coin de paradis en plein Paris et dire que chez moi il tombe des cordes cette nuit...
    enfin j'en n'ai shooté quelque uns...
    a prestu...

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  8. it really is pictures like this that remind me why i love paris so much and miss it almost incessantly.

    thanks so much.

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  9. it really is pictures like this that remind me why i love paris so much and miss it almost incessantly.

    thanks so much.

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  10. A bit of sunlight on a stormy day is precious. ps Enjoying France24.

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  11. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you have a great eye for the abstract architecture (pardon the pun) of an image.

    In this photo, I am struck by the visual rhymes that move the eye both across and into the space depicted. The various rectangles, for instance: some of them horizontal (rough-hewn bricks); some of them vertical (windows - or are they patio doors?); and some of them pitched at a slight diagonal (roofing divisions). Then there are the two lamps, the terracotta chimney pots, and the iron-work shadows that all echo each other, binding the composition into a tight, but dynamic, whole. The layering of outer wall, building, and sky, is imposingly monumental, while the mellow, lyrical light and band of moody, charcoal-gray sky make for a wonderful contrast of tone and feeling.

    Simple, sweet, and a lovely trinket of everyday Paris for those who miss it as much as they love it.

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  12. Somehow, I missed going to that area of Paris. If I ever get back to your great city, that will be on the itinerary.

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  13. The picture near Bastille is brilliant. The lighting is wonderful.

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  14. That gray brooding weather can really give Paris atmosphere.
    Brian

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  15. I agree, this pic is very parisian although no specific icon monuments are captured...

    So, what is it?
    Is it the pearl grey sky? or the building's tin roof? or the 7th floor's tiny balcony? or the stones' wall? or the "lampadère"? or the winterish sunny glimpse?

    No, it's all the above combined + Eric's excellent parisian's flair...

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  16. cool, can feel the sunlight through the yellow wall.
    whats that red small stuff on the roof??its interesting things for me to see that.

    jing
    shanghai daily photo

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  17. Wow! Eric... I'm speechless!! It's so simple yet soooo beautiful. Just like "la reveuse" said, this is exactly how I imagine Paris during the fall season, when the sun makes the orange and brown leaves look even more beautiful!!

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  18. This kind of sun always brings out the best of what would otherwise be a grey building wall.

    Jing asked, "What's that red small stuff on the roof??". Those are chimneys Jing. Another real Parisian classic.

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  19. A very lovely photo Eric. And Michael, I love the chimneys of Paris. Great to point them out to Jing. I was away yesterday, so I'll go back and make a few comments on the shots I missed. Have a great week everyone.

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  20. yay! i'm going to live near the Bastille starting in January!

    can't wait....also, i look forward to meeting up with you, Eric! :-)

    I really like this photo....the light on the buildings in contrast with the dark, overcast sky.....

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  21. Louis said everything for me, really. This is stunning in its simplicity. The shapes and colours delight the eye, at the same time as depicting ordinary life setting in Paris. Wonderful. Romantic, yes i'm feeling romantic today - have a peek at my blog (Cheltenham) and you'll see why - thanks guys for the verses i LOVE them! lol.

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  22. So nice to see the sun in winter. Beautiful photo, Eric.

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  23. Eric...Louis AND Lynn said everything for me...simply superb! LOVE the colors...and mood...makes me yearn for that city of yours yet again! Ahhhhhhhhhh.....;-)

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  24. I know, Ame. I see you and me and Soosha meeting up for a Parisian lunch one day... what fun!

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  25. Absolutely...we'll publish our poetry book and meet there for our first signing! WOOHOO! LOL! Hey girls can DREAM can't they? We'll have to call it "DP Pro's!" Get it? Prose? OK, just humor me...it's 3:30AM and I'm still trying to hammer out more rhymes! ;-)

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  26. ,,, and THANK YOU for the Google map link Monsieur.
    Vous êtes très aimable.

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  27. Great, we're signed... to the idea at least. Good title Ame, perhaps because of the double-entendre the cover would have us bathed in red light. Yeah, maybe not though. lol. We could get contributions from Michael and M. Benaut and others, my goodness, what a fat coffee table book. Glossy and fabulous, full of verse. Laying next to Paris DP by Eric's one. Alternative title: Poets in Paris? Or A Rhyme in Time, with paris time on front and all our world times shown by each verse inside. I can see it now, sitting at a long table while queues of people line up for a mere scratching of our pen in their names on their copy... flash photography in our smiling eyes, stepping elegantly into waiting cars to whizz us to the next trendy venue... oh well you DID SAY we could dream... !

    Simple roofs and chimney pots
    Provide the frame for ‘Eric shots’
    He preys like marksman, eye discerning
    Scan a line here, cut an angle there,
    Brick’s colour, shape which blend so rare
    From his expertise we’re all still learning

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  28. I yearn to return to Paris

    Where Molière brought to life "Belle marquise".

    His Tartuffe and Commandeur

    Can't rival the grandeur

    Of the city of love and poésie.

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  29. I've spent 30 minutes trying to blog the comment I wrote. Beta switch was a bad idea.

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  30. Moi aussi
    I didn't mean to hit "anonymous" sorry

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  31. Whereas my commenting problem has alleviated a bit! How strange..

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  32. In homage to Eric and his photographic abilities, please check out the courtyard wall of our (once)Paris apartment - you'll see how unpoetic they can be...
    http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bondogs/album?.dir=8be3re2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bondogs/my_photos

    And still - J'aime Paris!

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  33. I looked at your photos Isabella. Not quite your Naple's Florida view is it? LOL. All places have their less than stellar places don't they? By the way, I've really enjoyed your DP photos. I've been to Florida too many times to count and I do believe where you live is by far more beautiful than just about anywhere else in Florida! Very nice.

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  34. Eric,

    FYI: Something is wrong with the "Daily City" homepage. The pictures are taking a very long time to load. I've even walked away for periods of ten minutes and only a few pictures loaded. I tried to leave a message about this on the Forum but it would never load after reapeated efforts.

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  35. Hi Eric haven't been here for a while and I am toroughly enjoying catching up with beautiful photos from your part of the world.

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  36. hello Eric
    since months i am contacting your blog to see the wonderful pics of Paris, the city i love so much. this one is just great! I am jealous of everybody living in this city, except when i think that parisians have to use the RER at rush hours to go to work.
    thanks for all those pics.

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  37. Is there an announcement of the best 'from the waist down' by the way Eric?

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  38. ah. just read that back with the mind of a newcomer to your site! Doesn't sound too great does it? lol. To explain, it was a photo theme day for Daily Photo members, the title of which was 'from the waist down' - see ten posts ago!

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  39. But the theme day for January 1st is the best photo ever posted on each participating blog, isn't?

    Are you a member of the forum Lynn (the internal one, for the city daily photo bloggers?)

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  40. oh is it, i didn't know that! No, Eric i'm not, didn't know that either. Goodness i'm a bit slow at all this, aren't i? lol So... tell me...

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  41. Oh la la!! I wouldn't mind staring at that wall...I'd be in Paris!! Lovely, Eric!!

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  42. Susan in Atlanta - thanks for your kind words about my DP, but I have to share the credit with nature around here (Michael will back me up, right?). I believe Naples-Bonita Springs-Estero is the most pictoresque area of Florida. Having said that, we are looking to move closer to you eventually (maybe the Smokey Mountains area). Just getting tired of all those pesky snowbirds;-)))

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  43. Smokey Mountains are beautiful for sure! Personally, I prefer mountains to oceans. Virginia, N.C. or Tennessee?

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  44. Sunshine and shadows...a beautiful combination. Excellent capture, Eric. Another visual treat...

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  45. Eric is becoming quite a night owl! It's 1:10am Paris time and no new pic.

    Have you been partying a lot lately Eric?

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  46. Très joli blog Eric... il faut que je me remette à la photo à Paris moi...

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  47. As a matter of fact I have been partying Susan! And I am totally exhausted. But here I am preparing tonight's photo, just for you! 15 more minutes (it's 1:25 am) please...

    PS: sorry there won't be any comment on your comments tonight I HAVE to go to bed!

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  48. I don't know how anyone can party on a Monday nights, I'm always tired on Mondays. In fact, I think Monday's should be a day off. But then I would just hate Tuesdays.

    Have you ever considered posting it in the afternoon if you're going to be coming in late? That way you wouldn't have to be bothered with it when you get home.

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  49. Me too Eric! I'm shattered and off to bed now so i'll catch your pic, having just done mine, in the morning! I've not been partying, but my weekend was busy... ;) - don't ask. Well you could ask Ame or Michael, they've been versing away at my blog! lol. Night night Eric.

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  50. hi!
    as an australian student in france, who comes from a place where it is always warm and rains less than 50 days a year, i can definitely say i know what you mean about the weather here!! (i'm in pontoise at the moment, so my weather is very similar...)but today was beautiful as well, much better than last week!! must say though, i am not jealous of my friends and family back home in australia, who are battling out 37 degrees celcius.
    i love your website, have been regularly keeping an eye on it for about a year now, it made me super excited about coming to france, seeing pictures of things other than what the tourism commissions want to show you!!
    i have my own photo blog of my experiences in france,

    mais vous avez le talent!!!!!!

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  51. Thanks Karina. What on earth are you doing in Pontoise?!

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  52. THIS IS PARIS... oooh man... this is it... great photo... makes me want to cry... homesickness is hitting... i love the photo... and i love my home town... can't wait to be back.

    Eric when are you going around Belleville, jourdain, place des fetes, buttes chaumont ? so i can see my old neighboorhood ? It's not a request, but... it kinda is.

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  53. I love this photo...it shows that there is beauty in simplicity :)

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  54. Many thanks for the exciting blog posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you are a brilliant writer. I actually added your blog to my favorites and will look forward for more updates. Great Job, Keep it up.. :)

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