Here is a place I've been willing to show you for a long time, but never managed to take a photo that I liked. It's called "La Place du marché Sainte Catherine" and it's located in the 4th arrondissement in Le Marais. It's one of those typical Parisian squares, that was built centuries ago (actually in the 13th century) surrounded by cafés and restaurants and relatively old buildings (18th century). Some evil minds will say that this photo does not show much of the Place, of course, but it's the atmosphere that counts!
I love the view of the pavers through the bike spokes. And the depth of field is wonderful. And you can make out the leaves opening on the trees. It looks like a wonderful spring day in Paris!
ReplyDeleteI love it. I will find this on GoogleMaps. The 4th, hmm?
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever and brilliant photo! I love everything about it. Kudos, Eric!
ReplyDeleteXO
I love it too!
ReplyDeleteI can picture myself sitting at the terrace of one of these cafés with a good book, having a look from time to time to these buildings (love the 18th century) and thinking to myself how lucky I am to be here in Paris, on that day.
Ok, i'm afraid, it won't be for right now! Too much work at the present time for me, as usual :d *sigh* but I will dream of it!
Ah, found it. A lovely place to sip some wine and enjoy the time.
ReplyDeleteClaire, don't forget to step over Eric. He's on the ground again!
ReplyDeleteOh I love this inspired photo Eric! How marvellous it is, and marvellous Justine that you got a double GF!
ReplyDeleteAh, and the location of the Treadstone safehouse in Bourne Identity!
ReplyDeleteI love this. I miss Paris so much. Thank you for keeping it close to my heart.
ReplyDeleteEric -- no one here would be so evil to say this doesn't show much. For starters, it shows that you must have really strong legs from stooping to get these interesting angles of yours! Seriously, it piques my interest and makes me want to go there to see for myself.
ReplyDeleteAnd you go, Justine—encore!
Wheel, Eric, I personally never tire of your photos featuring typical Parisian cafes and restaurants. Plus, I do know this area fairly well. Merci,your photo has indeed spoken! :-)
ReplyDeleteNicely composed Eric. I love this photo. No evil mind here!
ReplyDeleteV
Coltrane at it again!
ReplyDeleteHey, was the Treadstone safehouse really here? I'll need to check that out. I always wondered where that was, but didn't take the time to do the research. I did just locate the staircase in "Ronin", which I mistakenly identified two years ago.
(Just spent a couple hours on the packing list for Europe.)
Love this photo! And it was a great idea to focus on the bicycle wheel to make the people in the square in the background just out of focus enough that no one is really recognizable. But, the atmosphere is all there.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Coltrane!
ReplyDeleteIt's perfect Eric. Even the guy's legs on the far right tell us it's a relaxing day...
ReplyDeleteSuper cool photo, Eric. It seems to capture the feel of the place. Like Alexa, I find the photo encouraging me to visit this spot. You really do inspire us on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteI remember the little square quite well. I had a nice little lunch in a small restaurant right on the square during a rainstorm one November day. The table was wobbly, the Pork Loin was just okay, the heater was too hot and the server was very nice. All the time I kept looking across the square at a homeless man that was setting up a tent during the rain. I later bought two scarves at a shop in the Marais and I still have them and think of that day whenever I wear them...ahh, Paris.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo and the atmosphere in it, and I just have to BE there right now. Well in a few more weeks I will ;-)
ReplyDeleteA bespoke view of the square? :) Colette
ReplyDeleteoh i would so rather be there than here doing my taxes!
ReplyDeleteHey Suzy! Bet you haven't seen the Eiffel Tower! Eiffel Tower! Eiffel Tower! in silver before.....come and have a look.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely, provocative shot, Eric ~ it really rings my bell.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Justine!
LOL, Coltrane & Michael!
Jeff, Ronin's one of our favourite movies...
Suzy, wait til you see what Lynn has. Oooh, pretty.
Know this charming square well. The last time we had a meal there we were accompanied by a live rock/blues band and the square was heaving! It was the night of 'la fete de la musique' on June 21st last year. (Eric has covered this event before). What a great night it was to be in Paris - Le Marais was packed with people and all kinds of music was being performed in the squares and on street corners - quite a contrast to the peaceful scene depicted in this photo.
ReplyDeleteThe band playing cheesy 80's pop music outside our hotel room went on till after 4.00am - but we didn't care (the drink helped).
Ah but Paris is atmosphere so this image does show the essence of Paris. Who says it's not the whole place are not worth a fig.
ReplyDeleteOMG, we are taking an apartment on rue Sevigne a half block away from here! I know because I checked it out on google map and in person!
ReplyDeleteIts so lively and fun, especially at night and, made more so by you and by Coltrain's description.
Been too busy to join the conversation lately, but I want you to know I love this shot!
ReplyDeleteYou say vélos, I say bicyclette.
ReplyDeleteTo me the subject or theme of this photo is the bicycle wheel itself, not the background. Placement and wonderful angles are so important in photography.
It's charming, the idea of riding a bicycle in Paris. That really would be a dream come true.
That is until you fall over your boyfriend's racing bicycle in the middle of the night, in the middle of the room... I guess carpeting is a lot softer fall than cobblestones would be... but at least I'd be in Paris with skinned knees. Lol.
Anyone for The Triplets of Belleville? Or better yet, the film "A Good Year" based on the Peter Mayle novel. I love the scene where the main character "Max" {Russel Crowe}, while in France relishes driving past a bunch of bicyclists and yelling gleefully at them "Lance Armstrong". The film is worth watching just to see the effortless beauty of Marion Cotillard.
And people say the French are rude. LOL ~ Zoé
You're right Eric. It's the atmosphere that counts and you got it!
ReplyDeleteZ cant email you if you close all accounts. i did try
ReplyDeleteWell described : the atmosphere is what counts. A beautiful and lovely place one day can loose all charms with no good atmosphere and a place pretty ordinary can be attractive if there's a good environment. Yes, it's true.
ReplyDeleteI remember pretty well, now that you pointed it out, the scene with Max, in the film 'the good year', yelling at some of cyclists! Funny how memories come back!
BTW, the effortless beauty of Marion Cotillard, as you call it, doesn't worth the beauty of Ava Gardner in 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro'. Lol.
zzz
Le Marais is my favourite neighbourhood in Paris!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting.
This place looks fabulous! Love the angle of the photo, Eric. You must be doing your invisible act again! :)
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