Checking your phone...

I took this shot on the Bir Hakeim bridge, in the 15th arrondissement. A bridge made of steel that was constructed between 1903 and 1905. It has two levels: one for motor vehicles and pedestrians, and a viaduct above for the metro Line 6 that is supported by metal colonnades that are often used for photo shoots.

Place d'Iena

Yesterday I had to go and see a dentist for a special intervention (nothing really serious, but something that required a special equipment). The office was in the 16th arrondissement (one of the richest arrondissements in Paris, which explains why a lot of doctors' office are located there ;-)) Anyway, on the way back, I passed by the Place d'Iena, a beautiful roundabout in the middle of which you can see the statue of George Washington (by US sculptor Daniel Chester French). In the background you can also see the Guimet museum (in the "tower").

Enlightening the World since 1886...

Yesterday was the anniversary of the day when U.S. President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor in 1886. As I'm sure you know, the NYC Statue of Liberty was offered by the French citizens to their American friends in recognition of the two countries’ commitment to liberty and democracy and their alliance during the American Revolutionary War. The one I photographed (on the Isle des cygnes) is one of the 3 replicas that we have in Paris.

Last rays of sun

The sun is back for a few days and since Parisians know they will have to wait until April or May to sit and lay outside again, they tend to take advantage of it as much as they can! Besides, is there something more beautiful than a Maillol Statue in the Louvre garden (this one is called Montagne and it was made in 1937)? I did not think so!

Dancing Queen

Call me ignorant, but I did not know of Louise Fuller (aka Loïe Fuller) a famous American dancer who died in Paris in 1928. Why am I talking about her? Because... this is her! Or rather, a statue of her by Georg Baselitz, a German painter who's work is currently exhibited in Le Jardin des Tuileries during the Fiac (the modern art event I was telling you about a few days ago). 

Time to change... time

Here we go again... like every year Europe (except Iceland) switched to Day Light Savings time (heure d'hiver). Which means we're going to sleep an extra hour! And like every year, the whole thing is very controversial: 54% of the French are against it, according to a recent poll. I'm not one of them, I like it (but more in summer of course...). Anyway, here is a photo I took especially for the occasion at La Pendulerie, a store specializing in antique clocks. They are all amazing.

The vegan "food truck"!

Here is the most amazing "food truck" you can find in Paris at the moment! And when I say "at the moment" I really mean "at the moment", for it'll only be here until October 26... After it'll probably go back to London (in Soho, more precisely) where it normally belongs. As you noticed, it's a genuine doubledecker bus: the kitchen is downstairs and the dining area is upstairs (and outside, when the weather allows it). The food is apparently very good, but I haven't tried it. Maybe this weekend.

Art in the street

I love it when the Fiac (Foire internationale d'art contemporain) takes place in Paris for not only do art professionals get to meet and trade, but the average Pierre gets to see art everywhere. They have "Hors les murs" (outside the walls) installations everywhere in Paris and it's really great. I will show you several ones, but to start with, here is a gigantic installation called Magna Mater by the Chapuisat brothers that I photographed in the middle of Les Tuileries gardens. Beautiful.

Paris rooftops to enter the World Heritage List?

Interesting. I saw today that Delphine Bürkli, the mayor of the 9th arrondissement (which happens to be the one where I live!) suggested that the Paris rooftops should be part of the Unesco World Heritage. I don't know if it will ever happen and if yes, how long it will take, but I tend to think it's a real good idea (of course, I'm a bit biased!). Most Paris rooftops are made of zinc, a sort of metal that does not rust and it gives the skyline a typical looks that can mainly be seen in Paris. I took this photo from one of the rare private rooftop terraces in Paris, in the 9th arrondissement actually!

French Indochina rememberance monument

Here is a pretty odd "monument" that I found in the 12th arrondissement; it's dedicated to the French veterans of the Indochina wars. Indochina was the South Asian area where France had colonies (namely in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia) and fought to keep them (hence this monument). I think it's pretty ugly, to be honest, but historically interesting (they even planted palm trees even though the Paris weather is not exactly palm tree friendly LOL!).

Vertigo

Here is another photo that I took at the Opera last Monday. I went all the way up to the last floor, just to have the highest view possible on one of the bars. I kinda like it, but maybe because I have been there ; it may be harder for you to feel what I experienced...

Letting the grass grow under my feet...

After a whole morning sorting the stuff in my cave (cellar) I took a few hours off to enjoy the last days of Paris sun. God was it gorgeous! I went to Le Louvre gardens, where they surprisingly allow people to lay on the grass among the beautiful Maillol statues, and enjoyed a sip of coffee. I was not the only one, for sure... 

Gorgeous weekend!

We're having one of these late (in the season) gorgeous weekends and it feels good! Too bad I have to spend my Sunday clearing my cellar... Have a gorgeous Sunday everyone!

Up a tree!

If you're on social networks, you probably have seen this already. This? Is an inflatable piece of art by Paul McCarthy, an American artist (from Salt Lake City) known for his provocative installations (check this article). Therefore, what on earth could this giant green mushroom that grew over night on the Place Vendôme really be? Various propositions circulated these past days - including, of course, a giant sex toy - but the reality is much less daring... This is simply a Christmas tree! 

La cartoucherie

La Cartoucherie is a famous place in Paris, but I had never visited it until very recently. It's located in the Bois de Vincennes and used to be a munitions factory (hence its name in French). In the 70's, it was converted into a unique multi-theater complex under the management of Ariane Mnouchkine, a very famous French stage director. It's a definite must see if you love theater (check the program here).

Sunset at Les Tuileries

Two days ago, I went to see a very interesting exhibit (photos by American photographer Garry Winogrand) at the musée du Jeu de paume in the Tuileries. When I came out of the museum, the sun was going down on the Place de la Concorde and there were a few people on a bench admiring the scenery. It was gorgeous.

Long day!

I had a long, exhausting day in front of my computer. Glad I could take a little break in the evening sun with a few friends. Tomorrow will be another day...

An evening at the opera...

I'm just back from the Bastille Opera (the second largest opera house that we have in Paris). I when to see Tosca by Puccini, it was really great. I took this photo, which I like because of the light effect on the people silhouettes!

Vendanges parade!

The Montmartre vendanges harvest is much more than the fireworks I showed you yesterday... It's also about a parade that starts in the Square Clignancourt and goes up all the way to the top of Montmartre. And guess where I was on Saturday? In Gail Boisclair's apartment (the owner of PerfectlyParis Paris accommodation site) who happens to live in the Square Clignancourt (how convenient!). This is how I got the opportunity to take these photos (a wine confrèrie - wine brotherhood) marching towards the mont! 

Fireworks by the Sacré Coeur

This Saturday was not just any day on Montmartre, it was the Vendanges, the day they harvest the grapes that still grow on one small piece of land on "the Mont"! To celebrate they have a parade and... fireworks. Fireworks that I had the pleasure - and the luck - to see from the apartment of my dear friends who have a direct view on the Sacré Coeur. Yes, it was breath taking!

La maison des Célestins

Nice house isn't it? It's called the Maison des Célestins (after the name of a - very - old convent  that was in the same area) and it's located on the Quais (river banks), right at the Seine level, facing the Ile de la Cité. It used to be closed until may 2013 when it was turned into a cool restaurant and bar. Just one tiny detail though; the black space in front of it is... a road, with a lot of traffic except on Sundays when they turn it into a pedestrian area (the day I took the photo!).

Night out

I'm really getting old! Proof is that, when I go out now, I often look at the "young crowd" (even this expression makes me sound old LOL!) and think to myself "I wish I could be young and foolish again!". That is exactly what I thought when I saw these young adults laughing and fighting over a  "selfie" that they had just taken! They did not even see me take the shot ;-) On a less nostalgic note, I also like the global atmosphere of this photo; it was taken near Beaubourg.

Good lighting!

I don't know of they changed something in the lighting of La Conciergerie, but it was really stunning last evening when I passed by it. With the Gare d'Orsay, it's in my opinion the most beautiful building along the river banks.

Paris farm

Did you know there is a real farm in Paris? A piece of land in the Bois de Vincennes, with fruit trees, vegetables, cows, chickens and... pigs! And I'm not talking about the Salon de l'agriculture, the trade show I often posted a photo of on this blog, but a real real farm!  The actual purpose is not to allow Parisians to buy farm products, but to teach the children (and grown ups?!) where their food originally comes from! Really cool!

An American artist in Paris...

On Saturday, among the Nuit Blanche installations that I visited, I also stopped by the Brooklyn, a bar located in the rue Quincampoix (near Beaubourg) for the opening of an exhibition (Lost for words) by Matthew Rose. Matthew is a great American artist who's been living in Paris for a long time; his work is mostly made of collages. Check it out here.

Champagne!

There are so many "off-the-beaten-track" things to do in Paris... Like what I did last evening: attend a movie screening at the Royal Monceau hotel (remember?) including a little glass of Champagne  before the movie. Don't go thinking that I had any special privileges, I simply took part in the Sunday Night Film Club at the Royal Monceau where they were showing one of my favorite movies: Lawrence of Arabia. A great evening (that I owe once more to Lynn! aka PHX-CDG to followers of this blog!)

Nuit blanche 2014

Like a lot of countries in the world, Paris celebrated its Nuit Blanche (White night) last night. It was really fun and spectacular, especially the installation they had at the Hotel de ville (the Paris town hall) where people could control via a Samsung tablet (who incidentally sponsored the installation ;-) the colors of a huge flying bubbly sculpture!  

From rooftop of the Peninsula hotel...

France is going through a big economic crisis, but in Paris, there is still room for luxury and glamour! Hence the Peninsula Hotel, the brand new luxury hotel that opened on August 1st after 4 years of work! Large swimming pool, SPA, 45 suites, art pieces everywhere, outstanding service and, of course, excellent restaurants. One in particular called L'oiseau blanc (after the name of a plane that disappeared in 1927), located at the top of the hotel, facing the Eiffel tower (bien sûr...). Thanks to AALynn (that you know if you've been following this blog for a long time) I had the please of having lunch there, in excellent company! It was unforgettable... (and before you ask, no, I walk discuss price here!).

Paris botanical garden

There are several botanical gardens in Paris : one in the East side of Paris (the Parc Floral de Paris opened in 1969) and a few in the West side of Paris (the Parc de Bagatelle, École Du Breuil and the Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil). In the Parc Floral de Paris there are four  landscape spaces including an area for walking and a meeting and exchange area (exhibition room, horticultural events, etc.). It's also used in the summer to host several events. A must visit!

Republican Guard

Last Sunday I passed by the Chateau de Vincennes, in the East of Paris, and I came across the parade of Le garde républicaine (Republican Guard) a French army body which is part of the French Gendarmerie in charge of the Paris area security and for providing guards of honor. What you see in this photo is not the actual Republican Guard, but a reenactment of the Imperial Guard, which was the equivalent under Napoleon! I did not resist posting a photo of this little boy, trying blocking his ears because of the enormous noise produced but the guns (original ones, no doubt!)

Movement

Today's theme day is "Movement" among the CityDailyPhoto community. I did not really have anything in mind, so I thought of using this shot that I took last weekend on the Quais (the river banks). It would have served the purpose better if the bike had been a little blurry of course ;-), but you get the idea! Check what movements the world has to offer on the CDP portal.