The old lady has a new dye!

Some of you mentioned it already in yesterday's comments (I guess it's been pretty much everywhere in the news), on June 30 at 11 pm the Eiffel Tower turned blue and grew 12 yellow stars... Why? Because those are the colors of the European flag and because France is to take its presidency for 6 months (FYI, there is no actual European President - yet? - but a pretty complicated organization...). Cool idea (the blue Eiffel Tower) I must say and very much appreciated by Parisians - and tourists - apparently. Talking about Europe, I'm heading to Brussels for the next two days, I'll try to keep in touch with you, but it's not going to be easy...

Back home!

Everything comes to an end, especially vacation! Well mine is no exception and if the plane did not crash I should be home today. I like to post an Eiffel Tower to celebrate my return to civilization, so here it is. I included a couple of French flags too, to make it even more French LOL! Happy to be back home and to with you again ;)

Theme day: Water

I know the iron lady was featured a lot on PDP this month, but, since I've been keeping this photo for quite some time now in view of our April fool's Theme Day, here you go! I'm so fed up with this winter rain now...

This month, 178 City Daily Photo bloggers participate in this theme day. Check how "water" inspired all of them on the City Daily Photo portal or visit each of them individually. Remember: due to time differences, bla bla bla...

theme day id=13

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Eric, Paris, France by Gordio, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn

Will you marry me?

I'm sure that once you've read this story, you'll go "Awwwwwww!" On March 6th, I received an email from a young man in the U.S., Manu. He said something like, "My girlfriend, Smitha, and I have been reading your blog every day for the past two months in preparation for a trip to Paris. What she doesn't know is that I plan on proposing to her while we are there, in front of the Eiffel Tower. Could you happen to secretly be there to take a photo of us and then we can surprise her by publishing it on your blog?" My romantic soul couldn't resist, so, we arranged for a time and place, and there I was last night (Monday) at 7:45 pm sharp on the Passerelle Debilly. By the way, we did not even talk. All this was to remain a secret until today! - so I don't even know if she said yes. I'm pretty sure she did though...who could resist a fiancé who does all this to win the heart of his wife-to-be? P.S. My camera could have done with a little more light, for sure, but it's enough to keep the memory.

It's raining again...

The nice weather could not last forever... The forecasts are absolutely dreadful! Cold and rainy. Or rather, what we call "Les giboulées de mars", that is a mix of rain and sun within the same day. After all it's not that bad, at least for me. My scooter is still down so I take the Metro and the rain allows to take cool photos, like this one! FYI, if you're interested in the Paris weather, let me recommend this website or this one.

One million visitors milestone

Today is a great milestone for PDP... First of all I just celebrated my 3rd year anniversary (I almost forgot about it!) but it's also a big day for my stats; within the next 24 hours or so I will greet my one millionth visitor. I'm also approaching my goal which is 100 000 monthly unique visitors (over the last 30 days I reached 70 000). Let me dedicate today's post to you all. Like I said many times, you're my fuel...

To jump or not to jump...

The Eiffel Tower is not always this Paris symbol where - some - people propose to their fiancee while having dinner at the Jules Vernes restaurant! Sometimes, it's also a handy place for desperate beings to commit suicide. That is precisely what happened yesterday, when a 28 year old girl jumped off the staircase, halfway from the 1st floor. The oddest part is that she did not die right away; she was taken to a hospital nearby and is still in a coma. FYI, since it was built in 1889 there has been about 350 suicides from the Eiffel Tower. Two of them are said to have survived.

Fontaine des mers

This is such a classic, it's not even funny! The "guy" in the foreground is part of the Fontaine des mers, a very famous fountain built between 1835 and 1840 together with this one, that I already showed on this blog. Both fountains can be found at the bottom of the Champs Elysées on the Place de la Concorde. In the background I don't think you need to be told what it is! BTW, in 2 days, a new theme day is coming up (theme is: when people think of your city, they think of...), I could have saved this photo for the occasion!!

Iced Eiffel Tower

Isn't it odd to see a mini Eiffel Tower on the first floor of the big one?! And though that is where I took this shot 2 days ago, as I was attending the pre-launch of a new website (Radionomy, a service that will allow anybody to create his own radio). The funny thing is that this Eiffel Tower is actually made of - real - ice for it is part of an exhibition dedicated to both poles. Click here to see more photos on the actual Eiffel Tower site.

By the pale moonlight

Which is the brightest star in this photo, the moon or the Eiffel Tower, LOL?! I went by the old iron lady tonight because I wanted to show you an exhibit that they have on the 1st floor, but the line was so long that I gave up! I'll try later. I'm still not done buying my Christmas gifts, so my weekend will be entirely devoted to Christmas shopping!

Big rugby day for the French team

Today (well Saturday evening) the stake will be high for France as our rugby team (Les 15 de France) will play against the New Zealand team: the All Blacks. Let's face it, we have little chance against them but, well, who knows... To celebrate this day I chose this photo, that I took 2 days ago on the roof top of the Musée des arts premiers (also known as musée du Quai Branly). During the rugby cup, they installed this field with the Eiffel Tower (yes, again!) in the background. Clever idea...

Green green

Have you ever dreamed of looking under the skirt of the Eiffel Tower? Well here you go! The green color is not usual, it's only temporary because of the current rugby cup (remember this photo?). A good occasion to say thank you to dear old Gustave... And to think that originally the tower was meant to be taken down after the 19001889 world exhibit!

Paris hosts the Rugby World Cup

As you may know, this year France (OK, and Scotland too!) is hosting the 2007 Rugby World Cup. And today (Friday) is the big day: not only will the opening take place, but also the first match; France is to beat play Argentina @ 9 pm French time. Needless to say, life will stop for a couple of hours, LOL. On this special occasion, the Eiffel Tower is wearing its festive coulours (see livecam here). Everything you want to know is here.

The great Paris reef!

I know it's hard to believe but I took this photo right under... the Eiffel Tower! (those who know the place will probably recognize the Champs de Mars and the Ecole Militaire in the background.) All Eiffel Tower visitors can try this temporary swimming pool (it lasts until June 10), it's free and everything (diving suites, tanks and even the photos of fish under the water!) is provided. Pretty clever idea I must say and quite unexpected. Here is a little video, if you want to see more.
Discuss Paris events and much more in the brand new PDP forum.

Like a bridge under a clear blue sky

After 2 weeks of terrible weather the sun is back and so is the blue sky. I took advantage of both to take a photo of this beautiful sculpture located on the Pont (bridge) d'Iena, right at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower. This bridge was built by Napoleon (well under the reign of!) to celebrate the victory of the Iena battle which took place in Germany (well, Prusse at that time) in 1806. This sculpture was made by Antoine-Augustin Préault a French Sculptor. If you want to see what it looked like in the old days, visit this site.
Discuss Paris sculptures, weather and much more in the brand new PDP forum.

Love is in the air...

I sat several minutes at Le Trocadero to take this picture. This young couple was obviously very much in love and I could not help taking tons of pictures. I selected this one - although believe me there are much hotter ones! - 1st of all because you cannot see their face and second because there is almost nobody around them and they look alone in the world. Paris, definitely the city of love!

TGV upon Seine!

You must be fed up with my posts on the TGV but I could not really miss what they did with it today... They're so proud of it that they put it on a barge and took it through Paris on the Seine for 2 hours! Around 5:30 they ended up docking the barge near the Eiffel Tower for all the tourists to see it - it'll stay there at least another 2 weeks or so. I took a photo of it but I don't like it, so instead I used one of the postcards they gave the passers by.

Still there...

If everything went well (that is, if the plane did not crash) I should be back today. Even if I enjoy discovering new countries and spend some time on the beach, I always enjoy coming back to Paris. And what better symbol of my beloved city than the iron lady? I'm happy to see you again too, of course ;)

From the top of the Arch of Triumph

And now... the real one! I took this photo from the top of the Arch of Triumph (Arc de Triomphe) up top the Champs Elysées avenue. It was the first time I went to the top since my parents took me when I was 5 or 6 years old! Pretty impressive I must say. I will show you more photos in future posts. PS: in reference to Richard's comment on yesterday's photo, photographing the Eiffel Tower is not "forbidden" by daylight. At night, the lighting is copyrighted, that is why for commercial use - and only for commercial use - it is not permitted to publish a photo of the Tower at night.

Eiffel Tower (again!)

If you can't take the big iron lady with you, why not its miniature replica?! You'll have no trouble finding one in the streets of Paris... Most of them are sold illegally by hawkers in touristy places such as Le Trocadéro, where I took this photo. Have a good week everybody, mine starts again tomorrow, it's been a pleasure having a 3 day break I must say.