Trapped tree!

I stopped and took this photo in this little street in the 7th arrondissement called Cité Vanneau, because of the superb tree that you can see at its end. I often wonder how plants and trees can grow so well, totally trapped in concrete! I looked up the Cité Vaneau on the Internet and I found out that it's the only street in Paris where all porches are similar - which apparently is very rare... Have a great Saturday everyone, I'll be going to the Melac Vendanges, like every year!

Strategic forest!

I passed by the Hotel de Ville (Paris town hall) yesterday and saw that they had planted a huge forest in front of it. I thought it was meant to promote the "greeness" of Paris or raise awareness on the need for more trees and less concrete in Paris, but no... It's to help Parisians remember the role played by the forest during WWI! Far fetched?! Totally, but still nice to see, especially since this square is generally used for much less greeny business than this!

Growing in Paris

Here is another very typical thing of the Paris scenery: tree grids! We Parisians tend to think they've always been there, but in reality they were designed by architect Jean-Gabriel Antoine Davioud during the last century, under Haussmann's "reign". Now things change and the authorities are more concerned about what we call "bio diversity" and the Paris town hall is experimenting new kinds of tree bases. I don't think tree grids will disappear anytime soon though ;-)

Old chestnut!

People who live in this square surely aren't out of their tree ha ha! I passed several times by this place, called the Square Bolivar and always wanted to photograph it, but it was always super crowded and full of double parked cars. In August I managed to avoid the cars, but not the ugly traffic signs, so I erased most of them. Those of you who know the place may dislike the fact that I "cleaned" it, but to me, only the result counts, and I really love this photo, so... Have a good Friday everyone and your last weekend before going back to school... (well, at least in most countries in this hemisphere!).

Cycle racing in Paris

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.

Enjoying September sun...

I passed by a public garden right by Les Invalides earlier this afternoon and I could not resist taking a photo of this guy ;-) I must confess I envied him... The weather is so nice in Paris at the moment, that if you were here, I'm sure you'd do the same! BTW, have you noticed the size of the tree; it's probably 500 years old, or something.

Happy Valentine 2011

I spent most of my Sunday working and I did not even have the time to go out and take a photo for Valentine's day... I dug into my stock (and God knows it's huge!), but could not find anything as good as this or this... In despair(!) I found this, a photo that I took after the last PDP picnic in June and that I already partially published. Anyway, let me wish a happy Valentine's day to all lovers and more particularly to these two who will probably look familiar to you ;-)

Paris recycles Christmas trees

Remember a few years ago when I told you that a lot of Parisians would throw their Christmas tree out of the window after Christmas?! Well now it's very badly considered! Now, if you want to be a good Parisian, you have to take it to one of the 95 Christmas tree recycling stations, that the Paris town hall installed everywhere in the city. I sound like I'm joking, but in fact I think it's a pretty good idea (providing you have a collection station near your home of course...). BTW, I went out today, not very far, but I went out. The wicked flu will soon be history (for me!)

Green Paris

You may think I took this photo in the country where I was this weekend, but no... I took it in the middle of Paris. Well almost in the middle, that is at Les Buttes Chaumont park located on a hill in the 19th arrondissement. It was inaugurated in 1867 during a world exhibition (you can see old photos of the area here) and since then, it has always been very popular (about 3 million people go though it every year). Probably because it's one of the rare gardens where you're allowed to walk on the grass, have a picnic, lay in the sun, enjoy a nice Spring day... and sometimes enjoy a beautiful light.

Christmas Trees Forest

Funny the way the wrap Christmas trees in these nets nowadays. You see them absolutely everywhere in Paris, even in Supermarkets. I photographed this forest at Monceau Fleurs in the 17th, probably the largest florist chain store we have in France (and Europe actually). The price of a Christmas tree varies from one store to another and from the kind you want. The "Nordman" is the best - it lasts longer and does not lose its pines - costs about 50 €

Cold Attack!

I knew the weather could not stay that mild for long... Now we're going to have to play by the rules of Mr Winter! According to the forecasts, the cold is going to fall over Paris this week with temperatures between minus 1 and minus 6 (on Thursday). Minus 11 is even expected for next Saturday. I think you're going to see some Metro photos pretty soon because I don't think I'l bear riding my scooter with temperatures like that! About this photo: don't get too excited, this is fake snow! I took it in the 5th arrondissement, rue Galande and the church behind the palm tree is Saint Julien Le Pauvre.

It probably glows in the dark too...

Please don't go thinking this is the kind of trees that grows in Paris! Like the one I showed you a few days ago, this Christmas tree is off duty for the season and quite frankly I'm not too surprised it ended up in the trash. I can tell you I was not the only one who stared at it for a moment this morning (I think I'm the only one who took a photo of it though ;). Well, I understand it's much less attractive than yesterday's scene (thank you for all your nice comments BTW), but you've got to admit I made my best to remain in the same color scheme!