A small tribute to Myanmar

We all know what's going on in Myanmar and, even though I know a photo on PDP won't help, I thought I could use this one to contribute to the current buzz about this country. Frankly I don't know where these monks are from, but I found it "funny" to come across them near La Bastille. I would also like to take advantage of this post to report this blog - it's not Myanmar Daily Photo, but I wish it were...

The right number

I could have shown you the beautiful house that stands at this number, but on a second thought, I found that this was more beautiful and intriguing. It actually looks like this photo was taken in Provence, in the South of France whereas I took it in the 11th arrondissement, boulevard Richard Lenoir. Apparently it shelters the office of and architect and an interior designer; lucky them. Have a nice weekend everyone, and don't forget, on October 1st a new theme day is coming up!

Velib to go international

After all, it does not matter that much anymore if taxis go on strike in Paris now that we have the Velib! Velib is still a huge success - a little too much, as sometimes it's hard to finD one. Not only did the the company that makes them (JC Decaux) win a prize recently for the design of the bikes, but they're also selling them like hot cakes all over the world! I hear that Chicago might soon fall for them too. What is it with the French and their transportation systems (bullet train, Metro, Velib...)!

Taxi Strike

No way you could find a taxi in Paris around noon today, they were all at the Invalides (you can see the dome in the background), demonstrating for their rights! There is a limited number of taxis in Paris and the Government wants to free up the market and remove this limit. This would result in more competition, therefore less revenues... I'd be interested in knowing if there are taxi limitations also where you live. PS: those who think that a Taxi strike can only happen in France are wrong! I just saw a news story regarding a strike in Toronto today. There was also one in NYC at the end of August!

Adams Family

Did you know the Adams family was buried in Paris?! Just kidding, of course, but I couldn't help smiling when I came across this grave in the Montparnasse cemetery this morning. What was I doing there? I just happened to drive by it on my way to work and thought it could be a nice place to take a photo. The Montparnasse cemetery is not as famous as Le Père Lachaise but it's a great place to visit if you want to see the grave of famous people, and not just the Adams Family!

Statue of Liberty

I already mentioned it several times here - and you may know it anyway - but the statue of Liberty that you can see in New York has been given to the Americans by the French as a gift. Several mock ups and replicas have been made prior and after, like this one I recently found in the Musée des Arts et Métiers, a fantastic museum near Place de la Republique where you can also see the first - French - planes, the first - French - bicycles, the first - French -television set (1931!) and several displays about buildings and constructions. That is where I photographed this mock up.

Breizh Parade

If you have visited France already, you may have heard of a region called La Bretagne, located in the west of the country (where the Mont Saint-Michel is). Despite its rain rate (!), it's a beautiful region which keeps a pretty strong identity (some people there still speak the local language). To promote their region, they just organized in Paris an event called the Breizh Touch (Breizh means Bretagne) which was highlighted by a sort of "Breizh Pride" that took place Sunday at noon on the Champs Elysées. Of course, I was there... It was really great. More photos here.

Strange animal

Don't we have weird creatures in Paris? I photographed it on the Quai des Bernardins, in the 5th arrondissement where it was performing together with its "master" as you can see in this photo. It was really amazing to see it acting like a real animal, even trying to steal food from people in the audience.

We won!

Phew! We made it... Well, when I say "we", I mean the French rugby team - won over Ireland 25 to 3. Right after the match I went down the street to feel the atmosphere, like during the soccer world cup (remember?) and started shooting. I came across this guy who was really happy - and really drunk too (but that is not the reason why he is blurry though!) Next step, Sept 30 against Georgia, but I won't bore you with Rugby too much, don't worry!

On the way out...

"Sortie" (Way out). "Poussez" (Push)... are two words you'll see on most French doors in public places. This door actually belongs to Saint Severin Church where I already took this picture. I kinda liked it, so here it is. Today is Friday and tonight France is playing another world cup rugby match (against Ireland). Please cross your fingers!

Somewhere over the hedge

The air is more chilly but the weather is still nice as you can see on this photo that I took by Saint Germain de l'Auxerrois, the church where Eva Longoria and Tony Parker got married. Not much to say, I just like the framing of this photo ;)

Last lunch outside?

It's getting colder and colder in Paris and the leaves are turning yellow... Feels like Fall is on its way. Fortunately there was enough sun today for me to have lunch outside at Tsé, a cool Chinese restaurant on rue d'Auteuil. It's located in a former train station belonging to a line that that used to run around Paris and that I photographed a long long time ago.

Le corbeau et le renard

The Crow and The Fox is one of the many fables by the famous man depicted in this statue, 17th century writer, Jean de la Fontaine. Every French school child has grown up with his stories, usually with a moral, similar to Aesop or Phaedrus. This statue is located near La Muette - Auteuil, and is a fine tribute to this former member of the Académie Française.

Brocante at La Bourse

Every weekend in Paris you can attend a Brocante like this one that I photographed on Place de la Bourse, the old stock market building. A Brocante is a sort of market where you can buy "cheap" antiques - well, at least cheaper than in a regular antiques shop. Still you can find good pieces there, like this old phonograph that is probably pretty rare nowadays. Of course, not very handy to play MP3, but much better looking!

Lovers in Paris

It's been a while since I've shown you a lovers couple on PDP, so here is one. I found them at the "Technoparade", kind of like the Gay Pride except that it's not gay! Same principle, same music, same joy but not the same age range. In this Parade, anyone older than 18 looks misplaced. I was LOL!

Giant Rugby Players!

Odd isn't? How did they manage to stick these players on this building? Is that come kind of projection? Or a mock up, the size of a doll house? Nothing of the kind... In fact the whole scene , including the building behind the players, is fake! That is painted on a giant plastic canvas. They do that a lot in Paris when they need to redo a building and don't want the people to see the work. I love them.

How long to Picadilly?

I did not know they had a bus service from La Madeleine (in Paris) to Picadilly Circus (in London)?! I'm kidding, they don't! In fact several companies (like this one)rent out all sorts of weird vehicles - yes, for us French this is a "weird vehicle"! - on special occasions: weddings, promotional tours, etc. This makes me think that I haven't been to London in years, maybe they don't have these buses there anymore! Have a good weekend everyone.

Hockey on the sidewalk

Yesterday evening, I went to a business party on the Porte Maillot, in the Nort/west part of Paris and when I walked out the building I came across a bunch of hockey players. This was quite unexpected and everybody was looking at them. I did too and could not help taking pictures - dozens of pictures! I ended up picking this one for today because of the "vibrating effect".

A must see gallery in Paris

Yesterday evening I attended a big opening in Galeriew, a gallery that I really love and where I already took a photo last year. It's not only very well located (near Les Abesses, not far from Montmartre) but it's also a great place to see. And, last, but not least, this gallery features real good artists. If you happen to be in the neighborhood do pay it a visit, it's located on 44 rue Lepic in the 18th arrondissement.

A view from the Ferris wheel

I wanted to keep it for a while but I could not resist posting it today. So, here is the photo I managed to take from the Ferris Wheel despite my vertigo and the lack of light! Needless to say that it's a pretty unusual point of view. On the left you can see the Obelisque of Louxor (that was given to France by Egyptian vice king Mehemet Ali in 1826 - some sources say 1830) , in the background the Arc de Triomphe and the long avenue in between is... Les Champs Elysées. Click on the image if you want to enlarge it.