All my lovin'

I agree, this is not the most sophisticated graffiti you've seen on PDP, but I thought it was very cute and, when I saw it, I immediately thought of you (all!). So, let me send you all my loving from Paris (remember the Beatles' song?) Is there a better way of starting the week ? I didn't think so ;-) Today is Monday August 31 and it's definitely the end of the summer vacation. Exhibitions, events, street gatherings... I already have a few photos in mind for you!

Dancing by the Seine

Do you remember this photo? Well, I went back to the Quais Saint Bernard, and, this time, I went a little further and stumbled upon the tango dancers! They are even better located than the salsa ones of last time because they really face the Seine - They actually nest in one of the 3 or 4 small amphitheaters that are to be found there. It's a real dream place for dancers. FYI, the weather is a little chillier in Paris right now, but beautiful.

RIP Jean Legaret

OK, I know it's a bit morbid, but take it simply as a work of art. This sculpture belongs to the grave of Jean Legaret, a French politician born in 1913 and now obviously dead... I found it the same day I photographed this in the Montparnasse cemetery and I really loved it. That is all I can say, not very exiting I know ;-)

They do, they do!

How about a little love story to end this week? A few weeks ago I met young entrepreneur Carsten for a drink to talk about Paris Sharing, a place where visitors can not only find a real Parisian home to rent for a short period, but also share their experience with others. I also learned that he was going to get married to a true Parisian, Isabelle, some time in August. "Come and take a few pics if you have the time", he said. So I did! It's hard to take wedding photos without falling into the usual clichés (well, I find it hard!). Among the zillion I took, I selected this one that I took on the way out from the Salle des mariages at the town hall. Toutes mes félicitations aux nouveaux mariés ;-)

Yummy!

Subway (the sandwich place) has been literaly invading Paris since, say, last year... They have good sandwiches, no doubt, but to the risk of sounding a little patriotic, I think nothing beats the genuine baguette/rosette sandwiches like the ones I almost fell for today in the boulangerie where I took this photo... Not to mention the tarte aux quetsches (from Alsace) next to the sandwiches... FYI, the French word for sandwich is Casse-croute (break crust) but few people use it.

Free Paris!

Yesterday (August 25), exactly 65 years ago Paris was freed from the German occupation. Every year since, Paris celebrates this "festive" moment with a mini show in front of the town hall where some people are all dress like Parisians in 1945 (as in this photo). I attended this event for the first time this year and it was quite moving. Also, I don't know if you've ever heard the story, but according to legend, it seems that the Germans were ready to bomb some bridges and monuments of Paris in case they would have to surrender. They did not, thanks to General von Choltitz, "Governor" of Paris, who is said to have disobeyed Hitler when he commanded him to "Burn Paris" (see more on Wikipedia). Also have a look at the beginning of "Is Paris burning?", with the famous soundtrack sung by Mireille Mathieu!

Marithé François Girbaud's old new den

Marithé and François Girbaud are two French designers that have been around for some time (they started designing clothes in the 60's!), but they really became famous more recently (first in the 80's with the release of Flashdance - yes, the main actress Jennifer Beals was wearing one of their jeans, imagine! - and more recently (in 2005), when one of their advertising campaigns was banned for some time (click here and you'll understand why!). Anyway, back to this photo... This is the back of their main shop in Paris, located 38 rue Etienne Marcel. I took it because of the vivid colors but I debated whether I should remove the trash can or not. In the end I decided to leave everything "as is".

Back to school

Monday August 24, the day everything went back to "normal"! Paris plage has closed, the streets have started filling up again, most of the stores are reopening today and tourists have started leaving... Bye bye vacation time, hello Metro Boulot Dodo (the rat race)! Is it good or bad? I don't care really as I went back to "my schoo" almost a month ago, precisely to "feed" on time the people who come back at the end of August ;-) Anyway, before things go back to crazy, let me offer you a peaceful Paris set: La place du Châtelet at dawn.

Live, from a Paris apartment...

Yesterday I had lunch with a friend whose apartment offers a typical Parisian view. He must have thought I was crazy, but the first thing I did when I arrived, was to take a photo! He advised me to also take the window railing - also very Parisian - which was a very good idea. You can all thank Bruno, a former expat in Sydney, now back to good old Paris! Have a nice Sunday everyone. Here it's just gorgeous (blue sky, perfect temperature, you should be here ;))

Go figure?!

If you understand French, then you will notice that the sign in the foreground of this photo that I took at Les Invalides says: "ball games strictly prohibited". Now if you take your eyes a little further up, you will probably notice... a rugby ball, surrounded by a whole rugby team! Now try to lay one foot on the grass in the Luxembourg gardens or any other gardens in Paris and I can guarantee you will have the "grass police" coming after you within the next 5 seconds! There are things I will never understand...

Heat wave 2009

We've been experiencing a heat wave since the beginning of the week. It's so hot that people have been using some of the public water fountains to cool off. Today I went by the Eiffel tower where they have large fountains at Le Trocadero and this little one behind the tower, on the Champs de Mars side (for those of you who know the place). As you can see from the sky, a storm is coming up but as I am writing this caption (3 hours after taking this photo) the sky is still quiet. I wish it would rain though...

Paris seagulls

Those who are long time followers of this blog already know that there are seagulls in Paris (remember this photo?) And I found a new proof of their presence this morning, by the Seine embankment. These Larus ridibundus (!) were getting a nice tan on top of the flower market buildings! Isn't that cool? From what I read on the web, these birds are now pretty common in Paris. The building in the back belongs to La Conciergerie BTW.)

400 new public toilets in Paris

OK, today, something much less glamorous than yesterday! But very practical - especially if you plan to visit Paris... They (the town hall) are currently installing some 400 new public toilets in the streets of Paris (I saw them!). And not just any toilet, but the ones designed by Patrick Jouin - yes people, in Paris toilets are as art pieces ;) -FYI, the one I photographed is an old model). On a more practical note, I'm sure you'll be happy to know that they are all totally free, clean completely automatically after each visit and are open between 6 am and 10 pm. The things you learn on PDP!!

A Paris Classic

It's a classic, but it's always effective! I took this photo last evening on my way home from the office. I see this almost every night (when it's sunny!) but it always amazes me. FYI, the boat passing through the Pont Neuf is called Le Gavroche and it belongs to one of the bateaux-mouche companies that operate on the Seine. When people email me and ask me "what do you recommend I should do while in Paris?" I always answer: "a cruise on the Seine, preferably at night (but dusk is fine too ;)".

Medieval Paris

There are few remains of medieval buildings in Paris - most of them burned because of their wooden construction among other things, but if you wander in Le Marais though you will see some of them. I already showed this one 2 years ago, and in this photo you can see a part of another one (on the left, with the wooden beams precisely - see a close up here) that apparently was built around 1540. If you're thinking "how amazing would it be to spend a night in a building like this!" Well... you can! This place is now a youth hotel called Le Mije. Ask for the place 12 rue des Barres.

Dancing on the embankment of the Seine

I'm late posting, because I'm just back from a walk along the Seine, more precisely on the Quais Saint Bernard. During the summer season from Wednesdays to Sundays - providing it does not rain! -, you can find there Salsa dancers by the dozens. It's really amazing to see all these people dancing - some of them are really good - in front of the Seine. I watched them for 30 minutes then started taking photos. Here is one of them. More info (in French) on Danse avec nous, the association that promotes these nights.

The sun returns

After a terrible week, the sun finally decided to return. Next week is even going to be very hot, they said... We usually have a long weekend at this time of the year because it's August 15, the Virgin Mary's celebration day (for the Catholics). But this year the 15 is a Saturday, so no extra day! Well, I suppose I should not really complain should I? Anyway, have a wonderful summer weekend everyone (well for those of you who are in the Northern hemisphere!).

Paris space Invaders

I've been willing to show you this strange phenomenon for a while but I never managed to get a good photo of it. It? The little Space Invaders (you know this game that was so popular in the 80s...) that are to be found in many places in Paris (and now, not only Paris actually...). They originate from a guy we know very little about, who decided one day to "invade" the city with these little men... They are made of tiles and strongly glued to the walls (it's impossible to remove them without breaking them). Like he says "Some people call me a polluter, others say I'm an artist. I prefer to think of myself as an invader". His site appears to be a little dormant, but you still can have a better idea of what he does. BTW, I took this photo in Montmartre opposite to the Moulin de la Galette, the other day.

Pétanque at Paris Plage

There are several Pétanque fields at Paris Plage and watching the people play never ceases to amuse me (they even organize a yearly tournament on the occasion!). I took this photo from above (obviously) and I like it because of the large sand/dirt surface that enlightens it. That's all. Not much more to say... Oh yes, it's my sister's birthday today, LOL!

Smoking kills: obviously!

I was wandering in the Montparnasse cemetery early this morning (yes, I do wander in cemeteries from time to time...) and I came across this "funny" coincidental scene. Someone must have left the pack a few minutes before my coming, because it was still standing even though it was a little bit windy. Some of you may find this a bit macabre, and though it's true: smoking kills. BTW, don't miss the Montparnasse cemetery if you come to Paris, it's a great place to visit.