Sunday, August 16, 2015

Notre belle ville de Paris- Part 1

It's been close to a year now since our last trip to France with wonderful memories I would like to share with you today about one of our favorite places, Paris.  The full moon over Paris was beautiful and a nighttime stroll with Notre Dame all aglow set the stage for another delightful Paris visit.
Paris is alive and has an energy that invigorates. It is busy at all hours and is beautiful day and night.



 We make it a point to ride the Batobus  at least once every time we visit Paris and we enjoy watching them cruise past on the Seine.


I read a magazine article about Paris by Nichole Robertson ( www.the simple things.com) that resonated with me. She was asked, Why do you love Paris?  What drew you there? I wrote down her answer because her words described my feelings too. Nichole said, " Trying to put into words my love of Paris is as difficult as putting into words why I love my husband. It's more than the sum of its most notable and universally adored parts-light, culture, outstanding bread, breathtaking architecture. It's an energy, feeling a part of history and being surrounded by beauty at just about every turn."
The Sorbonne, University of Paris' humanities department, flanked by busy cafes.


The Pantheon at night, a beautiful Neoclassical monument was closed for renovations so we did not see the inside that is full of French history and where Rousseau, Voltaire, Marie Curie, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, and Louis Braille are buried. Our hotel was across the street.
 Hotel Des Grands Hommes.

Daytime view of the Panthèon. You can see the dome renovation.
We enjoyed a lovely Sunday lunch here a few doors down from our hotel. It was teeming with local Parisians which was a treat for us to observe.
These precious french children had a ball playing as their parents enjoyed conversation after their lunch. I can still hear their giggles.


 Strolling along we delighted in the beautiful flowers and people watching at Jardin de Luxembourg last September.

 The locals soak up the sun in Paris parks especially on Sunday.



 One of my favorite memories was seeing the children sail these little boats across the pool.







Vue Da La Grotte, Fontaine De Medicis , Jardin Du Luxembourg.


Polyphemus preparing to crush Acis the Sicilan shepherd preferred by the goddess Galatea. Close up below.


I love love this pic and have it framed in my home. Fontaine De Medicis was built on the order of Marie de Medicis around 1630. Read more here.

The next few pics were made in the month of March on another Paris trip if you're wondering why some people are dressed in coats and others in shorts. These men are probably regular Parisians enjoying their chess game. They don't look like tourists.
I love their facial expressions and bet they meet here often.

Quintessential Parisians. I try to photograph typical people that are not tourists to have a memory of what regular life in Paris is like.
On of my favorite photos on Rue Cler, one of my favorite streets. The French know how to relax for lunch. Oysters and white wine.
Did I say that I love Paris?

I hope I've piqued your interest in Paris. I'm having a great time reliving memories of our trips there. I probably have several thousand pictures but will try to pick the best ones to share. Stay tuned to more of Paris.

Additional Paris pictures here.

Linking to: The Enchanting Rose and Wow Me Wednesday.

21 comments:

  1. Welcome back, Bonnie! I sure have missed you!! These are great pictures -- love that full moon high up in the sky. Your hotel looks lovely, and the flowers in the city are beautiful. My favorite pics are the sailboats with country flags on their sails. They're just charming!! It looks like you've had some wonderful trips to Paris -- looking forward to seeing more of your pictures!

    Hugs,

    Denise

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  2. Wonderful to hear from you Bonnie. I did a double take when I saw your post, but it is so good to hear from you again. Great to take a trip down memory lane with you to Paris, it certainly looks beautiful at night doesn't it. I love the photos of the men playing chess too, in fact I think they are my favourites from this post. I hope that all is well with you and that you have had a good summer. Hugs! xx

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  3. Hi sweet Bonnie! It's so good to stop in for a visit - you have been missed! Your pictures are truly stunning and have me dreaming of Paris {{smiles}} Wishing you a lovely week. Hugs!

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  4. It's so good to read a post from you, Bonnie! I felt like I just had a mini tour of Paris through your photos! I can see why you love it so.

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  5. I have really enjoyed our day/evening out in Paris, it is delightful.

    Diana

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  6. J'ai trop adore Paris tellement et ne peut pas attendre de revenir.
    I hope you are enjoying every inch of summer. Thank you so very much for your friendship. It is a true treasure to me.

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  7. I so believe that once you visit Paris you have the desire to go back and visit again and again...I love your photos of the everyday life of Parisians...my favorite of all....

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  8. Oh my goodness! I feel like I was tagging along with you! WOW! Beautiful place. I am so jealous...I would love to go there one day. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  9. I enjoyed this so much! I am very afraid of flying and will never make it to Paris. It is the one place that I really want to go, with my camera. I just loved looking through your pictures. What is it about the French, that everyone, young and old, looks so stylish. Simplicity. The buildings are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your adventure.

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  10. Just as I remember it. While I love to see the sights of Paris...for living, my choice is the south of France...Provence! Love your pics! Sheila

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  11. One of these days I think I should immerse myself in Paris much like I did in Florence so as to have greater appreciation for it.

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  12. Lovely to have the memories and the photos Bonnie! My friend Marie was in Paris 2 weeks ago to celebrate here 40th Anniversary. Her husband John was very romantic and presented her with a ruby ring at the 'Marie Bridge'.I am sure she will have some precious memories stored now! I hope all is well with you, and guess that the weather is beginning to change with you too, and you will be doing those lovely Autumnal table displays! Love Linda x

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  13. Hey Bonnie,
    How did I miss your post?? I am trying to ease back into blogging. I miss my friends.

    I love seeing your pictures. It is a huge dream of mine to go to Paris but for now I will just dream through your trips....
    I hope you are doing good and that you will write more soon..

    Love, Mona

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  14. Good read! Your pictures are truly stunning and have me dreaming of Paris . :)

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  15. Stunning pictures. Isn't Paris wonderful? We went there years ago for two weeks. Thank you for sharing this with me. I want to return. So inspiring Bonnie. Thank you for your sweet visit and kind words. Yes, we are thankful my son is alive after that horrible accident. Still waiting for word on his house.

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  16. Yes, I love Paris too! I love your pictures at night - the golden city - so fabulous. We are planning on a trip there in December to see it for Christmas and also the German Christmas marts. I can't wait to see this lovely city in the winter.

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  17. Hi Bonnie! Oh, I love Paris too and have been a few times. You have happened some beautiful snaps too! Thank you for popping in to see me and hope you're doing well.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  18. Your photos from Paris are gorgeous! Love all that beautiful architecture! What particularly caught my attention though was the photo of the men playing chess. As an avid chess player, I'd love to play against them...ah, that would be pretty neat, playing chess in Paris!

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  19. Oh Bonnie, you spoke exactly how I feel for Paris! It is such a joy to visit, and yes beauty everywhere. I really enjoyed your photos, they brought back memories of my own and almost makes me want to book a flight! Thanks for sharing these and I will look forward to more soon.

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  21. I can see why you have that photo framed. I can also see that you must have had a good zoom to get it at that angle or else you were standing in the middle of the fountain pond! Perfection!

    Your night shots are dazzling. We've never done the boat ride. I think next time!

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