Soothing Stone

In contrast to my last post where I gathered together shiny images, today I have gathered some images of creamy golden stone. They sooth me. 

I walked past an apartment block on our street for nine years without noticing this lovely detail. Then one day, when walking on the other side of the road it came into my field of vision. Moral of the story? Change the side of the road you usually walk along, you may see something new!

Here is one of the windows in the Église Saint-Eustache, near Les Halles in Paris' 1st arrondissement. A heart with some intricate carving below.

The next two images are of the Palais du Luxembourg, in the Jardin du Luxembourg.

The facade of the Palais de Chaillot by Trocadero.

A stone wall in the Jardin des Tuileries.

The facade of the Basilica Cathedral of St Denis.

The Pont Neuf.

And finally a crow, pauses on the borders of the Seine.

Magical Monday - Obelisk Meets Golden Ball

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical, unexpected or just plain daft. Unless otherwise mentioned, no Photoshop involved.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Magical Monday - Pushing Away the Clouds

I wish I could push away the clouds.


Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical, unexpected or just plain daft. Unless otherwise mentioned, no Photoshop involved.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Right Place Right Time

Sometimes you're simply in the right place at the right time. I think it would be fair to say that this was the case for me yesterday in the Jardin des Tuileries!

And, once again, the Eiffel Tower in a vase. Who am I to refuse!

A Quayside Walk

For the first time in ten years I am alone in Paris for five days. No kids. No Other Half. It feels a little odd and very quiet, but okay. I headed out yesterday afternoon, without a plan. As I walked up Rue Joseph de Maistre the 95 bus drew up at the bus stop I was walking past. I decided to hop on and head towards the river. Sometimes when I take photographs I am looking for a particular theme to capture. Sometimes I have no particular idea in mind. Yesterday was like this, I was waiting to be inspired. I got off the bus at the Louvre and headed down towards the river. It had been grey and dull all morning but when I reached the river the sun was coming out. The light was beautiful, fresh and crisp.

Here is a photo taken from the quai by the Musée d'Orsay, looking towards the Louvre and the Quai des Tuileries.

Down on the Quai des Tuileries that runs along the Rive Droite the water was lapping over the edges of the walkway.

I love the different textures of stone and iron, enhanced by the low winter sun.

The shadows were so sharp. The colours so soft, gentle and soothing. 

A crow caught my attention, though it was never still for more than a few seconds and I had to be quick.

This cat shadow was easier to capture!


More photographs from my stroll can be found on my Flickr account, here (thumbnails) and here (slideshow).

Snatching a Magical Moment

Yesterday our daughter went on a school outing. My instructions were to pick her up at the Louvre at 19h00. I left the house with plenty of time to spare and decided to get out of the Metro at Concorde and then walk the last stretch. I had been working at my computer all day and quite fancied stretching my legs and getting some fresh air. 

As I popped above ground at Place de la Concorde I was greeted with this vision.

The Jardin des Tuileries was closing so I headed towards Rue de Rivoli. I turned round to admire the view. Lampposts, obelisk and Eiffel Tower vied for attention...

...in the end it was the Eiffel Tower won.

Magical moments like this make so happy that I live in Paris.

Magical Monday - A Flame Carrier in the Tuileries

This woman has been reclining in the Jardin des Tuileries since 1964. The original statue, made of stone and sculpted by artist Aristide Maillol in 1923 can be found on the port of Vendres in the South of France, very near Perpignan. 

The other evening I saw her carrying a fiery flame.

Le Monument aux morts de Port-Vendres.

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical or unexpected.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Lyrical Lampposts

Last week when I walked through the Jardin des Tuileries on the way home from work I was blown away by the beautiful light as the sun was setting. I took these photos, 'Twilight in the Tuileries' as I approached the Place de Concorde, Paris at it's photogenic best.

However it when I first entered the Cour Carrée du Louvre that I got to see something extra special. I walked along the south wing of the Louvre, the sky was an orange bronze, and despite it still being quite light, the street lamps were lit up. The combination of natural and artificial light were truly magical. 

The lights turned on the moment I passed through into the Cour. Here they were still 'off'

Moments later they were on.

It quickly got darker. Here I was looking toward Place de la Concorde, la Grande Roue in the distance.




Then I saw the Eiffel Tower and a lamppost standing side by side. Definitely Paris.


For a post with a range of quite extravagant Paris Lampposts click here...or Paris lampposts are not banal.

Twilight in the Tuileries

Oh Paris, you spoilt me this evening. Merci.

Magical Monday - Jumping over the Eiffel Tower

MM: week 15
Jumping over the Eiffel Tower

Those two pigeons didn't seem very impressed, huddled underneath those thundering hooves. But I was.

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical or unexpected.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Magical Monday - La Dame de Fer in a vase

MM: Week 2
La Dame de Fer in a vase
Imagine my surprise when I saw the Eiffel Tower carefully placed in a vase.

For more photos from the 'Magical Mondays' series click here.

Watery reflections, the world upside down

Clear crisp blue skies, low lying winter sun. The ideal conditions for collecting reflections.

The Jardin des Tuileries last weekend.






The reflections made by the cranes near the Parc Clichy Batignolles were just gorgeous.

Like lace.


An aeroplane weaves a wavy path.


Reeds too.


The world upside down.