Just A Few More Photos~

This is the last post of Paris Encore...our 2010 trip to Paris.  This is so sad and a little traumatic.  I don't want to leave.

So here at a few more photos~  

Architecture

I love the architecture.  In Paris the architecture is so diverse, there always seems to be a surprise around the corner.  This is a skinny, triangular building~a beautiful sliver of stone.  I was standing on the edge of the sidewalk trying to capture the right angle, when a couple walked by.  The woman looked back to see what I was shooting and stopped.  She was going to take a picture too, but then the man waved her off  with a look of disgust....like are you crazy that's nothing but a building.

You can see that they are doing some constructual work;
there are nets along the bottom to keep any debris from hitting the ground.

Woody noticed the next building while we were eating lunch on the Blvd Italienne, after our Galeries Lafayette adventure.   The building is covered in "roses".  He noticed that. It was so large and, again, one of those triangular shaped buildings.  It wasn't easy getting a good shot of this.  If the photo had been in better focus, I could have zoomed in and shown the details. (I think I need more practice.)

I like the symmetry of this row of buildings.  It was somewhere near the Ile de la Cite.  These are Left Bank structures.  I love this about Paris.  These buildings are hundreds of years old and they not only are still standing but are absolutely lovely and lived in.

Just opposite  St. Eustache in Les Halles was this building.  We aren't sure if it was part of the adjacent hotel or not.  It's beautiful and all that light ( it faces east)!  Notice all the terrace gardens.

This Moroccan restaurant was tucked away in the area near the Palais Royal. Everything about this building is stunning!!! The tile on the facade, the lattice window coverings, the scroll-like entry gate and window coverings and intricate mosaic work; just like the Mosque de Paris~

TOURS

There are many ways to see Paris.

On a bike tour, or a Segway tour (I wasn't fast enough to catch a photo of that.)

(Honestly, I don't have the guts to put myself into French traffic.)

Or a 2CV tour...these classic Ctiroens would be a great way to see the sites.

The opening in the roof makes it so easy to look up.

This was on "my list" but ....next time!

The Batobus

The Batobus makes 7 stops along the Seine, all at popular tourist sites. You buy an all
day ticket, then you can "hop on & hop off" whenever you want.  It's a good way to get
around and you see the river view too.  This is the stop at the Eiffel Tower.

And of course there are walking tours...for every area of the city or topic of interest!

Some are even free!

A special sight.

This is a special photo.  We were walking passed the Notre Dame and the Japanese bride and groom and photographer were coming the other way.  What a little angel she was. 

She hiked up her gown and stepped into the garden,

ignoring the sign:ne pas marcher sur la pelouse

I wrote a Haiku:

Graceful and dainty,

in the Notre Dame garden~

a Japanese bride.

I showed you the Art Nouveau Metro entrance at Abbesses in Montmartre.

This is the fun, glitzy and crafty looking entrance at the Palais Royal.

It looks like 2 royal crowns.

I apologize that these photos aren't clearer.

  There was so much going on and it was so crowded and the lighting is terrible and.......

Street Entertainers

What a great group of men.  You heard the singing, echoing through the Metro hallways long before you saw them.  I love the street entertainers....playing for your pleasure and generosity. 

I absolutely added to the hat!

I went back and recorded about 45 seconds of music on the camera

 but I can't figure out how to add a sound bite to a photo. (something else to learn)

On my birthday, while sitting in the cafe, sipping my hot chocolat, this group of strolling troubadors passed by; very colorful, with mandolins, guitars, even a bass.  We heard them later singing to the people waiting in line to enter St. Chapelle.   Perfect Paris Delight!

Our apartment lift...

it says "for 3 persons".

Not if one of them is claustrophobic.

We had to "plan the logistics"

when loading 2 large and 2 small pieces of luggage!

And for our "peace of mind" there was this large sign on the wall of the elevator.

"For your comfort and security, this lift is monitored 24 hours a day by the Kone service center."
In case you become trapped between floors:

1.  "Tranquillisez-vous" 

                                                                                ~right, remain calm.

We got a lot of laughs from that phrase; especially when driving in the "rush hour traffic" or getting lost in St. Denis on the way to the Chateau de Chantilly.