High on a Hill

After catching the Metro to Abbesses station, which is notable as  having one of the three remaining Art Nouveau entrances left in Paris. Designed by Hector Guimard these ornate structures are so evocative of a gracious time long since gone...

I was met by my fantastic photography teachers from the highly recommended Better Paris Photos Company.

                                                                                           Sophie

                                                                                               Manon

Off we ventured on our day's assignment. Firstly we caught the funicular to Sacre Couer and photographed this wedding cake church from various angles ...

 Then it was on through the Place du Tertre with its paintings of predictable street scenes and obligatory quick portraits offered by the artists - not as charming as it once was, but a Paris institution just the same ...

 Past the alarming variety of tacky mementos on offer for the hordes of tourists that descend on Montmartre each day ... just how many ways can the Eiffel Tower appear on a souvenir I ponder !?

In the back streets of Montmartre we discovered winding cobbled streets and pretty houses with lovely gardens 

- and even a windmill, one of only two left in Paris - the other is the notorious Moulin Rouge of course !

We ate a late lunch in a quaint little retro cafe and chatted happily about Paris, photography - and life in general.

A day of discovering new delights in an area I had dismissed as far too touristy and really has heaps to offer if you know where to look- always a good lesson in life ...

For Jenny Burke

This little scene in the back streets of Montmartre reminded me of a painting that Utrillo may have done ( he lived just near here ) and you and I -and our Mothers - would have liked ...

Love,
Joanna xx

 

A brand new Parisian !

The owner of the apartment I have been staying in had a baby girl a few days ago and named her Clementine. Isn't she sweet?
Best wishes to you and the baby.

Thanks again for providing such attractive apartments and your excellent service.
Already looking forward to my next stay and I will be spreading the word to family and friends back home in Australia ... 

Saturday Night in Paris

Firstly, it was off to enjoy a concert at the splendid St Chapelle on the Ile de la Cite with its stunning stained glass windows. Built in the 13th century by King Louis the IXth of France, it remains a jewel amongst the many treasures of Paris.

Then it was a wander through the cobbled streets to the Ile St Louis enjoying the street theatre along the way. Jazz bands, a bubble blower and thousands of happy travellers, both foreign and local, were out on this very warm evening drinking in the delights of Spring in Paris.

 This lady in green is always with this jazz group dancing away, in her own little world ...

 The universal appeal of a simple bubble brings a smile to our faces - and that's a good thing !

                                                       That's one big bubble !

All along the banks of the River Seine thousands of people, young and old, were sharing picnics and making the most of the long evening - it is still light after 10pm - my kind of day !

We found ourselves back in our old stomping ground of the busy Marais and ate a very late - and very typical - French bistro meal at Au Petit Fer A Cheval ( The Little Horseshoe Bar ).  


So concludes another day in Paris ...

Thinking of Janetta

Today and always Tocas and Galatis families 
Love  Joanna xx

 

More Street Art

Normally I am not a fan of graffiti, especially when it is pointless, ugly and offensive, but somehow in Paris the street art catches my eye, tweaks my curiosity and makes me smile.
It also adds to the whole vibrancy and creativity that is to be found on every street and around each corner - just another reason to love this city of light...

 

 

 

 

It's Au Revoir for Sarkozy !

            I like the way someone has placed a smile on the face and added a strategically placed cigarette in the mouth !

This sweet little dog walked into my shot - perfect !

Doesn't this make you smile ?

And this one is for you Hugo !

 

          Do you like this shadow ?

 

                                             A very sleepy Parisian cat

 

All the poles in this street were painted rainbow colours and I thought of you, naturally! 

Jo Jo enjoyed some night photography at the Louvre  in Paris - how many triangles can you count Hugo ?

This lovely wall mural is much bigger than this photo shows and says I love you in every language.
Remember I love you and your brother and sister very much !      Jo Jo  xxx