" Carmen "

Nostalgia :
the lamppost,
the bike,
the blue sky
the poster featuring « Carmen ».

happy weekend everyone! ^0^

* where was this *
4th arrondissement
infront of Centre Pompidou- Paris

" Notre Dame "

Paris is flickering with lights shimmering in gold.
At night, one of the finest structure that is Notre Dame
is as beautiful as it is during the day.
Undeniably, a church that is 'toujours' (always) filled with tourists,
next to La tour Eiffel.
From afar, the church's facade is a perfect example of Gothic architecture,
what was once considered as barbaric.
More of this on my future post. ^0^



by metro- hop off @ Cité station.


* where was this *
4th arrondissement
île de la cité-
Notre Dame- Paris

" Le ciel est à tout le monde "

This window display got my attention as
soon I saw this inspiring phrase, it said:
Heaven is for everyone. ^0^



It's a shop that sells très adorable displays for kids and mothers alike.
I will show you more on my next post. ^-^

* where was this *
Jardin du Luxembourg
10 rue Gay Lussac, 75005
5th arrondissment
Paris

" L'Arbre des Rue "

Paris is indeed a city of arts,
every corner you turn, there's always something artsy going on.
and as always, I'm attracted to blue. ^0^

This is a mural painting done by Pierre Alechinsky
that is located along the 5th arrondissement.

It said:
À côté de la peinture, l'on lit ce poème :

Passant,
regarde ce grand arbre
et à travers lui
il peut suffire.

Car même déchiré, souillé,
l'arbre des rues,
c'est toute la nature,
tout le ciel,
l'oiseau s'y pose,
le vent y bouge, le soleil
y dit le même espoir malgré
la mort.

Philosophe,
as-tu chance d'avoir l'arbre
dans ta rue,
tes pensées seront moins ardues,
tes yeux plus libres,
tes mains plus désireuses
de moins de nuit.

a poem written by: Yves Bonnefoy



* where was this *
5th arrondissement
at the corner of
Rue Descartes and Rue Clovis
Paris
Rue clovis- Paris

" c'est partout "

trash picking dans le matin. ( in the morning )
i hope this lone guy finds what he's scavenging for.



* where was this *
6th arrondissement
boulevard St. Germain- Paris

" Musée Cluny "

It is one the rare examples of civil architecture during the middle ages,
what was once a site for Gallo-Roman baths.

The walls outside the museum are worth taking a look.
there are these somewhat gargoyle like carved out figures.

But to those who wish to take a look inside,
be advise that it is closed on tuesday.

* where was this *
5th arrondissement
6 place paul-painlevé - Paris

" Louvre Museum "

whoever said the Louvre is only about I.M Pei's glass pyramid is wrong.
there is a vast space of architectural beauty inside out,
as it was used to be the foundations of a medieval castle that
housed french kings for centuries.

this photo was taken at the rear side of the museum,
the Richelieu wing,
and it lights up gorgeously at night.

* where was this *
1st arrondissement
Musée du Louvre - Paris

" The Louvre "

My first day in Paris,
I was eager to see the Louvre,
despite being tired from the flight,
and almost getting lost inside the airport on the way to the hotel.
(long story) ^0^

Of course, thanks to fellow blogger Peter,
who has a blog called Peter's Paris.
He quickly showed us the highlights of the city,
gave us a bit of a heads up about local Parisians,
familiarizing us with each arrondissement,
believe me, digesting all this in just a few hours can be a bit confusing. ^0^




That night, we headed straight to I.M Pei's glass pyramid,
and whoever said that it's a monstrosity,
clearly hasn't been to Louvre at all.
It looks spectacular at night as it is during day time,
clearly a sight that is impressive.

* where was this *
Musée du Louvre
1st arrondissement - Paris

" Misty Paris "

~when it was December,
oh! the cold weather.

* where was this *
6th arrondissement-
Boulevard St. Germain

" Manège "

who doesn't like a merry-go-round when you see one.
sometimes it's nice to be a kid again...

*
where was this *
4th arrondissement
en face de Bazaar de Hotel de ville
(BHV store ) - Paris

" dear santa... "

oh, i know it's way past Christmas already,
but I couldn't resist posting this 3 tier cake,
or wait, was it 4 ? ^-^



The cake's design is simply adorable,
though I'm partial about rats. ^-^

* where was this *
5th arrondissement
Rue Mouffetard- Paris

" Flâner ou non "

When it comes to accessibility, Paris is friendly.
It has Metro stops, public buses, even Hop-on and Hop-Off buses.

If you're not in a rush to see all of Paris in an hour, then I suggest it's best to "wander" around.

The neighborhood along the Latin Quartier side, that is St. Germain des Prés is one of nicest walks I've had.

take a pause at either Cafe de Flore or the famous Les Deux Magots,
the two cafés are always battling neck to neck though,
mais, pas faire de exagér, ( not exaggerating ) both are "always" filled with people
surtout les tourists,(especially tourists)
but once inside, it is as if, you were back in the nostalgic days.
It also used to be where famous writers used to hang out.


* where was this *
6th arrondissement
St. Germain des Prés- Paris

" Green thumb "

One of the newest museum which opened in 2006
called Musée du Quai Branly,
that I have featured weeks ago was one of the sights you must see.



Apparently, this wasn't really on our to-go list,
very naive me, didn't even know it was a museum~!

we were aiming for Eiffel tower that morning, but because the bus (L'open) didn't arrive on time (as usual),
we opted to walk instead and was finally lured to this building which was literally beside it.




its façade, which has a stunning landscape inspired garden, filled with shrubs and greens,
looks theatrical, that almost created quite a sensation when it first opened.



It was designed by architect Jean Nouvel and is always one of the most photographed by tourists and locals alike.

How we got there:
By walking,  head towards La tour (Eiffel Tower) and you could easily spot it on your way.
or take the Metro @ Alma Marceau station.


* where was this *
7th arrondissement
Musée du Quai Branly- Paris

"Muji "

whoever said Muji is only available in Japan?!

well, it's obviously in the streets of Paris too.

Muji is a japanese owned store, that has a 'kanketsu' or simplicity concept inspired products and interior.

* where was this *
6th arrondissement
on the way to rue St. Sulpice.- Paris

" Son nom est Geneviève "

It wasn't one of the finest day in Paris when I took this foto. It was misty, foggy and cloudy all rolled into one.

We were going to Centre Pompidou that afternoon and the bad weather wasn't going to cooperate even the slightest bit. I was too hasty that I didn't notice I took its rear and not the front.


This is the statue of St. Geneviève- who is the city's patron saint.
It is in Pont de tournelle, a stone's throw away from Notre Dame and on the way to Le Marais.  

* where was this * 
4th arrondissement 
Pont de tournelle -Paris

" Institut de France "

aka: the longer version that is Palais de Institut de France.
seen across La Seine (Seine river),
famous for its black and gold topped dome that was added in 1663.
It was designed by Le Vau and was once a school,
a prison and is now home to the Académie Française,
which devotes mostly to arts, lettres and sciences.
The interiors are not open to the public though.

well, it took me awhile to find its name.
for a first timer in Paris,
the domes from left to right can really be puzzling.
and if you're a dome fanatic like me,
you might want to have a handy map to appreciate Paris's structure.

how to get there: head to La Seine,
infront of Pont des Arts, near Quai Malaquais

for more inspiring skies, visit Skywatch today.

* where was this *
6th arrondissement
Pl. de L'Institut -Paris

" Paris - Orleans "

This is Musée D'Orsay's façade,
and was dramatically renovated on what used to be
a former train station that was Gare D'Orsay.




Inside the museum, the artifacts and paintings are devoted to 19th-20th century era,
but take note though, photo taking is strictly prohibited.

* where was this *
3rd arrondissement
Rue de Lille 75343- Paris

" Postcards "

at the heart of boulevard St. Michel is a wide array of postcards ranging from loud to typical.

which one are you?! ^0^

* where was this *
5th arrondissement
Pl. St. Michel - Paris

" Eglise St. Sulpice "

 St. Sulpice was built by Daniel Gittard in 1646, accdg. by Ch. Gamard.
Not often visited, It is an example of a typical Baroque architecture,
that had a basilical construction with side aisles, transept and choir.

 

Upon entering on your right side is a fresco painting done
by Delacroix,
(but too bad I wasn't able to see it)
and artist like Pigalle's Virgin and child.





Its exterior may looked dull and unfinished but the interiors are worth the visit.



On one of the aisles though is a small chapel
dedicated to the Sacre-Coeur- (sacred heart )




This church was literally a few blocks away from our hotel.



It is said that during winter solstice, a ray of sunshine passes thorugh a hole in the upper window
of the south transept that marked points on the obelisk at midday.

* where was this *
6th arrondissement
rue de St. Sulpice- Paris

Boulangerie "

a bakery and a cafe,
always handy to know a bit of french words here and there.


* where was this *
5th arrondissement
Boulevard St. Michel- Paris

" Musée du Quai Branly "

one of the newest museums here in Paris.,
that is a stone's throw away from Eiffel Tower is Museé Quai Branly. 



The exhibit during that time,
featured [ Maori- leurs trèsors ont une âme. ]
The vibrant Maori culture from New Zealand,
too bad though, we didn't get a chance to see it, but
that didn't hinder tourists from waiting, despite the long queue.






The sleek lines and modern architecture is conspicuous inside out.
 




You could visit its official web for more info about this = Quaibranly.fr.

the best metro stop is to hop off at Alma Marceau station.

* where was this *
7th arrondissement
Musée du Quai Branly- Paris

I'm joining the weekend reflections by James.
for more cool reflective shots,  
click here.

" St. Germain des Prés "

your quintessential neighborhood at the heart of 6th arondissment. taken around 9-ish in the morning in a misty december weather.

* where was this *
6th arrondissement
St. Germain des Prés-Paris

" La Tour "

can you guess where in the world this is ?!
the title's already the hint. ^0^



As much as I love BCN's cool weather,
the food and its intricate catalan architecture,
I think I ought skip that page for awhile and
share with you the other half of my travel last December,
so for these past few weeks,
Here's a city that is also close to my heart.
the enchanting, that is ... Paris.


* where was this *
7th arrondissement
Eiffel Tower- Paris