Up On The Roof...

I tried to bring you a few bars by the Drifters, but it just seems beyond my technical capabilities!!!  Nonetheless, here's Paris from en haute...

A Different Kind of Market...

On Sundays the flower market on Île de la Cité includes small pets... I'll let you judge how appropriate they are for apartment living!

But whether you are in the market for a pet, a new cage, a toy or leash for your ferret (!!!) this is the place to come....

Fête de la Musique 

held on the longest night of the year throughout Europe...

We were entertained by highly trained opera singers, local choirs, a cappella groups, rock bands and every other type of music you can imagine!

But when the firemen have to get through, the crowd parts...

It is nearly 2 AM, the music has stopped, but I can hear firecrackers going off at Bastille!!!!!

Wedding Bells....

Over the last four days we have had the privilege of celebrating the marriage of a wonderful, young French-American couple here in Paris...

The wedding (Le mariage) took place in the serene chapel of the Ecole Militaire, then spilled out onto the Champs du Mars where guests from France and the US greeted the couple and snapped hundreds of photos with the Eiffel Tower as a background. 

In keeping with French tradition, the celebration and dancing continued long into the night

And finished up on Sunday with a fabulous brunch at the renowned  Laduree

Here are two shows you might enjoy if you are  coming to Paris this summer...

At Petit Palais,  a 40 year retrospective of Yves Saint Laurent's life & designs....

 Exhibition from 11 March to 29 August 2010

But make online reservations or be prepared to stand in line...

The other is the Willy Ronis photographic retrospective at Musee du Monnaie 

until August 22nd

If you are a "football" loving tourist...

Come watch the World Cup within view of the Eiffel Tower!

A New Romantic Tradition? 

Or "you hold the key to my heart'? 

I first saw these "love locks" last year on the Pont des Arts and then again last week on the Pont de l'Archevêché, just behind Notre Dame. Many have names written or engraved on them and sometimes there are two intertwined locks, often the keys are thrown

into the river. I watched as young couples latched their hasps, or individuals photographed this newly placed symbol of  their love. Love eternal.....

Be Sure to Enjoy the Late Light...

Take advantage of long days with sunset occurring near 10 PM, visit the bridges, monuments  and other popular spots like the Louvre...  Bring along your camera for "the golden hour" of photography!

LUNCH & LEARN

Now here's a fun and inexpensive way to have lunch in Paris!

Les Ateliers des Chefs  was created by brothers Nicolas and Francois Bergerault for busy Parisians needing some simple cooking techniques. The least expensive formula is 15 Euros for lunch - there are also other options including dinner or cocktail hour and for a few extra euros, you can add wine and/or coffee.  At lunch you will spend half an hour preparing lunch and the rest eating.  It is all done under the direction of a well-trained chef. If you go to the 1:30 session, as we do, there will be fewer people and a more leisurely atmosphere.  The chef at BHV (and, I suspect, the other locations as well) speaks excellent English.  And, as with the Hotel de Ville tour (below), don't be deterred by languishing language skills - it's all pretty visual so go and just follow along with the chef's demonstrations and enjoy!

THE FINISHED VERSION OF SALMON TARTRE

And YES, it was delicious!

Where's the Mayor (bis)

Just in case you are coming to Paris anytime soon, here's a link to the city's official, recently updated website (in English).  If your française is good, you can get even more info by clicking on the French language version! 

Where's the Mayor?

Even if you don't understand a word of French, sign up for the weekly tour of Hotel de Ville, Paris' city hall.  Just wander around with the crowd and absorb the luxurious ambience.  Who knows, perhaps you'll absorb a little French too...

To sign up when you are here, go to the information/tourist office at inside Hotel de Ville, right alongside the exhibition space, directly across from BHV department store.  They'll give you a slip of paper indicating the number of people in your group, the date and tour time... It's that easy!

Happy Birthday PDP!!!

Yesterday, June 6, 2010, bloggers and PDP followers from around the world gathered along the banks of the Seine to celebrate the 5th year of Paris Daily Photo, the brain-child of Eric Tenin.  When he started posting daily photos from his home city of Paris five years ago, Eric had no idea that his project would become a world phenomenon requiring its own web portal, City Daily Photo, which now has over 1200 bloggers committed to daily posts!

So CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU to Eric for bringing the world to us, one photo at a time, everyday!