Today, Beyond Paris 


911 MEMORIAL ~ NYC

This "Field of Flags" in Battery Park honors those whose lives were lost on 9/11 and those who tried to save them*.  There are over 3,000 flags, the stripes  are lists of names.  Additionally there are flags representing the 92 countries who shared in this loss.

*To see a special exhibit honoring 911 heroes, go to Joe McNally's blog...
and to Peter Turnley to see his 9/11 images and reflections. 

The new World Trade Center can be seen rising behind 

The Sphere 

a Fritz Koenig sculpture that originally occupied the plaza in front of the WTC.  The piece was damaged but not destroyed in the attack.

And Speaking of Perspective...

 How about inside out...

upside  down,

 or downside up?

Paris Icons

Sometimes one just needs to play with a new perspective on these old favorites...

At The Bastille Sunday Market

Some familiar faces

and some new...

but always fresh produce to take home!

Have Aliens Invaded Paris?

It may look like a spaceship, but it is an exciting, temporary exhibit of Zaha Hadid's futuristic architecture

that has landed in the courtyard of the 

Institute du Monde Arabe

And what better backdrop for Hadid's work, than the Institute's intricate ocular wall designed by Jean Nouvel, to adjust in response to the sun's intensity. 

Inside you'll find exhibits and explanations of Hadid's work. If you are in Paris between now and October 30th, GO!  

 You will  be transported.

Come Dance With Me..!

The summer tradition of nightly tango along the Seine continues.

Don't Miss the Train

If you enjoy photographing motion in the Metro, do it soon as the opportunity is rapidly disappearing due to the sliding glass doors being installed between the platform and the tracks.  This is one of the few remaining stations without the extra layer of doors!

But today it all comes to an end until next July....

And, yes, the Parisians take advantage of la Plage.....!

Paris Plage

Link to the Paris Plage, in French

If you can't escape Paris in the summer, don't worry, the city brings a bit of the beach (la plage) to you....

From The Back of The Church

The front of St. Paul-St. Louis on Rue St. Antoine in the Marais is currently shrouded by scaffolding, but if you walk around to the back, in Village St. Paul, you can still have this view.

Fête de l'Assomption

August 15th, Feast of The Assumption for Catholics around the world, is un jour férié (holiday) throughout France.  I just happened to catch this procession as it wound its way down rue St. Antoine and across Place Bastille.  A number of priests, church officials and several thousand pilgrims followed behind respectfully singing hymns in praise of the Virgin Mary.

Sunny Sunday....

Paris Beckons.....

What could be better than celebrating your birthday in Paris?  Was she singing "Joyeux anniversaire"...?

Flying High In The Paris Sky

The Paris Fair along the edge of the Jardin des Tuileries -  one of summer's  joys... 

Come along for the ride!

How Much Is That Ducky in the Window?

(Apologies to Bob Merrill and Patti Page)

For fun, colorful gifts stop by one of the many Pylones throughout the city (also in New York)...

where you'll find fun, frivolous, functional items.

A Metro Moment

The Paris Metro is fast, efficient, easy to navigate and often interesting...

Feed Me!  

"Feed me, feed me" they all seem to shout, and so the Parisians do...

What better use for all those bits of leftover baguette than a feeding frenzy on the edge of the reflecting pool at  le Jardin du Luxembourg?

Parc André Citroën

Located in the 15th arrondissement, Parc Andre Citroen, built on the former site of the auto maker, is rarely visited by tourists.  If you go, take a ride in the tethered balloon for a sky-high view of Paris, wander the various gardens, picnic on the lawn or cool off in the dancing water jets.

Dancing the Night Away....

What could be more romantic than tangoing into the night along the banks of the Seine?

Join the party every night during the summer months on the quai Saint Bernard, near the  Tino Rossi sculpture gardens ( Musée de la Sculpture en Plein Air )  Free lessons - another opportunity to spiff up your française! - followed by open dancing...

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Do You Have A Big Head?

Eglise St. Eustache certainly does!

To appreciate the size of this delightful sculpture by Henri de Miller, note the people walking or sitting nearby.  Understandably, this sculpture is often over run with both children and adults climbing on or playing hide and seek around it.

Place des Vosges Fountain

Guardian of the Gate

À quel étage?

Stairmaster - French style...

Gems of Le Marais

The Marais, like other Paris neighborhoods, has a personality all its own.  And although many chain stores have "invaded" over the last 10 years or so, because of architectural limitations and regulations they still tend to maintain an individual, rather than a corporate personality.  But best of all, there are still many wonderful, personal, specialty boutiques throughout the Marais, and the city in general.  

So I've decided, from time to time, to bring a few of them to your attention.  I hope you will seek them out, talk to the proprietors and support them with your purchases.  Today....

Marie Antoinette

at 5 rue d'Ormesson just off Place du Marche St. Catherine, a stone's throw from Metro St. Paul, is distinguished, first by its RED facade!

And while you think you understand the name, there's more to it than the former, famous "let-them-eat-cake" queen.  Ask Antonio, the proprietor.   Originally from Portugal, he will regale you with stories and information in English, French or Portuguese!  

Once inside this tiny space, you will be impressed by the treasure trove of  rare perfumes, candles and scented soaps presented within its ancient walls.

Among Antonio's treasures fit for a queen, are  Isabey fragrances by the legendary French perfumer (parfumeur).  Marie Antoinette is one of only two places in all of France where you can purchase this line!  With airline size and weight restrictions tightening by the season, this gem (bijou) of a boutique is an ideal place to shop for personal, memorable, non-touristy gifts that won't push your bags over the limit. 

For more information (en français) check the shop's website, or better yet, go talk to Antonio!

Jardin des Plantes

After years of refurbishing, the Tropical House has re-opened!  

While the renovation preserves the exterior's 19th century ironwork (think Eiffel Tower) and the fascinatingly eerie, iridescent glass of the windows,  the interior has been modernized to provide views from multiple levels and of several environments.

                          

Of course, the old favorites like the allées and rose gardens shouldn't be overlooked 

A current, temporary feature is the large map of France, so come learn your French geography, or just point out where you've been or where you are going....