How I Saw Paris This Week (Part Twenty-One)

Bonjour and salut to you all! The weather has been unseasonably warm in Paris, with strong sunlight and autumn colors around every corner — a flaneur’s dream (and a photog’s as well!).

Before we continue I’m proud to announce that the online magazine Bonjour Paris will be highlighting my photography with a Photo of the Month feature. Each photo will have a 200 word essay attached and will be exclusive to their site, meaning you won’t find it on these blog posts. Be sure to check it out around the middle of each month! The first one can be found here.

Today’s “How I Saw” installment is a blend of glass, metal, stone, and mother nature. It’s a reminder of how many different ways the city does what it does. I hope you enjoy this week’s set and as always leave a comment if you’re inspired to do so!

On y va!

The relatively new canopy of the Forum des Halles (1st arr) is liked by some and lamented by others, but it at least makes for some interesting photo compositions. I find myself always stopping for a mini photo shoot when I’m in the area. I took another favorite photo of this structure as you’ll see further down.

I’m a sucker for autumn leaves, so when the sun shines in my backyard I try to capture a bit of the magic.

At Trocadero Square, across from the Eiffel Tower, there were once a set of bronze animal sculptures adorning the property. When the Trocadero Palace was destroyed, the animals were relocated to the Musée d’Orsay, seen here. A bit of urban migration, you could say.

One of the rare bits of the Renaissance period in Paris is La Fontaine des Innocents. It’s named after the medieval cemetery that once occupied this space, an infamous burial ground so crammed with dead Parisians that it one day burst at the seams and had to be shut down. The skeletons in the ground were later exhumed and became the first residents of today’s Catacombs. But the city only dug down 6 feet, meaning beneath this fountain there’s still plenty of medieval French DNA kicking around. I wouldn’t go drinking this fountain’s water any time soon…

Another fountain, less flashy than the previous one, is on Rue de l’Arbre Sec (1st arr). I don’t know of any other city where bicycles have more celebrity status. They seem to fit in effortlessly into any Parisian scene, not just adding to the atmosphere but often becoming the main subject.

No this isn’t an ad for the Palais des Thés, just another of my love letters to October. :-) For the record the tea of choice here was Strong Breakfast. Pretty tasty!

I go through my older shots sometimes and when I find a nice memory I like to bring it back into the fray. This is a pic I took over the summer in the Marais. Just a pleasing image, I think, and one that deserved to be brought back from the archives.

I’m quite a creature of habit when it comes to cafés. I guess I’m just tired of being disappointed by mediocre coffee (First World problem, I know). This is a place I’ve praised before called La Bossue, in Montmartre. Coming repeatedly to the same space lets you to search a more unique viewing angle, and in this case all I had to do was look above my head.

Everyone loves a good door handle. I randomly saw a friend in the Marais yesterday and we chatted while briskly walking Rue Rambuteau. When we passed by this door, my mind briefly drifted away from the conversation to make a mental note to come back to it. At the end of the street we gave la bise and said goodbye, after which I immediately trotted back to the door for a mini photo shoot. I think I would have had regrets otherwise!

Paris has layers upon layers of history, and sometimes you’re walking right over them. This spot on Rue de la Ferronerie marks the spot in 1610 where King Henri IV was assassinated while sitting in his royal carriage. His killer, Ravaillac, is famous not only for the crime but for his brutal public execution. For those interested you can hear me telling that story on The Earful Tower Paris Podcast, on episode one of the current season.

Another view of Les Halles and its canopy. Love those lines!

Another example of the direct sunlight that Paris is bathing in these days. Most of you know this café by now — a classic to say the least. Some recent tour clients of mine (hello Elinor & gang!) told me they had a fantastic lunch here. Sounds like I need to go experience that firsthand.

I kinda like to champion the lesser-known churches out there, and this is Saint Vincent de Paul (10th arr). Here you can sit on the steps outside and know you’re surrounded by locals. The architecture and interiors are well worth a look.

When giving Montmartre tours my morning commute takes me to this above-ground métro station, La Chapelle. The sun tends to blast its way through the Eiffel-esque structure and I can’t help but snap a picture each time.

I recently had a fancy-shmancy birthday lunch at Le Train Bleu, and this is one of the many details I shot. I hope to put together a proper blog post with the whole photo set. 

 

We’ll finish with a two-shot of Saint Sulpice (6th arr) and Le Bon Marché (7th arr). Two places that receive their own brand of pilgrims from around the world. :-)

There we go! For anyone who wants to explore Paris with me I can be contacted here for guided tours. Or if you want to follow along in real time you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, or hear me as a recurring guest on each episode of the Earful Tower Paris Podcast.

Have a great day folks!