Paris is a photo

“The City of Light”

Paris, France. May-June 2019. (12 photos)

This is Part 2 of my France 2019 photo series, and also Part 3 of my Europe 2019 photo series.

Recently I spent a month visiting France and Portugal, with a short visit to Singapore for good measure.

Last year I spent 16 days in Paris. You can click on the link if you want to see my Paris in the Spring photo series from that trip.

For this trip I spent 10 days in Paris. Everywhere you look, Paris has something interesting to see. And everywhere you look, Paris is a photo waiting to be taken. So here are 12 random photos for your contemplation.

The above photo was taken just after 10pm from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Sunset was at 9:47pm that evening.

Every night from sunset to 1am, at the beginning of each hour, special illuminations glitter on the Eiffel Tower. The display lasts for 5 minutes, except for the 1am finale which lasts 10 minutes and for that particular display, the background lights on the skeletal structure of the Tower get turned off as well.

“Off with their heads”

Returning to my bnb in le Marais from Mont Saint-Michel, an entire grid of streets in le Marais was blocked off for a large travelling flea market. Mannequins on the sidewalk just seems so French.

“All roads lead to the Arc de Triomphe”

At least it seemed so from the top of the Eiffel Tower.

“Paris is a Photo”

I missed out on visiting this part of Paris with numerous giant murals last time I was there.

“Rainbow Street”

Place Martin Nadaud

“I will be serious as pleasure”

“Je serai sérieux comme le plaisir. Les gens ne savent pas ce qu’ils disent. Il n’y a pas de raisons de vivre, mais il n’y a pas de raisons de mourir non plus. La seule façon qui nous soit laissée de témoigner notre dédain de la vie, c’est de l’accepter. La vie ne vaut pas qu’on se donne la peine de la quitter…”

Jacques Rigaut (1898 – 1929), French surrealist poet.

“The Uncle of Europe”

“Pardonnez-moi, où est la Tour Eiffel s’il vous plait?”

“Ahhh, Paris”

In the Luxembourg Gardens.

“Sunset over Paris”

I keep meaning to head over to La Défense, but every time I visit Paris something else seems more important, like sitting at a café and having a coffee or aperol spritz. Oh well, on the next trip perhaps? Apart from the architecture, I understand there’s a lot of sculptural artwork out there.

“Love is all around”

Did I mention that everywhere you look, Paris is a photo waiting to happen? 🙂 When I arrived at the carousel, this couple were riding on it having some professional photos taken. The photographer would call out to them to kiss each time they came around, which was my cue to sneak in a few shots.

“Cimetière du Père-Lachaise”

When I die
let my friends take my ashes through the streets of Paris
to every spot we used to go –
for if I know them well enough I know
I won’t make it back
I’ll be forgotten in some nook
of some café or bar
lost amongst empty glasses,
smouldering ashtrays,
and laughs lingered on summer air –
that is where I’d like to stay forever
lost in Paris
left amongst the lingered laughs of friends

… @AtticusPoetry

The next instalment of this series, Paris is a photo (2) is now online.

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In May and June 2019, I visited France, Portugal and Singapore.

This is Part 3 of this photographic series and Part 2 of the posts about France.