“8:53pm Arc de Triomphe”
Paris, France. May-June 2019. (12 photos)
This is Part 4 of my France 2019 photo series, and also Part 8 of my Europe 2019 photo series.
Recently I spent a month visiting France and Portugal, with a short visit to Singapore for good measure.
On 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.
Above is a photo I took walking towards the Arc de Triomphe. I was a bit nervous about any significant queue preventing me to reach the top in time for sunset, but fortunately I made it.
“The serious french art of doing nothing”
As many of you will know, green metal chairs are everywhere throughout parks in Paris. Here in the Luxembourg Gardens I took the time to sit and act french for a bit, feet up on a second chair, just enjoying life. Some cheese and red wine would have been appreciated.
“Someone to watch over me”
I spent some time wandering around the district of giant murals. Actually it would have been nice to have had an up to date map of the location of the artworks, if such a map exists.
“Stereotypes”
Strolling around a street flea market I came across these guys. Before photographing them, I did pick up the guy on the far right and turned him around – it made more sense that way. The stall owner agreed.
“Standing at the Gates of Hell”
At the Rodin Museum, the Gates of Hell (French: La Porte de l’Enfer) is a monumental sculptural work by French artist Auguste Rodin that depicts a scene from the Inferno, the first section of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. It stands at 6 metres high, 4 metres wide and 1 metre deep and contains 180 figures.
“Another day, another strike/demonstration in Paris”
This one was peaceful, in comparison to the one I saw last year, so I joined along for a bit. Why not?
On the day I went to Orly airport to fly to Lisbon, and also on the day I went to Charles de Gaulle airport to fly to Singapore, there were taxi strikes protesting UberPop services at the airports. Not only did the drivers strike, but they formed a blockade at the airports. Fortunately I did receive early notice so I was able to minimise the damage by leaving for the airport at 6am both days by private hire car.
“Parisian wall”
“I am Pegasus, my name means horse…”
I was standing there for quite a while waiting for someone to appear at that open balcony door, even the security guard started to get suspicious. Sadly it wasn’t to be.
“Le Boudoir”
“Liberty extinguishes her flame”
Sighting in Père Lachaise Cemetery. It’s surprising how many “statues of liberty” one finds strolling around Paris.
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. I made a specific post last year about Père Lachaise Cemetery as well.
“9:13pm Paris”
“The first time
I walked in Paris
there was a great remembering
of a thousand different dreams”
… @Atticuspoetry
“10:27pm Strolling along the Seine”
This is part 2 of my Paris is a photo series. Click the link to see part 1.
…
In May and June 2019, I visited France, Portugal and Singapore.
This is Part 8 of this photographic series and Part 4 of the posts about France
Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera 
Definitely must be loads to see and do in Paris and you’ve captured quite a few beautifully! Clever Pegasus photo! Too bad the apartment occupants did not accommodate!
Thank you. I really like that statue. It would have made my photograph complete if someone had appeared on the balcony. 🙂
The serious french art of doing nothing. This made me laugh.
The Rodin museum-house is really impressive, as well as the Impressionist one.
Now tell me, was it windy in the Luxembourg Gardens? And where’s that Statue of Liberty?
Well, I found 2 chairs in the garden, sat on one and put my feet up on the other. I instantly felt “french”; something I had to do. 🙂 Not windy on the days I visited.
On this trip I visited the Rodin Museum and Musee d’Orsay. So many museums to choose from though, it’s ridiculous.
That particular “Liberty” was at Pere Llachaise. She looked quite forlorn. I saw others in the Luxembourg Garden, Musee d’Orsay and le Marais.
At Pere Lachaise? That’s weird.
I loved acting French. Did it all the time. Wine, bread, cheese and feet up. What more could u wish for?
Now about the garden. There’s a sign at the gate -beware strong winds with a cartoon character, so we thought – that’s funny. We go inside, on a perfectly clear day, and it gets so windy, pouring with rain like crazy. So we leave without seeing the statue. Go figure.
I didn’t take notice of whose memorial that was. I’m sure there are several other iterations of “Liberty” around Paris that I didn’t see.
Wine, bread, cheese and feet up. Exactly! But don’t forget some pastries. 🙂 I had a list of the top 20 patisseries in Paris, and I’ve now been to 15 of them. Of course there are many others which I frequented as well.
Wow, I didn’t see that sign, but the weather you experienced in the garden sounds incredible. However, I was caught in a big storm whilst strolling the Tuileries Garden.
So it’s the gardens. Tempestuous Parisiens.
Oh pastries. Don’t remind me. When I’m in Munich, when I want a good coffee and pasta, I go to the Italians. When I want good pastries, the French.
Yes, I like your style. One can’t underestimate the pleasure of enjoying a lovely espresso and a flaky french pastry. 🙂
Never underestimate an espresso.
Indeed. 🙂
First, I like how you ended the post with that piece of poetry. Second, no Notre Dame visits? And one more question: do the 180 figures have a meaning too?
Thank you. I googled about the Gates of Hell by Rodin. As far as I can determine, the 180 figures don’t have a particular meaning.
I visited Paris after the fire that gutted Notre Dame. I do have a series of distance and relatively close up photos, which I might post later, however the entire Notre Dame site is barricaded off to the public and guarded by police. Nearby roads are also blocked, which has affected traffic flow in Paris.
Well done, once again. Why do I get the distinct impression that you were French in at least one past life?🙂You are so right that there’s always something to see in Paris. It’s never the same from moment to moment.
Hmmm, that’s quite possible. Even now I still like walking along the streets munching on a baguette. 🙂 I don’t think I could ever get bored photographing Paris.
I bet you have an impressive collection of berets, too. 😁
And a nice b/w striped t-shirt to complete the image? I’ll leave that to your imagination. 🙂
You bought a statue didn’t you?!! Digging that Parisian wall. ❤️
No, I didn’t. But I’m wondering how the customs agents would react seeing one of those figurines in my luggage flipping them the bird. 🙂 🙂 🙂
😂😂😂😂 If I see one while in Paris this fall, you know I have to buy it for you!!!
LOL 🙂
More fab photos from Paris. Not sure what those little rude boys are all about, but you got a great photo! Did you have to buy one? And I never knew that you can go up the Arc de Triomphe! Stairs or a lift? The golden light in the last photo is my favourite. But the wall art/murals are interesting.
Thanks, Jude. No I didn’t have to buy any of those figurines, they deserved to stay as a set, I think.
At the end of the Champs Elysee there’s a set of stairs that leads to an underground tunnel and up to the Arc de Triomphe. If you have the Paris Museum Pass you can bypass the ticket queue, but there is a second queue at the security station. It’s all stairs up/down, with a pitstop 3/4 of the way up for the gift shop and a small museum.
Paris is so lively! You’ve caught a nice cross section. I like that beautiful late evening light, and the photo of Le Boudoir.
I suppose these photos are from summer. I’ve sometimes sat down in Luxembourg garden for a picnic with a bagful of summer fruits and cheeses. You get lovely cherries, apricots, and peaches in the street market just south of the garden. And, of course, cheeses.
Thank you, the city glows in golden hour. The hard part is deciding where to enjoy it from. Even just wandering the streets and catching the light reflecting off the buildings (and shadows) is a rewarding experience.
A picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens – it sounds like you know how to enjoy the good life.
Lovely memories
I’ve no doubt of that.
Paris is indeed photogenic! You can find inspiration at every turn, regardless of weather condition. Wonderful photos as always 😉
Thank you. I could never be bored wandering, photographing, and eating my way through Paris.
Had I been anywhere near you, I would have gladly delivered some wine and cheese to your chaise! 😉 My goodness, but your images are poetry. I love Paris, but especially when seen through your eyes.
And your wine and cheese delivery service would have been greatly appreciated! As it was, I filled up on Breton galettes at the nearby Breizh cafe before proceeding to put my feet up in the Luxembourg Garden.
We’ll have to photograph Paris together sometime. I’d enjoy that experience.
Oooh! How wonderful that you made it to be Breizh Café. Did you have a little pitcher of cider, too? Wonderful lunch, that …
But not nearly as wonderful as it would be to photograph Paris together sometime! I would be honored. Fingers crossed the stars will align again.
It’s a cafe we’ve both frequented at different times. I do like their breton galettes. I usually have a red wine rather than cider but I’ll remember your tip for next time. Indeed, hopefully we’ll meet in Paris some time. You never know.
You never know. Fingers crossed!
Indeed. 🙂
Thank you for the guiding views of Paris…in fact a city I do not really love. (How dare I say such a thing?) At least it is very reluctantly. L´Arc de Triomphe – visited first time in 1975 – became a fright many years later. My little boy of five tried to run out in the street to look at it. Cars and me screaming…Well, as I loved Paris I wanted to show my children the magnificence of it…and of course they had to visit Disney as well. I remember none of it was a success. So happy your images and story somewhat restores my faith in the city. Pere Lachaise I Love.
My taxi driver took me through Place Charles de Gaulle, the roundabout surrounding the Arc and that was scary enough to me. Even standing on the side of the road watching the traffic around the Arc gave me palpitations. I can only imagine the sheer terror of seeing your young son trying to run out there. And then having to survive Disneyland? No wonder you don’t have fond memories. Paris is a place you need to enjoy at your own pace.
So true. When I was 17 with my high school class it was another story…and 25 with my boyfriend as well. Tough with young children – do not recommend it. It is a young and grown-up thing.
I guess it’s the pitfall of travelling anywhere with young ones; everything you see/do on holidays has to be done with them in mind. Yes, the best times for personal travel are after school and adulthood when free of young ones. 🙂
I love Paris!
Many people feel the same way.
The Parisian Wall is my favorite. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much.
Your pictures tell wonderful and so interesting stories about Paris. Thank you…
Thank you so much. It is a city has had captured the hearts of many.
That Paris wall is quite something! But I’m sure that whether you’re sitting in a deckchair in the Luxembourg gardens or searching back streets, Paris has something for you. 🙂 🙂
There were some fabulous giant wall murals in Paris that I saw.But you’re right, something of interest everywhere. 🙂 I hope you’re enjoying your “break”.
Haha, the balcony observer. But then, they’d have to be induced to lean out.
Just a quick glimpse of a face at the open door would have been enough for me. Although a full-on Juliet type pose would have been welcome. 🙂
I just love Paris and am loving these photos.
Thanks. I could never get bored lost and wandering around Paris.
I’m beginning to wonder if you travel full time. Nice selection, I imagine with that much time you’d be spoiled for choices.
LOL, I love travelling but not living out of a suitcase, so full time travel is not on the cards… at the moment. 🙂
Isn’t that first picture of Washington square Park in NYC?
Lol… Just kiddin’
LOL. Interestingly the Washington Square Arch, designed by the New York architect Stanford White, was indeed modeled after the Arc de Triomphe. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.
Yes, I thought it look familiar.
I used to drive for Fed ex while I lived in NYC and Washington sq was my area.
I miss that part of the city, what a Kool area.
The last time I was in that area, it was Halloween 2017 and I watched the people in costumes assembling in the Square then marching in the Parade. Very cool!!!
Yes, it is the best area inmy opinion of Manhattan.
🙂
I can just imagine you in Paris .. cheese and red wine and your camera! Wonderful shots Mr Draco
Thanks, Julie. Yes, that sounds like a perfect trip to Paris. 🙂
What a charming series! And those cheeky lads!!
I thought they were quite hilarious. Wouldn’t know what to do with them though. Impulse buy safely avoided. 🙂
Wow, Paris is really awesome, I wish I could visit Paris in my life.
I’m sure you’ll get there one day.
Hope so
🙂
Your sunset 9:13pm is the best I’ve ever seen from you. I love it.
Thank you. The light falls beautifully in Paris.
Pity no cheese on the lawn. Hope you had some cheese at some point in France. Wonderful array of captures. I heard strikes for fair rights seems to be more acceptable over there.compared to Australia. Here a lot of the time we whinge when a protest disrupts public transport while it seems more acceptable over there, less whinging.
It goes without saying that I ate well in France. Still, a nice cheese and wine basket in the park would have been greatly appreciated. 🙂
Yes, strikes and demonstrations are very common in France and I’ve been affected by them each time I’ve been. The French public seems a lot more tolerant for them compared to Australians. Even the police seem a bit more relaxed in the early stages. At last year’s demonstrations there were fires, smoke and explosions, but the riot police stayed calm and didn’t intervene.