Esteban and I have done so much and seen so many friends over the past week that we’ve started comparing notes to make sure we’re keeping our days straight.
There are so many stories to tell — beginning perhaps with today’s superb lunch in Paris’ oldest house. But if I stop now to look for a photo and confirm the historical facts, I’ll never get to bed … and tomorrow is another big day. So instead here are a few glimpses of what I’ve seen over the past week.
The snow has finally melted but it’s still cold and damp, as the rows of empty café tables will attest.
During an afternoon stroll, Esteban and I stumbled onto an academic tour and were literally pushed into this medieval courtyard. (Not that we complained.)
The clouds parted long enough a couple of nights ago to give us a gorgeous sunset. Of course, I had the color balance set wrong on my camera so here it is in black and white.
I found the Eiffel Tower fenced off on this morning, but could at least still see its reflection in the mud.
I KNOW EXACTLY HOW THIS DOG FEELS.
Because cheese.
And also wonderful restaurants, like this gem our dear friend Des introduced us to in Montmartre.
Because it’s Paris, of course there also has to be some weirdness. I expect to have nightmares for weeks about the Musée de la Chasse (“hunting museum”) in the Marais.
Fortunately, there are plenty of more sedate spots in this ancient neighborhood.
It was near here that I also found Father Théomir Devaux’s name inscribed on the Mur des Justes (“wall of the righteous”). Read my friend Louise’s story to learn why.
Just across the river, a flock of starlings circled Notre Dame cathedral at sunset …
… while the lights of a little café in the Latin Quarter cast a cinematic glow on the street.
Through it all, I continued to marvel at the Parisian women’s unique combination of elegance and toughness.
But no matter where my adventures have taken me over the past week, at the end of the day it has always been a pleasure and a privilege to come home.
Thank you, as always, for coming along.
HeideBlog 
Your photos are a dream! I am going to Paris in two weeks and have a few specific questions for you …. how can I message you privately? Just looking at your fantastic pix makes me even more excited about getting back there!!
best,
Sherri
Hello, Sherri! Absolutely, please do msg me privately (do you know how to reach me via Facebook?). I’d be delighted to answer any questions I can. I think you’ll be arriving at the perfect time, just as the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom. 🙂
and it looks so incredibly lovely
Is is indeed lovely, Beth! I’m worried my camera is going to die of exhaustion before this trip is over. 🙂
I loved learning about Louise. So much tragedy faced by so many.
Isn’t Louise’s story incredible? She is an amazing person and continues to be an inspiration.
Fantastic photos. That reflection shot is amazing. How did you ever spot that?
Thank you for the kind compliment, Anthony! I spotted the reflection because I was trying to keep my feet dry! Fortunately I had a polarizing filter with me so I could boost the contrast of the reflection.
Excelente!!!. Obrigado.
Moito obrigada! 🙂
So nice and wonderful your notes!
Thank you very much!
i Like,i Iike..hehehhe
Thanks!
The pictures are beautiful. And I wish I was in Paris now.
Thank you for your kind words. I wish you were here too. It’s still quite cold, but still beautiful.
Visiting Paris is definitely on my bucket list.
That’s the thing about Paris: no matter what’s going on, no matter how poor the weather or even with the wrong setting on the camera, there’s always some magic going on. You managed to capture it beautifully! Glad you enjoyed your week! 🙂
Thank you so much, Mel — and well said! We have one more week left, so there will no doubt be a few more photos to come. Cheers!
Belle balade avec des endroits assez méconnus, même des parisiens (mur des justes)…
Merci ! C’est une de mes passions, de trouver des endroits ou petits détailes méconnus à Paris. Merci pour votre visite !
good article
Thank you, George!
Beautiful photos as always 😉
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words.
Exceptional photographs bring out the experience conveyed by your well chosen words.
This is a true compliment, coming from a photographer whose work I so enjoy. Thank you, Michael.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and great photos!
… and thank YOU for stopping by, Tom! I hope things are well back home. Big hug to you!
I love reading about Paris through your eyes. Your photos are amazing. This series in particular reminds me of film noir. I remember walking the streets alone many years ago thinking that every corner of Paris has something to offer. Do you feel that way too? xo
How wonderful that some of these photos evoke the same “film noir” vibe I felt while taking them, Alys! As you observed: Every corner of this city has a story to tell, and something interesting to offer. That’s why I keep coming back! It seems that no matter how often I visit there’s always something new to discover. xx
Great cities are like that, aren’t they? The have something old, something new and so much history, architecture and culture. I’m glad you get to visit on a regular basis.
You’re summed up Paris so well, dear Alys — and ever other great city too. I’m grateful to have the privilege to come here regularly too.
xoxo
🙂
Amazing photos!!!! What an adventure!
Thank you so much … the compliment means even more from a great photographer and traveler such as yourself! 🙂
Oh so kind of you! 🙂
Love the dog, love Notre Dame with the flock of birds, love Notre Dame in B&W (doing it in colour is such a cliche), love the secret restaurant; but I especially love your Hopper-like treatment of the cafe Odette. I really, really love that. Bravo, Heide !!! (or should I shout “Bis!”)
Thank you so much, Xpat … I’m always pleased when you like my photos, but especially when you call them “Hopper-like.” I loved how that one turned out, too. And stay tuned, because there are more to come!
I’m still yet to get to Paris and these photos make me even more excited! Thank you x
So glad to feed your excitement for Paris! It’s a magnificent city. Thank you for stopping by!
Your pictures at once cheered me up and also gave me some serious envy! I know so many people who are in Paris right now, it makes me wish I had snuck into one of their suitcases! I love your pictures! Especially the one of the eiffel tower’s reflection. So beautiful! ❤
Aww, I wish you *could* have snuck into someone’s suitcase! It’s a wonderful time of year, as things are just starting to bud and bloom, and spring is definitely in the air. Maybe next year? 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by, and for your kind words. xx
As usual, GORGEOUS photos!! I don’t know if you saw my post on your blog, but I’m heading to Paris on April 7 and will be there a few days, then going on a Viking cruise (!!!) with my sister down the Rhone from Lyon to Avignon. (I wonder if the tour was so-devised because of the rhyming possibilities?!) Anyway, I wondered if you had any special recommendations for our Paris stay in particular. Haven’t been there since … 1999! Heavens! That’s way too long. We are staying at the Hotel Marriott Opera in the 9th arr on Blvd Haussmann, which will be fun and different, because the last several times I’ve stayed near Blvd Saint Germain. But your photos are just making me CRAZY excited about going! My French is barely adequate, but I have always felt welcome there, and hope that never changes. What are you up to these days? How is life? Where are you living now? Hope you are well! -sherri
Hello Sherri! I just sent you a message via Facebook so we can continue the conversation. But the good news is that I think you’ll still feel welcome in France, just as always — and I join you in hoping that never changes. As for the rest of it, I’ll be eager to hear more so I can give some specific recommendations. But please do let me know if the FB message doesn’t come through, yes? THANK YOU for stopping by, and for your kind words.
i like this website. thank you so much for content like this.
http://www.aajnewz.com/category/entertainment/
Thank you … and you’re very welcome! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experiences
And thank YOU for stopping by, Tony!
Amazing photos and a lovely story to go along with them, I really enjoyed that tour of Paris, your photos and writing. Looking forward to reading more blogs. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Simon! I’m honored you like my work.
Hi Heide, you are most welcome. I am new to the world of Blogging! Your work is inspirational.
I am honored, Simon. Thank you! And welcome to WordPress as well. I hope you’ll find the community here welcoming and helpful, and that you’ll be as lucky in your online friendships as i’ve been.
Your story and photos are amazing. Thanks for sharing them.
What a kind comment. Thank you!!
Another thank you for another secret voyage you’ve given me thanks to your words and lens. You have a great gift that expresses itself equally in both.
You’ve just made my ENTIRE WEEK with your kind comment. Thank you! Thank you, thank you.
🙂
Good tho
Thx!
How amazing is it to have gone to Paris?! Beautiful and inspiring photos xx
How amazing is it to have gone to Paris? There are no words to describe how amazing it was — or how lucky I felt the whole time. Thank you for (virtually) coming along with me, Alicia! xx
So enthralling!
Thank you kindly!
Thanks for this lovely set of photos showing the details of the everyday in Paris. You have a great eye for these details of life. Some of these are familiar to me. I was told about the hunting museum but chose not to go – a good call it seems. 🙂
FYI:
My favourite patisserie: Du pain et des idees
My favourite fromagerie: Laurent Dubois
You made a wise call in skipping the hunting museum, Mr. Draco. The old hôtel particulier in which it’s housed is lovely and worth a good stroll, but all the beheaded and taxidermied animals got to be a bit much after just a few minutes.
But thank you for passing along YOUR favorite places! I’m a big fan of Laurent Dubois’ myself (the little shop off the Place Maubert is my favorite, although the one on the rue St. Antoine has a bigger selection). “Du pain et des idées” is new to me, though! I have officially added it to my “must visit” list for next spring. Thank you, thank you!
I like their pistachio and chocolate escargot. Perhaps I’ll see you there one day.
Mmmm … how wonderfully exotic. “Mousewatering,” as my French friends would say. 🙂 And yes, perhaps our paths will indeed cross there someday! That would be a real treat and a privilege for me.
Thank you. I think we’d be a dangerous team photographing the streets of Paris together. 🙂
Indeed! NOTHING would go unnoticed — or unphotographed. 🙂
Stunning…you capture the romance and intrigue of this amazing city.
What a kind compliment! I never feel like my photos do Paris justice … so thank you.
They most certainly do Paris a huge justice xx
Awww. Merci! 🙂
J’aime beaucoup les ambiances nocturnes dans tes photos. Des images simples mais tellement efficaces. on a envie de dévorer tout le blog en une seule fois. Je vais m’en garder un morceau pour plus tard.
Merci infiniment, Fred ! Tes beaux mots me faisent vraiment contente. Je te remercie en particulier ton commentaire parce que c’est pour ça que je viens de découvrir ton blog aussi — et ici aussi on a envie de dévorer tout le blog en une seule bouchée ! 🙂 C’est bon de faire la connaissance d’autres avec la même passion, n’est-ce pas ?