Street walker

History walks the streets of Paris.

Cake rafts

Among this Easter's pastry creations at La Grande Épicerie were "lifesaver" cakes with chocolate eggs, a dessert worthy of applause as it's brought to the table.

Studded door

Paris doors are famous for their simplicity and beauty.

Abbesses station

For many the canopied Abbesses métro station entrance symbolizes Paris.

Joyeuses Pâques

 

 

After a rain and hope springs fresh on a new day.

 

*** 

 

A Happy and Joyous Easter to one/all

 

Tea and more

Upstairs at gourmet tea room Mariage Frères on the Left Bank.

Fougasse Friday

A boulanger works quickly to shape olive fougasses, large pretzel-like flatbreads that originated in Provence. For Good Friday larger ones will have seven holes representing the face of Jesus Christ.

Portrait of a Lady

A portrait of a Grande Dame, part of a photography exhibition by her grandson, seems to be keeping tabs at the famed Hôtel du Nord.

A quiet place

Empty chairs and early morning stillness in the gardens of the Palais-Royal.

Rue Saint-Rustique

This narrow Montmartre street was a favorite subject of local artist Maurice Utrillo.

Café colors

These chairs practically glow in the Passage Vivienne.

Bicycle blue

This bicycle's colors are set off by Buren's columns at the Palais-Royal.

Wine, cheese, charcuterie

Sharing plates of artisanale farm cheeses and charcuterie accompanied by exquisite French wines at Legrand Filles et Fils.

Galerie Vivienne 75002

Molière, blindfolded

Someone (was it you?) has placed a red blindfold onto the statue of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known as Molière, his stage name.

Saint Paddy's green

A green trashcan in the far corner, green bicycles, a green café... right on cue for Saint Patrick's Day.

Seedy

Incredibly crunchy, fragrant and hot from the boulanger's oven.

From a houseboat

A view of the Eiffel Tower from the deck of a houseboat rented by friends.

Sidewalk café

Paris has no shortage of inviting sidewalk cafés.

Step up

The light streaming from overhead gives these steps an ethereal feel.

Parting shot

Philippe Starck's interior pays homage to artist Salvador Dali who spent about a month of each year here for thirty years in the old Royal Suite.

Le Meurice
228 rue de Rivoli 75001

Jars of light

 

Mason jars as lamps at La Tiborna, a tiny Portuguese coffee shop-deli off rue des Abbesses.

Lamp posts and bicycles

Some of the most photogenic spots in Paris are when you're not looking.

Between the sheets

A tiny chocolate shop sells sheets of chocolate in over a dozen varieties by the kilo.

Above: spicy piment d'espelette, candied violets, hazelnuts, walnuts, white and dark chocolates

L'Atelier du Chocolat
109 rue Saint-Antoine Paris 75004.

Saint Joan of Arc

Jeanne d'Arc, "The Maid of Orléans," astride a golden steed facing the Left Bank and soon-to-be-setting sun.

Turning red

A bright red pouch bag by British designer J.W. Anderson in the window at Colette.

213 rue Saint-Honoré 75001

Helena Almeida

"Corpus" is an extraordinary exhibition of photography and sketches by Portuguese artist Helena Almeida at the Jeu de Paume til May 22.

Angelina

 Enduring luxury, l'art de vivre: Angelina's tea room remains a favorite of tourists, cinéastes and celebrities. Below, an array of just some of their artful pastries.

 

Model shoot

It's Fashion Week and model shoots are turning up in unexpected nooks, with Montmartre particularly busy.

 

Above: fake snow and pine trees set the scene for an ad for men's ski wear

Cubism, from above

The sun finally put in an appearance, bathing these garret apartment rooftops in a soft afternoon light.

Cheese as art

Créations by Laurent Dubois, winner Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2000, best cheesemaker in the world.

Bottom photo: oui, that's black truffle