Floral Friday

 

 

Vibrant colors inside a Left Bank florist shop.

 

Wake up Wednesday

Some good reasons to get out of bed.

 

Below: more good reasons

 

 

The French Bastards 

Boulangerie-Pâtisserie artisan

60 rue de Sèvres 75007

 

- 5 more locations - 

 

***

 

Ten years ago today - could it be? - I posted my very first photo on FocusOnParis.com, a photo blog created and launched with professional photographer, former colleague and dear friend Wilf James. The blog’s kickoff photo had been the day before, January 28, a fantastic black and white photograph that Wilf had taken of tourists leaning over to gawk at the Eiffel Tower. From then on it was just me and my smart phone camera, and today, with over 3,000 posted photos and visitors from all over the world dropping in every day, what started as a photography experiment has turned into a part-time art project that has led to many wonderful experiences.Yet as many photos as I've posted - whether of food, fashion, travel, street scenes, cafés, architecture or Parisian lifestyle as favorite subjects - I know I've only scratched the surface. Paris is a city full of surprises, and I can be sure there will always be something new, perhaps around the next corner. It’s been great fun and I’ve met some incredible people - I could not possibly list them all here - and everything I’ve covered was always with an eye for what strikes me, details from wherever I happen to be, of places and corners that make Paris well, Paris. This seems to have kept the interest of the blog’s many visitors as well, and I hope will continue to do so. - BPJ

 

🎉

 

Twinkling Tuesday

 

Last days to sparkle with holiday splendor.

Above: Le Moulin de la Galette

Below: Place du Tertre 

 

Mocha Monday

 

A frothy café crème, an espresso and chaussons aux pommes pastries start the week.

Weekend wonder

Notre-Dame Cathedral has resumed its place as the jewel of Western civilization.

***

The Relics of Notre-Dame, purchased by Saint Louis in 1238 from the Latin Emperor of the East, arrived in Paris in 1239. Saved from the 2019 fire they include the crown of thorns, a piece of the cross, and a nail.

 

***

 

Note: To reduce waiting time at the entrance, entirely optional online reservations (free access) can be booked just a few hours before visiting the cathedral.

 

Belladonna

 

 

Tatiana Wolska

"Tatiana Wolska’s Belladonna exhibition nestles between the political and the intimate, offering a physical and cognitive experience where drawing merges with sculpture. Witches’ plant, good or magic weed known since ancient times, Belladonna, is both the remedy and the poison reminding us that its use requires subtle handling as well as great knowledge. Through the history of this plant, the exhibition promotes proliferation and dialogue in order to unite the familiar and the strange, lightness and ardor, suggestion and claim."

Curated by Marianne Derrien

Drawing Lab Paris

17 rue de Richelieu 75001

January 24 - April 20, 2025

Window Wednesday

 

 

Light from a Rose Window reflected on walls inside magnificently newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral.

 

 

 

(click photos to enlarge)

 

 

Table Tuesday

 

Your table awaits.

 

Maison&Objet Monday

Last chance to catch the creativity and beauty that is Paris Design Week.

 Full program 2025:

MAISON&OBJET

 

Ends Monday January 20

  

 

Sunday lunch

 

Since 1908 La Fontaine de Mars near the Eiffel Tower has been serving traditional French dishes with an accent on South-Western cuisine.

 

Below: the charm of a multi-course lunch en famille w/confit de canard, hearty cassoulet, more, and to finish (not shown) French regional cheeses, generous desserts

 

 

Photo below courtesy of website La Fontaine de Mars

La Fontaine de Mars

129 rue Saint-Dominique 75007 

 - With un grand remerciement to the staff -

 

💕

 

Sunset Saturday

Stunning views over Paris from Montmartre on a winter day.

(click to enlarge)

 

Fashion Friday

 Spring may seem far away but Paris boutiques are gearing up even as winter sales are still going strong.

 

 Soldes d'Hiver 2025

Ends Tuesday February 4

 

Throwback Thursday

 

During le Covid some businesses placed large stuffed bears in windows, outside on chairs or on rooftops, a reminder that good times lay ahead.

 

Window Wednesday

Cooks at a kitchen window frantically prepare for the arrival of first customers.

 

Tasting Tuesday

A perfect lunch on a wintry day.

Above: simple sharing entrée of radishes, sausages, cornichons; tartine of smoked salmon w/walnut cream cheese, hearty stuffed cabbage, a specialty of the Auvergne 

 

Le Chai Saint Germain

rue de Bourbon le Château 75006

Mocha Monday

 

 

Morning papers, morning coffee to the news of the Los Angeles fires splashed across pages.

 

 

Night stroll

 

 

 A starry night, an after-dinner promenade.

 

French connection Friday

A small plant shop in Montmartre.

 

❤️

 

 

Window Wednesday

Steamy window at a local butcher shop on a cold day.

 

 

Table Tuesday

 A cozy setting, a table for two.

 

Magi Monday

 

No sooner have New Year celebrations come to an end it's time to celebrate The Feast of the Magi, or Epiphany, and all over France the galette des rois is king.

 

Above: galettes signed Arnaud Larher

 

Café calling

 

Atop the butte a café's warm glow calls on a cold wet night.

Floral Friday

 

 

A counter inside a homey Montmartre café.

 

Baskets and bags

 

 

Baskets and tote bags for sale are usually a sign that a market is nearby.

 

Bonne Année

 

 

It's a New Year as the bells of newly re-opened Notre-Dame Cathedral peal out from across the river.

Joy, prosperity, health, peace

- Bonne Année / Happy New Year 2025 -

 

🎉