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 I'm just back from my long weekend in Oslo and the first thing I did was to buy a croissant and photograph it for today's CDP theme day: "a typical breakfast". In France, we don't eat croissants every morning, (well, some do, but face the same problems as Knut in Berlin!), but more on Saturday or Sunday mornings. Not all croissants are good, however. Some are not even worth the trip to La Boulangerie, but some are to die for. Just for you my dear visitors, here is the hit parade of the best croissants in Paris (make sure you go to the bottom of the article). You will see that Pierre Hermé is the best, apparently, but I've never tried any of his croissants... yet. 96 CDP bloggers participate in this theme day today so if you want to see what people eat fro Breakfast in Manila, Moscow or Rabaul (which, as you all know is located in Papua New Guinea!), well pay them a visit.
Saint Paul (MN), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - New York City (NY), USA - Tel Aviv, Israel - Hyde, UK - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Mainz, GermanyStockholm, Sweden - Paderborn, Germany - Singapore, Singapore - Haninge, Sweden - Nottingham, UK - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Manila, Philippines - Boston (MA), USA - Seoul, Korea - Singapore, Singapore - Joplin (MO), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Paris, France - Sequim (WA), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Boston (MA), USA - Chennai, India - Madison (WI), USA - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Toulouse, France - Seattle (WA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - La Antigua, Guatemala - Selma (AL), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Lubbock (TX), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Sheki, Azerbaijan - Sydney, Australia - Mumbai, India - Seoul, South Korea - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - New Orleans (LA), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Austin (TX), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Villigen, Switzerland - Montréal (QC), Canada - Stayton (OR), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Moscow, Russia - Springfield (MO), USA - Inverness (IL), usa - Arlington (VA), USA - Cologne (NRW), Germany - Anderson (SC), USA - Oslo, Norway - Saint-Petersburg, Russian FederationManila, Philippines - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Bandung (West Java), Indonesia - Stavanger, Norway - Bastia, France - Hong Kong, China - Wailea (HI), USA - St. Louis (MO), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Sydney, Australia - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Kansas City (MO), USA - Grenoble, France - Paris, France - Evry, France - Saigon, Vietnam - Prague, Czech Republic - Cape Town, South Africa - Brookville (OH), USA - Brussels, Belgium - San Diego (CA), USA - Wellington, New Zealand - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Shanghai, China - Zurich, Switzerland
 I promised I would show you other photos of Paris plage, so here is one. It was hard to take because I wanted to focus on the falling water (we call it a rain curtain) to obtain a depth effect and my camera kept refusing! Anyway, after several attempts and a journey into the menus of my new camera, I managed ;)
 OK, I know this post will trigger lots of negative reactions, but I still have to post it: I photographed this horse head above the shop of a horse meat butcher. For yes people, in France, people DO eat horse meat! Oh c'mon, why would it be OK to eat beef or veal and not horse meat?! Not to mention, that according to horse meat eaters - it is very tender and good..
 It's Sunday, it's market day! I took the photo of this beautiful one on Place Baudoyer, near the Hotel de Ville. In Paris, it's pretty common to find "real" markets around the corner and Parisians love them. There are also 3 organic markets and several indoor markets where you can shop everyday. Here is a list.
 I don't know if you remember, I already showed you a view of the Cité Universitaire, a park located in the 14th arrondissement where students can find accommodations, libraries, sport facilities, concert halls, etc. Well, I went back recently and took this photo and it reminded me of the Stanford Campus in California. Of Course, size wise, there is no comparison, but this is the closest we have!
 Today's post is dedicated to all Samanthas, Samuels, Samsons... Did you know your name was displayed on top of a building in the middle of Paris? OK, I'm kidding, maybe it's only the first 3 letters of the sign on top of this building ;) - I'm off to Oslo until Tuesday but I'll check PDP regularly, of course!
 I'm pretty sure that, when you think of a Frenchman, you pretty much have a man like this in mind, right?! (Don't lie!) He has everything to fit the stereotype: he his short, wears a sailor cap, plays La Pétanque, smokes, has a copy of Le Parisien newspaper in his pocket and wears a ridiculous tie... I swear, I really found him in Paris (actually on Paris Plage) and not in a model agency!
 ... but some of us are looking at the stars" I thought of this quote by Oscar Wilde when I saw this carved duck fish head gutter (well, actually, it's more of a rain pipe) that I photographed on the Ile Saint Louis, one of the two islands in the middle of Paris. This shows that with a little effort, even the ugliest and most mundane object can become a piece of art. And yes, that's in Paris! Click to enlarge, it's worth it.
 I told you I would pick up a more representative photo of what you can see during Richard Nahem's tours than the one of the Laundramat, so here it is! I took it on La Place des Vosges right after Richard showed us how to get there from the Musée du jeu de Paume (also called Hôtel de Sully) through a secret passage (well secret to me!) . It's quite pleasant to be taken on these Eye Prefer Paris tours and to hear an American teach you new things about your home town! Thanks again Richard.
 OK, no big toe like last year, no general view like in 2005, my "official" Paris Plage photo for this year will be this one. They installed jets to spray refreshing water on some parts of the river bank and, as you would imagine, kids just love it (This one was actually scolded by his - Italian - parents right after I took this photo)! For those of you who still don't know what Paris Plage is, well, it's a one month period during which they turn the embankment (and this year other places) into a giant beach, with real sand and palm trees and many activities. Usually a big success. I'll show you more...
 Yesterday I took part in a tour with Richard Nahem for Eye Prefer Paris (I'll pick up a more representative photo later!) and while passing by this laundrette I could not help taking a photo ;). You find many of those in Paris although washers and dryers are no longer expensive. It's more a matter of room; Paris apartments are often small and none of the buildings have laundry rooms in the basement. That's all for the day, did not have the time to go to Paris Plage yet ;). PS: and yes! This is me in the reflexion!!
 ... is closed. Well, so it seems. I found it rue du 4 septembre, a large street starting at the opera and I was really surprised to see such an old boutique in such a busy area. I'm sorry for the owner but it makes a cool photo ;) have a good weekend if you're not already on vacation. Time for me to take pictures of Paris Plage that just started...
 After I saw Tomate's yesterday post in the forum about the Edith Piaf movie with Marion Cotillard I noticed that they are currently having a musical about her at L'Olympia, one of the most famous music halls in Paris. I haven't seen it and I won't because I don't feel too comfortable about this. I can hear the producers say "hey, the film was a big hit, let's do a musical now!" Maybe I'm being too French! Anyone has seen it? Is it good?
 If you come to Paris with a laptop or a Wi-Fi enabled PDA you might want to try to check your mail (and/or PDP!) from one of the new 400 free hot spots that the Paris town hall promised to install for the summer. Apparently they're having problems though... The installation is delayed and so far only 105 hot spots have been launched. On top of that, the carrier Orange announced they would sue them for unfair competition (Orange sells a 3 hour Wi-Fi access for 10 euros, so you can understand why...). Fortunately there are plenty of other free hot spots in Paris, including in almost all McDonald's! Discuss Paris Wi-Fi hot spots and much more in the PDP forum.
 Paris will always surprise me... Today I came across the most unusual monument I've ever seen in my city: a monument dedicated to French mothers. And the weirdest is that I have been unable to find anything about it on Google. Anyway, all I can say is that it looks like it was designed in Soviet Union (see more photos here) and that there are several quotes engraved on it, one being by Albert Lebrun, who was the President of the Republic between 1932 and 1940. I Suppose this is roughly when this monument was built. If anyone knows more, please enlighten us! Update: here is - courtesy of Tomate Farcie - more info.
 If you're not traveling on a budget and want a little treat while you're in Paris, well here is a way to spend your money! Drop your car right there, ask the voiturier (valet) to park it for you then start with an aperitif in the British atmosphere of the Westminster hotel Duke's bar then change for a more oriental scenery and move slowly to Le Celadon, a restaurant that you will not forget...
 You remember this post, when I told you they were currently installing a fantastic bike service called Velib in Paris? Well, that's it, they opened it yesterday (Sunday). The principle is very simple: there are 750 terminals throughout Paris (and there will be more - one every 100 meters/ 110 yards - by the end of 2007) from where you can take or return a bike. If you're just visiting here you can buy a 7 day ticket for 5€ (or even a 1 day ticket for 1 €) then pay as you go. Well, in fact you may never pay since the first 30 minutes are free... For a complete information, please visit the PDP Forum under this topic.
 I wish I had taken this photo myself, but I would have had to climb up the Obelisque on the Place de La Concorde... Instead I "stole" it from the French television which had many cameras there and on the Champs Elysées. To be honest I went down there this morning to take photos for PDP but there was far too much crowd . I suppose everybody wanted to see the European battalions that marched for the 1st time on the Champs Elysees this year (OK, some European battalions already marched on the Champs Elysées, but they were German and it was a long time ago ;). BTW, these soldiers belong to the Légion Etrangère.
 Traditionally on the eve of Bastille Day (that we actually call " Le 14 juillet") there are plenty of little Balls throughout France. Some are organized by city halls, some by bars... but the most popular ones are the ones organized by the Pompiers (Firemen). That is where I took this photo last night (Friday) - namely at the rue du jour station - , on the way back from the movie theater where I saw Shrek the 3rd. None of the dancing people photos came up well, sorry... Have a good Bastille day weekend.
 Today is Friday the 13th and according to some people it's a lucky day. Anyway, that is what the lottery company wants you to believe... They advertised like crazy over the past weeks to get us to buy tickets for today. And, well, for 54 million €, I might be tempted! Don't worry, if I win I will still be doing PDP (er... or hire someone to do it!) - And yes Monica, I might even buy you a second box of macarons for your birthday ;)
 Regular visitors here all know Monica from Rio, right? She comments very regularly, has always something nice to say to people and - to say the least - is a true francophile (and PDPphile!). So exceptionally, I'd like to post a personal message for her today: " Bon anniversaire Monica, mes voeux les plus sincères..." (these are the first words of a French happy birthday song). As you guessed Monica, since you're a sucker for Macarons, this is what's awaiting for you when you come, at the end of July (I'll put them in the fridge!). They come from " La Maison du Chocolat", a place no one should miss when in Paris (OK, unless you suffer from diabetes...). They even have friendly salespersons, go figure!
 Of course this sculpture could never make it up to the newly elected wonder of the world Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer Statue (see more on Monica's blog ;)) but let me assure you that it is really breathtaking. I found it by sheer coincidence while I was looking for something to photograph in the Invalides. I have been unable to find out if it was made after the 1521 painting of Hans Holbein le Jeune - whose painting is actually in Basel, in Switzerland - and/or if a different artist made it. Anyway, if you're around the Invalides one of these days, it's worth visiting the chapel, just to see this stunning piece of art.
 I kinda like it when street artists use a tiny bit of the public space - hence sidewalks - to express their art. Here is a good example that can be found on several venting grids throughout Paris (I took this one close to my place). I think the signature reads "Kim" but I could not find anything on the web about a "Kim that draws on Paris sidewalks"... So, as usual, if someone knows about this artist, tell us more. Discuss Paris art and much more in the PDP forum.
 No, this is not a mistake but what you will "see" if you go to " Dans le noir" (in the dark) a restaurant located 51, rue Quincampoix - near Les Halles - where you have dinner in complete darkness and where waiters are blind. The idea is excellent because it's not only a good way for non blind people to experience what it is to be blind, but also because you taste the food differently. I personally never dared having dinner there, but friends of mine who have said it was a worthwhile experience. There is also one in London and in Moscow. Discuss Paris restaurants and much more in the PDP forum.
 Yes, people, today Eva Longoria became Mrs Parker and it happened in Paris... Unfortunately, that is the only photo I managed to come back with. Explanation: they sold, for no less than 2 million dollars - the price of the wedding apparently - exclusive rights to a UK magazine. Therefore, they had to hide from everybody, including your favorite PDP paparazzo (and the one on this photo too!!) You should have heard the crowd, really mad, who booed them for being so invisible to their fans. For the records, they got married in a beautiful church (Saint Germain de l'Auxerrois ) where I once also took this photo... And tonight they're going to this magnificent château.
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