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 I returned just on time to take a photo for this month's theme day (a street light a sign). Since I already posted a traffic light recently, I chose a sign for today. And I didn't choose just any sign but the one on place Molière (you can see his statue in the background) in the 1st arrondissement. On the blue sign it says " no two wheel vehicle parking on the sidewalk". Yeah, right... You should see the number of scooters and motorbikes parked there, LOL?! This month 105 City Daily Photo blogs participate in this theme day. Do pay them a visit but remember that due to time difference you might not see the proper photo. If you want to have a global view, check the City Daily Photo portal:
Seattle (WA), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Singapore, Singapore - Boston (MA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Mainz, Germany - Evry, France - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Sequim (WA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Nottingham, UK - Toulouse, France - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Manila, Philippines - Mumbai, India - Montpellier, France - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - Moscow, Russia - Paris, France - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Austin (TX), USA - Lyon, France - Stockholm, Sweden - Hyde, UK - Hong Kong, China - Joplin (MO), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Chandler (AZ), USA - St. Louis (MO), USA - Arlington (VA), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Villigen, Switzerland - Sydney, Australia - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - San Diego (CA), USA - Bandung (West Java), Indonesia - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Nelson, New Zealand - Quincy (MA), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Bend (OR), USA - Wellington, New Zealand - New Orleans (LA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Detroit (MI), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - Selma (AL), USA - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Miami (FL), USA - Arradon, France - Sheki, Azerbaijan - New York City (NY), USA - Inverness (IL), usa - North Bay (ON), Canada - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Tenerife, Spain - Auckland, New Zealand - Forks (WA), USA - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Chateaubriant, France - Madison (WI), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Orlando (FL), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Ajaccio, France - Baltimore (MD), USA - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Budapest, Hungary - Lyon, France - Saarbrücken, Germany - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Le Guilvinec, France - River Falls (WI), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Naples (FL), USA - London, UK - La Antigua, Guatemala - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Paris, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Trujillo, Peru - Haninge, Sweden - Prague, Czech Republic - Oslo, Norway - Grenoble, France - Shanghai, China - Toronto (ON), Canada - Durban, South Africa - Zurich, Switzerland
 My loyal readers, I thought it was about time I showed you a photo of my house... Pretty cool, no? I know, it might look a little ostentatious to you, but I like it and, in fact, it's much cosier than what it looks! OK, OK, yes, it's not my house, it is the main building of the Augustus Rodin museum (yes, Rodin, again!). It was formerly the Hôtel Biron, built between 1728 and 1730 by Jean Aubert, the same architect who built the Chateau at Chantilly. Rodin agreed to leave all of his works to the French state in exchange for a building of its own. After finally agreeing through an act in Parliament, this building became the resting place for Rodin's work and was opened in 1919. And that will be my last photo on Rodin for while, I promise!
 Most people who visit the Paris markets are used to the fresh display of cheese, flowers, and of course vegetables. I came across this group that seemed to have lost themselves in all the hustle and bustle. Their features, or what remains of them, are not a pretty sight. This is also the sight I am going to go back to after the white sandy beaches of West Florida for, yes, today is the day I'm flying back to Paris! It's always nice to come home though ;)
 You may have visited Paris and just walked on by this wall on the Left Bank. As it turns out, you may have just walked by a bit of history that displays itself throughout all of Paris. The walls of Philippe Auguste can be found throughout the city, depicting history that has long been forgotten by many. This fantastic site will show you where to find pieces of the wall that surrounded Paris, some even in a restaurant or two you may have frequented while here.
 If a picture paints a thousand words like in many cities I imagine, you can come across street artists who will paint/draw/sketch/take your portrait "in just 5 minutes" if you are willing to sit for it. This particular photo was taken near the Café Beaubourg, but you can find them in many places, most notably at Place du Tertre - Montmartre.
 During the responses from this photo, I noticed that Steverino said in Chicago that they refer to pigeons there as "flying rats". Well here you go, the Parisian version. Do you think they vary that much from city to city, continent to continent? I'm guessing they do, but only a pigeon expert could tell. I do know that they all seem to do their business the same way all around the world!
 As I relax along the beach, I'm thinking of you and where you might be spending holidays this year. I almost feel like I'll be insulting your intelligence by explaining this statue, but for those of you who may not know, it is one of Auguste Rodin's most famous sculptures, called Le Penseur ( the Thinker). Did you know that it was originally called Le Poète (the Poet)? And did you know you could find its replica in... Sarasota?! I could not believe this.
 I debated on whether or not to show you this photo or not. For me, it's a bit cliché of many Paris photographs, but I really liked the way it turned out. Of course, it is of the architecture at the Centre Pompidou. People usually say that they really love it or hate it. Me, I personally am in between. Ok, I contradicted myself, but what do you think?
 Medieval houses are very rare in Paris. These two at 11 & 13, rue Francois-Miron are attributed to a feed store and to a sheep keeper. They can be credited in their primitive state to the 14th century. In 1607, it was ordered to cover the wood of such houses with plaster ("Plaster of Paris" of course!) to prevent fire, but the architects who restored the building have restored it to it's original state.They were reconstructed in 1967. See the exact location on Google Maps
 Well, this shot gives you 3 views for 1...A shot of the gates of the Tuileries Gardens, a view of a "not-so-typical" 2CV classic car, and insight to one of the many ways you can tour Paris when you come visit. Paris Authentic boasts original tours of Paris in this bleu, blanc, rouge open top vehicle complete with "Parisian tour guide". You can join them either through the link above, or at 2 place du Palais Royal (1st arrondissement) - Opposite the Louvre MuseumMetro 1 & 7 Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre. Have any of you ever taken this tour?
 Paris Plage was not a big success this year because of the unusually bad summer here in Paris this year, but I managed to capture these people doing Tai Chi on one of the rare sunny days we had. I've never tried it, but it seems that those who practice Tai Chi really take it seriously. Along Paris Plage, it was quite something to see...more the people watching than the people doing! Now Paris Plage is closed and soon cars are going to replace the sand and the passersby... Note to my regular viewers: I am currently in Port Charlotte after 4 days in Miami. Tomorrow I'll be heading Sarasota. I'm having a great time ;).
 No Comment! I'll leave it to you my creative readers to do that! (OK, maybe not the best taste, but, hey, it's the holiday right?) ;)
 Bons baisers de Floride! If you've been to Paris, you've seen this fountain, I'm sure. You may not know, howerver, that Niki de Saint Phalle, artist of this kinetic sculpture, spent her childhood in New York, and returned to Paris only in 1951. She, along with artist and husband Jean Tinguely, joined the New Realist group in 1961 and began works of quite a unique distinction. As I mentioned here (in May 2005) this is located in the Stravinsky fountain in the 3rd arrondissement.
 Most people are used to seeing St. Paul's church from the other side, in the Marais, but this photo was taken from Ile Saint-Louis. Commissioned by Louis XIII and completed by 1641, the church is one of the oldest examples of Jesuit architecture in Paris. Louis XIV had his minister, Cardinal Richelieu, give the church's first mass. The church was pillaged during Revolution, but some important works were spared. One of which is Delacroix' Christ in the Garden of Olives (1827), near the entrance.
 I came across this interesting piece of "graffiti" while in the 5th arrondissement on rue Feuillantines. After enlarging the photo, I searched the artist's name and discovered that Jef Aérosol is quite an accomplished artist, but also musician and writer. The things I learn doing PDP! Check out his biography and work here and here. I think you'll be impressed too! See the location from above.
 Just behind the Georges Pompidou Centre, on the small place at the corner of the streets Brisemiche and Saint-Meri, a good address to tastes crêpes not lacking in originality is the Crêperie Beaubourg. Here I show you my choice, the Larzac crêpe (ham, gizzards, egg, salad). You have to get there early to get a spot on the terrace, but eating inside means you'll have a quiet spot to enjoy your homemade delicacy. This one was particularly good as you can see by the texture. Mmmmmm. And if you want to make your own, here is the recipe.
 If you feel like doing a little shopping while in Paris, why not stop by one of the most prestigious stores in the world, Hermès. It is also one of the most expensive with handbags going for up to $100,000! The horse on top of the HQ - that I never noticed until very recently! - is the logo for the company which has it's roots in the original product, horse saddles! Founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès, it is still 80% family-owned (and still makes saddles!).
 Just kidding! You know that PDP never closes right?! So even though I'm going to be away for 2 weeks, it does not mean there won't be a daily photo here. So please, do not change your habits and keep dropping your nice comments around here, they're my fuel. Let me give you all a huge hug from Paris (OK, that's 1,287 hugs, based on my yesterday's stats, maybe not such a good idea LOL). BTW, since you asked, I'm going to... Sarasota, Florida away from the cold and the rain.
 Huge success for the Velib, the - almost - free bike system that the Paris Town Hall installed about a month ago. The 1 million bike rental milestone was hit only 18 days after the inauguration and about 50 000 to 70 000 people use it everyday. I still haven't tried it yet. One more day before my vacation... Just uploaded 20 pics for you, now I need to write the captions!
 I couldn't help smiling when I saw this Nymph in the Louvre gardens 3 days ago. She looks so modern, so inviting, that it's hard to believe she was sculpted in 1930. Anyway as you probably have guessed already her "father" is Aristide Maillol and you cannot miss her if you wander around the Louvre (not far away from the Pyramid). It's Monday, in 2 days I'll be on the plane, far, far away from Paris...
 Forget the waltz and the accordion music! Modern French dancers are just like anyone in the world: they prefer break dancing... Funny to see how this dance, that was initially considered as a "ghetto" thing has now become a "normal" dance that you can learn in dancing schools and that is even performed in "classical" music festivals - even recently in the ballet part of the Jewess opera by Halevy. Have a good Sunday - I'll be packing up...
 I had a very tiring day today and it's quite late now, all I want is go to bed and get some sleep... Besides, I don't have much to say about this pic, I just took it because I liked the light on the Firemen exit (well entrance) sign. Have a nice Saturday everyone.
 Let's end this week with a smiling creature: the little Mermaid. I found it on Paris Plage bien sûr and those of you who are in Paris at the moment will know right away that I did not take this photo today, as we haven't seen the sun in a long time here... Not to mention, there are 3 more days of rain ahead. All this coming from England, I'm sure! Anyway, soon I'll be on vacation, far from here.
 And you thought people use smileys only in chat rooms or email? Well, in Paris, we also use them on... traffic lights ;-) I found this unusual scene on my way back from work and managed to take this photo during the 5 minutes of sun that we've had today (it's been pouring all day!) . I though this was a appropriate photo for today after what I did to you yesterday! Just FYI there are 13 465 traffic lights in Paris and, to my knowledge, only one covered in smileys...
 Chill out! I can hear you from here! Yes these are dead rats. So? Didn't you fall for Ratatouille? I did. That is precisely why I had the idea of going to Julien Aurouze's shop by Les Halles, which used to be a heaven for rats in the old times. Aurouze is undoubtedly the most famous pest control and rat catching expert in the neighborhood and would certainly win the "best stuffed corpses of rodents arrangement shop window" contest if there was one. If you care for more photos, visit the making of... Doesn't PDP always give you the best shops-to-visit ideas while in Paris?
 Since you apparently all like the musée Rodin let me show you one of my favorite sculptures there: un bourgeois de Calais (a burgher of Calais). Calais is a city in the north of France which was besieged by British King Edward III in 1347. To free the city he was offered the life of 6 inhabitants (burghers) that he finally did not kill (read the captivating story here). In 1884, the city ordered Rodin a sculpture depicting this historical episode; it became the famous Bourgeois de Calais. The original is in Calais of course, but there are 12 copies throughout the world: Rodin museum, Copenhagen, London... and also studies in Stanford University that I had the occasion to photograph last June while I was in Silicon Valley.
 I don't want this blog to turn into a "family" album, but I had to show you Monica right?! So, yes, since several of you asked, we did meet Sunday around noon in the Rodin museum gardens as the thinker statue in the background proves it. The man tenderly holding her - as well as the macarons box I already mentioned here - is her husband Fabio who made me laugh a lot because you could feel he was fed up with all these museums Monica dragged him into! There was also a 4th person with us: Michael. But we'll have to wait for Monica's photos to see the other side of the camera... Anyway, I really enjoyed meeting this charming couple.
 This Police station belongs to a country that claims to have the 7th largest GDP in the world: France! And I did not take this photo in the poorest area of Paris, I did at La Muette, a place known for belonging to one of the richest arrondissements in Paris: the 16th... FYI, this police station belongs to the Districts Police Unit ( unité de Police de quartier) which, apparently, is different from a "normal" police station. (Much poorer maybe?)
 If you're looking for a quiet garden to rest while you're visiting Le Marais, may I recommend you sit on a bench in Le Square Georges Cain, between the rue du Parc Royal and the rue des Francs Bourgeois. It's a beautiful little square in the middle of which you will undoubtedly fall for Aurore (Dawn), a sculpture by Laurent Magaier who apparently lived in the 17th century. Richard Nahem, who took me there during his tour, said I should come back at night, for this statue is beautifully lit. Click here for a broader view.
 Wow, this guy won't like coming back to his car... In fact it's probably a stolen car, because I don't think someone can have that many tickets in one day. FYI, the price of parking tickets is pretty affordable in Paris : 11 € if you're time is up and 35 € if you're parked in a no parking area (like this car, which was parked on a bridge on the Seine!!). ust out of curiosity how much is it where you live? (Please give the name of your town and your country).
 What better place to organize a picnic than the Carousel du Louvre, where I already took this photo? Well, that is exactly what I did yesterday, after work, when I attended a blogger gathering. The weather was perfect, the company was very good and the mood was rather festive, as you can see from this photo! For the record, the three people trying to reproduce Rodin's sculpture in the background are famous French bloggers Jacques Froissant, Sophie Januel and Laurence Thurion, the lady with a glass of Champagne in her hand, who is also the organizer. I wish I could organize such a picnic for ALL City Daly Photo bloggers one day...
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