Paris – Christmas colors

Paris, just as every city in the Western world, is preparing for Christmas. With its markets, Christmas lights and decorations, busy department stores, shopping and fun, Paris is one of the most colorful cities.

Paris, Notre Dame with Christmas tree

Carousel at Hotel de Ville, Paris

Eiffel Tower with Christmass lights across the Seine, Paris

Saint Germain, Christmas decoration, Paris

Christmas lights at Champs Elysees, Paris

Christmas lights in Latin Quarter, Paris

Snapshots – the Latin Quarter

One of the liveliest neighborhoods, starting from the Seine opposite Ile de la Cite and the Notre Dame on the Left Bank. Many main sights are located here, including the Pantheon. The litle streets behind it are full of restaurants, cafés and bars, many open around the clock. Rue Mouffetard is famous for its open market. The Luxembourg Garden is between the Latin Quarter and the Saint Germain des Pres area.

Book sellers along the Seine

Fountain at Saint-Michel

Statue of Danton

Place de la Sorbonne

The Pantheon

The Pantheon

Place de l’Abbe-Basset

Market in Rue Mouffetard

Market in Rue Mouffetard

Market in Rue Mouffetard

Restaurants and bars near Rue Mouffetard

Restaurants and bars near Rue Mouffetard

Restaurants and bars at Rue Mouffetard

Bar at Rue Mouffetard

Restaurants and bars at Rue Mouffetard

Suggested hotel in the area:

Select Hotel Rive Gauche ***
See blog post: Stylish design hotel at the Sorbonne – Hotel Select
Official website: http://paris-hotel-select.com/

Wall art 1. – graffiti in Paris

Maybe a couple of months ago I saw a post on a forum, someone worring about the Marais area in Paris. She had a look on GoogleEarth Street View – a very useful tool – and saw there was graffiti in the Marais. There is graffiti everywhere, I can assure you, in every big city – but the thing is, some are inappropriate scribble on the wall, others are a form of urban street art. Although not considered as a true art form, Banksy is an important mile-stone in the evolution of graffiti and he has put it on the table of serious art critics. Following are a few shots of graffiti in Paris, obviously influenced by the work of Banksy, taken around the Bastille and Rue Mouffetard in the Latin Quarter.

Related

Images of Banksy: http://www.go…A&biw=1126&bih=576

About Banksy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksy

Banksy website: http://www.banksy.co.uk/

See also blog post: Wall art 2. – Australian graffiti

 

Snow in Paris

Jardin du Luxembourg

It doesn’t snow much in Paris, and if it snows, it doesn’t remain long. Although I had been to Paris a few winters before, never saw the city in white. Just recently on a forum talking about the chances to witness snow in Paris, I said hopefully this time I can see it, fingers crossed. Since I made it on time to St. Pancras railway station and my Eurostar train wasn’t canceled either, I managed to make it back to Paris again – and there it was; snow as I wished for. Not as much as there were in previous winters I heard, but in life you have to be grateful for what you get. Here are a few glimpses of this event.

The Eiffel Tower from Musée de l’Armée

Les Invalides, Paris

Jardin du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg

Panthéon, Paris

Frozen fountain, Latin Quarter

Notre Dame de Paris

Place de la Concorde

Eiffel Tower from Pont Alexandre III.

I am a bit skeptical about the accuracy of longer forecasts, but I even forget what they said a day or two before, so I cannot be sure. Anyway, it is good to have a rough idea as what to expect.

10 day weather forecast for Paris (temperatures in Celsius):

http://weather.uk.msn.com/tenday.aspx?wealocations=wc:FRXX0076&q=Paris%2C+FRA+forecast:tenday

10 day weather forecast for Paris (temperatures in Fahrenheit): http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/tenday/FRXX0076