Restaurant Le Poulbo

My French isn't very good so I'm not sure what the name of this restaurant in the Montmarte district of Paris stands for.  But I love the charm of the area.  I bet it looked like this over 100 years ago when the Impressionists made this area their haunt.

"Restaurant Le Poulbo"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Parisian Art Market

Montmarte is well known for being the area artists such as Degas, Picasso and Pisarro.  They dined in the local cabarets and were well known in the area.   This is what it looks like today.  But the most signficant landmark is Sacre Coeur, the famous white domed church that overlooks the Paris landscape.

"Parisian Art Market"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Musee d'Orsay

This treasure of a building that holds some of of the world's best Impressionist art was once a train station on the Left Bank of the Seine in Paris.  Originally built in 1900, in time for the Paris Exposition, the station was in use until 1939, when it was closed and totally ignored, except for it's location in Orson Welles' 1962 film "The Trial".  By the mid-70s it was considered for demolition.  But in 1977, the Paris authorities decided to save the building by converting it into this striking museum.  Note the huge clock on the opposite wall.

"Musee d'Orsay"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Stravinsky Fountain

If you've been to Paris you may have seen this unique fountain outside the Centre Georges Pompidou, which is one of the world's most famous pieces of modern architecture.  The building is "inside out", with brightly colored pipes on the facade.  This fountain was inspired by Igor Stravinsky's ballet The Firebird .  The bird (if you want to call it that) in the foreground is supposed to spin and spray water.  I just happened to be there when it wasn't.

"Stravinsky Fountain"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

View of the Louvre

If you like art then you've gotta love Paris.  Museums, museums, museums.  And they house some of the most famous and spectacular art in the world.  This is a view of the Louvre from the roof of the Musee D'Orsay, separated by the River Seine.

"View of the Louvre"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Rainbow Building

Someone had fun with paint and a paintbrush. And a bit of artist license. I spotted this on the high speed train from Bordeaux to Paris. One thing I learned, it's best to sit backwards when trying to take pictures from a fast moving train.

"Rainbow Building"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Paris in the Spring

When the chestnuts are in bloom it must be Spring in Paris.

"Paris in the Spring"      © Kathy Dunham 2010 

Street Beggar

Beggars are a fact of life, no matter where in the world we go.  This one was in Paris, the Latin Quarter to be specific.  She moved pretty well when no one was looking.  But when she was in the begging mode, she played to part perfectly.


"Street Beggar"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Pont Alexandre III

This beautiful statue sits atop the Pont Alexandre III bridge that crosses the Seine in Paris.  In recent years, the Parisians cleaned up all the spectacular gilded statues on public buildings.  And do they gleam.  This bridge has several that sit atop columns that support the roadway. 

"Pont Alexandre III"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Place du Carrousel

Paris at night!!!  What could be more spectacular?  Ever since the millenium celebration, the French have kept the spectacular night lighting on the Eiffel Tower.  Combined with other lit monuments, Paris pops at night.


"Place du Carrousel"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Sleepy Bear Time

I spotted these cuddly polar bears in the window of a children's clothing shop in Paris.  My son-in-law loves polar bears but these were just bit to big to bring home on the plane.

"Sleepy Bear Time"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Paris in the Rain

What could be more inviting than to sit at a sidewalk cafe along the Seine, drinking wine and having a lunch of Boeuf Bourguignonne while getting this spectacular view of Notre Dame?  If the weather is going to be bad, then this is the way to deal with it!


"Paris in the Rain"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Bookseller and Pooch

For the past  two years I've had lunch the day I arrive at my favorite bistro "Cafe de Flore" on the Left Bank of Paris.  And across the street sits this bookseller and his dog.  Occasionally he gets up and walks around but always winds up at the feet of his master.

"Bookseller and  Pooch"  © Kathy Dunham 2009

Drummer Girl

The Montmarte area of Paris is an eclectic mix of artists, mimes and musicians.  I came across this beautiful Japanese drummer who was part of a large contingent of musicians performing for a special occasion.

"Drummer Girl"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Italian Door Knocker

One good door knocker deserves another.  Yesterday it was Parisian, today it's Italian.  I was so amazed at the variety I found as I visited the different towns. 

"Italian Door Knocker"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Parisian Door Knocker

On a whim, I started taking pictures of door knobs and knockers when I was in Paris this year. Well, several hundred photos later, after visiting both French and Italian cities, I have a huge variety of knockers and knobs. This was one of the unusual ones. Very ornate and beautifully polished.

"Parisian Door Knocker" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Fountain - Place St. Michel - Paris

The plazas in Paris, or as they are known in French - "place" - are beautifully appointed, many with wonderful fountains such as this bronze dragon spouting water. But it was the early morning light creating dramatic highlights and shadows that caused me to stop, but only after I had finished my "petit dejeuner" of fresh orange juice, a warm croissant and hot chocolate on a clear morning along the Seine.

"Fountain - Place St. Michel - Paris" © Kathy Dunham 2009

In Honor of Julia

I saw the movie "Julie & Julia" tonight and it brought back wonderful memories of an awesome Boeuf Bourguignon I had in Paris this year. Now I have to dig out my copy of

"Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and try Julia Child's version. Yummm.

"In Honor of Julia" © Kathy Dunham 2009

The Louvre at Night

Paris at night is spectacular, especially the Louvre. I've been to Paris twice and still haven't seen the treasures inside. Guess I'll have to make another trip.

"The Louvre at Night" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Rent A Bike

These rent a bike stands are all over Paris. Just insert your money to unlock and you can leave it at the next bike stand. An inexpensive way to get around, especially if you don't own a car. Locals use them all the time. I wouldn't, considering Paris traffic and the narrow streets.

"Rent A Bike" © Kathy Dunham 2009