A visit to the Monnaie de Paris is highly recommended, while they host a large exhibition of photographs by the late and great Willy Ronis. If I only get to become half as good as he was I will die a happy man.
One of my favourite pictures by Willy Ronis. Cartier-Bresson described his own photography as drawing with a camera. I think Ronis was painting with his…
For the first time I paid a visit to the large building on the left bank which is the Institut de monde arabe – a beautiful building, the inside of which is visually stimulating too. They are hosting a Hermès exhibition at the moment, if that is your kind of thing. I think I got some good shots of a fellow film photographer who was unaware of my presence – if the pics come out I will post them here…
When the sun is shining you cannot really beat the idea of a picnic in the park. In London this is taken for granted as most places have a park within spitting distance. Paris is much more urban and green spaces much rarer, or at least further away. But a short metro ride to the Île-de-la-Cité can reward the professional picnic person with some great views of the Seine, surrounding buildings and sights in which to munch on one’s paté baguette.
What better way to follow the picnic than with a short walk through Notre-Dame, past the cool guys singing, playing piano and double bass to catch a rare seat at one of the cafés on the neighbouring Île Saint-Louis. Here one can sample the famous Berthillon ice-cream while watching long queues of tourists waiting to get their own. While it certainly is not cheap it is one of the best treats when the sun shines…
It is always difficult to resist a quick visit to Shakespeare & Co, near Notre-Dame – a great spot for people-watching and for both bargain and new English-language books.
I found this book in the bargain bin and fell in love with the cover. Nevertheless an inscription inside which described the book as 300 pages too long (the book was about 300 pages) and the fact the cover was separated from the contents made me think twice about purchasing it for 4 euros. I took this pic of the cover instead…
My favourite distraction at the moment is strolling back to Concorde from the Île-de-la-Cité via the Louvre and the Tuileries. Often to be found under the arches of the Louvre are classical artists and musicians plying their oeuvre for a few euros. One can sit in the main square, watching the fountain and listening to the sounds of the cello, violin and operatic vocals. This is also a great photo opportunity, especially as the gorgeous-girls-who-know-it often sit here appearing to be cool and intellectual.
The above shows 3 views from a venue that is on my list to visit and sample. With a roof terrace that has views over Paris like this (the kitchen staff alone get views of the Sacre-Coeur!) I cannot wait to spend a few hours, in good company, admiring Paris from on high.
