in Montmartre.

Montmartre is a lovely little “village” over-looking Paris and one of the places tourists love to visit. It can be over run with said tourists but still has pockets of charm and that incredible view.

Any Impressionist painter you can name hung out in Montmartre at one time. Utrillo, found in the small cemetary there, was one of them.

Sacre Coeur up at the top of the hill is very wedding cake in appearance.

In the smaller and more charming church in Montmartre is St Pierre which has lovely stained glass windows.

 Lapin Agile, a cabaret that was once the hangout of the Impressionist and which is still in operation.

 Grafitti of an artist, fitting as there are so many at Montmartre in Place de Tertre

This sweet little girl was having her portrait done there and couldn’t wait to see it.

 The Interior

 Not only is the Louvre full of art treasures, but the interior of the building is also a work of art on its own.

This is the interesting stairs into the lobby below the glass pyramid

I turned the camera just to be a little “arty” to get a view of the exterior through the pyramid underneath.

 A closeup of Michaelangelo’s Dying Slave

 The foot of Mercury, the messanger god, being blown aloft by a little wind god.

 Everyone likes to take photos of Venus di Milo

A pretty corner of a ceiling

 The Three Graces

 I remember the first time I saw the glass pyramid newly built in front of the Louvre. I was puzzled as to why anyone would put something so modern in the middle of a courtyard in such contrast to the surrounding buildings. I didn’t think it fit. I like it now, especially the way you can see the buildings through the glass of the pyramid and the fountains, which are mostly working now after a year, provide great photos. The lobby underneath is wonderful as well and was much needed.

 The pyramid and the Louvre beyond on a sunny day

One of the fountains, working at last

Yet another view

I love getting reflections in the fountains. This is one that was working but now isn’t and is getting full of green sludge, but, still, it works for reflections.

Right across the way is the wonderful petite arch de triumph leading into the entrance of the Tuleries Garden. If you walk through the garden you reach Place de la Concorde. Keep walking and you are on the Champs Elysees and then the Arch de Triumph at the end, all perfectly lined up with the Louvre Pyramid.

 One of my favorite places to stroll around in Paris is the Left Bank. Neighborhoods full of winding, narrow streets, Saint Sulpice Church, and the Luxembourg Gardens all add up to a pleasurable day.

Saint Sulpice Church, much visited now since the book, The Da Vinci Code came out, has a lovely exterior. There are two towers but one is covered in scaffolding and has been for over a year.

I always pass a patisserie on the way to Saint Sulpice with really wonderful desserts. This is a lemon tart that looks like a sunflower.

A pot of geraniums in the Luxembourg Gardens. They always have really gorgeous flowers here.

In a corner of the gardens is this Medici Fountain-very dramatic.

I love the loops of greenery on the side of the fountain.

 Another pot of flowers

  A close-up of the end of the fountain-two lovers being watched by a god.

A couple of people have written saying that they can’t easily read my site as it stays dark. I’m not sure what the problem is. I do know that when it loads it starts out dark but then turns light. I’ll ask my son, my web master, what is wrong.

 In the morning when I woke up I looked out the window and could barely see the street through the fog. Happily, it all cleared out by late morning and Paris was left with blue skies, mild temperatures and sunshine-always a wonderful combination in Paris. I took a nice lady for a photo tour around Paris and was so glad we had a great day for it. Here are a few photos I took.

 Here is a reflection of some lamps in some old windows still having the hand blown glass intact.

A sweet sign in a restaurant in the Left Bank called The Frog. I peeked inside and it has a wonderful abience. I wouldn’t order frog legs, not my favorite thing, but I may have to try this little place.

 I am trying to pay attention to smaller details as I wander around Paris. This was a keyhole on the side of a building with a rather elegant background.

An old sign on the side of a hat shop. I like the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

An elegant old keyhole. The key to open it would have to have been huge-must have been hard to carry around.

We are back in Paris after the fast TGV ride up from Provence. It is always so nice to take a train-none of those security lines and check-ins three hours before boarding.

I will be out and about today with my camera. It is actually sunny with blue skies. I will probably be in the Left Bank but may swing by the Louvre.

 I always see artists doing their thing around Paris

 And I am sure to have something sweet.