In the part of Paris called the Marais is the Carnavalet Museum. It was founded by Haussman, that great city architect of Paris who, as he was tearing down buildings all over Paris, also saved pieces of them in this museum which is comprised of three buildings joined together. It is today a museum of the history of Paris and the Mayor of Paris has made it free to the public which is nice.

This is on the gate outside the museum, one of my favorite ships in Paris, a symbol of Paris and found all over the city, but none this nice.

A statue of Louis XIV which miraculously escaped distruction during the Revolution. This is found inside the courtyard as you enter the museum.

A victory angel that was originally on the top of a fountain that is in Place de Chatelet. There is just a replica there now. This is the original, brought here to preserve it.

A maze inside one of the courtyards. In the summer there are flowers in parts of it. It is made of boxwood. I never noticed the odor before until a lady told me that it always made her feel sick when she smelled it. Now I notice it all the time. Sort of like cat pee unfortunately.

The other side of the gate where my favorite ship is. The stone section of the gate was originally part of the Tuleries Palace which was destroyed during the commune.

As you might imagine, you can find all sorts of hearts in the windows of stores here in Paris for Valentine’s Day.

A heart made of flowers.

A heart in the window of a chocolate store.

A small heart in a sweet setting.

A French lesson in chocolate.

Kisses too!

Well, not her smile exactly, but how about her eyes? Fauchon has a really tasty eclair that somehow, I’m sure using some sort of computer, puts images in chocolate on pastries. Almost too pretty to eat, but I managed.

The view of la Madeleine across the street with reflections from the store on the window.

The hot chocolate was good as well.

You get to sit on these cute golden stools.

They have leopord skin eclairs too.

A reflection of some pink stools there. They use a lot of pink in their decor.

The other day I saw a Rabbi (or manybe just an Orthodox Jew) drive by on his bicycle in his hat, long coat and long curling side curls with a basket full of groceries and some daffodils sticking up. How I wish I could have gotten him from the front but I couldn’t get my camera up in time, not to mention he may have run over me seeing me taking a photo. I did a couple of photoshop things with the photo just to see if I could make it more interesting.

Regular photo.

Love that photoshop.

I spent a long time the other day waiting for someone at the St Paul metro stop in the Marais and while I did I whiled away the time taking some photos and people watching.

I like city lamps.

I love these creatures called chimeries that hold up the balcony right across from the metro exit.

My, was this couple into each other. They must have stood there for twenty minutes saying goodbye. Then, when he finally tried to walk away-she kept stopping him with a kiss or a touch-they kept turning and looking at each other to wave goodbye several times. I hope they don’t see this photo and sue me. Maybe they might actually like a copy. Sort of looks like an advertisement for a romantic movie but on reflection, since it was early afternoon, I’m thinking they met for little romance and that he is married with two children at home. I’m getting cynical in my old age. By the way, I was probably 20 feet away when I took this photo.

I was with two rabid animal lovers recently who were absolutely appalled when they saw these two animals all dolled up to sell Orangina, a popular orange soda drink in France.

An innocent zebra looking pretty provacative.

A lion?

But these are nothing to the commercial seen on TV and at movie theatres
with performances similar to those seen in strip clubs. I hear it cost millions to make it and I have to say that I was surprised when I first saw it but not because of any animal rights, just because it was very suggestive.

And then there is this poster all over Paris advertising a French movie. I don’t think this would get by the censors in America.