I was taking photos outside of the Louvre Museum the other day, one of my favorite places to take photos.

Across Rue Rivoli right across from the Louvre was this huge screen put up to hide the renovation work going on the building which is a large complex of shops selling antiques. I thought the red ribbon for Christmas was a nice touch.

Then I noticed that there was an artist up there painting the screen. I couldn’t tell if there was some sort of outlines for him or her to follow but there must have been for such a huge canvas.

I wonder how many photos I have taken from this spot-the pyramid seen through the arch entering into the courtyard.

The pyramid always looks great reflecting in the water.

A few windows I saw on Avenue George V, shops full of items I can’t afford but I like to look.

How would you like to wear these? They were in the Louis Vuitton window and priced at a couple of thousand euros.

I thought this store looked especially elegant.

The outline of the head of a reindeer in the Hermes window. I don’t know if you can tell, but that skirt next to it is made of short fur.

The Louis Vuitton windows were full of neon light figures. The store was totally packed. I’d kind of like a Louis Vuitton purse but I’m too cheap, and poor, to really seriously consider it.

A friend and I were strolling down the Champs Elysees in a soft rain the other evening and found the lower portion to be lined with a Christmas market on either side of the road full of Christmas items and things to eat and drink. Then we happened upon temporary building which displayed ice sculptures, mostly of famous French landmarks and art and, dispite what I thought was a high price, we went in. It was so cold-it must have been well below freezing to keep the ice from melting-that we could only stand it for ten minutes or so. When I walked outside my glasses immediately fogged up and stayed that way for about ten minutes.
I’m always amazed by ice sculptures, especially with special lighting.

Venus di Milo.

Arc de Triumph in pink. Not life size but still impressive.

A piano player with a life size piano.

Of course there has to be an Eiffel Tower.

They had a bar made of ice as well and sold vodka, an alcohol always good at freezing temperatures.

Merci is a charity shop where designers give their collections and the shop sells them at lower prices to help underprivileged children. I kept hearing about the store and finally decided to make a visit. Even though the prices are lowered, I didn’t find anything I could afford but I liked a lot of it.

The showroom upstairs. They sell furniture, clothing, fresh flowers, and jewelry. There’s also a little tearoom.

I rather like this portion of a chandelier-it appeals to the humor in me.

I like quilted things which is probably why I was drawn to this couch.

This little car with a Christmas tree on top was in their courtyard.

I am always struck anew by the beauty of the Orsay Museum each time I visit. It’s such a grand building-once a railroad station in the days when they built them with great architectural gorgeousness.

A view from the third level. The purple objects on the left are some exhibit being set up.

A closeup of the decorative tile on the ceiling. Each is over one foot wide to give you an idea of the size of the building.

I love this clock. It’s huge.

Another clock which can also be seen from the outside. I like its transparency.

I find the Marais to be one of the most interesting places to visit in Paris. There is so much interesting architecture and lovely gardens hidden here and there.

The back of the church of St Paul St Louis.

Inside the church looking upward into the dome where you see the sun, the sign of King Louis XIV who became St Louis-a very religious king.

A window of a wedding planning shop on Rue des Rosiers. I like to take photos of couples in front of this one.

Isn’t this pretty? It’s on the grounds of the Carnavalet Museum.