Walking the Streets of Paris III

A walk along the Seine: See what I found here, on the banks of the river or on or beneath her many bridges. 

a lizard on Pont Alexandre III

idyllic scenes under Bridge Pont de Bir-Hakeim (Pont de Passy)

This view is from the island Île aux Cygnes, an artificial island in the Seine connecting three bridges. On one end stands a copy of the Statue of Liberty.

She is facing in the opposite direction from Tour d'Eiffel. This is an  in-camera image-overlay to have them in the same picture. 

The other end holds "la France renaissante" in a strange riding posture. 

Another bridge offers covered space for a free  and open-air gym on Île aux Cygnes.

 a sirene calling

 a rest on the banks of the Seine?

Walking the Streets of Paris II : Sainte Chapelle

lower chapel

This is a place that I always visit when in Paris: Sainte Chapelle, the two storey-chapel dating from the 13th century located on Île de la Cité.  Its stained glass windows and the intense colour of sun light through the windows continue to amaze and uplift.

upper chapel

a poor reflection of reality

Abstractions

The chapel is within the building complex La Conciergerie , where during the French Revolution many prisoners were held. Nowadays it is part of the Palais de Justice with law courts.  

The medieval hall "Salle de gens d'arme" is used for exhibitions.

Marie Antoinette's cell in the penitentiary

Walking the Streets of Paris I

I had nearly four days in Paris with only few commitments, full days all free to roam the streets and visit places, get "in the flow" with open eyes and ears, no one to look after, no one to tag along : my favourite pasttime! 
I had been to Paris a multitude of times so I knew most of the touristy sites. This time I had made no plan, nothing in particular to photograph, and decided to let myself drift through the city, see where my feet would take me, and what would be my favourite spots this time. 
I happened to visit some old favourites, but found some new locations as well. This series is about  four days in Paris and the harvest I brought in photographically speaking.

someone's lost an ear ...

in the Tuilerien

Trojan horses? What are these black circles on their bellies?  

 No grazing! 

at the Louvre

in St Germain-des-Prés

reflections of Centre Pompidou

  Place de la République

groupies

Garden Visit : Sydney - Chinese Garden of Friendship

This pretty garden gem occupies a small space next to Darling Harbour. It is fully enclosed by walls, crowned with chinese parapets and surrounded by the city. 

A small lake with waterfall sits at its centre. Meandering paths winding up little artificial hills connect pavillions and resting areas.

some ceremony

 Fittingly, a few dragons in the shape of iguanas live here: 

Sacred ibis nest and raise their young undisturbed.