Architecture is a challenge for me.  I like details and large structures can be overwhelming to me.

But I keep trying and I’m committed to one day buying a wide angle lens to experiment even more.

One of my favorite photographers is Jean-Michel Berts (the French Ansel Adams of architecture).  He says “Architecture is the cultural reflection of a civilization” – so true, especially for Paris.

You can’t visit Paris and not want to be a part of it.  The city is beautiful, imposing, and sometimes daunting (Which I’m sure the kings liked).

Paris is one city by day and another by night.  When the sun goes down and the lights go on the city sparkles, but with more than two thousand years of history it can also feel haunted.

When you have a car in Paris there is nothing better than a “Paris by Night”.  Driving around the city at night with no other reason then to enjoy the city lit up.

Even if the photos aren’t perfection I hope they convey some of the emotion of seeing Paris by night.

Enjoy!

Leslie

PS: Visit the Sous Les Etoiles Gallery through January 29th for an exhibition of “The Cities of Jean-Michel Berts”.

One of my objectives for this trip was to photograph bicycles but instead I found myself looking at Paris as a village.

The city is divided into twenty arrondissements (administrative districts) and each district has its own personality.

The twenty arrondissements are like a large group of little French villages.  With their own governing body, they service residents with what I consider the French basics; des cafés (cafes), des boulangeries (bakeries), une poissonerie (a fish monger), une fromagerie (a cheese shop), un supermarché (a supermarket), une église ou deux (a church or two), un station metro (a subway station) and a few Vélib bicycle stations.

Many French frequent the same café or boulangerie in their arrondissement – usually because it’s the best quality in the neighborhood.   It also develops the feel of living in a small village – you may never know your neighbor but you will probably know your local baker.

When you live in Paris it’s easy to overlook the enjoyment of having local merchants (especially when you’re in a rush) but as a foreigner it’s a distinct point of difference that adds to the uniqueness and beauty of the city.

Here’s a look at a few of the arrondissements of Paris.

Enjoy!

Leslie

I can’t imagine a January where I don’t see my friends Claudine and Marie-Pierre (Mapie).

If you’ve been following my blog since June or the original site you know about the biannual girls weekend.

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In France you have until January 31st to send your Meilleurs Voeux (Best Wishes) for the New Year.  I love this tradition because it buys you time to get to people you may have forgotten.

I also like it because January becomes a transitionary month.  With our New Year wishes we can look forward to 2010 but we can also look back on 2009.

For me 2009 was about having time.  Time with friends, time to travel, and time to discover and do things I truly enjoy doing.

I’m very lucky to have had this time.  It has created some incredible experiences that I’m truly grateful for.

Here is a snapshot, of some, of my 2009 favorite times with wishes to everyone for a 2010 filled with time to discover and do the things you truly enjoy doing.

Mes Meilleurs Vœux Pour 2010! (My Best Wishes For 2010!)

Leslie

People have been asking me about the food in London. How was the food? Where are the pictures of the fish and chips? (more…)