All over Paris, people in love place locks on gates and railings…
… as a promise, a public declaration, that they will return together. Once the locks are secured, the key is thrown into the Seine.It has become such a problem that the City has public service campaigns to discourage the practice. Workers cut off these “love locks” but to no avail. Paris officials estimate that as of June, 2015 more than a million locks — 45 tons — have been left behind.
I walked all over the Latin Quarter, the 5th and 6th arrondissement on Monday, April 18th and snapped more than 200 photographs. Though they have been cropped, none have been altered. Here, then, is a photo diary of my day. I think it shows why I intend to return to this magical city.
NOTRE DAME, 10:20 AM
Notre Dame as seen from the Seine’s Tournelle Bridge A boat scoots along the Seine
JARDIN TINO-ROSSI, 10:45 AM
Spring blooms along the Seine, near Pont Sully The Metro flies along the tracks in one of the rare instances when it appears above-ground. The Seine is barely visible on the left.Along the Seine in the Jardin Tino-Rossi looking toward Quai Henri IV
MUSEE DE LA SCULPTURE EN PLEIN AIR, 11:15 AM
Blooms with Paris in the distance “Polyester” by Budapest sculptor Marta Pan, 1969Bart gets artyMore Paris blooms from the sculpture gardenLook at that perfectly blue sky! This sculpture’s nameplate has been painted over so I don’t know the name of this sculpture or the artist. Monkeyboy is reflected in one of the mirror-like discs.
JARDIN DES PLANTES, 12:20 PM
These gardens were begun in 1626 by King Louis XIII’s doctor to grow medicinal plants. It was opened to the public in 1640. Some of the beds are still being planted for this year.These long slender beds of carefully manicured annuals are everywhere.Gardeners have been working this plot of land for nearly 400 years.It’s rare to see a flower of such striking beauty wearing sunglasses.
LES JARDINS DES SERRES d’AUTEIUL, 12:50 PM
A tree loaded with blooms at the entrance to the tropical gardensIt was hot inside. The walkways are made from thin individual concrete planks.A stone-like series of circular steps lead to the top of the gardensLooking out from the second level of the stone enclosure toward the plantsAnd the view of the upper areas and the misters that maintain high humidity levels
GRANDE GALERIE DE L’ÉVOLUTION 1:30 PM
Perfect buds in foreground; the royal gardens in the background. The Musee D’Evolution is behind me. It’s one of the several Museums of Natural History. I like the hangar-like quality of the interior, a former royal palace. This is the nice naked lady with her whatnot and hoo-hoo’s showing. This is the entrance to the children’s area. (Welcome to France.)The museum has many taxidermied animals on display.These are a variety of beetles mounted on clear two-inch posts. The ceiling lights behind the exhibit show as patches of yellow near the top of the photograph.This moth collection photo has been cropped but otherwise unaltered. The mounting posts reflect light from the museum’s interior. The glass case creates ghostly reflections.
There’s something about Paris that generates affection and positive feelings from residents and travelers alike.
Last night after the workshop, a group of us went out for drinks. I enjoyed meeting the variety of writers — Canadians, Scots, British, English-speaking Europeans and Americans.
I had an opportunity to chat with many of them, including a Londoner who has lived in Paris for 15 years. I asked, “So you’re settled here?”
He sighed and looked away. “This is the only place in the world… this is where I’m staying for the rest of my life.” He sounded like someone in love.
Did you enjoy reading my post? Share it with friends using the buttons below
hi bart, this one did it! your photos made me realize i have been away from paris for far too long. paris and rio will always create in me a lover´s longing to return. enjoy enjoy! hugs, roberto
On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 5:02 AM, Bart Rawlinson wrote:
> Bart Rawlinson posted: ” I walked all over the Latin Quarter, the 5th and > 6th arrondissement on Monday, April 18th and snapped more than 200 > photographs. Though they have been cropped, none have been altered. Here, > then, is a photo diary of my day. I think it shows w” >
Bart Rawlinson 
I am ready to be there, too! So gorgeous to see it all. Thank you.
So happy for you, Bart, knowing you are among all these blossoms—the one with the sunglasses! 😉 —and walking beside the Seine! 🙂
LikeLike
Breathtaking. So happy for you Bart, so very happy you are there having the time of your life!
LikeLike
Thanks, Sierra!
🙂
LikeLike
hi bart, this one did it! your photos made me realize i have been away from paris for far too long. paris and rio will always create in me a lover´s longing to return. enjoy enjoy! hugs, roberto
On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 5:02 AM, Bart Rawlinson wrote:
> Bart Rawlinson posted: ” I walked all over the Latin Quarter, the 5th and > 6th arrondissement on Monday, April 18th and snapped more than 200 > photographs. Though they have been cropped, none have been altered. Here, > then, is a photo diary of my day. I think it shows w” >
LikeLike
Hi Roberto,
I’m glad those photos brought back memories and caused you to want to return.
🙂
LikeLike