Chateau de Versailles - The Hamlet

Touring the Chateau is only a portion of the what makes this the most visited Chateau in France.  Leaving the formal grounds around the Chateau by a little train; you will soon arrive at the Trianon Palaces.  A short walk behind them will bring you to the delightful oasis called the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette.  A quaint re-creation of a French Village called "The Hamlet" where Marie-Antoinette enjoyed living occasionally; enjoying the simple life of a peasant.  She built a complex of twelve thatched-roof buildings fronting a lake as her own private "Normand" village.  This was an actual working farm with a dairy, water mill, a pigeon coop and animals.  The only building that does not have a thatched-roof was the Queen's house; grander than the others inside; allowing her to still enjoy her creature comforts while staying in her Hamlet.

A Night On The Town in Paris...

For an elegant and special evening out in Paris...spend a hour or so enjoying a Kir or your favorite drink at the bar in the grand Hotel Le Meurice.  Don't spoil the effect with your camera...this photo was found on the Internet.  Put on your best outfit and the doorman will welcome you with open arms.  Be prepared to spend close to fifty euros for drinks and a few nibblies!  But great memories...

Washington Square NYC

A reminder of the Arch de Triomphe in the Big Apple.  Miniture in size but always brings memories of Paris.....this was taken last Saturday during a trip to New York City with family.  We were walking through Washington Square!  Good to be back in California. 

Fromage

Fromage - cheese for every occasion!

Rue Cler - Paris - 2012

The Nagasaki Angel

"The Nagasaki Angel"This miraculously salvaged sculpture previously adorned a cathedral in Nagasaki, Japan.  It was destroyed when the bomber B-29 dropped an atomic plutonium bomb on August 9th, 1945.   Called “The Nagasaki Angel”, this fragment was donated to UNESCO in 1976, in Paris, on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. This angel is a symbol of Peace and hope in Humanity's future.  (information from the UNESCO webpage)  (Photo by Martha)

Situated at the head of the Japanese garden, this statue (0.40 m), originally on the facade of from destruction by the explosion of the atomic bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.

A gift from the town of Nagasaki in 1976 for the celebration of UNESCO's 30th anniversary.

Montmartre...the windmill

le Moulin de la Galette....Montmartre

Toasters

Every table had a toaster!   In the 7th arrondissement....

 

Parc Monceau

A plaque in the Parc Monceau, the 8th arrondissement, commemorating the first descent by parachute on October 22nd, 1797.  Andrea-Jacques Garnerin (1769-1823) jumped from a hot air balloon and landed in the park by parachute!

Musée Nissim de Camondo

La cuisine dans le Musée Nissim de Camondo.  

Sunset at Eiffel Tower

One of my very favorite photos of the Eiffel Tower at sunset on a stormy day in April.

Saint Suplice Église

Easter Sunday from the choir loft, Saint Suplice Église...Paris, 2012

People Powered Carrousel

      The people powered carrousel near the Eiffel Tower...

The Game of Chess

            The language of chess in Luxembourg garden...

Paris Wi-Fi

Using the free Paris Hot Spot Wi-Fi Internet Service at the park near our apartment.

The Carrousel

A weather proof carrousel along the Promenade Plantée