Eye Prefer Paris Contest: And the Winner is …..

 

First I want to thank everyone so much who sent a photo and a story. I have to say it was a very tough choice, because many of the photos were so terrific and the stories behind them witty, interesting and inspiring. In fact, it was so hard picking just one winner, I decided to pick two. Penguin books was kind enough to provide two copies of Vicki Archer’s My French Life. I have also posted the runners-up. Congratulations to the winners, and please send me your addresses so I can have the book sent to you.

The first prize goes to Kevin from northern California. I met Kevin briefly in September at a shop during one of my Eye Prefer Paris tours, and we have become email buddies ever since. This stunning photo was taken from the D’Orsay Museum.

The wonderful art juxtaposed with the great light-filled architectural space of the Musée D’Orsay makes it one of my favorite museums. Being a collector of old watch mechanisms and parts, I have always loved the expansive clock as the backdrop of the cafe in the D'Orsay. As I admired the clock during my most recent trip, I looked beyond its beautiful geometric forms through the window behind it.There stood Sacre Coeur perfectly framed in the sunny distance. I stood there amidst the bustling crowd and admired the perfect view. It's little surprises like these that make exploring Paris so enjoyable. Whether walking and winding my way through unknown streets admiring the wonderful architecture and gardens, or staring through patisserie windows at tarts and pastries that look too good to eat, or visiting my favorite museum all over again, it's the little surprises and discoveries like this new view of Sacre Coeur that make a place special.

The second first prize goes to Norman from Boston and he was kind enough to send three fantastic photos.

We had just finished lunch at Le Grand Filles et Fils, a cute little wine bar/shop in the Galerie complete with entertainment. Very funny high jinx at the bar really...this older French business man (on a 2 hour 6 glasses of wine lunch) was very busy trying to charm these two blonde Canadian tourists back to the houseboat they were renting on the Seine to have an afternoon of let's just say sailing! They were busy flirting with a very handsome man sitting across from us who wanted nothing to do with them. I think he did get his sailing license that afternoon. Here is another of my favorites I took in the courtyard of the Palais Royal after the most amazing "over the top" 4-hour lunch I have ever had with my friends at Le Grand Vefour. What a fabulous time! Perfect food, wine, Champagne and service.

Here is one of my photos taken at the Galerie Vivienne in Paris during one of our shopping lunching strolls thru the city.

Photo taken in front of Restaurant les Bouquinistes on rue des Grands Augustins on the left bank.

Runners up

A very special Eiffel Tower view from Billy of Succasunna, New Jersey.

I expected a walk up the Eiffel Tower’s stairs would reveal many spectacular views of Paris, and indeed, it did. Unanticipated were brief, yet pleasant encounters with people from many other parts of the globe. I left with the impression that my visit to the Eiffel Tower was also a short trip to the rest of the world.

Julie from St. Remy de Provence sent this photo of a poppy-drenched field.

Every spring, this field on the route between the villages of St. Remy and Noves bursts into flaming color. Everyone loves to drive to Avignon this way (rather than the "normal" way) because of this field, with the Alpilles Mountains in the background The road on either side is often dotted with parked cars: people stopping to enjoy the view or photograph it. Then as quickly as they've arrived, the poppies disappear and the field goes back to ho-hum green/gold.

Mary from Cincinnati, Ohio, perfectly captures two favorite Paris passions: dogs & scooters.

One of my favorite things about Paris are the pets - and as you know - the Parisians adore their pets and take them everywhere. There are photo ops in every quartier: at the Sunday Bird Market on Ile St. Louis, in the pet stores along Quai Mégisserie, on the Métro, in the parks, in the restaurants...you get the idea. Along Canal St. Martin, I saw a bunny in the pocket of a pre-schooler - who was riding a tricycle and holding a paper parasol. At Le Bon Marché I snapped a black Lab lounging in front of Prada brassieres...but imagine my delight when I stepped out of a store on rue de Rivoli and saw this fashion plate!

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Comments

[Mimi]

Excellent photos! My entry pales by comparison. Love the dog on the scooter especially.

Mimi