Because Paris in December is beautiful.
Because the graceful facades and the iron and glass canopies look even more elegant in the weak winter sun.
Because spending time reading a book and/or watching people in one of the famous literary cafes is just as good with a hot chocolate as with a glass of Petit Chablis. Or both.
Because the details stand out when one's thoughts and eyes are not distracted by the prettiness of spring. Like this gold 'ribbon' wrapped round a tall gate-post.
Because the bareness of winter reveals that there is a Parisian passion for passementerie both indoors and out.
Because the Centre Pompidou is suitably avant-garde and does not shut on Christmas Day.
Because there are geraniums in window-boxes even in December. (In apartment blocks that look like something out of Jacques Tati's Mon Oncle.)
Because you can be romantic with roses in Paris all year round.
Rick in Casablanca was right. No matter what time of the year it is, we'll always have Paris.
Very beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Vicki L. Davenport | December 12, 2009 at 17:38
You not only entertain, you educate. But mostly, you make us jealous. sigh.
Posted by: Susan | December 12, 2009 at 17:59
I have only had the joy of being in Paris for less than one day and had a migraine the whole day but it is something I will never forget! I would love to be there for much longer so I could take my time and soak up everything my heightened senses made me aware of that day. Thank you and yes - I'm jealous also.
Posted by: D | December 12, 2009 at 18:12
I was lucky enough to visit Paris just before Christmas a couple of years ago. It was magical, so beautiful especially the Eiffel Tower and the amazing shop windows.
Posted by: Janice | December 12, 2009 at 18:21
Delightful........your photos are gorgeous; I'm sighing here, wishing I could go to Paris right now. What a wonderful place it is:-)
Posted by: Marie | December 12, 2009 at 18:33
How refreshing x
Posted by: lucy | December 12, 2009 at 18:56
I used to live in Paris, and your pics made me feel homesick! Is it possible to feel homesick for somewhere you've only lived in for two years?! We still have the French christmas breakfast on Christmas Day - A glass of Bucks Fizz and a slice of Panetone xx
Posted by: Jayne | December 12, 2009 at 19:02
Centre Pompidou is so difficult to photograph, isn't it? One of those things you have to see in person, I guess. Oh, I miss Paris!
Posted by: RainyDaisy | December 12, 2009 at 22:59
I love Mon Oncle! I think I shall have to plan a trip to Paris next December, even if it is aaall by myself. :)
Posted by: Laylock | December 13, 2009 at 17:52
Oh lucky you Jane, how lovely!
Posted by: catherine | December 13, 2009 at 23:20
Sigh.
Posted by: Lizbon | December 14, 2009 at 02:19
You clearly had much nicer weather for your "December in Paris" trip than we did--I have never been so chilled to the bone! But the pastries more than made up for it....
Posted by: Alison | December 14, 2009 at 03:30
How lovely. I am most envious as I am currently doing a French evening class at Surrey Uni. and have no current plans to visit France. You photos evoke the whole sense of the place. I hope you travelled Eurostar the best way to arrive in Paris I think.
Posted by: Karen | December 14, 2009 at 11:00
I'm getting shivers thinking I took similar photos of my trip to Paris at the beginning of the month! We didn't have sun -- more clouds and rain -- but we did have Christmas lights everywhere. It was fabulous. Fabulous. Am doing it again in 2010.
However, I avoided the patisseries -- trying to watch my girlish figure! I did press my nose to the glass at Patrick Roger though...
Posted by: Roz | December 14, 2009 at 20:53
Oh nutz. I live in the States and am so envious. I would dearly love to live in your area. Do you just hop on a commuter train or what? I commute, from the suburb of Buffalo Grove, Illinois to Chicago. It's a 5 day 9 to 5 jaunt. Chicago is lovely at Christmas, however, it's definitely is not Paris.
Posted by: Niki | December 15, 2009 at 02:35
I audibly sighed, and then made a resolution that I should really, really go to Paris again soon.
Posted by: Fionnuala | December 17, 2009 at 17:39
How beautiful! You know, there are places in NYC where, if you squink up your eyes a bit, you can fool yourself in to thinking you're in Paris... well, almost! Thank you for bringing us along~
Posted by: Riaknits | December 27, 2009 at 02:00
I was in Paris only once (so far), in February. Your photos reminded me so much of how lovely we found the city, despite the cold. Everything was so crisp and lovely! Thanks for the trip back in time!
Posted by: Shannon Reed | December 28, 2009 at 00:52
Absolutely. Ah, Paris, Paris. If only I weren't so far away in Australia, and could just hop on the eurostar and be there in a book or a knitted scarf.
Posted by: Renee M.B. | January 14, 2010 at 10:03
Thank you for posting so much beauty. xx
Posted by: Josephine | January 24, 2010 at 08:52