Cherub and dauphin
My camera has a “best shot” setting, and this one was “drops of water” or something similar. I think it turned out well.
This is a fountain from Place de la Grenette (correct me, someone) in Grenoble.
Iconic Paris
Allen captured this moment as we walked a dog this morning. A man sits with his back to the Eiffel Tower, reading a book. The weather was perfect, as you can see.
This is what we think of when we think of Paris (or of Washington or other major cities): people living in the shadow of overwhelming national symbols.
Paris in the Springtime!
So far my little Gallery Schmanz has avoided pictures of the Eiffel Tower, but I have a few this week. I’ve been in close range of the Eiffel Tower more times in the last week than in my entire visit here. I don’t mind. It’s flowering around there now.
Jardin alpin
The Jardin des Plantes in Paris has an alpine garden that you access through a tunnel. This gives it the feeling of being tucked away from the world (even if several other visitors have found it too).
I love the old stones. I know the garden is quite old (17th century), and I wonder how long these stones have been in place.
Rowboats at Bois de Boulogne
It was far, far too cold on Sunday to think about renting a rowboat in the Lac Inferieur at Bois de Boulogne, but I just had to snap a picture as I passed.
What have I “learned” from Gallery Schmanz? I like boats, buildings, and the sky. I prefer close-ups. And I also like cats, but I don’t force them on you.
Galerie Vivienne
I know Elizabeth will be pleased to find this as a picture of the day because she loves Galerie Vivienne. We first found it when we were looking for the Bibliotheque Nationale so she could get a library card, and shortly after Elizabeth returned for a tour of the galleries and arcades peppered through the area. I agree with her though, that this is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in Paris.
File under More Pictures of the Sky
But this is just a beautiful sunset with Notre Dame silhouetted in the foreground. I am really enjoying this time of year, when I’m walking home right as the sun is going down. The break in all the buildings means a clear view of the sky and a direct stream of sunlight onto Ile Saint Louis.
My brother and Megan tried to watch the sunset from Sacre Coeur at my (misguided) suggestion tonight, and instead the more glorious view was closer to home. Oops!
An abundance of flowers
I like this adorable florist’s shop on Ile Saint Louis. I also like the black-and-white postcards on the wall to the right.
Also check out the fancy lettering over the awning that says “Fleuriste.”
And the heavens opened up…
The sky above Notre Dame was stunning at sunset tonight.
I liked the visible rays of sunlight coming through the clouds. (Kind of made me think of Monty Python.)
Gallery Schmanz 
