Pont des Arts

Pont des Arts is the best known pedestrian bridge in Paris. It may be the only pedestrian bridge, but since I haven't walked the Seine all the way to the perimeters of the city, I can't be sure.

Renoir's painting of pont des Arts, 1867

This was Sabrina's favorite bridge in the 1990s version of the movie of the same name.

It was Paris' first iron bridge, erected in 1803.

This fellow dressed up to show off his antler handlebars, and now that I think of it, I'm guessing he wanted a tip. But I was too busy photographing the Pont Neuf to be conscious of it. Oops. He has to make a living, and I didn't do my part.

Here's the view of the Pont Neuf and the Île de la Cité from Pont des Arts, looking east.

Bad things do happen

Just to keep it real, as they say, Paris is not all beauty and sensual pleasure. Bad things do happen.

I don't know the story about this poor car, but there it sat just a block from my apartment when I went out in the morning. I heard nothing in the night, no sirens, explosions, nothing. Happily, it seems the car was empty of people and animals.

Artist gallery in Places des Vosges

Petit-déjeuner aux Deux Magots (painting by Denis Fremond)

Sometimes you instantly connect with an artist's work.

This happened to me in the Place des Vosges, strolling around the shops, galleries and restaurants. I've mentioned before that if I had to choose one place in all of Paris where I would "center" myself after an exhausting day, or just go to get filled up, it would be this square where Victor Hugo lived.

The painter Denis Fremond's work was on display in the Sibman Gallery. His cityscapes and roomscapes of Paris and New York are simple, full of interesting plays of light, and always have just one man in them (himself?).

Visit his Web page for a gallery of his paintings.

Figureheads on the Seine

There are many "Statues of Liberty" around Paris

There are many houseboats and pleasure craft parked along the river Seine. The "Seine" means “sacred source” or “sacred river” – how often rivers are considered a sacred source.

If the river is sacred, then it may also be rife with enemies, for there are many figureheads, traditionally mounted on ships to ward off foes and guard the vessel and its mates.


Warrior with the Louvre behind

Pirate I
Pirate II

Mermaid

a live figurehead