Paris in Color from Early 1900s

These are rare full color photos of Paris taken between 1907-1930.  All pictures were shot in direct color using the Autochrome process developed by Lumiere brothers. Interesting thing is that anybody who visited Paris will easily recognize these landmarks.  They changed very little. However, the atmosphere and feel of the city is very different from Paris I know today.  I almost could imagine seeing young Coco Chanel walking streets of Paris and plethora of young artist and writers generously creating and discussing their masterpieces in little corner cafe. I enjoyed these photos a lot, hope you will too.

Courtesy of BuzzFeed

Les Invalides 

Grand Palais

Hotel DeVille

Notre Dame

Place des Vosges

Avenue Hoche

 

Rue de Rivoli

La Madeleine

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Travel Finds... Stormy Sky of Paris and Versailles

Stormy sky looks very beautiful to me.  Especially in Paris and Versailles, when it contrasts with gilded works of art.


Versailles gates

 Paris Opera House

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The Light of Paris ... Photography by Jean-Michel Berts

Assouline publisher was established in Paris fairly recently, in 1995.  They publish luxury illustrated books dedicated to all things beautiful that I love: photography, fashion, art and design.  Most titles focus on images, rather than text.  However, text by Pierre Assouline for this book about Paris is so romantic and so personal, that I can feel the atmosphere of Paris reflected in black and white images of the spectacular quality shots by Jean-Michel Berts.  Berts shows Paris that tourists rarely see, Paris at dusk or dawn, when there is no people on the streets, Paris with a life on its own.  I absolutely love his book and go back to it from time to time.  Here are some of this book's pages.

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Travel finds... Le Marais, Paris

I grew up in a big European city, 2 million people big, and remember walking by the apartment buildings often thinking that behind every window there is a story of a person, a life, hopes and disappointments, in short - life as it is.  When I looked at my pictures I took in Le Marais during my last trip to Paris, I noticed that I had a LOT of images of windows.  I think it tells me that I am still fascinated by imaginary life behind those windows.

When in Paris, it was wonderful to walk Place Vendome and visit Rue Cambon   but our hotel was in Le Marais.  It was charming small hotel, and the best part of it was that our room was on the last floor.  I could not imagine more perfect location to feel like real Parisian living in a small apartment.  Having the room on the hotel's top floor was great, because I could take my pictures of attic windows at the same eye level.  I was able to see very close those old roof shingles, they were especially beautiful when wet from the rain.  I heard the sound of very heavy rain on the metal gutters.  I saw the rainbow over Parisian roofs when the sun came out.  This whole experience was unbelievably romantic, intimate and unforgettable.  Yes, it rained in Paris a lot, but I didn't mind it.

A couple of days ago   The Sartorialist posted a beautiful picture of a young woman he shot on the street in Le Marais.  I am pretty sure that the picture was taken on the same street where my hotel was located.  It brought back some memories and I decided to share my Le Marais experience with you today.  Here are some of my "moments" from my hotel window in Le Marais, Paris.  I hope these images and thoughts of Paris will make your day go by quick and easy.  Happy Monday!

 

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Iron Laces of Paris

On my last visit to Paris I took a lot of pictures of what I call "Iron Lace," which is very characteristic to this city.   These beautiful elements of Parisian architecture inspired me to do a project, that I am almost done with and will be able to share my final product with you tomorrow. Keep in touch! Pin It