As the sightseeing buses drive up Les Champs-Elysées towards the Arch of Triumph, the passengers show more interest in the surrounded Ferrari than the old brick monument. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F5.6, 1/250, ISO160
This scene reminded me of the 1961 French movie starring De Funès. Of course “La belle américaine” (The American Beauty) does not refer to a lady, but to a wonderful Cadillac which Funès acquires for a surprisingly low price. Eventually, he discovers that the car is loaded with gold and ends up chased by gangsters. In the case of this picture, the American taxi was parked in front of luxury hotel Crillon waiting for its own merchandise to be loaded, in this case … wealthy customers. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/500, ISO160
Though I would not confront a Lion with this 2CV, it would probably be a great experience to tour Paris and … hunt pigeons ? (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F2, 1/8000, ISO 160
At the Tuileries Fair this week, not only kids seem to have a blast. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F2, ISO640
Sometimes one need to get very close to cars to get good angles for a picture. The driver of this wonderful Triumph had noticed and faked to have lost control to scare me … hopefully, it ended in a laugh (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 24mm Elmarit at F2.8, ISO160
Well not the kind of topless you were thinking of … but still a very pleasant one. Speeding over the Pont Neuf in an old sports car with the winds in your hair and nice company is probably an experience few would refuse. (click to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, ISO160
I wonder whether this man was the owner of the mini and proudly wore a matching jersey …. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 75mm Summarit at F4, ISO160
I can’t resist taking shots of 2CV’s especially when they are so colorful and running through the Concorde Place on a grey Winter day. Almost got hit by a car as I ran frantically toward this sho, maybe the reason why the driver was laughing … (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron at F2, ISO640
You still will encounter many Mini’s in Paris, but very few in a racing configuration such as this one. The driver had stopped on Les Champs-Elysées to let his passenger as close as possible to her destination on this rainy day. For some reason, the lens created this halo around the head lights, giving the impression that the car came out straight out of a comics book.
Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron, ISO1250
A two pictures act where this officer stands hesitating in front of this uncommon vehicle covered with revolutionary slogans and without a driver. He was kind enough not to fine it and went on. The driver magically appeared a few seconds after, loaded with bottles of water … or was it some kind of new revolutionary energy ? (click on pictures to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron IV, ISO640
An earlier entry to this blog described what the 2CV means to the French people. So it was really no surprise and a great pleasure to see this gathering of 2CV aficionados go for a tour up and down les Champs-Elysées like a colorful parade.
Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron, ISO160 (click to enlarge)
During last weekend’s Modern Art Festival, this roadster (named the Prince of Plastic) could be seen running up and down Les Champs-Elysées with a charming driver. This shot was taken while she was taking a break on a side street probably trying to heat up after enduring the first chills of winter.
Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron, ISO160 (click to enlarge)
View picture location on Google Maps
(click to enlarge)