In front of the Louvres palace, a few friends play football. As they score a goal, even the statues seem to celebrate. A challenge to the King’s ghost ? (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/1000, ISO160
Obviously, difficult to own a full scale sailboat in Paris. Therefore, virtual sailors stand on the shores of the Luxembourg Garden fountain and let their dreams go in rounds. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/2800, ISO160
In the Luxembourg Garden, you might encounter people enjoying a Tai Chi session in front of the palace built by Marie de Medicis in 1625. She probably would have enjoyed the view of these “slow motion” dancers as she was herself a great parton of the arts. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/2000, ISO160
A boy stands apart at a metro station. Was he trying to remain unattented and go for the longest slide in his life … (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/350, ISO160
What a better place than the ice ring in front of the magnificient townhall for a first skate. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/350, ISO160
Ride around the world or ride to … work ? (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 40mm Summicron at F2.8, 1/180, ISO320
Leica M9 with 40mm Summicron at F2, 1/500, ISO320
Parisians enjoy their weekend at the beach, but meanwhile, many locals work. Just like this man emptying a grounded boat. Last mooring or revamp for a new youth. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 75mm Summicron at F2.0, 1/2000, ISO160
This second part of “Paris Beach” leads us to the inevitable seafood restaurant in a tiny harbour. Even when outside of the city, one cannot lose its style (take a good look at the restaurant windows …) (click on pictures to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux at F1.4, 1/4000, ISO160
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/1400, ISO160
Over the coming days, I will post a series of pictures on a weekend at the beach to let you envision what many Parisians do when they escape the metropolis. Let’s start by the afternoon walk by the sea.
Tide is low, the first wind gusts sweep the shore, a few raindrops hit the few passerby’s. Storm is coming, time to rush back home. (click on picture to enlarge)
Both shots take with Leica M9 with 35mm Lux at F1.4, 1/500, ISO160
A Parisian weekend favorite : grab a few clothes, drive a couple of hours and here is the big blue. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 75mm Summicron at F2, 1/125, ISO800
I have receive a new camera today, the Leica M9. So from now on, most pictures will be taken with what has become the first full frame digital rangefinder. The first series of picture were taken tonight on Les Champs-Elysées were thousands converged to celebrate the qualifying of Algeria to the next football World Cup. Be it on top of cars or motorcycle, happiness and pride could be seen on all faces. Especially since a few minutes later, France also qualified against Ireland. As I write, a mixture of Algerian and France flags are still mixing up on the Champs-Elysées and the party will go on until the early hours of the morning (click on pictures to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/20, ISO640
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux at F1.4, 1/20, ISO1250
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux at F1.4, 1/90, ISO1250
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux at F1.4, 1/125, ISO1000
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux at F1.4, 1/90, ISO1250
Strong showers hit Paris this afternoon. So much that a large puddle was growing on the terrasse of a restaurant. Until the waiter allowed the water to go free, in a somewhat acrobatic way. (click on picture to enlarge)
Epson R-D1 with 60mm Hexanon at F2, 1/100, ISO800
One of the French favorites hobby is the game of Pétanque. Whenever you see a flat trail with some gravel, players are not far, and sometimes only a few feet away from the Eiffel Tower.
Leica M8 with 85mm Jupiter 9, ISO160
Enjoying his Ice cream, a kid hides behind a tree in the Tuileries Garden. Was someone after him to steal his iced sweet ? (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/2000, ISO160
A boy looks avidly at the Moulin Rouge in the distance. He probably visualizes himself as the next star dancer of the show, the lucky man among the ladies. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F2, 1/1500, ISO160
At first sight, one could believe that a new statue was installed in the Tuileries Garden … (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F2.8, 1/350, ISO160
I spent most of my youth on football fields. Though grass fields are few in Paris, a father will always find a square or lonely street to share a few kids. The passion is carried on to the next generation. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron, ISO160
As sand and passerby’s replace the August traffic on the Seine River banks, a son and father enjoy a refreshening ride through the sprinklers. Jumping in the River to do so was obviously not an option. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F4, 1/250, ISO160
As I was crossing the Rivoli Avenue this afternoon, I found myself facing a wave made of hundreds of roller bladers on an organized city tour. I spotted this sympathetic blader that seemed to have gotten pretty thirsty by this exercise on this hot day. Hope he did not get fined for that 
(click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F2.8, 1/2000, ISO160
Of course, there is no sea in Versailles but a large pond built at the times for the leisure of the Kings of France. It is now invaded by dozens of small rowboats rented by visitors. This is where I found this man watching the seafaring as if he was a coastguard officer. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 60mm Hexanon, ISO160