Cafes and More at Isle sur la Sorgue, Provence

The last week we've been in living in a charming apartment in the middle of Isle sur la Sorgue, a small town known for it's antiques in Provence, France. We chose this town for it's access to the hill towns of the Luberon, everything is about 20 to 30 minutes away through scenic countryside. Luckily we are here for 2 more weeks, a great place to be!

 Woman at the cafe getting ready to roll her cigarette.

Isle sur la Sorge is a long name for English speakers, it means Island on the Sorgue river. There are canals and rivers everywhere...kind of like Venice minus the gondolas :-) 

Many artists around, these dogs made of rubber boots are very clever! 

Enjoying a drink at the outdoor cafe. 

Another hand rolled cigarette, there are still many people smoking in France.

My Pastis, well.... the end of it, I forgot to take a photo before I drank it. A drink that tastes like licorice, refreshing!

 

Our waiter, tres charment.

 An unlimited selection of places to eat, many outdoor cafes, lots of water... nice!

  

And the rubber dogs sneaking a peak....

On the Edge in Gordes, Provence

Joe and I are now in our new apartment in Isle de la Sorgue, a central location to explore Provence, and the Luberon. What a treat, gorgeous views and ancient buildings everywhere we look!

Yesterday we explored the town of Gordes, a small hilltop town about a 25 minute drive from where we are staying. We had the place nearly to ourselves and an excellent lunch to top off another great day!

Gordes in all it's splendor.

 A great lookout point just before entering town.  Joe in action....getting his images for his blog.

 The friendly town dog, saw him in several locations, this is his town.

 Spring is here!

 The Eglise in town is falling apart, but makes for some great texture.

 Must have: a cat in a window image.

 Walking home.

 White dog with man 'touching' tail.

 Man reading a real book.

I couldn't pass up this great reflection.

Le Jardin des Tuileries in Paris on a Saturday in March

A lovely spring day and everyone is out and about at the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, a very popular park. Joe and I were one of many taking advantage of such a beautiful day in Paris!

 Here we are enjoying Paris, there's a good reason it's one of the most popular destinations in the world! We met a nice couple who caught me taking their photo from afar. He asked if I'd take their photo again, for real :-) and then he took this of us. You're a good photographer, Daniel! 

 The Place de la Concord is the area next to the gardens. Great spot for a sunset with the Eiffel tower in the distance!

 I spotted 2 wedding photo shoots here today.

 Paris is for lovers...

 Daniel and his friend.

 Taken with Daniel's permission, and later sent to him.

Just lookin'  

Smart phones dominated the photography scene. 

 Sunset on another really fun day...

French People, Bicycles and Nighttime at the Hotel de Ville, Paris

Yesterday was our last day visiting  in Paris, and the Hotel de Ville area was our playground. So much to see and Paris delivered in beautiful and interesting ways, as always. With cameras in hand, as if we'd leave them, ha! off we went to explore. I think we walked for over 4 hours until I cried uncle (it's hard to stop wanting to see what's around the next corner) and we had a bite to eat at another prefect little cafe that serves at all hours. This one has glass windows that open up in warmer weather.

Cafe Louis Philippe

Great food and the friendliest, happy-to-be-there waiter ever.

Inside the cafe, these men do a fine job of taking care of their customers.

Another patron at the cafe. So French looking...

We were very lucky to see a photography show in the Hotel de Ville, very inspiring! 

Paris Magnum Exposition: 80 years of Parisian History. Many famous photographers were represented! These were the guards at the door.

I was so inspired I made some artsy images :-)

 Just like Henri Cartier-Bresson... well, close maybe? Considered to be the father of photojournalism.

Talking on the phone. For me... at the exact right place :-) 

 Hotel de Ville at the blue hour, just after the sun went down.

 The Hotel de Ville houses the city's local administration and has done so since 1357! How's that for old??

I took many, a few worked. All done in camera. 

 Paris is for lovers...

 Another view of the Hotel de Ville

 River Seine at night.

 Coming home from work.

More famous French photographer inspiration. 

Night time on the River Seine with the spot light from the Eiffel Tower.