Paris is a city that cries out to be photographed; the beautiful buildings and oh-so-Parisian scenes are continually flirting with the lens of my camera whenever I’m in the French capital. My favourite set of Paris photographs has to be when I photographed the City of Lights in the snow last year because it felt like such a rare opportunity to see such a heavily photographed city in a unique light.
Just a few weeks after heading to Paris to celebrate NYE I jumped on a flight back to France again for the famous Maison et Objet trade show. As well as exploring the show, my dear friend Arianna and I took some time to catch up over a couple of tasty lunches. Of course, as I walked between the show and our apartment I stopped to take some snapshots – here are six favourites:
1. Parisan architecture never fails to stop me in my tracks – stunning, isn’t it?
2. Mariska Meijers‘ colourful booth was my personal highlight of Maison et Objet.
3. Despite the grey skies, the Louvre still managed to look resplendent. I love that this building is instantly recognisable despite only showing the tiniest fraction of it. And when it rained (which was a lot!) it helped to jump into a Blacklane car to get around.
4. I’m not often a fan of traditional French food (I find it a bit too rich) but I discovered some lovely light salads in the two lunches I had while in town. Thanks to recommendations from my foodie friend Lindsey, I enjoyed excellent meals at Buvette and Cafe Charlot.
5. Drinking an cup of tea while watching the world go by felt very relaxing.
6. After taking a picture of the Louvre and thinking how it was instantly recognisable from the tip alone, I felt inspired to try this with another of Paris’ famous landmarks – the Eiffel Tower. I took this shot from the top of the Arc de Triomphe and purposed blurred it out to create a magical flare from all the lights in, well, the City of Lights. It’s such a beautiful sight, don’t you think?
Have you been to Paris? What inspires you about the city?
// Photography by Will Taylor
31 Comments
Wow! I’m impressed you got to see Paris during the daytime at all! The drive from our central hotel out to Maison took 45 minutes and buildings just flashed past! Our lunches consisted of baguettes eaten whilst sat on the exhibition floor tucked in a grubby corner cos the seats were all taken. I walked a couple of marathons each day from 10 til 6. But Paris is still amazing at night, the Louvre is magical, hough I felt like a vampire…destined to wander in the dark…great show eh?!!!
@Louise – I agree, Paris is almost more magical by night! Hope you had a great time at the show!
I love your striped top and the last shot feels very atmospheric.
@Bea – Thank you, I was really pleased with how it came out!
Lovely pics Will! What, you are not a fan of traditional French food 😉 I think we need to make you change your mind about that! I hope you like French patisserie at least.
xxx
Elodie
@Elodie – Oh yes, the pastries are divine. The best anywhere in the world, I think! Dangerously good! 😉 x
Ahh. your snapshots are always so beautiful! Makes me want to go back to Paris.. especially for all the food and pastries!! x
@Trisa – Thank you! I’m with you on the pastries – soooo good! x
Wow, your photos are wonderful!!
@2moiselles – Thanks so much! 🙂
so beautiful! i need to go back to paris 🙂 xo jillian – cornflake dreams
@Jillian – As they say, Paris is always a good idea! 😉
I have carried Mariska Meijers pcs in my shop. I love her work.
@Anchor Cottage – Mariska is so talented and such an inspiration. A colour lover to the max, too! 🙂
Love them–and gets me so amped up for my trip!! 38 days and counting, eeeek! I wonder if you might be in town when I’m there?
@Susan – Not long to wait now! It would be so fun if I do happen to be in town at the same time as you! 🙂
Such a traveller you are !! =)
But I think Paris needs a bit more green in the city 🙁
@Busymaker – That’s true, it could do with a few more green spaces!
@Busymaker – I think that’s a problem in every big city around the world. City environment kind of contradicts having green places and nature all that much.
Anyway great photos you have there Will, hope you had a pleasant time.
As far as being in Paris, my travelling hasn’t reached there yet, but I hope it does soon. 🙂
@Audrey – Thank you! Hope you manage to visit one day soon!
Really great shots, Will, I love how you play with the iconic buildings, and now I really want to go to Paris!
@Gabrielle – Thanks! I guess it’s time to book a trip! 😉
So glad you and Ari had a wonderful trip Will. It’s in the diary for next year-I haven’t been to MO for 12 years! Happy weekend lovely xx
@Caroline – It will be fascinating for you to see what has (or perhaps hasn’t!) changed! x
Hi Will, glad you had a fab time in Paris. I love going to the Louvre and the Musee Dorsey, I think I’ve spelt it wrong. I love seeing all the incredible paintings. One of the best places I went to was the cemetery where Oscar Wilde is buried, it was such an interesting place and the gravestones for many of the dead are simply incredible. So much detail. I also loved walking around near the Sacre Couer which has so many tiny little streets to visit and is like a hidden labrynth. Glad you had such a good time,
Jo xxx
@Jo – Thank you! Yes, those are all fab Parisian places to see!
Lovely photos Will and boy do you travel! The photo of the Louvre is superb and of course, a cute one of you in the cafe drinking tea. xx Mel
@Mel – Thank you! 🙂 x
Loved your shots and the striped top! Where did you get it if I may ask?
@Chester – Thank you. It’s from H&M.
Loved the pics.