I was in Paris last week, before returning to the UK for Christmas. The last time I was in Paris was 15 years ago, when I was studying abroad in the South of France in Cannes. As I noted earlier this week, it was lovely to return, to unravel a bit, and to spend time with friends for five days. We stayed at our friend’s flat right in the center, on Rue St. Denis in the 1st arrondissement. The weather was agreeable, and while there was a noticeable military and police presence across the city, from what I saw, people were out and about as normal.
I haven’t been in much of a headspace to write lately, so here are some photographs from the week. Happy holidays to you, and I hope you’re enjoying these final days of 2015.

















Images taken with an iPhone 5s (and a few with a Canon G11).
Images are really cool and make me want to explore Europe. Amazing what an Iphone can shoot.
wow!! love these pics!!!
These are definitely some beautiful photos!!!
Lovely photos. I just came back from Paris and you just reminded me of how charming the city is. Looking forward for more on your blog 🙂
Love these pictures!
Beautiful photos, Cheri. I love your blog!
Thank you so much, Cheri. I love your ‘ENDING 2015 IN ENGLAND’ and ‘PARIS IN DECEMBER’ images You’ve reminded me that ‘though my body was born in England, my soul was born in Paris.
Need to return to Paris!
Nice piece. Loved the underbelly pic.
Beautiful pictures!
whow, beautiful pictures of our beloved Paris!
Love how you look at the city of Paris ! 🙂
Its so pretty! I really loved how you captured some of these views. Especially the love locks, and the Seine! Paris has always been my dream place to visit.
You have captured some lovely moments.
I stayed in Europe for several months in 1995 and was lucky enough to visit Paris several times. Needless to say, I fell in love with the city. I thought I would have returned many times by now. Alas, time has flown by and I still dream of one day getting back there. Thanks for a beautiful tour of the city through your photos.
Cool post. Viewing your pictures has only made me more angst to backpack through Europe this summer.
Paris is such a splendid city… It is so magnificent that sometimes feels unreal… Maybe you will disagree from me but I feel london more human, ” more normal” whereas Paris is almost like a celebrity… Where everything is perfect and as it should be… Great place to visit and revisit! If you are interested in Japan, I recently wrote a post about it… I love traveling and work for thr next trip…xx Valentina…
I loved this post so much and have been reading some of your posts and really do love your blog so much!!
that is just wonderful 🙂
Stunning photographs!! xx
Beautiful pictures! Looks like you had a great time!
I love these pictures..
Really great pictures, makes us want to go there.
Fantastic photos. I was in France and Paris in August, September and October. Your pics have transported me back. Thanks for the follow on my travel blog. It’s led me to yours, which is a very good thing.
Lovely photos!
Thanks (again) for sharing your perspectives of another beautiful and interesting place. I especially like the ones of you and Charlie Chaplin, Nick and “face sighting in Montmartre” and the selfie of the two of you. Great shots!
Cool post! You really captured the Parisian spirit 😉
Love all of these, and you make me want to return to Paris to find the ones you saw and i didn’t! Best wishes for a great 2016. Looking forward to seeing what else you find.
You hit home with this post, Cheri. Even more because of Montmartre, since I used to live at the feet of the butte when I arrived as a student at La Sorbonne. Your photos are exquisite, even though Paris is photogenic. Love the blue too. And the crepes of course. It is true that Paris is perfect for people in love so I’m happy that you went with your husband. You make me a little homesick, to be frank, but also happy and proud. I feel fortunate to have known Paris when it was quieter, more equal and less similar to other cities across the world. I’m suprised to see the locks on the pont des Arts since they were removed not so long ago. Amazing that people put them back. There were none when I lived there, although this bridge was one of the most romantic. Thank you for sharing your trip and these gorgeous pics.
There weren’t many locks on the bridge (maybe a small section), so I assumed that the majority had already been removed earlier this year?
I first explored Paris when I was 13 — and fell in love. That trip made me continue my studies in French, and influenced my decision to study in Cannes in college. Later, when I was 19, I don’t remember how often I visited Paris (maybe a dozen times?), but by the time I left France, I felt like I knew the city.
Exploring a few weeks ago, the one thing that surprised me was how small it is! When younger, cities like these feel so big. I love how walkable and compact it is. (As compared to London — where we’ve been recently — which feels too big that’s its unwieldly to me.)
Cool, Paris en December est bien, je suis ici aussi parce que de la visit de amies et je dois dire famille. N’exactamente en Paris mais un peu en la compagne. Je pense “suburbs” mais ” suburbs” en France est tres different en France que US. Cool photo, Je prend beaucoup ici.
Merci!
The angles of your photos are always intriguing! Thank you for sharing.
Gorgeous photos!
Emory
helloscarlettblog.com
The pics are so well shot!
Gorgeous Paris 🙂
Thanks for sharing these gorgeous pictures from the city of love. Sending you warm wishes for the holiday season and a very Happy New Year 🙂
Vive la Paris!
Some of the best pictures are taken while looking down. Love the floor tiles! If you get a chance to visit Lyon, they have some lovely ones.
I enjoyed the post. Although I’ve never been to Paris, I do remember seeing something about lovelocks being controversial, with some locals thinking the were a romantic gesture and others considering them an eyesore. I’d love to be able to go one day and decide for myself.
I think they’ve removed a fair amount of locks because of the weight/pressure put on the bridge. I personally think they’re an eyesore, too, but had to take a picture anyway 🙂
That’s interesting. Of all the great pictures on your post, the lovelocks photo was the one that prompted me to leave a comment. I wasn’t sure what side of the debate you came down on, though, so, craven soul that I am, I played it safe. I believe the story I saw was about the Pont des Arts bridge. I have to say, I thought it looked a lot happier without the metal jacket.
Having said that, I wonder if there isn’t some compromise that could be reached. Perhaps somewhere in Paris the local government could build a monument specifically for lovelocks. I understand the impulse for people, particularly couples, to want mark their visit to such a romantic city. When I eventually get to Paris, as I’m sure I will one day, it’d be nice to think that there was some officially sanctioned way to commemorate it. Of course, I could just take a photograph!
Anyway, I enjoyed the post. Have a great week. 🙂
Tres bien! Fabulous photos – captured the essence of the place. And with you iPhone? Impressive, indeed!
The green mask is by Gregos. http://www.gregosart.com/
Thanks for the info!
Fascinating pictures and viewpoints of all…
Paris is so beautiful. Great pics
You’re killing me! I’ve never been to Paris. Now I want to drop everything, pack a bag full of Hemingway, and fly. Beautiful, Cheri.
Beautiful photographs Cheri.
Alison
Exquisite pics, their clarity and aspect are just beautiful. Your smartphone? 🙂 Linda
Yes, the majority were taken on my iPhone. (And I added a few more — love locks, selfie under the Eiffel Tower, and me with Charlie Chaplin art — from my other camera (Canon G11)). Thanks for visiting, Linda.
It is good to see some pictures from you again…