January 2023 – Six days in Paris – My 1-2-1 Street workshop

The official workshop was now over and this was my 1-2-1 workshop with Valérie Jardin. I was a little apprehensive after my selected images from the workshop windup meeting were not well regarded by the group.

Day 5: Paris: Monday 30th January 2023

I had a quieter night with not much street noise below until early in the morning  below  the garbage bins were being emptied. When looked out to check on the noise  I looked outside and noticed that unfortunately it had rained. Not a great start to the day.

I ate alone in the restaurant again and checked with reception about a taxi to the Gare du Nord. All was OK for my Tuesday journey home.I then headed out to meet Valérie outside the Pantheon.

The Christmas lights around the plaza were being taken down. I was surprised to see that the workers were simply cutting the wires and not bothering to save them for another year.

I could see a line of people queing on the other side of the Pantheon. After walking over there I could see that the queue was for the library.

Valérie booked an Uber to take us to Montmartre for the start of the session. I was excited as this would be my first visit to this famous part of Paris. The traffic was heavy and it took 40 minutes to get to Montmartre. The Uber had to stay out of the bus/taxi lanes and this added to the time taken. However, the Uber ride was only just over €10.

Montmartre

Leaving the Uber I had my first sight of Sacré-Cœur. Then I have my first challenge of the day of photographing people on the steps coming up.

Walking up and down the streets

Dog outside café

We watched the owner posing the dog outside the cafe.

Stopping for a coffee

Sitting outside we braved the rain to watch passers by.

This art was across the small square – Place de Tertre.

Down the steps

I asked the lady if she would pose for me.

By the Love Wall

And the nearby Metro.

Walking across Paris back to the 5eme

Lunch

The cafe that we stopped at was packed. We did manage to find a table near the back.

Lots of passages

We Walked through some of Paris’ passages. Some were full of book stores and art galleries, some had cafes and others boutiques.

Staircases

More passages and shops

Les Halles

Montparnasse for dinner

I was invited to join  Valérie and our friend from an earlier workshop for dinner.

We walked to a restaurant in  Montparnasse and after that I made my way back to Hotel Design.

I finished my packing and took another Covid test.
I hoped that I would not have to walk to the Gare du Nord in the morning!