It’s been 3 years since I visited my family in France and I’m way overdue. So I took the plunge and booked a ticket (slowing down and asking myself what’s really important) and I leave in 2 weeks. I’ll be staying in the studio my dad keeps near Bastille. It’s in this amazing old courtyard where I spent my earliest years, have my earliest memories and where I lived when I was 20. (also, it was featured in this movie).
That’s me with my dad in the courtyard before my parents split up and my mom and I moved to LA. My parents’ old apartment was sold to the designer Paola Navone a couple years ago. She renovated it and got a ton of press (here). Here are some pics of it when it was under construction (here).
The studio we still have is on the floor above that apartment and is teeny tiny but has a beautiful view and good neighbors. I guess you could call it a pied-a-terre if you wanted to make it sound fancier than it is. It just got streamlined so I’ll take pics when I get there. We still have the house in Provence but I probably won’t have a chance to make it there on this trip.
I’m planning on working on a couple of special assignments while I’m away. I’m almost as booked as I want to be but If you’re looking for a photographer in Paris (or London) between Oct 20 -Nov 10, you can email me laure (at) laurejoliet (dot) com.
I’ll also be updating my various guides to paris I wrote a couple years ago.
What would you guys like to see from Paris?
Please, please, please photograph a neighborhood carousel for me. And please, please sell me a print of it when you return. I’m serious, consider it a commission if you will! Convo me about pricing.
Joliet, you get more mysteriously amazing by the day.
Anything to do with Colette I would love to see you frame. And people reading or kissing.
French animals would be my request. Dogs and horses preferably And yes, I’m gonna want to purchase a high rez copy as well
Print out a BIG-ASS version!!!
Thanks! Au revoir!!! & Happy Trails!
Lucky lady!!!!
Before Sunset and Before Sunrise are my two favorite movies…maybe we will watch one tonight
how gorgeous. love the courtyard, love those movies. have a great time!
the petrolia post was fabulous.
Photos of: the black and white pillars in the Palace Royal courtyard, the corner cafe we would eat breakfast at (and where you taught me how to order duex eau), the metro map, and the Centre Pomidou with the blue pipes and that crazy fountain!
I totally recognized that courtyard before clicking the link! I remember thinking while watching the film:”What a gorgeous courtyard. It must be so special to live in a place like that!!” Anyway – I’m sure anything u shoot will b gorgeous. Safe travels Laure!
I know
what a great time of year to relax a little. i want to see whatever catches your eye while lounging. whatever feels warm and interesting. some fall food markets might be in order. show us all the art of doing nothing.
have a wonderful time.
ahhh, those are some of my favorite movies, ever (Richard Linklater is my favorite director, ever.) Have such a lovely trip! I’m jealous beyond belief – my last trip to Paris was in 2004 and I’m dying to go back!
that sounds so wonderful! enjoy your time… i can’t wait to see pictures. you could take a picture of a fire hydrant and i’d be completely drawn in and mesmerized. LOL!
Desi, that is the best answer I could have hoped for. If I’m capable of it, I will definitely explore the art of doing nothing!
thanks Elsie Elizabeth Steph, I will make you guys proud and document the crap out of the courtyard
Jen and Summer–you guys are inspiring me–do you think there’s a market out there for prints?
I would love to see little pockets of Paris that have meaning for you. I love seeing “other people’s Paris” or to see Paris through someone else’s perspective.
enjoy your precious time there! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to seeing what you capture:) Maybe some shots from the jardin de plantes and the Marais:)
[...] ready for my trip to Paris and loved all the responses about what you’d like to see. I will be committed to documenting [...]
I’m so inspired by this – those photos are gorgeous and I love hearing your family story. I can only imagine that you have many great stories to tell. Have a wonderful time and I can’t wait to see photos and read about your trip when you back. I’ll be living vicariously through you since travel is but a distant dream for me at the moment. Thanks for sharing.
First, I must tell you that I thoroughly enjoy your blog and love your photography. But, it’s your upcoming trip that inspired me to comment. I just returned from Paris last week. It’s a trip I make almost annually due to my love affair with the City of Light. While I reside in Texas, I LIVE in Paris. I love to photograph the city (have hundreds upon hundreds of pictures … some I’ve posted on my blog, http://www.alamodeus.net) but always appreciate seeing it from another lens. You must post upon your return. À bientôt.
thanks deborah, I’m getting geared up to go tomorrow!
laure~ i would love to see what people are wearing.
skaidra, consider it done. for now: ankle booties.