Onto the 4th and 5th (Arrondissements)

I told you I took a lot of photographs from my trip to Paris. If you've been following my previous posts, you know I wasn't lying. So much to share (and so little time to get around to posting them all); I hope you're enjoying the photographic journey as much as I am. The adventure continues today with a stroll. We're leaving the grandeur of Notre Dame behind, and walking deeper into the areas known as the 4th and 5th Arrondissements (two of the twenty municipal districts of the city). The 4th is roughly the center of the city, and features two small islands (Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité) situated in the middle of La Rive Seine (the Seine River). The 5th is often referred to as the Latin Quarter, due to the prevalence of Latin language spoken around the many universities, colleges, and high schools in this area. It dates back to Ancient times, and is one of the oldest parts of the city.

The Metro station in the center of Paris, Île de la Cité 

Self portrait, standing outside 5 Rue Poulletier, Île Saint-Louis

Decorative housing of a drinking fountain, with the looming Notre Dame de Paris in the background

Facing the left bank (La Rive Gauche) of the Seine, the second of two Shakespeare and Company bookstores opened in 1951 and was named as a tribute to the original store, which was a gathering place for many famous writers, including Hemingway

Much of the Medieval architecture seen in the buildings and streets of the 5th Arrondissement still remains. Streets are narrow, buildings are tall and lean in different directions, and it is quite easily to feel transported to an centuries-old era

Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, one of the oldest churches in Paris

North face of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, and a locust tree, supported by concrete crutches. This tree was planted in 1602, and is the oldest tree in Paris.

Bouquinistes, second hand booksellers, line both sides of the River Seine, just as they have done for over 500 years

Parisian squeezebox on the pont Saint-Louis

Newlyweds follow their photographer down to the banks of the River Seine on a very chilly January afternoon

Pont Marie, one of 38 bridges that cross La Rive Seine. Camera position was on Île Saint-Louis,
looking across to the right bank

Pont de Sully, constructed in 1876; 100 years before my birth. Camera position again faces across the water to the right bank

I ate plenty of French-made cheese during my travels...and it really was as good as you've heard

Splendid little details are everywhere you look

As much as I enjoyed capturing these photographs, there's nothing that compares to visiting a new place in person and on foot. If these images speak to you, I certainly hope you'll take the next step and make plans to go there yourself! Now, don't forget to use the social media buttons right below this post to SHARE with your friends : ) See you next time!