Travel
Twilight on the Garonne
EN: The Dôme de La Grave and the Pont Saint-Pierre at twilight, reflected in the calm waters of the Garonne. Toulouse, October 2025.
FR: Le Dôme de La Grave et le Pont Saint-Pierre au crépuscule, reflétés dans les eaux calmes de la Garonne. Toulouse, octobre 2025.
Kouglof in the Morning Light, Toulouse
This morning, I stopped in front of a patisserie window in Toulouse and saw kouglof on display. Golden, dusted with sugar, crowned with almonds — it looked festive and familiar.
I was carried back to childhood memories. Growing up in Pittsburgh, my father used to bring home kugloff made by a very talented pastry chef. It was a rare treat, a cake that felt both special and comforting. I almost never see it at home anymore.
Standing in Toulouse, far from where those memories were made, the sight of kouglof reminded me of him — how food, even across cultures and continents, carries the thread of memory.
Dawn Reflections on the Garonne, Toulouse
EN: At sunrise, the Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques and the Dome of La Grave glow in warm light, their reflections mirrored in the still waters of the Garonne. The Pont Saint-Pierre frames the scene, a timeless view of Toulouse’s brick architecture and riverside heritage.
FR: Au lever du soleil, l’Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques et le Dôme de La Grave s’illuminent de teintes dorées, reflétées dans les eaux calmes de la Garonne. Le Pont Saint-Pierre complète ce tableau intemporel de l’architecture toulousaine en briques et du patrimoine des quais.
Basilique Saint-Sernin, Toulouse
EN : Interior of the Basilica of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse, one of the largest Romanesque churches in Europe and a major stop on the medieval pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Its vast nave, with soaring arches and frescoed ceilings, reflects the grandeur of 11th–12th century architecture.
FR : Intérieur de la basilique Saint-Sernin à Toulouse, l’une des plus grandes églises romanes d’Europe et une étape majeure sur le chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. Sa vaste nef, aux arcs élancés et aux voûtes peintes, témoigne de la grandeur de l’architecture des XIᵉ–XIIᵉ siècles.
Le Bouillon Capitole, Toulouse — A Century of Shared Tables
EN: Founded in 1902, Le Bouillon Capitole is a Toulouse institution. Located on Rue de la Pomme, just steps from Place du Capitole, the restaurant continues the Parisian “bouillon” tradition of offering simple, hearty dishes at democratic prices. Its glowing façade and bustling interior have made it a landmark of conviviality for more than a century, where students, families, and visitors alike gather to share a meal.
FR : Fondé en 1902, Le Bouillon Capitole est une véritable institution toulousaine. Situé rue de la Pomme, à deux pas de la place du Capitole, il perpétue la tradition parisienne des “bouillons”, proposant une cuisine généreuse à prix accessibles. Sa façade lumineuse et son ambiance animée en font depuis plus d’un siècle un lieu emblématique de convivialité, où étudiants, familles et voyageurs se retrouvent pour partager un repas.
Pont Saint-Pierre and the Dome of La Grave at Blue Hour
EN: The Pont Saint-Pierre spans the Garonne in Toulouse, linking the city center to the left bank. In the background stands the Dome of La Grave, part of the former hospital founded in the 12th century. The bridge itself, rebuilt in 1987, has become one of the city’s most photographed landmarks, especially at sunset and blue hour.
FR : Le Pont Saint-Pierre traverse la Garonne à Toulouse, reliant le centre-ville à la rive gauche. En arrière-plan s’élève le Dôme de La Grave, vestige de l’ancien hôpital fondé au XIIᵉ siècle. Le pont actuel, reconstruit en 1987, est devenu l’un des lieux les plus photographiés de la ville, notamment au coucher du soleil et à l’heure bleue.
Exploring the Centre Pompidou, Paris
Exploring the Centre Pompidou — bold architecture, a vibrant plaza, and rooftop views over Paris — and how it became a place I came to love (2012–2025).
When Will I See You Again?
The Centre Pompidou in Paris closed in 2025 for a five-year renovation to address safety and modernization needs.
Notre-Dame Reborn
Notre-Dame has reopened, five years after the devastating fire. When I stepped inside on my recent trip to Paris, I saw not scars but renewal — a cathedral more luminous than I remembered.
Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris
Just published: Maison Européenne de la Photographie: A Home for Photography — my walk through the MEP in Paris and the Marie-Laure de Decker exhibition. Her black-and-white work held me still: film grain, quiet strength, and moments that linger. More than photos, this is about presence and seeing.
Notre-Dame, Paris, 2025
EN: Notre-Dame at dusk, glowing above the Seine as the city settles into evening — timeless, serene, and unshaken.
FR: Notre-Dame au crépuscule, se reflétant sur la Seine tandis que la ville s’apaise — intemporelle, sereine, inébranlable.
Paris – La maison qui penche à Montmartre
FR : À Montmartre, près du Sacré-Cœur, cette illusion d’optique fait croire que l’immeuble bascule. En réalité, c’est la butte qui est en pente — mais l’effet visuel amuse toujours les passants et les photographes.
EN : In Montmartre, near the Sacré-Cœur, this optical illusion makes the building appear to lean dramatically. In reality, it is the hillside that slopes — but the visual trick never fails to amuse both passersby and photographers.
Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer
EN: The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer overlooks Omaha Beach, where more than 9,000 American service members are buried. Row upon row of crosses and Stars of David bear silent witness to sacrifice, freedom, and memory.
FR: Le Cimetière Américain de Normandie à Colleville-sur-Mer domine Omaha Beach, où reposent plus de 9 000 soldats américains. Rangée après rangée de croix et d’étoiles de David témoignent en silence du sacrifice, de la liberté et du souvenir.
Cabourg, France
EN: The sun sinks into the horizon at Cabourg, painting the beach and sky in soft evening light.
FR: Le soleil disparaît à l’horizon de Cabourg, teintant la plage et le ciel de la douce lumière du soir.
Paris at Night, 2025
The Eiffel Tower glows beyond a quiet street, framed by lit windows and the moon breaking through clouds. A nocturnal Paris, both intimate and grand.
Pont Alexandre III, Paris, 2025
Opened for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, Pont Alexandre III is Paris’s most ornate bridge, built as a symbol of friendship between France and Russia. Its gilded statues and Art Nouveau lamps shine over the Seine, linking Les Invalides with the Grand Palais.
Beneath the Pyramid – Louvre, Paris, 2025
From inside I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid, the historic Louvre rises through a web of steel and sky. Opened in 1989, the pyramid transformed the museum’s entrance into a symbol of Paris itself — a meeting point of classical grandeur and modern design.
The Hémicycle – National Assembly, Paris, 2025
This is the Salle des Séances, also known as the Hémicycle, the debating chamber of the French National Assembly. Located in the Palais Bourbon, it was completed in 1799 during the turbulent years following the Revolution. The semicircular design, inspired by ancient Roman theatres, symbolizes openness and equality among deputies. Above the speaker’s rostrum hangs a monumental painting, The Oath of the Jeu de Paume by Jacques-Louis David, commemorating the pivotal moment of 1789 when deputies swore not to separate until France had a constitution. Today, the chamber remains the symbolic heart of French democracy, where laws are debated and the government held accountable.
Timeless Louvre – Cour Napoléon, 2025
Silent statues and stone façades, watching over the Louvre’s courtyard as they have for centuries.
