In Paris, everybody wants to be an actor; nobody is content to be a spectator
Jean Cocteau
I’m not totally with Cocteau on this, although I do understand why he said it. For me, there are few more pleasurable ways to pass the time in Paris than sitting on the terrace of a pavement café watching the world pass by. The city is a continuous performance, with mini dramas being played out on every street corner. I am very content to be a spectator, with of course my camera in hand.
So order your beverage of choice: coffee, beer, wine or anise perhaps. Then sit back and enjoy the show!
This is a follow up to last year’s post on the same theme, with shots here all taken on my most recent visit to the city
25 Comments
rkrontheroad
Fun portraits, and some fashion posers!
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, definitely!
wetanddustyroads
Your people photos never disappoints! There are some ladies here that can qualify as actresses, don’t you think? I would maybe give the green skirt a skip, but I like the photo!
Sarah Wilkie
I see what you mean. The young ladies by St Germain des Pres were certainly posing very well, taking photos of each other for (I assume) Instagram or other social media 😃
grandmisadventures
I love these pictures- really shows Paris from the people who call it home 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂 Yes, many of these people are Parisians but a few are tourists like us!
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Leela Gopinath
Captured some varied moods….only if one analyses your pictures one realises the hues of emotions captured….great
Sarah Wilkie
Ah yes, that’s very true – thank you Leela 🙂
salsaworldtraveler
A wonderful variety of people photos, Sarah and in Paris, too!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you – I love taking street photos anywhere but Paris IS special!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Some startling outfits! I prefer the simple elegance of the lady reading Nicole Krauss.
Sarah Wilkie
I completely agree, I thought she looked very chic 🙂 The two girls outside the church were with a third friend, similarly dressed to kill, and they were all taking it in turns to pose for what must have been Instagram posts I reckon!
Mike and Kellye Hefner
Such pretty people!
Sarah Wilkie
Really? I wouldn’t have said ‘pretty’ for many of them, although I found all of them interesting 🙂
thehungrytravellers.blog
Fantastic people pics. And I absolutely agree, Paris is one of those cities where just sitting, watching and listening is all part of being absorbed into its spirit. In fact wherever we are in the world, there’s a certain type of cafe which always makes us call it “Parisienne”.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂 And of course I agree with everything you say. Paris is the very definition of ‘cafe culture’, and I’m not sure anywhere else quite succeeds in matching it, much as some cities may try!
starship VT
Marvelous photos as always, Sarah! There really is something special about capturing people when they are totally unaware of themselves; though maybe a few of the subjects here, including the couple, were actually very hopeful of drawing attention to themselves!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sylvia 😊 Yes, that couple definitely wanted to draw attention to themselves! They were very happy to pose when Chris asked them to, so I grabbed a couple of shots at the same time.
margaret21
Fabulous people-watching!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Margaret, glad you enjoyed it!
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
Sarah, people watching in Paris, or just about anywhere for that matter is an education unto itself. Lovely captures.
Sarah Wilkie
Absolutely Suzanne, as rewarding as visiting the big sights, wonderful as they are! Glad you enjoyed these shots 🙂
Nemorino
Nice portraits of people in Paris. I assume these are mainly candid shots, or did some know you were taking their pictures?
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Don 🙂 All were candids with the exception of the couple outside Saint Germain des Pres. Chris asked if he could take their photo so I did so at the same time, but at a slight angle as you can see. So technically they were posing for him, not for me!