David Hilgier Photographs

Similar to the Impressionist paintings we viewed throughout the week, streets soaked by an evening downpour create a painterly reflection of the neon marquees and windmill of the northern Paris cabaret.

Chilled to the bone with wet feet and huddled under an umbrella, we decided to explore some more of the city before retreating into a museum for warmth and inspiration. There once was a time where I would absolutely loath anything less than blue skies while traveling. These days I don’t necessarily root for rain when we are wandering, however, I’ve grown to appreciate its transformative effects. In this case, a sleepy side street morphed into an atmospheric cinematic still from the movie of my life.

One of the unmistakable Paris Metro Art Nouveau signs provides a splash of color to an otherwise rainy and gray December evening.

The souvenir shops in our midst hold little appeal to either of us. He briskly moves past them as I utilize their markings and offerings as a demarkation of place.

A simple barrier dividing two defining elements of the Parisian street level landscape.

The familiar green hue of the Paris Metro blurs past those waiting on the platform.

A sleepy Saturday morning on the hills leading to Sacré-Cœur and the streets of Montmartre.

A brief exchange of glances from across the tracks of the Paris Metro. Hers through a skeptical side eye, mine through my rangefinder.

A vignette of saturation amongst the muted pastel tones that comprise the color palette of Paris.

Between points a and b, she emerges briefly into the glow of an afternoon sun from the shadows establishing their end of day majority at street level.