Gendarme with Boats

It's a warm sort of feeling to frame your shot and wait for the opportune moment to happen, especially if you're in the Jardin des Tuileries with the sun just setting and you've nowhere to go. I remember waiting for the gendarme to get into the frame of this shot before I clicked the shutter. Is the boat keeper winking at me? "Take your picture now," he seems to be saying, "it won't get any better, mon ami."

The boats were for rent so people could sail them on the pond, although I don't recall seeing people doing this! I guess it was too late for that. What a great life these two have! The gendarme leisurely pedaling through the park and the boat keeper looking after his toy boats.

This photograph, as so many others I did of Paris, was taken at dusk with the setting sun in the background. The light at dusk at that time of the year (November, I think) was fantastic.

1. Can you identify the statue in the background (with its obligatory head- sitting pigeon) and pinpoint the exact location of this scene?

   This image is taken from the western side (and toward the west, since it is sunset) of the pool in the "Le Notre" part of the Tuileries. This is the pool nearest the Louvre (ie the eastern part of the Jardin des Tuileries). The other pool in the Tuileries is the "Bassin Octogonal" near the Place de la Concorde; the site of the original hot air balloon flight by the Montgolfier brothers.

   Thanks to Norman Barth

2. Is this gendarme part of an elite bicycle corps? Do all "flics" wear a cape and hat like this?

   In France, "gendarme" is a military guy. This one is not a gendarme, neither a policeman. He is simply one of the parc keepers. Long time ago, policemen were dressed like that, and were also using bikes.

   Thanks to Jean-Manuel

Another sight in the Jardin des Tuileries (or is it Bois de Boulogne?):

• Children on rocking horses

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