Shivering in the Sun

Gray skies and rainy days get me down, but a freezing sunny day is just fine, and that's what we've had for the last few days.  There's a haze that seems to settle on Paris in the winter whether the sun is shining or not, but the sunlight on the buildings and the shifting clouds that briefly block the rays and then allow them through are enough to make my spirits soar.

But it's damn cold nonetheless.  This little park just behind the (closed for renovation) Picasso Museum is deserted at midday, its grass rimed with frost and its benches covered in a thin layer of snow.   So far the snow hasn't stuck on the ground, but some is left on windshields of cars and on hedges in the parks.

Walking home from the Marais yesterday we walked through the park behind Notre Dame and decided to warm up for a bit in the church before continuing across the river. 

It wasn't much warmer inside but we stumbled onto a wonderful treat, the rehearsal of today's performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, sung, played and conducted by students at the Paris Conservatory of Music.  We stayed, happily bundled in our coats and gloves.