This is our entry in Dutch goes the Photo!’s Tuesday Photo Challenge – Alley.
The graffiti on the walls in this Parisian alley prompts the chicken-and-egg question: which came first — the graffiti or the gates at both ends? Were the gates erected to prevent more graffiti, or was the graffiti created in defiance of the gates? The woman in the magenta outfit is also curious about this alley.
The red and blue sign upper right means interdit de stationner, or parking is prohibited in this area. The red and white sign upper left (VOIE POMPIERS) means firefighter way or fire lanes. On the other hand, the stenciled RIP with the mounted bicycle handle means, we assume, Rest in Peace. We have no idea about the significance of the cassette tape above the arch.
The sign IMPASSE DE L’HOTEL D’ARGENSON on the wall just inside the gate identifies this alley as a cul-de-sac for a hotel in the 8th arrondissement.
This photo was taken on October 7, 2015. Specs are:
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, ISO 400, f/3.5, 1/320 sec, 7.35 mm
iball round the world 
Definitely an interesting alley.
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Yes, even more so because you can’t enter it…
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It looks like there’s graffiti even on the inside. Interesting alley with gates. I normally don’t think of them having gates.
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After looking at Google Maps, I think this alley leads to non-guest areas of the hotel. I expect the hotel does not want unsavory characters in there, especially after dark.
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That is a just a magnificent photo! I love all the little things that you picked up in this image to give us lots to look at!
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Thank you! We saw the obvious things while we were there, but see much more magnified on the computer monitor.
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I like that photo, especially the precision of the iron-work on the gate contrasting with the hurried execution of the graffiti.
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Thank you for your insight and kind comments. We took a lot of photos there, and I find something new each time I look at the details.
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