Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

French Door Handles

This morning the sun was shining,
So I grabbed my camera and went for a walk,
to take photos of doorknobs.
Some people go for a jog, others walk their dogs,
others grab a coffee and a croissant–
and some, (very few I think) see the morning sun
as an invitation to think, "This is a good day to take photos of doorknobs."
I am one of the odd few who think this way. Doorknobs are works of art– but you know that.
Rarely in my village are two door knobs alike which creates a challenge to opening doors, and don't get me started about locks!
As I went my merry way clicking-clicking, trying not to notice the strange looks my neighbors were given me. Ah there is no hope that they will ever think I am normal. Being crazy brings a certain freedom.

I am often distracted (not by the strange looks, I am use to that…) I tried to take photos of JUST DOOR KNOBS…but the mail slots, hinges, keys, shutters, around the neighborhood got me going too… but I reminded myself to keep on task, for once. The worn door handles are the ones I am the most attracted to, they are a sign of a happy home. As the saying goes "Knock and it shall open" may good things await you today.

Comments

36 responses to “French Door Handles”

  1. Hillary

    I love it!!! I know that people thought I was strange in Paris because I keep taking pictures of doors, windows and other things people don’t really take pictures of. But I didn’t care, because it was all so beautiful. People back home told me that they loved those pictures and would have never thought to have taken them. So THANK YOU Corey, it’s all because of you. Go knock on some doors…

    Reply
  2. Merisi

    Beautiful craftmanship,
    and imagining the lives that these doors open and close upon,
    endless possibilities!
    If you’d live here, we’d encounter each other,
    sooner or later, up early in the morning, taking pictures of something we have set our heart to capture that day.

    Reply
  3. herhimnbryn

    Knock,knock. Who’s there? Corey with her camera!
    Beautiful work.

    Reply
  4. The Brocantess

    I come home with a camera full of shots of pediments, doors, windows and roof tops and people just laugh. Now my family call me and ask for the photos….long after the touristy shots would have lost their appeal. Thank you for inspiring us to continue on.

    Reply
  5. julie

    Have never seen the hand knockers before – just beautiful. I adore the rosettes as well.

    Reply
  6. Lynda

    I love they’re all so different! They truly are works of art.
    xo,
    Lynda

    Reply
  7. Joni

    Oh, my what a beautiful bunch of doorknobs…I loved that you zeroed in on those for us, what works of art they are! I love and I love seeing your part of the world!
    XOXO
    Joni

    Reply
  8. martina

    Thanks Corey! I got part of a slide of birds singing in Denmark with your slide. So there were tweety birds and your nice photos.

    Reply
  9. Dee

    Love the door handles!…along with the birds singing…makes me want to go out for a walk!

    Reply
  10. caren

    On our resent trip to Paris, my hubby spent most of his time taking pictures of doors! People thought he was crazy too (including us at times). I must admit they are very unique and pretty….much better than what we have in the states! Maybe we should get your doorknobs and his doors together!! lol

    Reply
  11. Jeanne

    I love you
    I love all you share
    Kisses
    Listen to the birds sing in the background
    I love you

    Reply
  12. Eileen @ Passions to Pastry

    Two summers ago when I was in Arles I photographed all the “hands” I saw on doors. It seemed each one was different. And then, of course, each door seemed to be a different color than the previous one. Endless possibilities!

    Reply
  13. mindi

    I wish I was surrounded by beautiful door knobs. I feel like I need to change mine now! Have a great day today!

    Reply
  14. Lorrie

    Gorgeous doorknobs – works of art seen and used everyday. Knock, knock!
    Lorrie

    Reply
  15. Antigona

    On my last trip to France I took a gazillion pictures of door knobs and windows… I was affraid someone would tell me to STOP. They have a special kind of beauty…! You are not the only one inspired by them…

    Reply
  16. carolyn

    What a fun way to show door handles! Why don’t we have those darling hand pulls in the US?? I want one!

    Reply
  17. kim

    I would love to get a copy of the jpeg of the ‘hand’ door knob. I actually collect photographs of these, and would be thrilled if you would let me add yours to my collection!

    Reply
  18. Rebecca in the Pacific Northwest

    I wonder if your fascination with them stems not only from having an eye/appreciation for such detail, but also from the fact that you didn’t grow up with this wild variety everywhere. So it’s still fresh to you, even after all the years there.
    My first visit to Europe (in 1973!) was spent marvelling in all the handles. Subsequent trips, too.
    thanks!

    Reply
  19. ann

    well, I’m sorry I thought everyone took photos of door knockers/doors etc, or maybe I was just too busy doing the same to notice others walking by. xx

    Reply
  20. Franca Bollo

    I think you should do a series of French Knockers, seulement. Might get you some new readers.

    Reply
  21. Karon

    fab photos Corey. I too have a certain xation with door handles etc especially when I am in france. Ann is now quite used to me stopping in the middle of a street and snapping wildly at a door knob or a shutter lock. some think we are strange, oh well, c’est la vie.
    Keep up the good work
    Karon

    Reply
  22. Nancy ~ Fete et Fleur

    You not alone. I think doorknobs are wonderful.
    Nancy

    Reply
  23. TERI REES WANG

    Your traveling eye is so sharp and smart.
    I love to do the same when abroad but, could never have such luck here in L.A.

    Reply
  24. Linda

    Hello Corey ~
    This doesn’t concern the beautiful doorknob photos, and maybe it is too much of a downer topic, but I was wondering what the H1N1 status is there. Sometimes we forget that it is a world situation and we are all in it together. Hope you have had your seasonal flu shot! Thank you for all the lovely thoughts and images you regularly send our way! They never fail to add a little sparkle to my day. Linda

    Reply
  25. Marilyn

    I took many pictures of door knobs and door knockers when in France. Just love them. Also love outdoor chairs and tables.
    You are mentioned today at Delights of the Heart.

    Reply
  26. Helen

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  27. Elizabeth

    Nice display of interesting doorknobs, ones which seem to tell a story beyond.
    Come by and check out our adventures in Australia if you get a chance:
    http://frenchesdownunder.blogspot.com

    Reply
  28. michelle homer

    Thank you for taking me along on your walk. I felt like I was there.. M.

    Reply
  29. LibbyWNZ

    Fabulous insight as to the way of the towns dwellings, Corey. Thankyou once again for your eye that shows your heart.It makes me wonder about the different things ( door-knockers } that open peoples hearts. In New Zealand the door hardware is very practical and bland.

    Reply
  30. Linda

    A post on knockers and knobs? Has Franca Bollo told your family about this one?
    p.s. Pardonnez-moi Corey, I couldn’t resist this “Tongue in Cheek” comment. thank you for the beautiful pictures.

    Reply
  31. Nancy from Mass

    I love the hand door knockers! I would love one for my house.

    Reply
  32. liz

    My cat LOVED the bird song background audio!

    Reply
  33. Cheryl

    Love the photos…especially the one that looks like a small hand as a door knocker. Lovely!! When I was in Dublin, I took photos of the various front doors of homes/flats. Each was a different color, with a different door knocker. Quite fun!

    Reply
  34. Sue McGettigan

    heh heh Corey, you are SO my people 🙂 I have a whole lot of doorknob, window and letterbox photos, my family just shake their heads – “here she goes again” 🙂
    Love your photos, what a fun way to spend the morning! Thanks for sharing them.

    Reply
  35. Perch

    Love your image and featured it on our blog today.

    Reply
  36. Perch

    PS Hope you don’t mind…and have a frightfully grand night!

    Reply

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