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August 09 2010
Roman Warrior
Yes, I know, it's another boring Paris Statue... ;-) But I took it at sunset and it gives it a little flavor that you won't see that often! FYI, it's called the Roman Warrior, it's one of the four statues that are to be found on the Pont d'Iéna (the bridge just underneath the Eiffel Tower) and it was made by Louis Daumas a sculptor we know very little about...
August 08 2010
Les toits de Paris
I don't know why exactly, but there is something really special about the Paris rooftops. First of all, because you can easily see them (buildings must not be higher than 25 or 31 meters depending on the areas - with a few exceptions though) and second because most of them are shaped the same way, and made of Zinc with orange chimneys. I love them. And I'm not the only one... They have inspired several artists, including film maker René Clair or Hiner Saleem and of course, this very famous song by Berthe Sylva!
July 28 2010
A taste of the old times
I took this photo in the upper part of La rue des Martyrs (the one part that is at beginning of the Butte Montmartre. It's a very traditional street, with old shops and active local life (and a few tourists too, yes!). It's been named that way after, - supposedly - Saint Denis, bishop of Paris in 250 AD, walked through it after he had just been beheaded (yes, you read it right after!). Actually he is said to have picked his head up and walked six miles after it was chopped off! See the whole story here.
July 25 2010
L'étoile !
OK, I won't even think of pretending I took this shot! Besides, it is highly prohibited to fly over Paris unless you have a good reason... No, I stole it from the television on the occasion of the arrival of the Tour de France on the Champs Elysées (that is actually what I like about this event each year: they show breathtaking views of Paris). Now, look more closely (click in the photo to enlarge it). Do you see the little "arms" around the Arc de Triomphe, embedded in the pavement? Very few people know they are there, because you can only see them from above. Well, they are star arms and that is why before being called the Place Charles de Gaulle, it used to be called "L'Etoile" (the Star).
July 21 2010
Attention travaux !
If your were in Paris at the moment, you would find a lot of signs like this! During the summer the city turns into a giant work in progress - there are no less than 5,125 streets in Paris for a total of 2,918 km (1,813 miles)! The good side is that pavements and sidewalks are pretty well kept, the bad side is that in July, where a lot of Parisians are still home, the traffic is absolutely dreadful. Even some train tracks are impacted: hence the complete shut down of traffic between Gare d'Austerlitz and Invalides until August 21st, due to the refection of all the tunnels... God, I would not like to be in charge of a city like Paris LOL!
July 18 2010
Classic view
I spent Sunday afternoon at Le Vésinet, a nice suburb of Paris, in the sun surrounded with friends. On the way back I passed by Porte Maillot, at the bottom of l'Avenue de la Grande Armée, from where you have the best view of L'Arc de Triomphe (in my opinion). The French French flag between its "legs" is usually not there. They hang on special occasions, like the recent 14 juillet / Bastille Day. That's all. Have a nice week everyone!
June 27 2010
Wish you were here!
I know you're going to be envious, but I can't help it! The weather in Paris at the moment is really nice (a little too hot maybe...) and walking down the embankment is a real treat. FYI? the first bridge is Pont Marie and the second one - in the background - is Pont Louis Philippe. I hope this will help you start the week with a big smile...
May 28 2010
A meeting with a view
This morning I had a meeting in a communication agency in the center of Paris. It was the first time I visited them. A nice lady opened the door showed me into the main office and told me to wait in the meeting room upstairs... What she did not know is that I would take advantage of it to... takes photos! No matter where I looked, the scenery was absolutely stunning. So I took several photos, of course. I chose to publish this very Parisian one, where you have one the main landmarks of Paris together with the rooftops in the foreground.
May 26 2010
Notice something different?
Look at this photo carefully. I know you know this arch (called L'arc de Triomphe), but did you notice anything different? Look closer... Click in the photo to enlarge it... Bingo! The sculptures on each side have been replaced with photos. Why? Because they are currently being renovated - until June 15. The one on the right is the most famous one; it was sculpted by François Rude in 1792 and it bears the name "La Marseillaise".
May 24 2010
In the footprints of Willy Ronis...
Do you know this photo by Willy Ronis, the famous French photographer who is probably more known for this photo? Well, at the occasion of a tour I will tell you more about soon, I happened to go exactly where he took the photo in 1950, that is Avenue Simon Bolivar in the 19th arrondissement . Of course the magic of his shot is definitely not in mine, but I tried my best! Oh BTW, the gray haired man on the right is... Stéphane Kovalsky, the grand son of Willy Ronis! Cool encounter, I can tell you.
April 25 2010
Paris, I love you!
I know I'm going to make you sooooooooo jealous, but believe me this past weekend in Paris was absolutely delightful. Just the right temperature, not too many people because it's currently the Passover vacation time and many Parisians are out of the city, and... a lot of sun. What more can you ask for?! Oh yes, a nice lunch at a terrace... That is what I had, twice. On Saturday in the Quartier Latin area and on Sunday at... er... The Hard Rock Cafe! I took this photo at Odéon (that is at the Latin Quarter), at the Les Editeurs, where I took this photo.
April 10 2010
Sunset over a Paris building
It's been a beautiful day in Paris today and it showed. I took this simple, but beautiful atmosphere photo at the end of rue du Temple, near Republic. This is - well I think! - a typical Haussmannian building, which means no more than 5 stories above the ground floor, balcony on the second (third for the Americans!) and 5th floor, same hight for each story, and carvings on the facade. Thank you Mr Haussmann!
April 05 2010
Best baguette: and the winner is...
I already told you several times how bread - and especially La Baguette - is important to the French. I also explained how they cut their bread consumption dramatically since the beginning of the 20th century due to many factors including a drop in quality and the fear of weight gain... That is why the bakers need a little marketing! One of the actions they took (with the help of the Paris town hall), was to organize a "best baguette contest" in Paris... The jury voted at the end of March: now it's official, if you want to eat the best baguette in Paris, you have to go the 18th arrondissement, at le Grenier à Pain Abesses. If you're on the left bank you can still go to le Grenier de Félix, who won last year; I'm sure they haven't lost their savoir faire...
March 24 2010
Stuck in the Eiffel Tower!
Those who follow me on Twitter or Facebook will not be surprised to see this photo! Here is why: today, I went to the Eiffel Tower (for work!) and I took the elevator to go up (call me lazy if you want, I don't care!). When we landed on the first floor the doors refused to open. They had to "play with the cabin" for a good 10 minutes before they actually managed to free us! No harm, no worries, just a good laugh in fact. I wonder if these elevators used to work better at the time there was an operator sitting outside the cabin, like this man in blue that they now replaced with a mannequin to remind the visitors of the good old times!
March 21 2010
Ile Saint Louis
A recent study ranked Paris the most expensive city in the world to live in (which I seriously doubt really), but when you see this scenery, you don't regret spending a little more than in other big capitals! This is actually the skyline of a part the Ile Saint Louis, a very old part of Paris that was built during the 17th century (you can see how crooked the buildings are!). Most of these buildings where originally Hotels Particuliers, that is private houses belonging to one and only one family. Things have changed now, but for the price of real estate. Not only is it very difficult to find an apartment there, but when you do, prices have no limits! More detailed info here.
March 02 2010
Late Shopping
Coming back home after 2 weeks vacation is always difficult! Not only do you have to go back to work - and deal with the zillion emails that have been nicely piling up in your mailbox while you were away! - but on top of that you have to start life "as usual" again. Including filling the fridge! Fortunately, now, we have the "Daily Monop'", a rather new food store chain that stays open until midnight 6/7. Not only do they have "the basics", but they also have high-end organic ready made dishes that these "young urban professionals" love to reheat in the microwave when coming home at 9pm after a hard day's work ;-)
February 25 2010
Meulière House
Here is a type of house that is pretty common in the Paris area (more in the suburbs than inside Paris in general, for there are mostly apartment buildings in Paris and few houses). It's called a Maison Meulière (Meulière house) after the type of rock that was used to build them. I photographed this one in the 15th arrondissement, avenue Félix Faure. It is actually a foundation, created by Maria Chauvière (the mother of Claude Chauvière who became the personal secretary of Colette) and who dedicated it to children. It is now a child day care center.
February 17 2010
Sewers
Paris, the city where even the sewers maintenance service have a cute little house! I found it at Place du Guignier in the 20the arrondissement and I could not resist. I read on this excellent site called "Paris Cool" that it would be for sale, but I doubt it. According to this site, you can find a large vaulted room underneath. Note the Paris coat of arms under the Service des égoutes sign: a boat with a latin motto "fluctuat nec mergitur" (floats and never sinks!).
December 20 2009
Sooooo Paris!
How about a classic view to start this Christmas week? I took it last evening (Sunday) around 6 pm while I was going back home after having brunch at a dear friend's. It shows two typical things in Paris: the Eiffel Tower and Les Bateaux Mouches entrance - Les Bateaux Mouches are boats that carry passengers on the Seine and that are named after old boats that used to carry goods. As you can see the snow is gone now and the sky is clear. Perfect fro some last minute shopping!
December 04 2009
Sacré Coeur from the West
I already showed you the Sacré Coeur several times in this blog, but never from the West of Paris. Not that it makes much difference (after all it's still a big meringue surrounded by buildings!) but since it's been a while you haven't seen it... The thing is that today I had lunch at La Maison de la Radio (the French public radio building); the restaurant is located near the very top floor, so of course I took advantage of the situation to take a photo. Did you notice the little white building on the left of the Church? It's a water tank that I already photographed here. Have a good weekend.
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