Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Passage Jouffroy - un mystère?




As one looks up* in Passage Jouffroy, the iron and glass ceiling catches the eye along with the lamps, ever-present for almost two centuries. For what purpose is that door and where might it lead? Is there anyone looking out over the many pedestrians of the passage each day?



If it seems that I am suggesting it is haunted or slightly askew, I have been reading Deborah Lawrenson's wonderful book, The Lantern, just published by HarperCollins in the USA. A novelist and journalist, she and her husband live in a crumbling house in the Luberon which is the inspiration for her captivating, haunting book. You can check out her blog here.


*always remember to look up


Passage Jouffroy
10-12, boulevard Montmartre
9, rue de la Grange Batelière
75009 Paris
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23 comments:

  1. Sylvia KAugust 17, 2011 at 2:09 AM

    Great post for the day as always and thank you for the info re: Deborah Lawrenson's book! I'll definitely check it out and look for her book, I'm in need of some reading material right now! Have a beautiful day, mon amie!

    Hugs

    Sylvia

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  2. PatAugust 17, 2011 at 4:03 AM

    Hmmm...it almost looks like a trompe l'oeil door, but I see a reflection. Perhaps once upon a time it had a small step-out terrace?

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  3. beau gosseAugust 17, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    It reminds me of the milky glass doors and catwalks built into the ceiling around Grand Central Station in New York....looks like an attic storage room now. Thank you, Genie! Safe Journies Home! ^_^

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  4. Shell SherreeAugust 17, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    It does have an air of mystery, Genie. Food for wandering thoughts {with the lights on, in my case ~ I'm a wuss, what can I say}. That's very exciting about Deborah's book. Bonne chance to her...

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  5. biebkriebelsAugust 17, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    That looks mysterious, you can imagine a whole story about the window.Maybe you should write one yourself...

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  6. JoeAugust 17, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Un mystere! .. With a slow and inconspicuous movement avoiding the creak of the hinges Count Felix de Jouffray-Gonsans closed the door above his trading hall. He was thankful they were covered in dust and appeared unused. Unrealistically he hoped that the contents of the attic beyond would remain untouched forever.

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  7. LeenamarkettaAugust 17, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    What a marvelously beautiful photo again Genie.

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  8. diveAugust 17, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Oooh, what a wonderful spot to sit and people-watch. A door like that deserves to be open and to have a table, some coffee and macarons and a couple of good friends sitting in it.

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  9. HarrietAugust 17, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    Another captivating photo!

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  10. PerthDailyPhotoAugust 17, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Such an intriguing little spot, I think it must have been used for checking out the goings on below. What a good imagination Joe has, loved his interpretation of your image Genie.

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  11. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    I love that little detail--something I purposely went to see every once and a while! Your photos--they always take me back. :)

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  12. VirginiaAugust 17, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    Genie, have I been here??? Love love the lantern!
    V

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  13. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    What a spectacular ceiling! It's so beautiful.

    You have peaked my interest in The Lantern. It sounds wonderful. Have you ever read any of Kate Morton's books. The House at Riverton and The Distant Hours both have a surprising twist ending.

    I think I will make that my next book purchase.

    Kris

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  14. MalyssAugust 17, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    Secret little places like this make the imagination run!I like the shops in this Passage, one sells fabulous dolls houses!

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  15. StarmanAugust 17, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    Not sure I believe in ghosts, but it is an odd place for a window/door.

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  16. YoliAugust 17, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    Beautiful photo and intriguing thoughts as to the use of that window/door. It does look like what another stated to be a storage room now but I wonder what it was two centuries ago.

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  17. Fábio MartinsAugust 17, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    A good composition and nice tones of colors

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  18. AlexaAugust 17, 2011 at 6:49 PM

    Good for you—I saw this when I was in this passage with my blog amie Marylène (wandering 'til time to show up at Eric's for dinner, lucky us). Guess I didn't see the obvious photo op as you did!

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  19. HalcyonAugust 17, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    An interesting detail! Glad you were looking up. :)

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  20. RandyAugust 17, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    I love the old world feel and look. Marvelous.

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  21. Genie -- Paris and BeyondAugust 17, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Joe, perhaps you should be a mystery writer with your colorful descriptions. Love it!

    dive, I agree and wonder if in the original plan, there was a catwalk with a railing (one hopes) for the business office beyond those doors to oversee the commerce below.... hummmm?

    Yoli, I did wonder the same as you. Sadly, I imagine that it is being used as storage now. Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. I hope you will come again!

    Kris, I have not read Kate Morton's books but thanks for the recommendation.

    Alexa, perhaps Eric knows more of the history and details than I have found... I will ask him.

    Malyss, I did not know about the place with the doll houses... I will have to go back again!

    During my trip over the past several days, I had the luxury of uninterrupted reading time. The hummmm of the jet engines kept me in my own world of The Lantern. Deborah has a winner with this intriguing book and I will enjoy watching it rise on the charts and booklists. Congratulations!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  22. Snap Dragon PhotographyAugust 24, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    wonderful capture here.Your are very versatile with your composition and offer excellent perspective on a full range of different styles of photographs. I appreciate your work Genie. I try to visit every few days or so. Merci, Keith

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  23. This is BelgiumJune 13, 2012 at 11:48 AM

    I hate to have to say it but we have the most beautiful covered gallery right here in Brussels -; and I will go take some picts to prove it, Genie !!
    as to the book, glad to find out about it, curious about it too as I have looooved the Luberon
    anni

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Merci for your comments!