Le Rendez-Vous des Amis

Le Rendez-Vous des Amis

With a name like this and a reputation for 

music, food and a fun place, 

this guy looks pretty lonely.

Perhaps he is waiting for ses amis?

Le Rendez-Vous des Amis

23, rue Gabrielle

75018, Paris

Fête de la Musique - le solstice d'été

Fête de la Musique
June 21

Celebrating the summer solstice in Paris is an experience beyond
imagination with every street corner, church, bar, park,
and even the pedestrian bridges filled with music and musicians of all genres.


Le Pré aux Clercs was just on our corner
and the perfect way to sit on the terrace and watch the sun set...
at 11:00pm


Make plans for tomorrow...
wherever you may be.

Le Pré aux Clercs

30, rue Bonaparte

75006, Paris

Le Perchoir - mes amis

Le Perchoir

(the rooftop bar)

There were only three of us that evening, 

plus the family of one of the workers, two or three others.

We enjoyed a sunset and drinks, 

chatted with these two who were pouring the beverages, 

a wonderful evening in this magical place.

When I returned to Le Perchoir a few months ago,

 there were hundreds of people in the space, 

most of whom were twenty-somethings.  

It had lost a bit of the mystique but still worth it for the view.

To see what it looked like last November, click here. 

Le Perchoir

14, rue Crespin du Gast

75011, Paris

Le Perchoir - a rooftop bar

Le Perchoir

(the perch)

This stunning rooftop bar is 7 flights up with a view from each corner.  It is found on an unlikely industrial office street with no sign or indication of what could be found inside.  Feeling certain that I had the correct address, it still made me a bit uneasy that I had led Peter (Peter's Paris) and Virginia (Paris Through My Lens) on a wild goose-chase.  We walked through large (open) industrial doors into an open space and found an open winding staircase.  


When we reached the top of the building (by the elevator) we found a delightful 360° view of Paris.  Looking at the bar, it made me think of a Moorish tent in the middle of the desert.  We enjoyed beverages and took many photos before leaving this oasis in the 11ième arrondissement.  


Do not miss this and get there early as the rooftop is limited to 110 persons.  There is a wonderful restaurant on the floor below for which you will need reservations.

Le Perchoir

14, rue Crespin du Gast

75011, Paris

Bistrot avec deux fantômes?

In the soft light of a classic Paris bistro, 
I imagined seeing two ghosts (or three).


Perhaps it is just a reflection, 
or my overactive imagination, 
or....


(boo!)

Rue Saint-André des Arts

75006, Paris

Métro Mabillon

Caves Legrand - Bar à vin

Caves Legrand

Accessed through Galeries Vivienne and from Rue de la Banque, this wine shop was operated by several generations of Legrands.  It was bought in 2000 by Gerard Sibourd-Baudry and Christian de Chateauvieux who renovated the place while keeping its quality wines orientation.  An inspired initiative was to add a wine bar section in the middle of the shop in 2001.  

Not only do they have good wines, but the ambiance is charming with an assortment of small plates to enjoy with your wine.  It is not exactly hidden, but is in a quiet corner of Galerie Vivienne.

bon weekend!

Caves Legrand

Galerie Vivienne

1, rue de la Banque

75002, Paris

Le Petit Fer à Cheval II

 

Le Petit Fer à Cheval

"The Horseshoe"

Effortless Paris chic:

the horseshoe bar,

the glasses, the shelves, the clock, 

the chandelier, the oscillating fan

and...

the oh-so-French waiter.

Wish we were all there right now

Le Petit Fer à Cheval

30, rue Vieille du Temple

75004, Paris

 

La Palette - le bar

La Palette

The rainy day refuge was a photographer's delight 

as we enjoyed the classic French fare and a glass of bubbly.  

The weather provided the drama.

Il pleuvait des cordes!

(It was raining cats and dogs - loosely translating here, 

but I am sure that you know some other French expressions 

for an abundance of rain)

La Palette

43, rue de Seine

75006, Paris

Métro Mabillon

Rue de la Roquette - café et bar

Rue de la Roquette

There is much to observe in this photo but when shooting I saw none of it.

It just looked like a warm, sunny afternoon in October on a sidewalk terrace.

Bar/Café

Rue de la Roquette

75011, Paris

Le Zinc d'Honoré

Le Zinc d'Honorée

Bistro, Brasserie, Terrasse, Café...

Food was reasonably priced... good, but not outstanding...

chipper service, some local patrons, one was with us.

Am I mistaken or is that a Coca Cola sign?

Le Zinc d'Honorée
36, place du Marchée St Honoré
75001, Paris
Métros Opéra, Tuileries, ou Pyramides

Bistrot Victoires - avec mes amis

Is there anything better than Champagne with friends in Paris?

Of course not!

Café, Bar, Brasserie, Bistrot Victoires
6, rue la Vrillière
75001, Paris
Métro Bourse, Métro Pyramides

La Fête de la Musique

Fête de la Musique

21 juin

I have been thinking about this wonderful day of music in Paris and all of France this week, knowing that today is "the day."  Two years ago I was in Paris with friends Marie, Virginia, and Mary and have special memories about the fun we all had that week, meeting new friends and on this day enjoying music all over the city.

Marie and I finished the day at Le Pré aux Clercs sitting on the terrace in front of the open windows enjoying the soft sounds of a jazz quartet.  L'heure bleue turned to a clear night filled with the sounds of music.

I will not be there this year but will try to enact a bit of that atmosphere at home. 

What a great celebration to welcome summer!

Le Pré aux Clercs

30, rue Bonaparte

75006, Paris



Bar de l'Echelle - café en rose foncé

Although this café terrace is not in a traditional color scheme, I was tempted to have a seat with my bright orange coat and multi-colored scarf just to make a fashion statement. 

Often in Paris it is necessary to stand out from the other twenty cafés that line the street.

I would say that De l'Echelle has found one way.

Bar de l'Echelle

2, rue de l'Echelle

75001, Paris

Métro Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre



Au Rendez-Vous de Montmartre - café

Au Rendez-Vous de Montmartre, café-bar-restaurant

...a place where everybody knows your name

Well, perhaps not, but can you imagine a better place

 to put on your red hightop sneakers and visit with a friend?

Au Rendez-Vous de Montmartre
15, rue de la Vieuville
75018, Paris

Métro Abbesses

Samedi après-midi

Saturday afternoon, warm spring day, and great friends... Yes, Chez Prune is a perfect place to unwind at the end of a week.  The casual atmosphere here echoes the low stress seen at this table.


Lest you think there are no critics of Chez Prune, the following was found on a ratings site:
"Chez Prune, c'est sympa, mais c'est vrai que c'est devenu un peu trop bobo ..."


Chez Prune
36, rue Beaurepaire
75010, Paris

Happy Hour at Le Ricaux

I am not sure whether this gentleman is looking for a friend or if he is just looking cool.

Le Ricaux
44, rue Chaussée d'antin
75009, Paris

Bistro Pré aux Clercs

As we near the summer solstice I am reminded of this wonderful spot, Bistro Pré aux Clercs, where friends met last June before a night shoot at la Tour Eiffel. Marie and I returned on the evening of la Fête de la Musique to enjoy salads on the terrace and listen to the delightful sounds of a jazz quartet.


I wish I was there right now... Care to join me?


Bistro Pré aux Clercs
30, rue Bonaparte

Very interesting history here and something about the name, in French.

Hey! Where is everyone?

I think that Blogger got them all!

Le Cochon à l'Oreille

Holly and I stepped into this historic bistrot after a little shopping at Mora next door. The outside has the original 1919 façade with a tiny outdoor terrace, but the inside is stunning with its original zinc bar and XIX Century ceramic tiles. The wooden seats are reminiscent of the old time Orient Express.

We did not check out the menu but had a refreshing verre de vin rouge!

Le Cochon à l'Oreille
15, rue Montmartre

La Fête de la Musique -- un quartet de jazz

(photo above courtesy of Marie -- merci)

What a great idea -- music on every corner, in every church, and in every café for the summer solstice on 21 juin. This year the jazz quartet at Pré aux Clercs (on the corner of rue Jacob and rue Bonaparte) attracted a large crowd as did the well-known Les Deux Magots only a block away. All of Paris (and all of France) was full of music this day.

Great way to celebrate the beginning of summer! Is there a celebration for the beginning of fall? As if I needed an excuse to return to Paris!