La Porte Cachée

The Hidden Door

Shaded by vines, this small courtyard

is almost obscured from the sidewalk

8, rue Yvonne le Tac

75018, Paris

Hôtel Récamier

Hôtel Récamier

Wonderfully situated in a corner of Place Saint-Sulpice,

I wondered if it was as lovely on the inside.

Hôtel Récamier

3, place Saint-Sulpice

75006, Paris

rue des Carmes - une cour

A small courtyard several steps 

below the street level

still boasts an assortment of

dried hydrangea blooms.

Originally a church or cloister,

I am not sure of its function today.

14, rue des Carmes

75005, Paris

Les Comptoirs des Colporteurs

Les Comptoirs des Colporteurs

A mystical doorway draped in the green fringe

of old wisteria vines.

Les Comptoirs des Colporteurs

4, rue Jean Desmarets

77160, Provins (short distance from Paris)

La porte et les fleurs

The window boxes in Paris

bloom most of the year.

The shadows and reflection add a softness 

to the many details of this one doorway, 

one among thousands.

38, boulevard Saint Germain

75005, Paris

Marais - la porte

 

 

le Marais

 

 

 

A door,

old and weathered,

patched and painted and patched again,

massive and imposing.

 

 

It has seen the turning of centuries,

the passing of time,

revolution and rebirth.

 

 

Its name is history...

 

 

 

Une porte

le Marais

75004, Paris



 

 

 



Vingt-Cinq

Number Twenty-Five

I think that if I lived here I would not give an address for visitors 

but would say instead, "Sous la bouche ouverte du lion!"

"Under the open mouth of the lion!"

25, rue Charlemagne

75004, Paris

Villa Raynouard - la grille d'entree

Villa Raynouard

François Just Marie Raynouard, a French dramatist and linguist, 

was born in 1761 in Provence and died in Passy (1836).  

He was an Officer of the Legion of Honour.  

In the 16th arrondissement a street 

and a square have been named after him

The villa has a charming gate, usually locked, 

opening into the private courtyard.

92, rue Raynouard

75016, Paris

Au Vieux Paris d'Arcole - Theme Day

Au Vieux Paris d'Arcole

depuis 1594

Hidden on a narrow street so very close to Notre Dame, this auberge has been open since 1594.  The structure itself was built in 1512 after completion of the Cathedral.

  The ancient wisteria twists upon itself, 

framing the door and window above.

Today I join the City Daily Photo bloggers with a traditional first day of the month theme, 

this first day of February, "ENTRY."  

Click here to see other interpretations from around the world.

Au Vieux Paris d'Arcole

Ile de la Cité

22, rue Chanoisse

75004, Paris

Rue du Faubourg Montmartre - Bouillon Chartier

Doorway

Rue du Faubourg Montmartre

I took this photo two years ago 

and was unable on my last visit to confirm that the doorway still exists.  

The curtain in the open window is a deep rose.  

Many of the charming windows and doors along the busy streets of Paris 

have been converted or remodeled into something more modern.  

If this is Bouillon Chartier as the small sign might imply, 

I am hopeful that this doorway has been preserved 

as well as the elegant dining room of this historic restaurant.  

Established in 1896, it still serves in the original location.  

Next trip I will have to step inside for a closer view.

Bouillon Chartier

7, rue du Faubourg Montmartre

75009, Paris

Porte d'entrée

Front door of No. 28

The stone and timber construction of this home 

is punctuated with the weathered, but sturdy, door.

Each of the homes along the main street 

leading to the Upper town of Provins is graced with lace curtains.  

From the bolted repairs of this door, 

one might think it abandoned, 

but the delicate touch of fabric at the windows says otherwise.

77160, Provins France

just beyond Paris

Palais Garnier - caryatids

Les caryatids

One of the rear entrances to Palais Garnier,

a rather ornate back door, oui?

bon weekend

Palais Garnier

Rue Scribe

75009, Paris

Boulevard Haussmann - l'architecture

La grande porte

This grand entrance can be seen from a block away with its imposing doors, ornate carvings, and grill-work.  The courtyard drive entrance could have been a film set and I expected to see a large black car exiting past those archway columns.  It reminded me a bit of the scene in les Intouchables in which a car was parked in the "no parking" zone, blocking the entrance.  Omar Sy should appear at any moment.

Paris architecture

134, boulevard Haussmann

75008, Paris

Rue de Vaugirard - la porte

Rue de Vaugirard

This is not your typical blue door in Paris, but a deep azure taken from the Mediterranean palette.  The architectural design is crisp with fine detail but I do not know the architect.

The red scooter was a bonus.

zoom-zoom!

77, rue de Vaugirard

75006, Paris

Un chat, un cocker, et des salamandres

A cat, a dog, and many salamanders

A sense of humor by the architect (Bastier) is seen as the two pets perch above the door, keeping watch on all those who walk beneath.  The bottom tiles on either side of the door are signed by "Bigot" on the left and by "A and M Turin" on the right.  The permit for the building was dated 1903.  

Now, I found this entrance delightfully whimsical, worthy of observation and photographing.  It was interesting that a man walked up to me and said that he had lived in the neighborhood on this quiet street for over 30 years and had never noticed this doorway or the one just like it next door.  He watched me looking up and snapping with my camera.  Otherwise, he might still have not noticed.  We exchanged pleasantries and remarked that often we do not notice what treasures surround us.

He thanked me for the discovery, and we went our separate ways.

76-78, rue Mademoiselle

75015, Paris

Métros Vaugirard et Volontaires

(we were on Vélibs)

 

Rue Paul Bert - la porte verte

Rue Paul Bert

Just a few steps from Bistrot Paul Bert 

is this striking green doorway of great height.  

It is complemented by the architectural details, 

the bright red flowers in the window box, 

and a reflection of the building just opposite.

It was a beautiful spot to meet a friend for déjeuner.

24, rue Paul Bert

75011, Paris

Métro Faidherbe Chaligny

Place de stationnement

Parking allowed here

by special permit

Seen in the Marais on

Rue des Francs-Bourgeois

23, rue des Francs-Bourgeois

75003, Paris

Rue des Thermopyles - Une porte rouge

Rue des Thermopyles

This narrow, winding street is a bit shabby-chic

but it is charming and quiet with an occasional cat looking at me

from a vine-framed window

Rue des Thermopyles
75014, Paris

Les couleurs de Paris - le rouge!

la porte rouge

Paris enjoys an abundance of red doors

This is my contribution to a five-color series of photos,

and with this I blush in homage to le rouge

 

la porte rouge

75007, Paris



Hector Guimard - art nouveau

The graceful curves of this wrought iron and glass awning are typical of art nouveau detail.

The pattern on the stones resembling coral are called "vermiculation" as it mimics the trail of worms in soft soil.  This is one form of an architectural technique known as "rustication" which has been in use at least since the rennaissance period.  You may have noticed this same pattern on the Louvre palace and Haussmannian buildings around Paris.

This elegant home which sits inside the gates of Parc de Monceau has a stunning main entrance in the courtyard.  This is just the "back door."

5, ave Van Dyck

75008, Paris