Le Métro

Sometimes a simple smile

transcends language 

Make a difference

Le Métro 10

75008, Paris

 

un musicien de jazz

As we waited to enter the Niki de Saint Phalle exhibit

at the Grand Palais last September, 

we were delighted with the smooth notes 

and melody transitions of the jazz clarinetist.

Grand Palais

75008, Paris

Theme Day - What Would I Miss Most...

Les Enfants de Paris

What would I miss most about Paris if I were never to return?

How can one even think in those terms?

...the people of Paris,

the children, the parks and gardens, the green chairs,

the music, the churches, the architecture, the history, the Seine, the bridges,

the Métro, the secret little spots discovered over 20+ trips, the food,

ex-pat friends, Parisian friends, the grand views from Paris landmarks,

sitting on green grass when it is permitted, dancing on Rue Mouffetard, 

and so much more.

No matter what the future holds, I will always have a bit of Paris, 

and all that it is, in my heart.

(and tens of thousands of photos, if I forget)

What Would I miss most?

75000, all of it, Paris

Église Notre Dame des Champs

Église Notre Dame des Champs

We sat and listened intently to the organ 

as the music filled every corner of the immense space.  

It was a rehearsal by Yannick Merlin, 

and we watched as he and his assistant 

descended the narrow spiral stairs behind the latticed enclosure,

seen at the back of the church (under the arches).

The organ was built by Cavaillé-Coll in 1877, 

just as the roman styled church was completed (a ten-year venture).

bon dimanche

Église Notre Dame des Champs

92 bis, boulevard du Montparnasse

75006, Paris

Théâtre du Palais-Royal

Théâtre du Palais-Royal

Originally known as a puppet theatre (Théâtre des Beaujolais) Théâtre du Palais-Royal was built in 1784 with seating for 750.  Through a rich history it has been a venue for operettas, plays, Neapolitan puppets, performing dogs (!), vaudeville, and comedies.  The comédie mêlée d'ariettes (comedy mixed with brief arias) was performed here including some early works of Hervé.

La Vie Parisienne, by Jacques Offenbach, was first presented here in 1866.  It is known as an opéra bouffle which is a form of operetta with elements of comedy, parody, satire, and farce.

Théâtre du Palais-Royal

Northwest corner of Palais-Royal

38, rue de Montpensier

75001, Paris

musicien de rue

Street Musician

His lilting song

was equal to the twinkle in his eye

Place Furstenberg

75006, Paris

Le Violoniste

The Violinist

The sounds coming from his violin were clear and mesmerizing.  Asking permission for the photo, he nodded in return.  Clicking twice, I thanked him for his music, dropped a tip, and walked on my way as he gave me the hint of a smile.

I hope that all who passed this corner enjoyed a pleasant break from the noise of the street, replaced by the strains of Bach from this single violinist.

Métro St. Germain des Prés

in front of Église Saint Germain des Prés

75006, Paris

le Prélude de Paris - l'orchestre classique de Chatelet

Prélude de Paris
classic orchestra of the Chatelet Métro


Two days a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) 
you can hear the classic orchestral music of this group 
of conservatory students, music professors, and musician friends.  


The subterranean orchestra will stop you in your tracks 
as the sound of Vivaldi's Four Seasons 
echoes through the many tunnels of Chatelet.  
They play at an intersection/crossing of lines 1 and 4. 

Click here for a brief selection 
of their Vivaldi's Hiver

Prélude de Paris

often heard at Chatelet

lines 1 and 4

75001, Paris

Les Vélibs

Try it!

Well, Holly has a big smile because we were having so much fun riding around Paris on the Vélibs.  The cost can be a little as $2.20 to ride for the day.  If you return your bike to one of the 1,800 stations within 30 minutes, there is no additional charge.  We rode for two days all over Paris, mixing it up with the traffic.  On my recent trip, I spent one day riding alone, crossing the Seine bridges and riding as far as Jardin des Plantes from the 2ème.

There are 20,000 bikes ready to ride, waiting on you.  Check out the site here.

If you are hesitant, start away from congested traffic areas (Place Charles de Gaule for sure!) 

On our first 30-minute ride we bumped across the cobblestones of Champs Elysées, passed between Grand Palais and Petit Palais, and then crossed Pont Alexandre III.  What a rush!  

(Learn the words - It will make you feel so cool - 

do not forget to ring the little bell as you sing, too)

Je m' baladais sur l' avenue
Le coeur ouvert à l' inconnu
J' avais envie de dire bonjour
A n' importe qui

N' importe qui et ce fut toi
Je t' ai dit n' importe quoi
Il suffisait de te parler
Pour t' apprivoiser

Aux Champs-Elysées
Aux Champs-Elysées
Au soleil, sous la pluie
A midi ou à minuit
Il y a tout c' que vous voulez
Aux Champs-Elysées!

Les rues du 15ième

75015, Paris

Fête de la Musique - Place de Furstenberg

Fête de la Musique 2010

The guitarist

Perhaps one of thousands of musicians, 

the solo guitarist performed in the late afternoon in Place de Furstenberg, 

only steps from Eugène Delacroix' apartment (1857).  

Virginia, Marie and I encountered this guitarist in the quiet street 

and gave him our full attention.  

He willingly agreed to our photo shoot.

Place de Furstenberg

75006, Paris

Métro Mabillon

Église Notre-Dame-des-Champs - l'orgue

Église Notre-Dame-des-Champs

The organ is Cavaillé-Coll from 1877, 

and on this dreary, rainy day Yannick Merlin 

was rehearsing for a concert.

If you want to have a sample of the sounds and a video of the church, 

follow this link. 

bon dimanche

Église Notre-Dame-des-Champs

92 bis, Boulevard du Montparnasse

75006, Paris

Siegfried Courteau - Percussionniste

Siegfried Courteau

To say that he is a percussionist is a gross understatement.

He is a musical artist, pushing the limits and producing delightful rhythms and sounds.

He is versatile as seen here arranging his "instruments" of tone.

He appeared this day at an exhibition opening for artist Xavier Rémon-Beauvais, a goldsmith.  The exhibit and acoustic performance were found in a gallery in the narrow pedestrian street, Cour Damoye.  

The percussionist's tools are the art of the goldsmith.

You must pay attention as you never know what greatness you will discover:

two artists at the top of their fields... in the same gallery.

(small gallery)

Cour Damoye

75011, Paris

This is my contribution the the City Daily Photo Blogs 

Theme Day for May

"The Creative Artisan" (x deux) 

Here is the link to view all the participants for Theme Day

Le petit musicien

The little musician

Dressed warmly for the cold winter day, he played his red accordion.

Another generation passes down the music and traditions, 

the dancing, the culture.

Sing a little, make some music, laugh until your sides hurt

Rue Mouffetard

75005, Paris

Métro Censier-Daubenton

 

Rue Mouffetard - les danseurs

Rue Mouffetard

Every Sunday a small crowd gathers on Rue Mouffetard 

in front of Église Saint-Médard to sing and dance 

to the music of Christian Bassoul.  

 

It is easy to spot the regulars, 

whose easy steps and spins are evidence of the Sunday routine. 

 

All are welcome to participate 

so if you find yourself in Paris on a Sunday morning, 

find your way to this charming experience and.... 

dance.

Rue Mouffetard at Rue Censier

75005, Paris

Métro Censier-Daubenton

Église Notre-Dame-des-Champs

Église Notre-Dame-des-Champs

This door opens to the circular steps up to the illustrious Cavaillé-Coll organ (1877) of Notre-Dame-des-Champs.  Yannick Merlin is co-titular organist here and is a substitute organist at Église Val-de-Grâce.  Holly and I had the pleasure of listening to a rehearsal but could only see the top of the organist's head high above us in the organ loft.  

As we prepared to exit the empty church this door opened and out walked M. Merlin himself.  I did not lift my camera for a photo, but instead thanked him for the music.

You never know who you will run into in Paris.

bon dimanche

Église Notre-Dame-des-Champs

92 bis, Boulevard du Montparnasse

75006, Paris

Dansant dans la rue

Dancing in the street

Rue Mouffetard

Every Sunday a small crowd gathers on Rue Mouffetard 

in front of Église Saint-Médard to sing and dance 

to the music of Christian Bassoul.  

It is easy to spot the regulars, 

whose easy steps and spins are evidence of the Sunday routine.  

All are welcome to participate 

so if you find yourself in Paris on a Sunday morning, 

find your way to this charming experience and.... 

dance.

Rue Mouffetard at Rue Censier

75005, Paris

Métro Censier-Daubenton

(joyeux anniversaire, Cherie)

Palais Garnier - La Salle de Spectacle

Palais Garnier

La Salle de Spectacle

Walking in through a hallway door into the richly adorned theatre

one is amazed at the opulence.   

Palais Garnier

Place de l'Opéra

75009, Paris

Métro Opera



Église de la Madeleine

The sounds of stringed instruments and finely-tuned voices

regularly fill this cavernous Neo-Classical church.  

The concerts bring in visitors and Parisians alike to Église de la Madeleine

bon dimanche

Église de la Madeleine

Place de la Madeleine

75008, Paris

Métro Madeleine 

L'accordéoniste - Marché d'Aligre

After stuffing ourselves with oysters on Rue d'Aligre

we heard the peppy tune of this accordionist in the street.

Perhaps he was just out for a Sunday meet-up with other musicians.

(for Vreni)

Rue d'Aligre

Marché d'Aligre

75012, Paris



Vous êtes pianiste?

One never knows what one can find at a Paris street market...

Perhaps a book of Beethoven Sonatas or Alkan's Le Chemin de fer?

I would have snatched up Chopin's Polonaise in A flat Major, Opus 53

When I was walking that Sunday on a narrow street, I could hear strains of piano music from an accomplished student.  The long passageway amplified the tones to a dreamlike state, and I felt that I should tiptoe so as not to break the spell. 

Marché d'Aligre
75012, Paris