Fontaine Wallace -- Marais

This 1870s cast-iron sculpture is one of the more than 77 public water fountains scattered throughout Paris, financed, conceived, and drawn by Sir Richard Wallace, a British billionaire. He directed that these fountains be both useful and beautiful, blending in with his adopted city. The fountain above was the original design of Wallace, sculpted by Charles-Auguste Lebourg, the first of four designs to be installed. This one in the Marais (4ième arr.) incorporates 4 caryatids representing "kindness," "simplicity," "charity," and "sobriety" and features dolphins on the dome.

For years I saw these fountains and never knew the story behind them, how they have for over a century provided potable water to Parisians and visitors. Most of them are still in use.

In a few weeks I will be looking for the other three styles... just because.

Ma Bourgogne - un verre de vin

Ma Bourgogne is a favorite spot of ma chere amie, Virginia of Paris Through My Lens, so this post is for her. Last June we met there with Virginia and her friend Mary, Marie, and Richard of Eye Prefer Paris. We enjoyed the early summer evening among friends, old and new. In December, Holly, John and I reinacted the scene (in coats)!


I can't wait to be back!

Repetto - encore!

Although Repetto has men's shoes, I have not seen them for sale in the Paris boutique window, hummmm.....?

I'll take these red ones!

They will match my candy-apple red Danskos...

Repetto
22, rue de la Paix
Paris

Palais Garnier - Illumination

Always look "up" or you might miss something spectacular like this...


Le Grand Escalier (The Grand Staircase)
Palais Garnier

Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois -- Les Cierges

Another interesting detail in Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois which I previously featured here.

Bon dimanche

Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois
2, place du Louvre

Fountains of Pol Bury -- dommage

Holly, Peter, and I found this sad-looking display in December with the plastic cover, orange tape, and an empty fountain. I am hopeful that the Fountains of Pol Bury in Gallery d'Orleans at Palais Royal have been repaired/refurbished.

The renovations in Paris do seem to take forever, but I would like to see them in a few weeks. Perhaps someone there can let me know.



June 2010

Wedding gown - reflection

One of the many windows in the ateliers of le Viaduc des Arts, this gown is centered in a gilt frame for viewing. This restored railway viaduc has sixty arches in which are housed cabinetmakers, musical-instrument makers, fashion designers, textile restorers, and other fine crafts/arts.

This Paris walk of window-shopping is found on Avenue Daumesnil between Bastille and Jardin de Reuilly in the 12ième arrondissement. If you tire of the street view, you can ascend the many staircases to the Promenade Plantée, the old train track line itself for a walk above the streets and sidewalks.

Viaduc des Arts
Avenue Daumesnil

For more reflections look here at James' Newtown Daily Photo

Place Maubert

This fresh assortment of seafood is seen daily at the market in Place Maubert. You can buy your sardines here, wine at the store next door while greeting le petit chien, fromage at Fromage (bien sûr). On the corner you can buy vegetables of the season and just a block away you can buy the best baguettes in Paris, Baguette Monge, at Eric Kayser's boulangerie.

It may take you some time to make your purchases as you chat with the vendors... very friendly and helpful with recommendations... (repeat daily)

Musée Marmottan - La Cour

Originally built as a hunting lodge at the edge of Bois de Boulogne, this museum is filled with over 300 impressionist paintings and the largest collection of Monet's works in the world. This is the cloistered courtyard and I will bring you back here again with photos and stories.

You may know of the controversy and dispute that stirred regarding the loan of Monet works from Marmottan for the Grand Palais exhibit last fall (2010). It seems that the magnificent Palais all but demanded the use of Monet paintings (all of the significant ones) which request was subsequently denied by the Marmottan. So, those who had to wait in long lines for the highly publicized exhibit might have enjoyed an afternoon at Marmottan. Tant pis pour eux...


Musée Marmottan
2, rue Louis Boilly
Métro La Muette

Graineterie - Epicerie

We found this little shop in December with its herbs and small pot plants displayed out front. I did not find a translation for "graineterie" and I cannot get to my Larousse (from my Baltimore hotel room!)

Thank you for any help you can provide in this translation.

UPDATE: Thanks to Vreni, Malyss and others, we can definitively say that "graineterie" in this instance is a store in which seeds are sold. Thanks to Starman, I found my beloved Larousse on-line for free. It is interesting that Malyss' dictionary from the late 1800s and the internet dictionary produced the translation, a centuries-old translation! Merci a (no accent marks on laptop) vous. As we say in the South... "Thank you to all y'all!"

Bon mardi!

Petit Bureau - Place Colette

In Place Colette, the very building of Comédie française, is this small office on le premier étage. The office is not be too petite and the view is stunning as the office worker can see the entrance to Métro Palais Royal Musée du Louvre and probably watch the Parisians on the terrasse of Le Nemours. Can you imagine working in an office with the Buren Columns and the fountains of Pol Bury just down the stairs?

Holly, Peter, and I walked by twice and she was steadily at work both times. She is a better worker than I would be!

16, place Colette

Métro Palais Royal Musée du Louvre

Église Saint-Roch - Two organs

The chancel (choir) organ of Église Saint-Roch is the creation of Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, widely considered to be the greatest organ builder of the 19th century. His many innovations and inventions produced the "symphonic organ" which permitted an organ to sound like the individual instruments in a symphony or to be played simultaneously.

There are two organs in Saint-Roch. The chancel organ above is dated 1845 and the grand gallery organ (seen below) has an interesting history. One could say that it was created and re-created over a 90 year period beginning in 1751 (Lesclop), 1770 (Clicquot), and Cavaillé-Coll in 1840. It has remained in a constant state of improvements up to the current time.

My blog-friend Evan Kreider has produced a masterful post, full of photos of this magnificent church and once you have seen this you will understand why I will be posting another church next Sunday. (a smile, a wink, and a "great job" to Evan)

The site of many burials, Nathalie of Avignon-in-Photos told me that the beloved French actress Annie Girardot was memorialized at a funeral here at Église Raint-Roch just weeks ago (on March 5th).

Bon dimanche

Église Saint-Roch

Rue St. Roch et Rue St-Honoré

Déjeuner avec Maman

Working a puzzle and enjoying a sip after lunch, best friend at your side... parfait

Petit Palais - Reflection

In the exquisite doors of Petit Palais you can see just a faint reflection of Grand Palais across the avenue. The full view of these doors is magnificent.

Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris
Avenue Winston Churchill

For more reflections go to James' Newtown Daily Photo

La Seine

Although La Tour is the view that brings me to tears, when I close my eyes and think of Paris I see the Seine, the lifeblood of the city.

The Seine has many looks as seen in my post on the first day of the year and my header. It has been the witness to the history of the city and could tell personal stories of triumph and tragedy.

I have posted 7 views of this river and here are two: Petit Pont et Notre Dame and La Ville-Lumière.

La Tour Eiffel

La Tour Eiffel... How many looks can she have? She is seen here on an overcast winter day with just a beam of sun reflecting off her imposing structure.

How can the glimpse of an iron lattice tower bring you to tears? I do not know the answer.

I look forward to visiting her again..... soon.

Sunday afternoon in the Marais

The activity and the colors in this typical street scene in the Marais is pleasing to my camera, but the blatant "Coke" display is akin to seeing the Starbucks and McD logos in Paris. As a spoiled visitor who likes to imagine that she is living in Paris, I do not want these "Americanisms" in the city I adore.

(Okay, the mini-rant is over)

Bon mardi

Virginia who?!

Who's afraid of Virginia.... who?

I love the ads and posters in Paris. This one is tame but I have seen some that are humorous and others that are outrageous.

What interesting posters/ads have you seen in Paris?

Métro Maubert-Mutualité

Église Saint Eustache

Église Saint Eustache, more of the exquisite details of this grand church.

Prayers today for the people of Japan

Bon dimanche






Église Saint-Eustache
2, impasse Saint-Eustache

Buying appliances?

I am not sure why this scene captured my attention, but I think that it is tied to just how different this collection of appliances looks to me. There were families out shopping on this street in the 12ième, with one couple particularly interested in these refrigerators.

For all the romantic ideals of Paris with lingering café scenes and lovers on the Seine bridges, it appears that they still have to consider the mundane chores of daily living.

Sorry that I had to burst your dream bubble today...

La Centrale des Affaires

8, rue d'Aligre

Bibliothèque Nationale - Reading Room

The oval reading room looks as if we have turned back a page in history with its emerald green lamps, long study tables, and book stacks. The BnF (Bibliothèque Nationale de France) probably looks like it did over 150 years ago here at the Richelieu Library. The recent and ongoing renovations are delivering the latest in technology along with a café and bookstore. I previously brought you to this building to see the escalier.

The room is quiet as a library's reading room should be. Holly and I took photos as dear Peter (Peter's Paris) kept guard.

Did I mention that there were large "Pas de Photos" signs in every window... oops!

Bibliothèque Nationale de France - Richelieu
5, rue Vivienne

For more weekend reflections see James' Newtown Area Photo

Les Enfants -- Parc de Monceau

Parc de Monceau is one of my favorite spots for strolling and watching people of all ages, children, and pets. It does not matter the season and you know by now that in Paris you just bundle up and brave the cold.

I will have a chance to see a greener (warmer) scene in this lovely park in April!

Parc de Monceau
Boulevard de Courcelles

Le Pompier

The Sunday street market at Marché d'Aligre had a special treat the day we visited. All of the posts along the street (everywhere in Paris) were decorated. Some were simple, others, quite artistic, and the one above just perfect.

The firemen (les pompiers) were selling calendars and probably had decorated this pole. I have some others to show you another day (have to figure out how to produce a collage first).

Marché d'Aligre

Rue d'Aligre et Rue Beccaria

Beyond -- Mardi Gras!

On rare occasion I take you "beyond" but today is the last day of Carnival, celebrated here as Mardi Gras.

After three weeks of frivolity and merriment, the final parades will roll tonight as tomorrow marks the beginning of Lent. As the King and Queen of Mardi Gras rule over their loyal subjects, the youngest of party-goers is dressed in her finest coat and hat.

The little Page to the King seems a bit forlorn awaiting the start of the parade when he will throw beads and toys to the crowd... Perhaps he is thinking of the beautiful girl in red!


Mardi Gras in Mobile*
Mobile, Alabama

* (with several links including a live web cam of the parades)

Tomorrow we will be back in Paris.

Lunch in Paris - Café Lenôtre

After a morning at Petit Palais, Holly and I enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Café Lenôtre. We often eat a nice lunch and then enjoy baguettes, saucisson sec, et fromage at our apartment for a light dinner.


Café Lenôtre
10, avenue des Champs-Élysées

Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois - Cherubs

As is typical of the grand churches of Paris there are many details to enjoy in every corner of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois. I brought you here previously to see the exterior and we will come back for more details of this beautiful church.

Bon dimanche

Église Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois

2, place du Louvre

Artist on the Seine - Paris Friend

We met this Paris friend on a Sunday afternoon as we were walking along the Seine. She was painting when we found her and after a little chat we made a purchase, the very best type of souvenir!

Passage Saint-Roch - Reflection

A rainy day in Paris beats a sunny day at home

To see more reflections look here at James' Newtown Daily Photo

Palais Garnier

At Palais Garnier, home of Opéra de Paris, the Grand Staircase will take your breath away with its opulence. Two larger-than-life gilt statues dominate the entrance to the ampitheatre.

Inaugurated in 1875, the architect of this magnificent building, Charles Garnier, was a previously unknown 35 year-old. I will bring you here again...

Marché d'Aligre - Le Poissonier

As he answered the inquiries of another customer, I snapped a few photos of this poissonier at Marché Aligre. When he turned in my direction after finishing with the customer, I was too taken by his dark eyes to get another shot, which was a shame since he had a captivating smile.

I missed the shot, but the smile is imprinted in my memory. Oh, I just love Paris!

Marché d'Aligre

Rue d'Aligre et Rue Beccaria

Petit Déjeuner?

As you know by now, I love the cafés of Paris, the thought of dining on les terrasses. This one we passed each day, not far from the apartment. I wish I was there right now and we could fill these seats, enjoying a coffee among friends.

Le Royal Opéra
19, avenue de l'Opéra
Métro Pyramides