La Tour d'Argent - les lumières

La Tour d'Argent

Although I have not dined at La Tour d'Argent 

and would love to explore their wine list

one can enjoy the aesthetics of the wrought iron lamp posts

and the Guimard awning over the entrance door.

La Tour d'Argent

15, quai de la Tournelle

75005, 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

Café Antoine

Café Antoine

Sadly, this charming little cafe 

with its red facade

and zinc bar is closed.

Happy to say that before it closed

 I enjoyed lunch with a friend as we sat 

in this front window and chatted with the regulars.

Café Antoine

17, rue Jean de la Fontaine

75016, Paris

Métro Réamur-Sébastapol

With an entrance designed by

the renown Hector Guimard, French architect.

He is now the best known representative of  the

Art Nouveau style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This metro station entrance is but one of the styles

designed for the Métro.  

When you are in Paris, 

make a list, a sketch, a photo...

 of all the ones you can find.

bon weekend

Métro Réamur-Sébastapol station entrance

Rue de Palestro

75002, 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

Métro Réaumur-Sébastopol - Entrée d'Hector Guimard

Art Nouveau design

These famed entrances designed by Hector Guimard were surrounded in talk and not a little controversy in 1900.  The most elaborate were those with glass canopies, of which three still exist.  

Guimard's design above can be seen all over Paris, and there are 80 of this style with cast-iron balustrades decorated in plant-like motifs still remaining today.  The orange light globes sit atop ornate cast-iron supports in the form of plant stems.  Typical of the Art Nouveau style, the entire design is quite "organic."

Métro Réaumur-Sébastopol - Entrée d'Hector Guimard

Lines 3 et 4

75002, 75003, Paris 

Immeuble - 9 rue Murillo

Is the awning by Hector Guimard?

That was my original question when I lifed my camera for a shot.  In the subsequent months I have found that the awning is but a part of this amazing residence designed in 1870 by the architect Gustave Clausse.  The rez-de-chaussée et le premier étage (ground floor and the next floor) were built in stone and the three upper floors in patterned brick.  Above the awning you can see the arched windows decorated with polychrome ceramics. 

So, is it a Guimard?  Honestly, I do not know.  Most of Guimard's Paris work was started about 10 years after this building was completed.  There are more secrets about this residence, and I will share a special one with you another time.

Residence

9, rue Murillo

75008, Paris

For more reflections go to James' Weekend Reflection

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