This guy is not a figurine on a mock up, but a 8.5 meter (30 feet) sculpture that hangs on the facade of a kindergarden on the rue de la Tombe-Issoire in the 14th arrondissement (click here to have a broader view). The cute part about this guy is that he was made by sculptor Corinne Béoust after a legend that runs in the neighborhood: in the middle ages a giant, named Isoré, used to kill pilgrims on their way to a famous European pilgrimage spot known as Saint-Jacques- de-Compostelle. Isoré finally was killed, but his body was so big that they had no other choice than to bury him on the spot!
And all this time I thought you were the Paris Giant.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and please post a photo of how you spend your day.
Brrr!! I don't like him Uncle Eric. He's scaring me.
ReplyDeleteIt's your birthday, Eric?! Yay Happy Birthday! Tell us how you spent the day.
ReplyDeleteBon anniversaire (if I spelled it correctly)! I once asked a speaker how you then knew the difference between it being happy birthday or happy anniversary. I got the same distainful stare that you are probably making right now.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this is on my to do list,like the stuffed rats hanging in the exterminator's window that I ran to see. I love the whimsy of Isore, and the fact that the neighborhood allowed it. Can you imagine turning a corner and having this greet you?
It reminds me of something else I saw in Oxford ,England. Has anyone else seen the house that has the huge shark crashing headfirst into the roof? I know the neighbors hate that it, but of course, I love that one, too.
I accidently placed my comment above in another post from a previous day... oh well, I guess it's ok to wish you a joyeux anniversaire more than once...!
ReplyDeleteAbout the photo, I absolutely love it, Paris is full of surprises. How fun it must be to turn a corner and face a building with a giant on the wall!!!
ReplyDeleteFunny, I've been to Saint Jacques de Compostelle in Spain but I never heard of this legend.
Love the story of the giant and the photo--great colours. Thanks for the full view, also.
ReplyDeleteWell, if I were in Paris, I might buy you a box of chocolates for your natal day, but you know what Forrest Gump said: My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."
The figurine has a sneaky look!
ReplyDeleteoh yes, Joyeux Anniversaire!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
YOU LOOK LIKE A YOUNGSTER,
AND YOU ACT LIKE ONE TOO!
I hope it's a fantastic day for you Eric and that your giant crushes all the bad things that might try to harm it for you.
Monica, I love the birthday gift you inserted for Eric...Excellent!
ReplyDeleteReally enjoy the unusual things you find around Paris! This giant is great, as is the legend.
ReplyDeleteHope your birthday was excellent in every way. :-)
Ms. M
En bretagne nous avons gargantua quand il marchait ses pas mesurait quelque kilometre mais ce n etait pas un tueur
ReplyDeleteIn Brittany we have a firendly giant whose stride measures several kilometers but obviously yours is much more chic!
The Beatles sing happy birthday to you Eric!
ReplyDeleteOh it didn't work :( sorry. Michael can you please send me the magic formula again? You know how hopeless i am at all this, i've clearly messed it up. Sorry Eric the thought was there.
ReplyDeleteIt's in the mail Lynn. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Guru.
ReplyDeleteHow funny to see this photo today as that is where my son goes to school.
ReplyDeleteHe just loves the giant! Speaking of which I had better go and pick him up as he finshes at 11.15. WHOOPS!
Oh and Happy B day Eric!
The Beatles sing Happy Birthday for Eric!
ReplyDeleteThink this is very appropriate for you, Eric, here on PDP! Happy Birthday.
ReplyDeleteOk Lynn, don't get too carried away now... :-)
ReplyDeleteLOL Michael and Lynn... the two of you are always up to something
ReplyDeletelol Monica i wish!
ReplyDeleteMichael; erm.... what else can i find...!
Ah yes, here we are… Happy Birthday Eric!
happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Eric and best wishes for many more.
ReplyDeletecher Monsieur Eric,
ReplyDeletede 28 à 31 Janvier je serai à Paris.
Avez vous des idées pour faire le soir, ou des expos a conseiller?
Je connais déjà beaucoup de Paris, alors les grand choses touristiques, c'est pas nécessaire a les refaire :)
très Cordialement,
Jana
have a giant day birthday boy!!
ReplyDeleteYay, fellow January baby! Joyeux anniversaire, Eric! Meilleurs voeux! And to celebrate your birthday, I had a day off school! (Well, it's a happy coincidence, anyway.) :)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Eric; hope it's been a good one!
ReplyDeleteJoyeux anniversaire Eric !!!
ReplyDeleteJ'ai beaucoup ri en regardant le dernier message (1:16) de Lynn !!
Impressionnante photo : tant par la sculpture en elle-même que par l'histoire à laquelle elle se rapporte !!!
Bonne soirée de 21/01 !
I love your Paris photos & need your help. Can you help identify this saint?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/corsinet/279410171
thanks in advance!
Joyeux Anniversaire Eric!!! I hope that your day is absolutely splendid...hope it is full of Chocolate, Champagne...perhaps a pigs foot..framboises...and clear skies so you can delight us with many more photos!! A little Happy Birthday to you!!! LOL!!!!
ReplyDeleteHe looks too cute and friendly to have been a serial killer! And I did not realize those are his knees until I clicked on the link!
ReplyDeleteBonne Anniversaire Eric!!!! I didn't know it was your birthday! In my coffee table birthday horoscope book, it says for today:
"Those born on Janary 21 are headed for the top and when they reach it they usually know how to stay there." It also says, "January 21 people have a large measure of star quality that attracts others to them." !! Sounds just like you, n'est-ce pas?
Wow! Thank you all very much for you VERY nice messages (And Lynn, congratulations, you managed to post a link!!!).
ReplyDeletePrecisely Tonton, actually I think I prefer Lynn's Marylin to yours LOL!!
Pont Girl "January 21 people have a large measure of star quality that attracts others to them." !!
I like that ;)
(Julie, I'm sorry, I don't know who this is...)
Happy Birthday my friend! I have been the first one, and I'll be the last one too, Bon Anniversaire encore!
ReplyDeleteSorry to be late, but Happy Birthday, Eric. I hope it was a good one. Have a great year!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Hronia polla (in greek) dear Eric!
ReplyDeleteI wish to you the best for you, love, happiness and full of health and great ideas for shots!
Eric, A HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY from all of us, dans la terre ci-dessous.
ReplyDeleteADP will be one year old, tomorrow. Thank you for all your marvellous inspiration, and the conception that has brought us all together in this amazing family.
I have finally come to understand the meaning of, "nous ne dormons jamais".
Naturally, I owe it all to you !!!!!