It's early July, France is soon to be closed! French people often go on vacation between July 14 and August 15 (not all necessarily for a whole month though) so it seems like a prefect time to renew shops and outlets. The BNP bank has had a pretty clever idea to hide the work they do in many of their branches; cool screens. I found this one on the Boulevard de Sebastopol and also Boulevard Saint Germain, but I'm sure they can be found in many other places.
But then, that means the workers who do the construction must stay! 8^) I love the illusion that this photo captures.
ReplyDeleteI have a weakness for bright colours, orange in particular.
ReplyDeleteThis is another fab shot Eric.
There is a HUGE Goyard "screen" on rue ST. Honore done in their famous print.
ReplyDeleteIn the Grand Central area in NYC, all billboards like that MUST be done artistically.
My favorite sign in London is "Bill Posters Will Be Prosecuted"----then someone always writes on it "Who is Bill Posters". Ah, those wacky Brits.
July15-Aug15 is my least favorite time of year in Paris,tho I know lots of people who enjoy the quietude.
I am going there for a loooooooooong weekend of 4 days on the 19/20th. Would have preferred August, but for this is one of the best time to enjoy Paris in my opinion... nice weather, long daylight, much less stress.
ReplyDeleteNice photo, colors... and good idea from BNP Paribas ! Loic http://brohardphotography.blogspot.com
Hehe I like the man in suit doing DIY, perfect man, worker and handyman (and I pass besides the "pute" and "moche" written on him and the on the woman LOL).
ReplyDeleteParis during July and August is so nice: there is no more Parisian!
Will you leave Paris too, Eric?
(Au fait si tu entends parler d'une colocation, fais moi signe!Oui, j'utilise tous mes "contacts" parisiens...)
Rose, yeah call me Brat. I know that from you it's a compliment. ;)
This is a clever idea. I like the graffiti, too, though she doesn't look like une pute to me, and he seems almost pretty -- not moche at all! I like what they do in Venice, too, covering a building under renovation or repair with a silkscreen image of . . . the building! From a distance, you can hardly tell it's not the real thing (but I guess that's the idea).
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived In Paris, I loved being there in August -- so peaceful. How about you, Eric?
I wonder what the people at BNP would think about the graffiti?? LOL!
ReplyDeleteWe are in the midst of yet another "canicule" here in SF and I would love to just put up a screen and close shop!! But then again..a trip to the beach might not be so much fun right now.
Eric...a answer to your question yesterday about "Le vert Galant"...well, I have "vert" eyes and my father was a "Galant"..so as a "Galant" also..it hasn't been an easy title to live up to! LOL!!
Great shot again, Eric. You have both a minimalist side and a romantic side that comes out in your photos.
ReplyDeleteWay to go GF USElaine!
I think I also saw a photo on PDP of a building with a silkscreen of the building in front of it while it was under construction. Does anyone remember? I love these ideas for keeping art around in the environment.
Well, with vacation in the air, it's time for a peptalk for you would-be travelers. I think it's time to reflect on some important words uttered by one of America's Oft Neglected Philosophers, Clark Griswold: "Well I'll tell you something. This is no longer a vacation. It's a quest. It's a quest for fun. I'm gonna have fun and you're gonna have fun. We're all gonna have so much f---ing fun we'll need plastic surgery to remove our g-d--n smiles. You'll be whistling 'Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah' out of your a--h---s! I gotta be crazy! I'm on a pilgrimage to see a moose...."
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know what you're thinking--those inspirational words always give me goosebumps, too! May all your trips to your personal Wally Worlds be joyous and fun as well! ;-)
As part of their renovation, I hope they network their branchs! BNP claims that one branch, say in the 5th arrt. can't tell an account holder how much money is in his/her account in another branch in a different arrt. Yeah, right (rolling eyes) Pffffff. Cool shot, though.
ReplyDeleteCarrie - Thanks! I could hardly believe my eyes.
ReplyDeleteAs for vacationing, Americans are the least "vacationed" people in the so-called developed world, and that chaps my hide. I would dearly love to fly somewhere cool and refreshing right now - it's currently 109F here.
cue violin
I'd let people call me "pute" if I could have a month-long vacation. Especially if I could take that vacation in France.
ReplyDeleteUSElaine, we're getting smoky skies here now. The whole state must be covered with it. It's hot here, too, but not as hot as where you are.
We all need a trip to Paris, closed or not. "Renewal time," like Eric says. Thanks for the pic to brighten the day, Eric.
Uselaine...in the summer in my midwestern university town, I tell visitors that we have two seasons here: Winter and Construction. If I could send winter your way I would.
ReplyDeletePetrea...no one would ever call you that word! Also, nice profile photo! Stay cool! Drink!
Petrea, I wondered if you would start receiving that Big Sur smoke eventually. That one is gigantic. But don't be gittin' no smoke rage, now.
ReplyDeleteColtrane - Bless you. We could use your water out here as well. "Kind of Blue" was the first jazz album I ever bought, btw. Still one of my favorites.
Eric, I'm with Rose. . .this orange is wonderful. US Elaine, congrats GF! and I feel your pain. I hate the heat. Seattle would be an ideal local for all Parisians and Californians to come. Immediately. Beyond belief gorgeous here right now. . .and Seafair, Bite of Seattle, the Seafood Festival, and Bumbershoot are all still on the horizon. Meanwhile, do Parisians sublet their places to travelers when they vacate for the long summer hols and the shops are closed for renovation? And Petrea, would you actually let someone call you Pute?!
ReplyDelete-Kim
Seattle Daily Photo
Fun colorful photo! Beats looking a drab scaffolding. I've heard that French "customer service" is a bit shaky, so I'm wondering how much stock people are putting in BNP's sign saying that the work being done is to better serve you.
ReplyDeleteUselain congrats on GF! Hope you're beating the heat. Berkeley isn't too bad; but I keep annoying my mom with "check in on the elderly" calls since it's 105 where she is. And she doesn't have air conditioning! Kim, maybe we'll pack up and head to Seattle! I guess you all don't hate Californians anymore?
And Petrea I guess you'll be calling me pute since I'll be taking a month-long vacation to Paris this fall!
uselaine (i.e., GF!) -- I'm tuning up my tiny violin just for you. (Although . . . 109°F? Yikes)
ReplyDeletepetrea -- aaah, the pretty pink shirt is back again. Seriously, nice picture.
coltrane (my faithful friend) -- thanks for sharing CG's f______ words of g__d____ wisdom. So inspiring. Now I'm REALLY looking forward to my vacation!
Kim - Now there's a good thought. Seattle for an extended Bastille Day weekend. Ahhhhh. And Alaska Air has a milk run partner that flies out of Santa Rosa.
ReplyDeleteNah. No money. But I'll think about it as I sit in front of the air-conditioner (which tells you where all the money is going).
BTW, tonton -- I have green eyes, too. And my father was a flaneur! Quelle coincidence, n'est-ce pas?
ReplyDeleteOoo! Hey! More comments! Thanks for the GF wishes everyone!
ReplyDeleteKatie - My mom lives closer to the ocean, so I don't worry quite as much, but the danger is real for folks who can't regulate their temperature so well anymore.
Alexa - The number impresses me too. For the Celsius among us, that's upward of 42. Yeeehs, I love the sound of tiny violins...
Cheerful screen (even with the snarky graffiti). Where do Parisians go on vacation in summer? What are the "hot spots"?
ReplyDeleteThe photo of Henri the IVth at sunset (08 Juillet) is tres magnifique! And thank you to Coltrane-L for the historical background. I appreciate all I learn from this site. :-)
Did I say pute? I meant "cute."
ReplyDeleteAlexa...I think only a flaneur or H.L. Mencken could pull off using a word like "canicule"! I love this word. Thnx Tonton!
ReplyDeletePetrea...I knew that was the word you were going for! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI like how "trompes l'oeil" find their way in the cities, painted on walls, like this one on billboards or like the screen I once saw over the Palais des Doges in Venice, as Alexa said.
ReplyDeleteUselaine, we easily could send you some fresh air and water from Paris area too, 11°C (52°F) this morning and it is said to be the best day of the week !!!!
Coltrane, when reading Eric's comment, I also thought of those words my friend from Minneapolis told me about their 2 seasons : Winter and road construction !!
We could find an equivalent expression about the French alleged Summer, I am not smart enough to find one myself, but it should absolutely include "closed".
It's like a (not always funny) game, chasing opened baker, pharmacy, gas station or tobacco shop for the addicted ones !
Still I love Paris in August, it's like being on vacation yourself, you can drive, you can park, tourists are friendly and it is even sometimes sunny, LOL.
Like Rose, I have a weakness for the color orange.
ReplyDeletePetrea, your new pic is very pute! So sorry you are getting the smoke. Poor California; the news is so alarming.
Very fun shot, Eric. And France is so evolved with this national vacation month. Even if someone doesn't take the full month, the implied consent to do so is more than refreshing.
Petrea, you cute not pute!!! What about me, living in Paris 365 days on 365?! Great pute? LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the pink tee shirt is back. You're so CUTE with it.
USelaine, congrats for being GF! I forgot lats night (Or maybe I was jealous, I don't remember). ;)
I thought the French holidays traditionally don't start until the 1st of August? Or is this just for certain trades?
ReplyDeleteEric - I will be in Paris this weekend (I cannot wait!!) and thanks to your post last year I now know about the Bals des Pompiers. Is there a particular one that you would reccommend? We're staying near the Quartier Latin.
Paris here we come!!!
Where is the man's safety glasses and who paints in a skirt? Dirty Girl....
ReplyDeleteCool screens, the Japanese put them up as well and they have cartoon characters that resemble very strange fish :)
I too love trompe l'oeil paintings. I "enlarged" a WC wall in our apartment with a fake window and "building across the street." Something to gaze at when you're in there...
ReplyDeleteMs. M - With my limited knowledge, I think Parisians go all over for vacation. But, I learned when I was there last that alot of the outdoorsy ones go to the south central area around the Rivers Lot and Tarn and the Gorges of Tarn, which is a beautiful area (Google images) good for hiking and biking and camping. But, I'm sure the Alps and the sea get their share, too. Anyone else have info?
ReplyDeletehe he great posters. Funny how it's always to serve US isn't it. The fact that refurbishments attract more customers bringing in hefty new profits has nothing whatever to do with it. lol.
ReplyDeleteUselaine, You are right about Americans & vacationing, what's the deal with that anyway?
ReplyDeleteSo thanks Coltrane, that does put a whole new spin on things, VEry Funny!
& Eric, this is so cool I love this idea. Sometimes they do this in New York City as well but it seems so much more... I don't know, sophisticated seeing it done in Paris.
That's so funny, here there are just boring brown paper on windows or something equally boring on a fence. At least there, they are showing some initiative to be creative!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you all enjoy the summer wherever you are! It is cool today, only 70! But yesterday was 85 and tomorrow is supposed to be 85. What's up with that?
What a crazy idea, that people who work for a living are able to take month long vacations. It means they're being paid too much. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to afford it. This is no way to run a competitive economy. France had better wake up!
ReplyDeleteYou want winter and construction? Come here! A huge section of 64/40 shut down to redo the whole flippin thing. I shudder to think how much gas I've wasted taking the longer routes I have to take to places like school or Forest Park or whatever. Ugh. I mean we're a few months into it and everyone's used to it by now, but still it's a hassle. Especially with such high gas prices.
ReplyDeleteMoving on to a different subject, I love the idea of these screens to hide the construction. They're very popular 'round here as well, though not nearly as cool as some of the ones Eric has shown us. There's one that recently went up not far from where I live. The lot has been vacant for ages and suddenly something that looked like the basic frame for a wooden fence went up. ...and stayed like that for awhile. My friends and I were like, "Wow, they're really trying hard to deter the homeless guy, huh?" (We have only one local homeless guy in my neck of the woods.) Eventually they put up the rest of the fence, but that took quite awhile. Then they rather disappointingly put up adverts for the bank being built and sponsor badges. Blah.
US Elaine..."Kind of Blue" will always stand the test of time. I'm celebrating this week because every evening on the "Ovation" network there is a different jazz artist featured. Last night, Monk...later this week, Coltrane! :-)
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I remember Eic's photo on PDP of a building with a silkscreen of the building in front of it while it was under construction -- it's around here somewhere -- it was pretty cool looking.
ReplyDeleteColtrane, "Wally World" was on last weekend -- I watched it while I will home alone and ill with that stupid cough.
Parisians, If you leave, you will miss the Paris Plage.
Who stands on a ladder in hi-heels?
Good morning everyone.
ReplyDeleteHey, just a reminder: the southern California PDP fan pod is meeting this Sunday in the Los Angeles area to celebrate Bastille Day. Email me if you'd like to join us! (Go to my blog--the link is on the left side of the page under the Copyscape logo.)
You have a southern PDP fan thingy? Awesome! I wonder if we could put some sort of meetup together for midwestern PDP fans. And not that I don't like to travel or anything, but St. Louis would be a pretty good place for most midwestern fans to meet up! Hmmm...other midwesterners, what do you think?
ReplyDeleteI totally meant to type southern California, which is obviously completely different from just plain southern. My computer is doing weird things today.
ReplyDeleteSoosha...a wonderful idea, and St Louis would be a GREAT place to meet. One day perhaps! Unfortunately, at this time it is not a plausible one pour moi. Usually teachers have summers off right? Not this guy. I work with international students at the university (TOEFL prep) during my summer vacation (and then our Japanese group arrives July 21st and until August 2nd I won't get much sleep...Domo arigato!) and then my high school year starts up third week in August. Throw into that academic jambalaya my two kids who are "overscheduled" for everything--swim lessons, art lessons, Montessori, life lessons.... Now you know why I blog when I can (stress relief) and gig occasionlly on the weekends with a jazz trio. Maybe, other Midwestern bloggers could swing it though. St Louis is such a cool burg (Cardinals excepted...Cubs fan here!) and it has Soosha and company, too! :-)
ReplyDeleteAll of you are so smart, witty, interesting, and just plain nice -- I swear, I could live on this blog. Oh, wait, I kinda do.
ReplyDeletecoltrane -- I'm LOVING the jazz thing on OVTV, too.
ReplyDeleteOvation is maybe the best cable channel out there.
It's basically Los Angeles area, Soosha Q. (Of course LA takes up a lot of the southern part of the state.) Any PDP fan who can get here is welcome, of course!
ReplyDeleteGuille - I'll hold back next time I see comments at zero!
ReplyDeleteMarylene - I think Paris would be the perfect remedy for me. This morning, the air has become extremely smoky again. I hope we don't have a new fire brewing.
Lily - We need to pick up and go, that's all.
Coltrane - When I saw the Anglo-French movie "My Wife is an Actress", I really liked the Brad Mehldau music, so got "Trio:Songs" and love it.
Lois! - It sucks being that sick. And the smoke must make it worse. I hope you're better soon. Maybe we can arrange a NorCalFanPod gathering to celebrate your healing.
USElaine, I know, this cough is really stupid!
ReplyDeleteLast night I looked out at the ocean and I couldn't see a thing because of all the smoke. I have never seen it like that before. No sky! No water! -- just smoke. Then this big red/orange ball started to set on the horizon -- it was fuzzy -- I could make it out though -- IT WAS THE SUN.
Hey yeah! NorCalFanPod -- That's a great idea -- let's get together this weekend in San Francisco to celebrate Bastille Day.
ReplyDeleteAlexa...was your father's last name really "Flaneur"??? Sooooper!!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteLois...I am suffering from very bad allergies that turned into a terrible cold also...Gross!! It is definitely related to all the smoke in SF from the fires in CA!! Terrible...I feel your pain, and for all the people that have been evacuated or displaced as well.
I went through the entire winter and spring without a "sniffle" and now I am soooo sick, and it is summer!! Thank God for Zyrtec-D!!!! LOL!
Ooooh, I wonder how many others on here are midwesterners. It'd be fun to get together with some others some weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh I know teachers don't usually have summers off. Most every teacher I've ever known picks up extra work over the summer. I very nearly became an English teacher myself once upon a time! I don't think I'dve made a very good teacher, though.
Tonton, OMG -- thank you for telling me that. I thought I was the only one with a cough -- I was feeling like a weirdo.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about St. Louis, but this Minneapolitan will be in Chicago for the jazz festival weekend, arriving Aug 28 and departing Aug 31. (For budget reasons, had to choose between Sonny Rollins on 28th and Ornette Colemen on 31st.) I believe there are a couple Chicagoans out there, n'est-ce pas?
ReplyDeleteAnd, Monsieur Luggi, a month of vacation is civilized, not overpaid. Most of them do not take it all at once, but some do. As one very pleasant Parisien expressed to me at Cafe du Mairie by Place St. Sulpice: "You Americans have more money, and you earn it by working so hard. But we have a better quality of life." He was correct.
Monsieur Jeff:
ReplyDeleteUh, thanks for setting me straight. But my comment was ironic. We're on the same page on this one, believe me!
Luggi, I don't know if you got my other messages, but let me know if you want to join us Sunday.
ReplyDeleteUS Elaine...I'm familiar with the movie (I think I even own that one...I'll have to check). You've gotten me curious now to go listen to the music. Merci!
ReplyDeleteLois! I just checked back on this comment thread - can't make it to The City this weekend! Let's plan something when we're all recovered from everything.
ReplyDeleteFunny picture!!!
ReplyDeleteThe building where I live is currently being cleaned (outside walls). But no cute painting screens like those on the BNP branches to hide the work... Too bad!! Scaffoldings are never nice to see and that's going to last about 3 months!!! If you want to take a -bad- photo, Eric, tell it to me;)
I must admitt that's the first cleaning (we say 'ravalement' in French) I'm going to experience, though I've been living at this adress for... almost 13 years!!
Alas, if only I had the money to visit Chicago for the jazz fest! I wouldn't have to worry about lodging cause I have family nearby, but with my sister's wedding and a few other thing going on in August I just can't afford it. What a blast that would be!
ReplyDeleteI lived in Chicago for ten years and only went to the Jazzfest once. Now I wish I could go!
ReplyDeleteShe looks like she is wearing stilts on that step ladder!
ReplyDeleteSo many reasons to move to France and now you have just added another to my ever growing list. These screens are marvellous, so eyecatching. Much better than dreary grey hoarding.
ReplyDelete