Free Cone Day in Paris

Just like everywhere in the world apparently, anybody could walk into a Ben & Jerry's today and get a free ice cream! I went to one of their sales points today in the Saint Germain area to check and, well, yes, it was true! Of course, it was not exactly the best day to do this in Paris because not only has it been pouring all day, but it was very cold too! Of course you will ask "why on earth would a Parisian go to Ben and Jerry's whereas the best ice creams are to be found at Berthillon?" Well, maybe because Berthillon has only one outlet (and a few resellers, OK), because they have a lousy website with no English version, because they're not open on Mondays and Tuesdays, because they don't deliver, they don't accept credit cards...). LOL!

Les Invalides at night

It's been a while since I posted a touristy photo, so here you go! I took it Saturday evening, on my way back from the 7th arrondissement where I had dinner. This beautiful building is called Les Invalides, and it was built in 1674 to shelter wounded and old soldiers. In 1676, it was decided to add a church to the building (you can see its dome in the middle). Today the Invalides is still a hospital (it's been renewed since it was built!) and a museum where you can see Napoleon's tomb.

Amour !

If you wander around in Paris and see the word Amour painted on the pavement or on some shop window, it's very likely that this man - Jean-Luc Duez - did it! Jean-Luc started doing this after a love story that did not end too well... But he claims it's not the only reason. To him, writing Amour everywhere is also his own way of acting for peace in the world (he actually started doing this after 9/11). And it works! He told me that he met 3 people that wanted to commit suicide and did not because they saw one of his signs. Amazing! Check here to see more Amour!

About 20 people will attend this year's PDP Picnic on May 7, why don't you join? Please check this topic in the PDP Forum.

Proud to be American!

Would you believe it if I told you that I took this photo today (Saturday) in front of the Paris town hall (hôtel de ville)? Well, I did. Apparently, this flag belongs to a group of pilgrims to Lourdes, celebrating a 40 year anniversary of something (don't ask me more, that is all I could guess from what was written on their T-shirts after I blew up some of the photos I took!). I thought it was pretty daring to walk through Paris exhibiting a huge American flag! ;)

Mai 68 celebration

In 1968, in France, students started a mini revolution that became pretty successful throughout the month of May. That is why it's now referred to, by all historians, as "Mai 68". It's been 40 years now and "those who've done it" (called "Les Soixantehuitards") dream of a repeat in memory of their youth! All what's coming, though, are... anniversaries. This year, there are several exhibits, including this one that shows several photos by famous press photographer Marc Riboud who took great shots at the time. I chose this angle because you can actually see 2 photos of La Sorbonne with the actual Sorbonne in the background!

The Red Cross is broke

Sad but true. Because of the current world food crisis, the price of staple goods is going up. This impacts primarily developing countries of course, but not only. People in rich countries with just enough to live on are more and more impacted. And consequently NGOs that help them face an increasing demand for food. In France, the Red Cross had planned to serve 32 million meals in 2008 (vs 30 million in 2007), but the President of the Red Cross was in all the media today saying that, with their current funds, they will only be able to serve 27 million meals. BTW, this torso belongs to someone famous on PDP, can you guess?

The other side of Saint Sulpice

Do you remember this photo? Well, I photographed his front this time! The sad part though is that I still don't know who he is... Anyway, for the records this photo was taken in Saint Sulpice (yes at the same time I took the confession one!). I have a lot of work at the moment so I did not have the time to take "La photo du jour". Don't worry, things will go back to normal pretty soon ;) BTW, I have a question for those of you who have already been to Paris - Well it's actually not me but a PDP visitor who asks me in which restaurant she could take her 12 year old daughter to (please post the answer here, if you have one, because I don't!). Update: a nice visitor (Joris, from Belgium) tells me this is Saint Paul.

Table & Chairs

Not much to learn today, just a nice effect of table and chairs in the courtyard of l'Hôtel de Poulpry, a house that was built in 1640 then acquired by le marquis de Poulpry in 1766. It now belongs to... la Maison des Polytechniciens, a company that rents the place for seminars, cocktails, weddings... It's also the place where alumni from L'Ecole Polytechnique (one of the most prestigious schools in France) can gather on special occasions.

Fauchon, La Madeleine

Fauchon is probably the best luxury food shop in Paris. It has several stores now (including a recent one in Beijing), but the original one, the one that was founded in 1886 by Auguste Fauchon, is located on Place de la Madeleine, at the back of the church. They really have good stuff! I remember, when I was much younger, I used to live near there and every Sunday I would buy croissants from them. Yes, they are to die for! Now I live further away, but I pass by La Madeleine every morning on my way to work, and that is how I got to take this photo. Service Voiturier means Valet Parking, by the way.

11 to 15 people are already attending this year's PDP Picnic on May 7, why don't you join? Please check this topic.

Molecular Gastronomy

On Sunday, right after coming back to Paris from the Internet Festival of Romans, I had the opportunity of visiting Le Laboratoire, a place created by David Edwards and dedicated to experimental art and design creations... I went there to check the current exhibit by famous chef Thierry Marx and physicist Jérôme Bibette who teamed up to create new tastes in molecular gastronomy. For example, they invented a new technology that allows to embed tasty solutions in small salmon size "marbles". I did not get the chance to try this but I tried the "whif bar" where you "inhale" chocolate powder through a sort of plastic cigarette. If you're in Paris before July 2008, give it a try, but make sure you book ahead (see all info here).

Confession in succession...

It’s Sunday, so let me take you inside a church today. I found this sign in Saint Sulpice and I thought it was really odd. It looks like there are so many people willing to confess that they have to organize a queue/line or something. Are people in the 6th arrondissement big sinners or what?! Anyway, as you may already know, among the Christians, only Catholics need to talk to a priest to be absolved, the Protestants ask directly forgiveness from God. And from what I could see on the web, no such thing as confession exists among the Muslims or the Jews.

Photo Trottoir exhibit

Yes, I know it’s a photo of photos, but it’s not just ANY photos. It all started when Nicolas Laugero-Lassere, art director of l'Espace Pierre Cardin and teacher at l'Efap Paris (a Communications school) had the idea of giving a camera to several homeless people with no particular directions. The result was presented last Wednesday in an art gallery called Art & You in the 9th arrondissement. The exhibit was a big success I must say (well at least the opening!) ; congratulations to the pupils of L’Efap who did a good job promoting the event. More photos here. PS: I'm currently in Romans at the moment, for the Internet Festival, remember?

Waiting [not on!] for who[m]?

This photo is dedicated to Zsolt and Zannni from Budapest Daily Photo... Why? Because I took this photo last evening (Thursday) in front of... the Paris Hungarian Center, located on the rue Bonaparte in the 6th arrondissement (not exactly the worst address in Paris!). This center is dedicated to the promotion of the Hungarian culture (and language) and I suppose this sculpture was made by a Hungarian artist (but I have found nothing on the web about this). Anyway, I think it's cool they actually put it in front of the building as if it were a real bench. I don't know the lady next to the bronze one ; she just nicely told me "you can take your picture, I don't mind being on a blog!" Nice encounter.

Le China!

I'm just back from a nice evening with fellow bloggers (no, not from the City Daily Photo community, but French bloggers) organized by Laurence, a Belgium girl of Korean origins, who lives in Paris. It's always nice to see for real people which life you follow through all these gadgets such as Facebook, Twitter, Pownce, Seesmic, Friendfeed... you name them (yes, I am a geek, I confess!). We gathered at Le China (Ex Le China Club) a very nice place, beautifully decorated that just reopened (located near Bastille, on 50 rue de Charenton). I do recommend it if you're looking for a quiet and cosy place to have dinner or a drink - and if you're comfortable having Chinese food while in Paris!

The sun is back, so are the demonstrations...

It's been a while since I have posted a demonstration photo. Well, since the season has reopen, here you go! Guess who is "en colère" (angry) at the moment ? The high school pupils. They marched today between Republique and Nation using pretty festive slogans mocking Sarkozy and the Education Minister. Somes things will never change... Here are some more photos.

Bobino is still alive

Last night, on my way back home from the office, I passed by the rue de la Gaité a pretty "festive" street in the area of Montparnasse. I noticed a huge line at the entrance of "Bobino" one of the mythical music halls of Paris. The name Bobino is known to all Parisians but to be quite honest I thought it was now more or less closed. Browsing the web to know more, I found out that the place had been totally redone in 2007 and that they turned it into a Cabaret kinda place (like the Moulin Rouge or Le Lido) where you can enjoy fancy costumes and music. You'll find out more on their website. BTW, talking about music, here is a little piece that Vivky Hugo (a regular commenter) sent me today. Quite unexpected...

If you want to attend this year's PDP Picnic on May 7, please check this topic.

Rap at the Opera!

On Saturday, I was on the Place de la Bastille when I suddenly heard "noise" (OK, music!) coming from the steps of the Opera. Nothing like a bel canto aria, but... something that sounded more like rap. You know me... I grabbed my camera and started shooting. It looked more like the set of a video clip to me than an actual performance, but what I can tell you for sure is that the refrain went "trop vénère" which means "Très énervé" (very upset/angry) in slang. I'll let you know if this band becomes famous. PS: before you ask, the blurry effect is 100% natural!

What's left of yesterday's carnival

We're not big on carnival in Paris (although I found out today by doing some research on the web that we do have an official carnival season and that it was last February!). The tradition is still alive in some primary schools and since it was today, you could see cute little kids wearing funny costumes everywhere! Where I live, they also left some remains of the event: confetti!

If you want to attend this year's PDP Picnic on May 7, please check this topic.

Living the French Dream

What would you say about opening a little Coffee shop (well rather a tea shop..) in Paris? That's what Aimee (on the right in the photo - the other young lady is called Louisa) was dreaming of, in her native Kansas... And she did! Just six months 2 weeks ago, on the Butte aux Cailles, a pretty trendy area in the 13th arrondissement. "I love everything about France [including her French hubby!], she said, except that I'm far away from my family and that it's hard to get peanut butter and Blue cheese dressing in Paris!". Do pay her a visit (1, rue Jean-Marie-Jégo) if you're into tea and want to see a typical, yet not so touristy part of Paris. Update: Aimee also has a blog.

Funky helmet

Sorry, I have had an exhausting day (Thursday) in Trouville, and I have an even more exhausting one coming up tomorrow at the office, so you won't learn anything about Paris in the caption today. Right now, I'm going straight to my bed... I hope you will still enjoy this funky helmet though; I did. BTW: this year's PDP picnic will take place on May 6 or 7, it's time to book your flight LOL!

A piece of Baccarat

OK, today let me take you to... the Baccarat house, the famous French crystal maker founded in 1764, where I was today. I know what you're going to say - especially you phx-cdg! -, I get to go to more places than the "average Pierre"... But it's actually not true ; anybody can go there and have dinner in their fabulous crystal room - redecorated by Philip Stark, s'il vous plaît!. Anybody can also visit the boutique, the gallery-museum and the grand ballroom of exceptional craftsmanship (where I took this photo.) Here, I chose to post this one because I thought it was more mysterious! Needless to say that all chandeliers there are made of crystal.

Breakfast at Le Bristol

I'm going to make you sooooo jealous! This morning I went to hotel Le Bristol for a press conference (something about Samsung partnering with a food guide) and I was lucky enough to sit next to one of the most talented chefs in France: Michel Roth from the Ritz (more precisely from L'Espadon, the Ritz restaurant). I asked him all the stupid layman questions but he was really cool about them and answered very nicely. BTW, as you may have guessed from the photo, I had Foie gras (see another photo here) Eric Fréchon's style (the Bristol chef). Pretty unusual for breakfast, but sooo good!

Are the Olympics still games?

Unless you live under a rock, you probably heard what happened to the Olympic torch yesterday (Monday) in Paris: it had to be put out by officials after numerous attempts to disrupt its progression throughout the streets of Paris. Eventually, the torch was placed on a bus, several times, to protect it from demonstrators. Of course your favorite reporter from PDP had to witness this and so I did! I went to the Place de L'Alma and got caught in the middle of the turmoil. Scary, but fun... Here are some of the dozens of shots that I took there.

Meat Chateaubriand... (again!)

You probably know "Filet mignon", the thick cut from the tenderloin which is also often referred to as Chateaubriand. Well Chateaubriand (François René, was his first name) was not a famous chef but... a writer and a politician who lived a fascinating, adventurous life, between 1768 and 1848. The kind of guys that make your life look totally dull (check all what he's done here)! His most famous book is probably Mémoire d'Outre-tombe, but I never read it. I found his bust in the heart of the 7th arrondissement, but he has several others including one in Saint Malo, his hometown. PS: sorry for this "reprint", as you may have noticed the first time I posted this photo, it did not show...

Notre Dame at Sunset

Yeah, I can hear you from here: "another one of these sunset photos, how about some imagination?!" Well, what can I do? When I see that kind of light, on my way back home from the office, I can't help but digging out my camera and shoot. LOL. Besides, I'm currently in Chamonix (in the Alpes) so I had to upload a photo prior to my departure... I hope you're behaving well on this blog while I'm gone;) Have a wonderful Sunday. BTW: here is some interesting reading about Notre-Dame.

Orangina turns green for one day

Last week, a friend of mine who publishes a site dedicated - among other things - to sustainable developement, alerted me that the soda brand Orangina (a famous orange juice soda in France) was about to organize a "Greenwashing" in some areas of Paris. Principle? Turn parking spaces into a little fake grass green spot (an idea that was apparently "stolen" from the park(ing) day movement). I had to see this... I chose to visit the one spot located on my favorite place in Paris: La Place des Victoires. Here you go. Nothing really extraordinary, but unusual enough to be worth a post on PDP ;)

Drums beating

Yesterday, as I was passing by the Musée d'Orsay, I could not help stopping and take my camera when I saw this scene. At first I noticed the light - once more the sunset! - and they I saw this little man playing the drums. From where I was - the other side of the Seine, there was no way I could hear him play, but I thought the scene was really good. BTW, did you notice how high the water is? Soon the embankment will be closed...