Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Carrousel Jules Verne à la Défense


Who said old things don't mix with the new? Here is a perfect example...What you see in the foreground belongs to a merry-go-round located at La Défense, the large business district of Paris. And precisely, what you see in the background is a piece of La Grande Arche, a very modern building. The funny thing is that I don't really think any kids go to La Défense, and I can hardly picture one of these on-the-move young executives taking a ride on the merry-go-round between two meetings to get rid of the stress!!

22 comments:

  1. From this angle I had no idea what this was. Some sort of toy I thought! Maybe some of those young executives should get off the roller coaster and ride the merry go round!

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  2. Seeing two things so opposite in appearance in one photo puts a design lover like me in Heaven!

    So, Eric, did you give it a go between meetings or not?

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  4. mmmmm barbe a papa!

    I bet this is how Eric spends his lunch hours...

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  5. Brilliant juxtaposition, Eric. I love the way you see things, and your funny observation.
    -Kim

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  6. These look like rather baroque versions of the Tin Man. It is quite odd to have a carousel in La Defense, but I would sure like to ride it.

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  7. I'd ride it too, rimabirdgirl. Maybe it's there for tourists! Or photographers.

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  8. I'd ride it too—hey, let's all go to La Défense and ride the carrousel ensemble! I'll bet if there HAD been any young execs there between meetings, Eric would have gotten that picture. Eric, I love these shots where at first glance you don't know exactly what you're seeing.

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  9. Petrea -- you asked a question 2 days ago about how to link to a specific PDP post. Did you get an answer? If not, if you open that post and click on the time it was posted that should open that particular one, and then you can copy and paste the url at the top.

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  10. A merry-go-round at La Defense? Who'd a guessed? Hey, spinning wheels got to go round...ride a painted pony let the spinning wheel fly. :-) In my next life I want to come back with a voice like David Clayton Thomas. I can hopes you see. ;-) Oh, the photo. Well, IMO the two contrasting elements really make for an interesting photo and add a bit of whimsy. Merci and hope you're having a splendid time in the south.

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  11. LOLLL Eric you are so right!

    I doubt any of those executives will give it a try. All I saw there was busy business men and army soldiers watching out for anything/one suspect!!!

    But I bet it makes a great contrast between the Grande Arche and the delicate merry-go-round.

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  12. Thank you, Alexa! I always forget that. Click on the time, click on the time, click on the time...

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  13. That's so beautiful ~ I want one!

    Cali, congrats GF! I guess your crown will slowly twirl 'round and 'round???

    Alexa ~ if we're there together, it's a date!

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  14. Again a very good post Eric !
    I love this sort of blue you caught in your 07/26, 07/28 and today photos. Blue + grey + white, I love it!
    Another thing that I find amazing is how you manage to know every name, title of what you shot. For instance this "Carrousel Jules Verne" is certainly something you could not guess by yourself :) That's such a nice name for a trip on a merry-go-round! Well that makes me smile ... of course!
    What else ? Ahh yes La Défense : I went there recently for a professional training and I was charmed by this huge business area. Not that I love all of it, no, not really, but there are some good points such as this huge Parvis de la Défense and la Grande Arche, which is really impressive each time!

    NB : I like this photo. Very lovely. Thank you. Ciao.

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  15. The contrast is fun. The fairy tale image is clear, in focus. The reality of La Grand Arche, a modern structure, is blurry, unfocused. This proves that living in a fantasy is always easier than dealing with the real world. (Coltrane, your singing if perfect.)

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  16. I am a (hopefully) on the move young executive and I would surely ride this between two meetings to rid myself of the stress....now if only one could drive to Paris from New York!!


    Sean

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  17. This is way off topic, but perhaps some kind soul can help me out here, and in the process everyone else can get a fantastic recipe.

    I bought something called a tarte provencale at a small bakery near St-Eustache. It was very simple--just a crust with tomatoes and onions, a little oil, some thyme, maybe a bit of rosemary.

    That was the most heavenly "fast food" I have found in quite some time. Simple and delicious. So I have been looking around for a recipe, and there are lots online, but most are far more elaborate, with things like aggs and cream and cheese and such.

    Does anyone have a recipe for that very basic tarte that I found? I could probably improvise it, but I am not sure exactly what kind of crust to use. Puff pastry? Standard pie crust? Phyllo?

    Any suggestions are most appreciated.

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  18. I like the juxtaposition of the old and new in this photo.
    And I'd like to ride, too :)

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  19. Hey,

    Just came across your blog. I live 2 minutes away from the carrousel and can confirm that during weekends in the summer, La Defense comes alive.

    Tourists and parisians alike head over to do some shopping or just to relax on the grass on the Esplanade, especially when there are free music festivals and expositions being held.

    Interestingly, the man who runs the carrousel is on first name terms with my landlord, as their dogs used to play together. :)

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