You're looking at my dream place in Paris... It's called Avenue Frochot (after Nicolas Frochot) and it's located near Pigalle in the 9th arrondissement. It's one of the few private streets in Paris in which you can find houses and small buildings. Needless to say that a lot of famous people have lived there (such as Toulouse Lautrec, Django Reinhardt, Alexandre Dumas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Victor Massé - a famous French composer). Taking about Victor Massé, the rumor has it that his house (the first one in the street) is haunted: No one survived there since he died!
Ah, yes—a private street. Don't blame you for wanting to live here, Eric! We have a few in NYC too, and I wouldn't mind myself . . .
ReplyDeleteAnd if someone offered you Massé's house gratis, would you take it?
ReplyDeleteMe, Alexa! I'll take it! We have a few private drives in Tinytown but they all lead to farms and ranches.
ReplyDeleteDon't do it, Eric! Don't do it!!! Not Masse's house - any of the others, but not that one. ; )
ReplyDeleteThe photo makes it look so tempting. This is another place for the next to do list!
Hmmm, a great place to visit on Halloween, now that it is celebrated in Paris!
ReplyDeleteA private street in Paris! With a haunted house, no less? Ooh, that's just beyond fantasy, isn't it? I need to live there for a year (not in the Massé house, of course) and write a novel.
ReplyDeleteNot if I get there first, Petrea! I have actually shared a bed with a French ghost and am fearless on that front, so the Massé house holds no dread for me. Besides, there's a famous ghost in my own family. My only fear is how I would pay for it!
ReplyDeleteFamous ghost, Alexa? Tell!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I know a famous ghost, but I think my fame is a ghost. (Or is that ma femme? I don't know.)
ReplyDeleteWren, Alexa ~ I'd have to queue up behind Petrea for the next available unhaunted house! Not even the lure of living in such an attractive street with its highly esteemed pedigree would make me succumb to sleeping with ghosts. No way. No how! In fact, I don't think I'll be able to read Alexa's ghostly story. {Ok, I know it will be a great one ~ maybe with one eye closed...}
ReplyDeleteI thought this was Renoir's street. I was wondering if they filmed parts of Piaf in that street. It would be perfect since it probably hasn't changed all that much in the last century, or has it?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely looks intriguing, the way you've photographed it Eric. Love the gate and the curve on the road.
ReplyDeleteI love this block. I was fortunate enough to one time gain entrance during one of my Eye Prefer Paris tours with my clients. the houses were so amazing and unusual. A very special piece of Paris. Doesn't Jean Paul Gaultier live there now?
ReplyDeleteI remember this street being featured in a documentary about Toulouse Lautrec on TV.
ReplyDeleteA house in this oasis of calm with such a history of famous inhabitants doesn't come cheaply I bet. But we all need our dreams.
PS - Oh Alexa, surely you didn't fall for the old "It's OK, I'm a only a ghost" line did you?
Your post is as always very interesting and informative.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of a ghost that would hunt somewhere is always scary and mysterious... Could it be possible that we love a ghost? Maybe it could, only a nice one that may show up and help from time to time!
Ghost, where are you ?? Are you here ?? I almost see you :-)
Richard, it sounds like I must take one of your tours on my next visit!
ReplyDeleteDrummond, another bullseye! You make me laugh out loud.
It looks great....but somehow my dream of Paris includes a flat with a nice balcony, overlooking a five way intersection filled with bustling people and linden trees!
ReplyDeleteSean
This looks gorgeous. So this is where the Rich & Beautiful live in Paree? Which one is yours, Eric? ;)
ReplyDeleteI love this photo. Such mysteries lie within...
ReplyDeleteAlexa "And if someone offered you Massé's house gratis, would you take it?" Er. Actually, it sounds silly, but I'm not sure...
ReplyDeletePetrea "I need to live there for a year (not in the Massé house, of course) and write a novel." Oh yes! Do that ;-)
Jeff "I don't think I know a famous ghost, but I think my fame is a ghost. (Or is that ma femme? I don't know.)" Now you can even joke in French. Eh eh...
Tomate "I thought this was Renoir's street." Well, it's were Renoir use to live, but the rue Renoir is the the 16th arrondissemnt if I recall.
Mme Benaut. Yes, even the gate is nice in this street...
Richard. You actually went inside?! Lucky you that is really a privilege. About JPG, maybe, I don't know.
Drummond "A house in this oasis of calm with such a history of famous inhabitants doesn't come cheaply I bet. " I looked up and it says between 11 000 and 13 000 per square meter. Yes, that is expensive ;-)
Margaux "Your post is as always very interesting and informative. " Thank you. I try my best.
Eurostyle "but somehow my dream of Paris includes a flat with a nice balcony, overlooking a five way intersection filled with bustling people and linden trees!". You must be crazy LOL!
Lynn "This looks gorgeous. So this is where the Rich & Beautiful live in Paree? Which one is yours, Eric? ;)" I wish! No, it's not the only place... I will show you some other ones.
Suzy. Thanks. See, there is more than the Eiffel Tower to Paris LOL!
If that's your dream place in Paris, you can imagine the effect it has on us.....
ReplyDeleteYes the gate itself makes us believe it's a very very nice place.
I recently had the pleasure of staying in the Avenue with a relative, it's beautiful and quite an oasis in the rush and bustle of the Pigale.
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