Thursday, April 07, 2011

A secret address...


People often ask me for my secret addresses in Paris, as if I had any... Today I'm glad to report I found one! If you think I took this photo in the middle of Le Bois de Boulogne or in the suburbs, you're all wrong. I took it today in the middle of Le Marais, at rue Elzevir, as you can see from the street sign. This is Le Centre Culturel Suédois (the Swedish Cultural Center) and besides offering Swedish language classes and other cultural programs, they also have a restaurant and a few tables outside! Fantastic! BTW, the entrance is actually at 11 rue Payenne.

22 comments:

  1. merci bien pour ce tuyau!!! :) cet endroit a l'air très idyllique...faut y aller pendant la prochaine visite à Paris ;)bonne journée!

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  2. That's what's great about Paris, just the buildings alone are an attraction!!!

    Thanks for the tips et bon nuit!

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  3. What a great shot, Eric! I love looking through gates into paradise--and everything is in bloom. Does it get any better than "April in Paris???"

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  4. I must have passed by this place a dozen times when I was there last month (as our route from "home" in the Marais to the Left Bank took us right past it)—and it may be the only thing I didn't take a picture of! So thanks, Eric. May I borrow this photo? :~}

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  5. I found this spot the last night I was in Paris! The gate was open as I passed by and I wandered inside. It was just as inviting in the starlight as it is here in the sunlight. Thanks for the memories, Eric!!

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  6. A lovely setting for a relaxing meal.
    I would love to dine here.

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  7. A cool place for a "Garden Party!" Nothing like a closed gate to beg these curious eyes to survey. The day looks exquisite, too. May the sun keep shining. I can almost hear the voice of Ricky Nelson singing while St Peter joins in.

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  8. When I saw this photo, I thought of my friend May-Britt (she is from Sweden) so I showed it to her.

    And, this is what she said, "When I was a teenager a close friend's father was the Cultural Attaché To Sweden (not sure this is the right translation, or perhaps a Cultural Diplomat) in Paris, and they actually lived in the Swedish Cultural Center, so I slept there when I was young. Quite funny. His mother was an artist. It is a beautiful place."

    On another subject, you must be getting ready for you annual Paris party, huh, Eric? :-)

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  9. My first flat in Paris is just a stones throw from here on rue Barbette! They have many nice events here and the restaurant is quite pleasant and peaceful! Thanks for the lovely photo, Eric!

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  10. Magic! I've heard about this place so often but never had the chance to go there.. yet!
    By the way, Eric, thanks to you I went to see the Rosenblum gallery yesterday that you wrote about - a very interesting place, keep those recommendations coming :-D

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  11. Looks lovely, Eric, I'll check it out.


    A beintot,
    Christine Hueber

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  12. Found a wonderful book before our last trip to Paris called "Quiet Corners of Paris" Available @http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Corners-Paris-Jean-Christophe-Napias/dp/1892145502/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1302182663&sr=1-1). It was wonderful. We followed it and we really did find some lovely locations & courtyards off the beaten track!

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  13. Thanks so much for this beautiful info. I am adding it to my list of great places to be for my next Paris trip.

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  14. Sounds just lovely, especially within the wonderful weather we are currently having over Paris. The Swedish Cultural Center sounds also smartly managed.
    As smartly managed as PDP ;)

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  15. What a lovely secret place... I wonder if Peter has a regular invitation there? The best ideas of places to see in Paris come from those living there... merci!

    Genie

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  16. Ohhh all I see is "Spring!" Bright green grass, blooming trees - heavenly! Thanks for this, Eric!

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  17. They often have very interesting exhibits there.

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  18. @Anika. J'en suis ravi !

    @Monica. Very true.

    @Cathy. Well yes May in Paris ;-) Actually the weather at the moment is really fantastic

    @Alexa. Of course you may borrow this photo Alexa!

    @Carrie. At least you went inside. I did not...

    @Lily. Me too, that will be my next try with this place!

    @Coltrane. Yes, the weather is really great. May it last like this...

    @Lois. She slept there. Wow, that's a cool place to stay! Picnin, edn of May this year!

    @beau gosse. I'll go there for sure too.

    @Sab. The Rosenblum Collection is a great place, isn't? I really loved it.

    @Christine. yes, you should definitely.

    @Nancy. Thanks for the tip. I should buy it actually.

    @Carole. You're welcome ;-)

    @Anonymous. ;-)))

    @Genie. Oh yes. True. I suppose he does. At least he must know it.

    @Anne. Yep. We even broke a heat record today (for April).

    @Starman. Good to know.

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  19. I don´t know how many times I have already passed by the Centre Culturel Suedois, but I never went there. Shame on me!

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  20. Great shot! I love the depth of field on this one. Nicely done.

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  21. I'm glad to see it still open, I think it was a debate in Sweden some time ago about closing the culture centre in Paris, to save money. Swedish french lovers went absolutley crazy and hugley protested this. I hope it worked!

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  22. Beautiful gate, and even more beautiful inside! Amazing that we can go to such lovely places and learn about new things and ideas. Thank you so much for sharing, Eric!

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