Paris Plage 2

I promised I would show you other photos of Paris plage, so here is one. It was hard to take because I wanted to focus on the falling water (we call it a rain curtain) to obtain a depth effect and my camera kept refusing! Anyway, after several attempts and a journey into the menus of my new camera, I managed ;)

Equus caballus eatus...

OK, I know this post will trigger lots of negative reactions, but I still have to post it: I photographed this horse head above the shop of a horse meat butcher. For yes people, in France, people DO eat horse meat! Oh c'mon, why would it be OK to eat beef or veal and not horse meat?! Not to mention, that according to horse meat eaters - it is very tender and good..

French Market

It's Sunday, it's market day! I took the photo of this beautiful one on Place Baudoyer, near the Hotel de Ville. In Paris, it's pretty common to find "real" markets around the corner and Parisians love them. There are also 3 organic markets and several indoor markets where you can shop everyday. Here is a list.

Cité Universitaire

I don't know if you remember, I already showed you a view of the Cité Universitaire, a park located in the 14th arrondissement where students can find accommodations, libraries, sport facilities, concert halls, etc. Well, I went back recently and took this photo and it reminded me of the Stanford Campus in California. Of Course, size wise, there is no comparison, but this is the closest we have!

Summer of Sam

Today's post is dedicated to all Samanthas, Samuels, Samsons... Did you know your name was displayed on top of a building in the middle of Paris? OK, I'm kidding, maybe it's only the first 3 letters of the sign on top of this building ;) - I'm off to Oslo until Tuesday but I'll check PDP regularly, of course!

Friendly Parisian (another one!)

I'm pretty sure that, when you think of a Frenchman, you pretty much have a man like this in mind, right?! (Don't lie!) He has everything to fit the stereotype: he his short, wears a sailor cap, plays La Pétanque, smokes, has a copy of Le Parisien newspaper in his pocket and wears a ridiculous tie... I swear, I really found him in Paris (actually on Paris Plage) and not in a model agency!

We're all in the gutter...

... but some of us are looking at the stars" I thought of this quote by Oscar Wilde when I saw this carved duck fish head gutter (well, actually, it's more of a rain pipe) that I photographed on the Ile Saint Louis, one of the two islands in the middle of Paris. This shows that with a little effort, even the ugliest and most mundane object can become a piece of art. And yes, that's in Paris! Click to enlarge, it's worth it.

Place des Vosges

I told you I would pick up a more representative photo of what you can see during Richard Nahem's tours than the one of the Laundramat, so here it is! I took it on La Place des Vosges right after Richard showed us how to get there from the Musée du jeu de Paume (also called Hôtel de Sully) through a secret passage (well secret to me!) . It's quite pleasant to be taken on these Eye Prefer Paris tours and to hear an American teach you new things about your home town! Thanks again Richard.

Paris Plage 2007

OK, no big toe like last year, no general view like in 2005, my "official" Paris Plage photo for this year will be this one. They installed jets to spray refreshing water on some parts of the river bank and, as you would imagine, kids just love it (This one was actually scolded by his - Italian - parents right after I took this photo)! For those of you who still don't know what Paris Plage is, well, it's a one month period during which they turn the embankment (and this year other places) into a giant beach, with real sand and palm trees and many activities. Usually a big success. I'll show you more...

Sunday Laundry

Yesterday I took part in a tour with Richard Nahem for Eye Prefer Paris (I'll pick up a more representative photo later!) and while passing by this laundrette I could not help taking a photo ;). You find many of those in Paris although washers and dryers are no longer expensive. It's more a matter of room; Paris apartments are often small and none of the buildings have laundry rooms in the basement. That's all for the day, did not have the time to go to Paris Plage yet ;). PS: and yes! This is me in the reflexion!!

The little shop around the corner...

... is closed. Well, so it seems. I found it rue du 4 septembre, a large street starting at the opera and I was really surprised to see such an old boutique in such a busy area. I'm sorry for the owner but it makes a cool photo ;) have a good weekend if you're not already on vacation. Time for me to take pictures of Paris Plage that just started...

Piaf, the musical

After I saw Tomate's yesterday post in the forum about the Edith Piaf movie with Marion Cotillard I noticed that they are currently having a musical about her at L'Olympia, one of the most famous music halls in Paris. I haven't seen it and I won't because I don't feel too comfortable about this. I can hear the producers say "hey, the film was a big hit, let's do a musical now!" Maybe I'm being too French! Anyone has seen it? Is it good?

Free Wi-Fi in Paris

If you come to Paris with a laptop or a Wi-Fi enabled PDA you might want to try to check your mail (and/or PDP!) from one of the new 400 free hot spots that the Paris town hall promised to install for the summer. Apparently they're having problems though... The installation is delayed and so far only 105 hot spots have been launched. On top of that, the carrier Orange announced they would sue them for unfair competition (Orange sells a 3 hour Wi-Fi access for 10 euros, so you can understand why...). Fortunately there are plenty of other free hot spots in Paris, including in almost all McDonald's!
Discuss Paris Wi-Fi hot spots and much more in the PDP forum.

Monument aux Mères

Paris will always surprise me... Today I came across the most unusual monument I've ever seen in my city: a monument dedicated to French mothers. And the weirdest is that I have been unable to find anything about it on Google. Anyway, all I can say is that it looks like it was designed in Soviet Union (see more photos here) and that there are several quotes engraved on it, one being by Albert Lebrun, who was the President of the Republic between 1932 and 1940. I Suppose this is roughly when this monument was built. If anyone knows more, please enlighten us! Update: here is - courtesy of Tomate Farcie - more info.

A little treat

If you're not traveling on a budget and want a little treat while you're in Paris, well here is a way to spend your money! Drop your car right there, ask the voiturier (valet) to park it for you then start with an aperitif in the British atmosphere of the Westminster hotel Duke's bar then change for a more oriental scenery and move slowly to Le Celadon, a restaurant that you will not forget...

(Almost) free bike ride, day one!

You remember this post, when I told you they were currently installing a fantastic bike service called Velib in Paris? Well, that's it, they opened it yesterday (Sunday). The principle is very simple: there are 750 terminals throughout Paris (and there will be more - one every 100 meters/ 110 yards - by the end of 2007) from where you can take or return a bike. If you're just visiting here you can buy a 7 day ticket for 5€ (or even a 1 day ticket for 1 €) then pay as you go. Well, in fact you may never pay since the first 30 minutes are free... For a complete information, please visit the PDP Forum under this topic.

Le défilé du 14 juillet!

I wish I had taken this photo myself, but I would have had to climb up the Obelisque on the Place de La Concorde... Instead I "stole" it from the French television which had many cameras there and on the Champs Elysées. To be honest I went down there this morning to take photos for PDP but there was far too much crowd . I suppose everybody wanted to see the European battalions that marched for the 1st time on the Champs Elysees this year (OK, some European battalions already marched on the Champs Elysées, but they were German and it was a long time ago ;). BTW, these soldiers belong to the Légion Etrangère.

Le Bal des Pompiers

Traditionally on the eve of Bastille Day (that we actually call "Le 14 juillet") there are plenty of little Balls throughout France. Some are organized by city halls, some by bars... but the most popular ones are the ones organized by the Pompiers (Firemen). That is where I took this photo last night (Friday) - namely at the rue du jour station - , on the way back from the movie theater where I saw Shrek the 3rd. None of the dancing people photos came up well, sorry... Have a good Bastille day weekend.

My next car!

Today is Friday the 13th and according to some people it's a lucky day. Anyway, that is what the lottery company wants you to believe... They advertised like crazy over the past weeks to get us to buy tickets for today. And, well, for 54 million €, I might be tempted! Don't worry, if I win I will still be doing PDP (er... or hire someone to do it!) - And yes Monica, I might even buy you a second box of macarons for your birthday ;)

Happy Birthday Monica!

Regular visitors here all know Monica from Rio, right? She comments very regularly, has always something nice to say to people and - to say the least - is a true francophile (and PDPphile!). So exceptionally, I'd like to post a personal message for her today: "Bon anniversaire Monica, mes voeux les plus sincères..." (these are the first words of a French happy birthday song). As you guessed Monica, since you're a sucker for Macarons, this is what's awaiting for you when you come, at the end of July (I'll put them in the fridge!). They come from "La Maison du Chocolat", a place no one should miss when in Paris (OK, unless you suffer from diabetes...). They even have friendly salespersons, go figure!