Nice to be back home!

My loyal readers, I thought it was about time I showed you a photo of my house... Pretty cool, no? I know, it might look a little ostentatious to you, but I like it and, in fact, it's much cosier than what it looks! OK, OK, yes, it's not my house, it is the main building of the Augustus Rodin museum (yes, Rodin, again!). It was formerly the Hôtel Biron, built between 1728 and 1730 by Jean Aubert, the same architect who built the Chateau at Chantilly. Rodin agreed to leave all of his works to the French state in exchange for a building of its own. After finally agreeing through an act in Parliament, this building became the resting place for Rodin's work and was opened in 1919. And that will be my last photo on Rodin for while, I promise!

Not a pretty site

Most people who visit the Paris markets are used to the fresh display of cheese, flowers, and of course vegetables. I came across this group that seemed to have lost themselves in all the hustle and bustle. Their features, or what remains of them, are not a pretty sight. This is also the sight I am going to go back to after the white sandy beaches of West Florida for, yes, today is the day I'm flying back to Paris! It's always nice to come home though ;)

Walk on by

You may have visited Paris and just walked on by this wall on the Left Bank. As it turns out, you may have just walked by a bit of history that displays itself throughout all of Paris. The walls of Philippe Auguste can be found throughout the city, depicting history that has long been forgotten by many. This fantastic site will show you where to find pieces of the wall that surrounded Paris, some even in a restaurant or two you may have frequented while here.

A picture paints a thousand words

If a picture paints a thousand words like in many cities I imagine, you can come across street artists who will paint/draw/sketch/take your portrait "in just 5 minutes" if you are willing to sit for it. This particular photo was taken near the Café Beaubourg, but you can find them in many places, most notably at Place du Tertre - Montmartre.

Rats, part deux

During the responses from this photo, I noticed that Steverino said in Chicago that they refer to pigeons there as "flying rats". Well here you go, the Parisian version. Do you think they vary that much from city to city, continent to continent? I'm guessing they do, but only a pigeon expert could tell. I do know that they all seem to do their business the same way all around the world!

Thinking of you

As I relax along the beach, I'm thinking of you and where you might be spending holidays this year. I almost feel like I'll be insulting your intelligence by explaining this statue, but for those of you who may not know, it is one of Auguste Rodin's most famous sculptures, called Le Penseur (the Thinker). Did you know that it was originally called Le Poète (the Poet)? And did you know you could find its replica in... Sarasota?! I could not believe this.

Beaubourg Center Pipes

I debated on whether or not to show you this photo or not. For me, it's a bit cliché of many Paris photographs, but I really liked the way it turned out. Of course, it is of the architecture at the Centre Pompidou. People usually say that they really love it or hate it. Me, I personally am in between. Ok, I contradicted myself, but what do you think?

Medieval House

Medieval houses are very rare in Paris. These two at 11 & 13, rue Francois-Miron are attributed to a feed store and to a sheep keeper. They can be credited in their primitive state to the 14th century. In 1607, it was ordered to cover the wood of such houses with plaster ("Plaster of Paris" of course!) to prevent fire, but the architects who restored the building have restored it to it's original state.They were reconstructed in 1967. See the exact location on Google Maps

Authentic Paris

Well, this shot gives you 3 views for 1...A shot of the gates of the Tuileries Gardens, a view of a "not-so-typical" 2CV classic car, and insight to one of the many ways you can tour Paris when you come visit. Paris Authentic boasts original tours of Paris in this bleu, blanc, rouge open top vehicle complete with "Parisian tour guide". You can join them either through the link above, or at 2 place du Palais Royal (1st arrondissement) - Opposite the Louvre MuseumMetro 1 & 7 Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre. Have any of you ever taken this tour?

Tai Chi at Paris Plage

Paris Plage was not a big success this year because of the unusually bad summer here in Paris this year, but I managed to capture these people doing Tai Chi on one of the rare sunny days we had. I've never tried it, but it seems that those who practice Tai Chi really take it seriously. Along Paris Plage, it was quite something to see...more the people watching than the people doing! Now Paris Plage is closed and soon cars are going to replace the sand and the passersby...

Note to my regular viewers: I am currently in Port Charlotte after 4 days in Miami. Tomorrow I'll be heading Sarasota. I'm having a great time ;).

Paris Souvenirs

No Comment! I'll leave it to you my creative readers to do that! (OK, maybe not the best taste, but, hey, it's the holiday right?) ;)

French Kiss from the Stravinsky Fountain

Bons baisers de Floride! If you've been to Paris, you've seen this fountain, I'm sure. You may not know, howerver, that Niki de Saint Phalle, artist of this kinetic sculpture, spent her childhood in New York, and returned to Paris only in 1951. She, along with artist and husband Jean Tinguely, joined the New Realist group in 1961 and began works of quite a unique distinction. As I mentioned here (in May 2005) this is located in the Stravinsky fountain in the 3rd arrondissement.

A View From the Other Side

Most people are used to seeing St. Paul's church from the other side, in the Marais, but this photo was taken from Ile Saint-Louis. Commissioned by Louis XIII and completed by 1641, the church is one of the oldest examples of Jesuit architecture in Paris. Louis XIV had his minister, Cardinal Richelieu, give the church's first mass. The church was pillaged during Revolution, but some important works were spared. One of which is Delacroix' Christ in the Garden of Olives (1827), near the entrance.

More than just a graffiti

I came across this interesting piece of "graffiti" while in the 5th arrondissement on rue Feuillantines. After enlarging the photo, I searched the artist's name and discovered that Jef Aérosol is quite an accomplished artist, but also musician and writer. The things I learn doing PDP! Check out his biography and work here and here. I think you'll be impressed too! See the location from above.

Where to eat good crêpes in Paris?

Just behind the Georges Pompidou Centre, on the small place at the corner of the streets Brisemiche and Saint-Meri, a good address to tastes crêpes not lacking in originality is the Crêperie Beaubourg. Here I show you my choice, the Larzac crêpe (ham, gizzards, egg, salad). You have to get there early to get a spot on the terrace, but eating inside means you'll have a quiet spot to enjoy your homemade delicacy. This one was particularly good as you can see by the texture. Mmmmmm. And if you want to make your own, here is the recipe.

Hermès

If you feel like doing a little shopping while in Paris, why not stop by one of the most prestigious stores in the world, Hermès. It is also one of the most expensive with handbags going for up to $100,000! The horse on top of the HQ - that I never noticed until very recently! - is the logo for the company which has it's roots in the original product, horse saddles! Founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès, it is still 80% family-owned (and still makes saddles!).

Closed for vacation

Just kidding! You know that PDP never closes right?! So even though I'm going to be away for 2 weeks, it does not mean there won't be a daily photo here. So please, do not change your habits and keep dropping your nice comments around here, they're my fuel. Let me give you all a huge hug from Paris (OK, that's 1,287 hugs, based on my yesterday's stats, maybe not such a good idea LOL). BTW, since you asked, I'm going to... Sarasota, Florida away from the cold and the rain.

Velib, a huge success

Huge success for the Velib, the - almost - free bike system that the Paris Town Hall installed about a month ago. The 1 million bike rental milestone was hit only 18 days after the inauguration and about 50 000 to 70 000 people use it everyday. I still haven't tried it yet. One more day before my vacation... Just uploaded 20 pics for you, now I need to write the captions!

Come on baby come on, take this photo!

I couldn't help smiling when I saw this Nymph in the Louvre gardens 3 days ago. She looks so modern, so inviting, that it's hard to believe she was sculpted in 1930. Anyway as you probably have guessed already her "father" is Aristide Maillol and you cannot miss her if you wander around the Louvre (not far away from the Pyramid). It's Monday, in 2 days I'll be on the plane, far, far away from Paris...

Breakdance in Paris

Forget the waltz and the accordion music! Modern French dancers are just like anyone in the world: they prefer break dancing... Funny to see how this dance, that was initially considered as a "ghetto" thing has now become a "normal" dance that you can learn in dancing schools and that is even performed in "classical" music festivals - even recently in the ballet part of the Jewess opera by Halevy. Have a good Sunday - I'll be packing up...