Back to the drawing board

Yesterday I went to the Salon du dessin (drawing exhibition), an art show that was held at La Bourse (yes, where I also took this photo). I used the word "drawing", but in fact it's much more than just plain drawings, but real masterpieces made between the XVIth century and the XXth. Now you're going to say: "how come you're not showing us one of these masterpieces?!" Well, simply because I think it would have been too easy!

Freeze!

Did I tell you it's cold in Paris at the moment? So cold that last Saturday a strange phenomenon happened around the Louvre Pyramid: everybody froze for 5 minutes! Of course I'm kidding. All this was planned by Charles Nouÿrit a French entrepreneur who also enjoys organizing happenings such as Freeze parties or No Pants days. Such an event is hard to capture on camera for, precisely, all photos are motionless. However, thanks to the very imaginative poses some of the participants took, you can have a pretty good idea of the effect (the most spectacular being the sudden silence). I made an Animoto especially for the occasion.

Anti tax haven demonstration

I can't say I really missed them, but since they come with the city... Them ? The demonstrations, of course! Today, I came across an Anti Tax Haven one. Guess where they organized it? Right on Place de la Bourse (stock market), of course! And as there is nothing like a good set to get the media's attention (including PDP's!), they built their own little tax haven island in the middle of the street, with real sand and a beach chair! Fun, but I'm afraid it will take much more than that to eradicate tax havens...

Red letter day

It feels good to be back home after a month... You know, check that nothing burnt, leaked or cracked... Fight the jet lag, empty you suitcase, check the mail... Talking about checking mail look at what I found in my mailbox this morning: a letter with two PDP stamps on it that someone - I won't disclose any names! - sent me after printing them on Zazzle. Isn't that nice? All this to wish me a good and safe return and encourage me to take more photos of Paris. I will!

Back to Paris

I had a wonderful time in New Zealand and Australia (have a look at Adelaide Daily Photo for a photo proof!) but everything comes to an end... When you read this I'll be on a plane to Paris. And as it's usually the tradition on PDP when I return to my homeland, here is a photo of the Eiffel Tower. I took it a few days before leaving and I kept it especially for the occasion! Happy to be back among you all ;)

Café Limonade

It's my last day down under. Pretty soon I'm going to give up pubs and go back to little cafés, around the corner ;) This one says "Café Limonade" on its awning. Limonade was imported to France by the Italians during the 17th century and the places that would sell it became known as "Limonadiers" and would also sell liquors. Towards the end of the 17th century coffee became more popular than limonade and soon awnings would show Café or Café-Limonade. This one, called le Café Brébant, does not originate from the 17th century; it's a brand new place that was decorated the old fashioned way on purpose.

Terrace Madeleine

In Paris, the weather is not always hot enough to enjoy a nice lunch outside, but still, Parisians would kill to own an apartment with a terrace! They would even kill more to own one in a nice location, like this one that I photographed on Place de la Madeleine on a sunny day. Needless to say that the price must be pretty high! If you want to dream, have a look at this site; some of the apartments are stunning!

Where all Parisians shop

OK, it's not a very glamorous photo, but I realized recently that I never showed you this French institution: Monoprix. Monoprix (which means "one price") is a kind of big convenience stores where you can find everything, including food. The chain started in the 1930's during the crisis ; it was then copied by others such as Uniprix or Prisunic that have all been bought by Monoprix. When I was young, Monoprix was considered too cheap to offer good quality products but in the past 10 years or so, they started upscaling their offer. Now they have a much better image and even opened smaller outlets called Daily Monop' open daily (except on Sundays) until Midnight where the rich urban crowd buys its fresh organic precooked gourmet dinner!

A view on the Théâtre de la ville

You're looking at Le Théâtre de la ville, a theatre located at Place du Chatelet in front of the Théâtre du Chatelet from where I took this photo. The Théâtre de la ville was built between 1860 and 1862 after the plans of architect Gabriel Davioud. It then burnt in 1871 after the riots of La Commune, then rebuilt on the exact same plans (except the inside) in 1874. The famous French actress Sarah Bernhartd "rented" it in 1899 and gave it her name (until the German occupation).

Evelyne in Red by Cooper

You're looking at a sculpture by Randy Cooper, a Californian artist whose work I love. He makes sculptures in iron wire mesh, which project "Shadow Sculptures" on the wall. It's very creative and very interesting to look at. I took this photo in a gallery on the Place des Vosges, but his work can be found in various places.

Wholesaler in Le Sentier

I already mentioned the historical area of Paris called Le Sentier (after the name of one of the major streets that runs through it) which is also the heart of the French clothing wholesale. As I already mentionned, it was originally the Jews who had most of the shmates (clothe in Yiddish) business these, but now, they are more and more replaced by Chinese and Pakistani. Here is a proof! The René Somekh business does not exist anymore, even if its plaque remains...

Bateau Mouche

Yes, I know, it's a classic, but I know you like the bridges of Paris! This photo one is interesting because of the "Bateau Mouche", the flat boat you can see on the left passing under the bridge. You have to get on one of those if you come to Paris; it may be a little touristy, but, as you can see these boats have projectors on both sides, so that you can see the stunning buildings as you progress on the Seine. I recommend to take an evening "cruise" during a hot summer night.

Demonstration

I may be miles alway [I'm currently in Uluru/Ayers Rock and hopefully still alive, providing the many venomous reptiles of the region left me alone!] I know that today there is a big demonstration in Paris. As you guessed, I did not take this photo there, but during a previous one. It does not really matter as the demands are pretty much the same as last time: more money! If you cannot read French, this poster says: Liberty, Equality, fraternity: my ass!

Love is the answer!

I know I already showed you a graffiti by "Mr. Brainwash" aka Thierry Guetta, but I don't resist posting one again! I'm sure you'll agree with the message, even though it sounds a little too easy! I hope I'll get to meet this guy one day.

Eglise des missions de Paris

Here is a place, I'm sure that very few Parisians know about. It's the crypt of L'Eglise des Missions Etrangères de Paris, a church that was built between 1683 and 1697 and that is dedicated to the Catholic missionaries that France would send to a lot of countries in Asia where it wanted to increase its influence (Indochina, Siam - now Thailand, etc.). Of course, nowadays missionaries are less numerous (379 according to Wikipedia), but the place still exists and has one of the largest private gardens in Paris! Alas, you cannot visit them... But still, FYI, this church is located 128 rue du Bac, in the 7th arrondissement. [Note to the people in Sydney who want to join a little PDP gathering while I'm there.]

Les Parisiennes (de Kiraz) !

You remember this photo of  "Les Parisiennes"? Well, here is another kind of Parisiennes, that most French know and appreciate. They were created by Edmond Kirazian (better known as Kiraz) in 1959, an artist of Armenian origins who emigrated to France right after WWII. He created them for a French magazine called "Jour de France" that targeted the typical middle class French housewife of the 60's. Pretty wise in the beginning, they quickly adopted the less strict moral rules of the 70's, especially through fashion (ie the miniskirt they are wearing in this photo!) and language. I also discovered they appear(ed) in Playboy Magazine in a less dressed version! I took this photo at Le Musée Carnavalet where there was a exhibition dedicated to them. [Note to the people in Sydney who want to join a little PDP gathering while I'm there.]

Spring is coming up?

I hear this weekend may be sunny in Paris. It's about time! This year winter has been particularly tough, we've had snow several times (to my satisfaction I must say!) and an exceptional freezing period that lasted several days - and prevented me to take my scooter!). Let me celebrate the coming of spring, not with a flower, but with a very Parisian scene; the reflexion of the sun on a street sign located on l'Ile Saint Louis. [Note to the people in Sydney who want to join a little PDP gathering while I'm there.]

Jeu de jambes

I know I could have taken this photo anywhere, but I swear these are Parisian legs! I love the general atmosphere of this photo and the light and shadow atmosphere. That's all! [Note to the people in Sydney who want to join a little PDP gathering while I'm there.]

Institut du monde Arabe

Here is a building that I only showed once (and a long time ago!) on PDP and though it's really worth visiting if you're around. It's called l'Institut du Monde Arabe (the Arab World Institute) and not only is the building in itself a real masterpiece, but on top of that they often have interesting exhibitions. At the moment, and until the end of March, they have one about Napoleon and Egypt. I took this photo near the entrance, I love the perspective effect. [Note to the people in Sydney who want to join a little PDP gathering while I'm there.]

Partying in the street

You're all wonderful. Thank you so much for your nice anniversary messages. Like I said several times, you are my fuel! I thought I could celebrate with a joyful photo, taken after someone obviously had a little party in the street! I like the confettis, but I like even more the movement brought by the two legs over them. Champagne! [Note to the people in Sydney who want to join a little PDP gathering while I'm there.]