One thing very typical of Paris is our cobblestone streets. They are very slippery when it rains (I mean very!), but of course, it is far better to have them than mud. It is King Philippe Auguste, around 1185, who decided that owners of houses and/or streets would have to pay themselves for the paving. Needless to say, this measure was not very popular. As a result, only some streets (mainly St Jacques, St Martin, St Antoine and St-Honoré) ended up getting paved. After his reign, the "government" - well the kings (see here, for a complete listing) took the street paving in charge.
I love the cobblestones here. They not only make Paris still look like a village, but the sound of cars going over them is unique. Wasn't it written that after the revolution and the destruction of the Bastille, that they paved the streets of Paris with the stones left over so that the French wouldn't foget? Or is that a myth?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Michael. I absolutely love the cobblestone streets here!!
ReplyDeleteThe crosswalks used to be marked with big nails which were at the origin of the expression "traverser dans les clous" (litteraly: cross between nails). Needless to say that bikers love the combinaison cobblestones + nails + rain.
ReplyDeleteI think the first paving in Paris were made of wood (?)
JM-
Thanks for visiting my blog. I have been enjoying yours immensely. I visited Paris over a year ago and fell in love with it, so many shoes! And beautiful architecture and amazing history, too. I love your photos and the information you give.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I forget, but what you just wrote seems kind of familiar.
ReplyDeleteAnd about the picture: I LOVE IT!!! That is, indeed, quintessential Paris!!!
Also made me think about May 68 a little ;-)
Thanks Stu! I was never really sure...
ReplyDeleteThe cobblestone is so pretty, it looks so smooth. I love this photo.
ReplyDeleteWhat they said about the cobblestones, after the revolution, is that they would start to take them away, because people were taking them off, using them as stones or projectiles against the police. so that's why they stopped using them/ replaced them with normal ways.
ReplyDeletevery nice indeed, although it's true that it's a rollerblader's nightmare...
This is a great shot. The lighting is perfect. I always think of light when I think of my time in Paris.
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ReplyDeleteContemporary rock art Paris cobblestone painting
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