Monday, January 21, 2008

The Paris Giant


This guy is not a figurine on a mock up, but a 8.5 meter (30 feet) sculpture that hangs on the facade of a kindergarden on the rue de la Tombe-Issoire in the 14th arrondissement (click here to have a broader view). The cute part about this guy is that he was made by sculptor Corinne Béoust after a legend that runs in the neighborhood: in the middle ages a giant, named Isoré, used to kill pilgrims on their way to a famous European pilgrimage spot known as Saint-Jacques- de-Compostelle. Isoré finally was killed, but his body was so big that they had no other choice than to bury him on the spot!

39 comments:

  1. And all this time I thought you were the Paris Giant.

    Happy Birthday and please post a photo of how you spend your day.

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  2. Dear Eric, Happy Birthday!!!!

    Wish I was there to give you a box of of favourite delicacy... just like you so kindly did l'an dernier.... but since I'm not in my favourite city right now, here's what I have to you

    Hope you have the best time ever today, a big party filled with friends and a big cake to celebrate this date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  3. Brrr!! I don't like him Uncle Eric. He's scaring me.

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  4. It's your birthday, Eric?! Yay Happy Birthday! Tell us how you spent the day.

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  5. Bon anniversaire (if I spelled it correctly)! I once asked a speaker how you then knew the difference between it being happy birthday or happy anniversary. I got the same distainful stare that you are probably making right now.

    Anyway, this is on my to do list,like the stuffed rats hanging in the exterminator's window that I ran to see. I love the whimsy of Isore, and the fact that the neighborhood allowed it. Can you imagine turning a corner and having this greet you?
    It reminds me of something else I saw in Oxford ,England. Has anyone else seen the house that has the huge shark crashing headfirst into the roof? I know the neighbors hate that it, but of course, I love that one, too.

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  6. I accidently placed my comment above in another post from a previous day... oh well, I guess it's ok to wish you a joyeux anniversaire more than once...!

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  7. About the photo, I absolutely love it, Paris is full of surprises. How fun it must be to turn a corner and face a building with a giant on the wall!!!
    Funny, I've been to Saint Jacques de Compostelle in Spain but I never heard of this legend.

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  8. Love the story of the giant and the photo--great colours. Thanks for the full view, also.

    Well, if I were in Paris, I might buy you a box of chocolates for your natal day, but you know what Forrest Gump said: My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

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  9. The figurine has a sneaky look!

    oh yes, Joyeux Anniversaire!

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  10. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
    YOU LOOK LIKE A YOUNGSTER,
    AND YOU ACT LIKE ONE TOO!

    I hope it's a fantastic day for you Eric and that your giant crushes all the bad things that might try to harm it for you.

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  11. Monica, I love the birthday gift you inserted for Eric...Excellent!

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  12. Really enjoy the unusual things you find around Paris! This giant is great, as is the legend.

    Hope your birthday was excellent in every way. :-)

    Ms. M

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  13. En bretagne nous avons gargantua quand il marchait ses pas mesurait quelque kilometre mais ce n etait pas un tueur

    In Brittany we have a firendly giant whose stride measures several kilometers but obviously yours is much more chic!

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  14. Oh it didn't work :( sorry. Michael can you please send me the magic formula again? You know how hopeless i am at all this, i've clearly messed it up. Sorry Eric the thought was there.

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  15. How funny to see this photo today as that is where my son goes to school.

    He just loves the giant! Speaking of which I had better go and pick him up as he finshes at 11.15. WHOOPS!

    Oh and Happy B day Eric!

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  16. Ok Lynn, don't get too carried away now... :-)

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  17. LOL Michael and Lynn... the two of you are always up to something

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  18. Happy Birthday Eric and best wishes for many more.

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  19. cher Monsieur Eric,
    de 28 à 31 Janvier je serai à Paris.
    Avez vous des idées pour faire le soir, ou des expos a conseiller?
    Je connais déjà beaucoup de Paris, alors les grand choses touristiques, c'est pas nécessaire a les refaire :)

    très Cordialement,
    Jana

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  20. have a giant day birthday boy!!

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  21. Yay, fellow January baby! Joyeux anniversaire, Eric! Meilleurs voeux! And to celebrate your birthday, I had a day off school! (Well, it's a happy coincidence, anyway.) :)

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  22. Happy birthday, Eric; hope it's been a good one!

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  23. Joyeux anniversaire Eric !!!

    J'ai beaucoup ri en regardant le dernier message (1:16) de Lynn !!

    Impressionnante photo : tant par la sculpture en elle-même que par l'histoire à laquelle elle se rapporte !!!

    Bonne soirée de 21/01 !

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  24. I love your Paris photos & need your help. Can you help identify this saint?
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/corsinet/279410171

    thanks in advance!

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  25. Joyeux Anniversaire Eric!!! I hope that your day is absolutely splendid...hope it is full of Chocolate, Champagne...perhaps a pigs foot..framboises...and clear skies so you can delight us with many more photos!! A little Happy Birthday to you!!! LOL!!!!

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  26. He looks too cute and friendly to have been a serial killer! And I did not realize those are his knees until I clicked on the link!

    Bonne Anniversaire Eric!!!! I didn't know it was your birthday! In my coffee table birthday horoscope book, it says for today:
    "Those born on Janary 21 are headed for the top and when they reach it they usually know how to stay there." It also says, "January 21 people have a large measure of star quality that attracts others to them." !! Sounds just like you, n'est-ce pas?

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  27. Wow! Thank you all very much for you VERY nice messages (And Lynn, congratulations, you managed to post a link!!!).

    Precisely Tonton, actually I think I prefer Lynn's Marylin to yours LOL!!

    Pont Girl "January 21 people have a large measure of star quality that attracts others to them." !!
    I like that ;)

    (Julie, I'm sorry, I don't know who this is...)

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  28. Happy Birthday my friend! I have been the first one, and I'll be the last one too, Bon Anniversaire encore!

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  29. Sorry to be late, but Happy Birthday, Eric. I hope it was a good one. Have a great year!

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  30. Happy Birthday, Hronia polla (in greek) dear Eric!
    I wish to you the best for you, love, happiness and full of health and great ideas for shots!

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  31. Eric, A HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY from all of us, dans la terre ci-dessous.
    ADP will be one year old, tomorrow. Thank you for all your marvellous inspiration, and the conception that has brought us all together in this amazing family.

    I have finally come to understand the meaning of, "nous ne dormons jamais".
    Naturally, I owe it all to you !!!!!

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