Thursday, April 24, 2008

The other side of Saint Sulpice


Do you remember this photo? Well, I photographed his front this time! The sad part though is that I still don't know who he is... Anyway, for the records this photo was taken in Saint Sulpice (yes at the same time I took the confession one!). I have a lot of work at the moment so I did not have the time to take "La photo du jour". Don't worry, things will go back to normal pretty soon ;) BTW, I have a question for those of you who have already been to Paris - Well it's actually not me but a PDP visitor who asks me in which restaurant she could take her 12 year old daughter to (please post the answer here, if you have one, because I don't!). Update: a nice visitor (Joris, from Belgium) tells me this is Saint Paul.

68 comments:

  1. Tomate: Really! lol. But you have to comment on the picture to get the GF, or so I've understood. ;)

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  3. Well, I don't want really a GF, to tell the truth, a BF maybe, although who needs a BF when you have a BOBF.. Ooops, wrong thread.

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  4. Oh, the picture... Right. Nice shot, Eric!

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  5. God, this guy looks so scary in the dark.

    What, Tomate, is a BOBF - if I dare ask?

    Eric, I'll put a suggestion or two in the forum. My daughter was 11 when we were there last (OMG, it's been two years already. We'll be back next year, though.)

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  6. A little late, I know . . .

    Petrea & Tonton Flaneur: I third the Edmund White recommendations. He's a great writer in general, but his non-fiction works are truly exquisite. Indeed, he has written what I think is the best biography - to date - on Jean Genet (although Jean-Paul Sartre's quirky existentialist take on the same writer is also interesting).

    Guille: A while back, someone gave me what I thought was strange advice. 'Be a moving target', he said. Well, recently, the penny dropped, so it seemed only fitting that I switch from the Starn Twins to Jasper Johns for my profile avatar. But I'm glad you approve. (The bonus is that it also harmonises with the new colour scheme of my blog.)

    You're going to love the Zentrum Paul Klee, which has to be one of the best "single artist" museums in the world - not to mention the best place to immerse yourself in the work of Paul Klee. Their current spotlight exhibition looks fantastic.

    No, I hadn't heard of Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle, but I did look them up. You're going to have fun at their museum too, I'm sure.

    Happy travels!

    As for the pros and cons of the French education system, I'm way too ignorant of its workings to comment with any authority, but I would like to register my vote for a democracy of minds - and, failing that, a meritocracy of minds.

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  7. Yes, I remember the photo from last time, and it is as creepy from the front as it is from the back! This reminds me of the scene from the Da Vinci Code movie!

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  8. I have recently returned from Paris with my daughters, one of whom is nearly the same age. Although we normally have dinner at home or with family, we did go out to eat one night to a restaurant called La Mascotte, at 52 Rue Abbesses in Montmartre. Except for the marrow, which my daughter found a bit distasteful to look at, she very much enjoyed her meal. On another evening, we had the opportunity to have dinner at Brasserie Lipp. She liked that also, though it was a bit more formal, and she especially enjoyed the decor.

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  9. A restaurant I would recommend for a 12 year old in Paris? How about this one here? Maps here.

    Or how about Cojean's as you showed and mentioned August 26, 2006?

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  10. Eric, looking for a meal and a memory - I suggest Le Totem. Get a fantastic view from this restaurant across the Seine from the La Tour Eiffel. Arrive early on a sunny day and ask for a table on the terrace. David

    Palais de Chaillot, 1 place du Trocadéro, Paris 16th - métro: Trocadéro
    Ph: 01.47.27.28.29
    Fax: 01.47.27.53.01
    Open Hours noon-2a M-Su

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  11. Such a cool photo. My daughter and I just bought a computer game with pictures of Paris with hidden objects and one of the locations is this church. Very cool.

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  12. Oh, and I am guessing maybe St. Maurice or St. George? Don't both generally have such a sword?

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  13. Firstly thanks for your Photo blog I have been a viewer for a while now. I used to walk past the Church at Saint Sulpice, most nights back in 1970 when I worked as a plunger at a small restaurant not far away. La Mercerie in Rue Des Cannettes. St. German de pres. It still exists with the original owner. Jean Robert. I recommend it to anyone who is visiting Paris.
    Thanks again
    Mark

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  14. I don't think he looks scary. I think he's beautiful. Oops, I was thinking of Eric, Michael, Lynn, Mon, tomate, buzz,...ok, I could go on forever there so I'll stop.

    In all siriusness though I think he looks regal, impressive, ready to give his life for what he believes in. All of that lends itself to beauty, imho. Fantastic shot. I assume you can't get level with it to take a head on shot? Oh well, better this way. Cinema and photography often shoot from a lower angle in order to make their subjects seem more impressive or imposing.

    *sigh* I really wish I was there tonight. I'm stuck in class with a < *content bleeped out for younger visitors* > for a substitute teacher. UGH!

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  15. Hey, look who's back!!!

    Yup, the usual suspects are still hanging around here ;)

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  16. Tall Gary, that painting was FUNNY, tho I don't think Renoir would think it so!!!
    Lucio: there is a famous fountain near the Pompidou by Nikki St. Phalle that you might be interested in viewing.
    UKLYnn:I won't make it to LHR in time to get a flag, but I am going to bring a UK t-shirt flag I have instead.
    Restaurants for the 12 yr. old:There is Chez Paul on rue Charone in the Bastille that looks smells and acts like a true French bistro, so much so that the Zagat guide used my words in their 2005 guide!I would also suggest any of the 2 restaurants in the Eiffel tower, as I took my young niece to one of them and said to her, "You will be able in the future to look at the Eiffel Tower and always remember me and our lunch there."I don't remember where else I took her to eat on that trip, but I think of HER when I look at the Eiffel T. I brought the other niece to Paris , and 5 years later,she remembers hot chocolate at the Ritz(so do I, ouch).

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  17. OOps, I typed Renoir, I meant Manet's painting of the Woman behind the bar at the Folies Bergere, Tall Gary. Sorry for the incorrect spelling, too.

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  18. Superb "almost repost" as I understand it.

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  19. Another great post. I try to catch you each day but also enjoy when I miss a few days and then have more to enjoy when I check in. I just wish I could have lunch anywhere in Paris with my daughters.
    Judy

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  20. Well....I don't know who he is either, but St. Sulpice is such a dark church I always associate it with "gloomy" circumstances. The organ there is magnificent though, so a visit for a recital would be recommended. Wasn't St. Sulpice considered to be the church for the "poor people" of Paris?? Or was that Saint-Germain-des-Prés??

    A special restaurant for a young lady?? Le Train Bleu of course!! Onion soup on a cold, wet day! Parfait!!

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  21. You know, Eric, sometimes I like to enlarge your photos and immerse myself. I remember the other picture, which was spooky indeed. This picture feels dark, quiet, alluring. The statue could be good or evil, safe or dangerous. I must go see him and find out if he's real!

    Tomate, I wanted to know about your acronym, too. Bummer.

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  22. I used to live very close to St Sulpice and I don't think I ever remember seeing this statue. I'll have to pop in and see what I can find.

    Who would have thought that Petrea would know Edmund White's writing. Impressive! ;-) I know someone who lives in his former apartment. Do I get cubscout points?

    Knowing Tomate's mind and surroundings, BOBF must mean something like "boyfriend of best friend" or "brother of best friend", or "brother of boyfriend"? hehehe

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  23. By the way, why does this person need a special restaurant for a 12 year old? Why she's practically a teenager and can certainly enjoy the pleasures of life, especially in Paris. Ok, maybe not all of the pleasures, but give her something to "brag" about when she gets back home to her little girlie friends still playing with Barbie dolls. She's now on her way to being a sophisticated young lady with Parisian tastes and continental requirements. ;-)

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  24. Regarding the above...

    DO NOT!

    I repeat...

    DO NOT...

    take her to the Hard Rock Cafe!


    (thank you)

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  25. I love the feel of the photo. You have such a good eye and feeling for mood. Tres bien!
    MZM

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  26. Thank you, Michael. The Crap Rock Cafe stinks even in the U.S. Lousy food, etc. etc. The only one that was interesting was on Cozumel where the bartenders offered to obtain for me the services of...nevermind.

    St. Sulpice is special. Delacroix friezes, a great old organ, and atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. (What was the movie line...?)

    13 days...

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  27. Okay Michael...Was it the apartment he lived in near St. Eustache or the one in the 5eme[ghetto district....LOL...tomate the farcied one...]?? I just read "Our Paris" where he talked about the Concierge and hanging out at the Cafe Beaubourg etc...it was a great book. Does your friend live in that apartment??

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  28. The photo is great, dark an gloomy. And it can really start ones imagination.
    But when it comes to the St.Sulpice itself I can only repeat what I said the other day (the day with the sign).

    When it comes to taking a 12 year old girl, or any child for that matters, out to a reataurant I think you can go anywhere in Paris and it will still be an experience.

    In France children are treated as human beings when they go out, and they are welcome at restaurants.
    In Denmark children-free restaurants are becoming more and more usual, and on the other hand we have a lot of places where they think it's their job to entertain the children. As soon as they see a child they are ready with crayons, colouring books, bolloons etc.etc. All this makes a lot more stir and noise and the children never learns how to go out in a proper way.

    But back to the 12 year old. In Paris you can take your daughter to the Restaurant Café da la Jatte. It's a beautiful place in an old riding hall with palms and a huge dinosaur skeleton hanging down from the roof.
    It's situated north from the L'Arc de Triomphe on the island Ile de la Jatte in the Seine.
    60 Boulevard Vital Bouhot, Metro:Pont de Neuilly.

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  29. simple idea for noon or shopping breack the cafe/restaurant on top of the printemps maison gives you a nive view on paris and has nice brioche
    plus it is near shopping galerie lafayette which has a special teen section all over floor minus one she will love it
    other teen temple is etam on rivoli plus near it you have the cafe le fumoir a must in paris very posh something you can both brag about
    inge

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  30. It depends on the 12 year old of course but if she is a more mature 12 yo she will enjoy the Moulin Rouge. She will have to dress up for this one though because "elegant attire" is required.
    It is a little more expensive but it is worth it. You have dinner than watch the show...a fantastic experience.
    If you are worried about the Moulin Rouge being too adult for her you shouldn't. Contrary to what most people think, the Moulin Rouge is very suitable for most young people and defintely a 12 year old. Although the place is not crowded with little ones, they accept children as young as 6.
    She will most certainly have something to brag about and so will you! You can book online on http://www.moulinrouge.fr
    Have fun...

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  31. Laduree on the Champs- Elysees would be delightful for a hot chocolate and macaroon treat! One pot of their magical chocolate brew is more than enough for two people. That will certainly pamper her princess:)
    The website has a nice little history lesson on the famous pastry:
    http://www.laduree.fr/public_en/historique/histoire_macaron.htm

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  32. I also think Rose has hit the nail on the head with the Moulin Rouge! I recently wrote two little articles on my blog on that topic complete with tons of Moulin Rouge vintage postcard images:)

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  33. eric slavery has been abolished you deliver great job every day even on free days so if tomorrow you show us again the scary man with a view under his dress/skirt i would not mind
    i love your photos and i just worried you get fed up one day that's why
    inge

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  34. Petrea, I meant it only in the nicest of ways!!!

    Rose, it's funny I had exactly the same idea but thought that the "boobies" might be a bit shocking! Otherwise, I agree 100%!

    Tonton_flaneur, it's an apartment on the edge of the Marais. My friends are now living in the U.S. so think it's rented out temporarily.

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  35. Café de la Jatte is a good idea, though if this lunch is planned in the next days, it might be difficult: Several of their employees are on strike!!
    You know what, they are illegal immigrants, working, being officially employed and paid, and paying taxes (yes, paying taxes) in France since several years (sometimes more than 10 years!!!). But they are still "illegal". So they are now on strike to be "officialised" and obtain papers.....

    If this 12 YO young lady is found of cars - yes I know she's a girl, but why not ;-)) - then take her to the Atelier Renault, on the Champs Elysées. Food is "comme ci, comme ça", but environment is great (for car lovers)!

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  36. phx-cdg: Thanks for the tip.

    Actually, I came across this work while researching Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle in response to a query of Guille's. It's all very Gaudi-meets-Miro, isn't it? Not a bad combination, if you ask me - and great fun for children, I would imagine.

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  37. Ok Eric, this time I'm not going to describe the hat and the stick! ;) If I'm allowed to say that, this picture smells the winter, LOL. Dark and gloomy churches...brrrr!

    Lucio, nice interpretation (Gaudi-meets-Miro)! But I'm not a huge fan of Gaudi, I find his work too..."runny"? LOL c.f. La Sagrada Familia.
    You have to see the Stravinsky fountain near Beaubourg, it's fun, in movement and colorful. A summer artwork. About the famous couple Tinguely-St Phalle, I took great pictures in their Museum in Freiburg. Jean Tinguely made very "special" sculptures.

    If you are 12 and want to eat in Paris, well, just try everything except maybe snails and frogs! ;) I think there is no "Adults" or "Children" restaurants,especially in France. If you are a child you have to taste all the wonders of the French cuisine. Sans modération!

    Jeff, -13 days huh? The countdown is more and more pleasant isn't it?!

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  38. Guille, you're back. Welcome home honey. My daughter's father lives in Switzerland -- in Geneva. He was born there (his mother Italian and his father German). This photo is so "old France" -- knights, valor, and all that stuff-- I just love it. I have a little envelope of dirt form Ile de la Citi. I told my daughter if I die -- not in Paris. Bury me with this little envelope of dirt -- that way I will always be in Paris. She said -- so that means, you are not being cremated? haha My X-husband, Jean-Baptiste Petitpas, just got home. He was in Japan for a month. He is leaving again for Asia, Thailand, Vietnam, etc. He has a fascination for Asia. He was born in Paris; he told me that he feels like a tourist when he visits his family in Paris. We French people are strange.

    BTW Thank you Lynn for referring to me as a superwoman. It made my day.

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  39. Phx - can't wait to see the t shirt!

    Mysterious shot, Eric, i like it.

    Not having been to Paris in years, i can't help with the question, but i took my 3 young sons when they were all under 7 and we were welcomed just everywhere!

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  40. I think I prefer this side Eric. It's a lovely photograph.

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  41. My twelve-year-old self would have been in heaven at Ladurre.

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  42. In one way it doesn't mater. It's still a reminder who our creator was and how we should live our lives around his teachinngs. Lovely picture by the way.Elaine Cooke

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  43. Guille: "Runny"! LOL!! Some might say "fluid", but runny is much more amusing - and no loss descriptive, really.

    Also, I see that the Tinguely Museum is currently hosting a Hannah Höch exhibition, which I'm certain you saw. Was it good?

    LOL!! . . . Sorry, but I can't get "runny" out of my head.

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  44. Thx Lois!

    Lucio, "runny" is the right word to me! Don't you agree?
    The Museum I visited was in Fribourg, not in Basel (Bâle),so I didn't see the Hannah Höch exhibition... So bad,I'm sure it's THE one to see. Next time maybe.
    (he he nice to make you laugh!)

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  45. Thib. how interesting that the illegal immigrants are on strike. It's such a paradox that they can pay taxes and still be illegal. Is it all over Paris they're striking or is it only at the Café de la Jatte ?

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  47. Hey! Did you take this over the weekend just gone? Because I was in Paris this weekend, and we went to Saint Sulpice - there was a photographer there and I had to wait for him to finish taking a picture before I could carry on following the Meridian Line. Was it you?xx

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  48. Seriously, people. Restaurant recommendations are to be posted in the FORUM!! Sheesh.

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  49. Bettina,
    These guys on strike are probably working everywhere in Paris area, and even in France.
    They chose le Café de la Jatte for their demonstration because some of them are working there, but also, and mainly, because this place is "highly symbolic": Le Café de la Jatte is in Neuilly/Seine, a top class suburb of Paris, which mayor until recently was... Guess who ? ... Nicolas Sarkozy ! And Sarkozy and his team were regularly having lunch there ;-)

    For those who wouldn't know, N. Sarkozy is now our Président de la République...

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  50. Michael...Merci! I believe that is the apartment he talks about in "Our Paris". The apartment was on the corner of rue des Lombards and rue Nicolas Flamel I believe. He talks about how large it was[115 square metres]and how easy it was to rent the apartment. LOL! He then found out there was major construction projects going on around them that would last for years, and that was why the landlord was so quick to lease the apartment.

    Have you read the book?? I think you would enjoy it. Perfect for one of your many "air excursions"! ;-)

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  51. BEEEZZZZZ.... Buzzgirl,
    you're absolutely right about the restaurants recommendations. We're just too lazy to go to the FORUM.
    Sorry ! :D LOL !!!

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  52. I think a 12 year old girl wouldd be wowed at the very French looking restuarant in the Musee Dorsey.
    I think my nine year old who has been studying French in school since she wsa 4 would feel like this was an awesome place to eat and feel "French".

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  53. Eric you are posting later and later these days...
    Please now and again,take pit on the poor people who have to go to bed early...ease... pretty please

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  54. Anne in SC: YES the cafe behind the clock in le Musee d'Orsay is perfect. It is one of my favorite placis in Paris. You can go out on the roof and look over the Seine, the Louvre, the Tuileris. Perfect.

    Paris J'taime.

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  55. By the way, does Pub Renault still exist? (on the Champs Elysee) I loved that place as a teen.

    First of all, you ate in a booth that looked like a car (how cool is that!), second, they had American sandwiches (BLT, etc. and what I thought was the *absolute best* ... banana split! (Well, as kid, I thought that was real cool).

    Does the place still exist as a restaurant / American pub?

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  56. Tomate if I'm not wrong, it's still a bar but very classy and lounge. Really parisian. And the cars are still there.
    It's now called Ateliers Renault, there is a shop too.

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  57. I went to paris with a tour group and we went to a restaurant called Wagamama. It was a Japanese restaurant that would be suitable for any age. I was the oldest at the age of 17 and the rest were 14 and 15 year olds so I think that it would be just fine for a twelve year old.

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  58. Anonyme
    Wagamama is a chain of Japanese restaurant and will find them all over the world.

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  59. Perhaps someone already said... but i imagine the statue is St. Paul. He is almost always pictured with a sword (like St. Peter with keys.. St. George with a Dragon... etc...) (http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-san-paolo-pictures/slides/fx01_024.jpg Here for example) ...
    but then again maybe not :P

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  60. It is the statue of St Peter. His statue stands next to the obelisk inside St Sulpice.

    I would recommend taking the 12yr girl to Angelina's. There is nary a girl or woman who would not love a pitcher full of rich hot chocolate. :)

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  61. It is always good go back the same place take photo from different angel and lights

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