Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Details on Place des Vosges


I've always heard the expression "the Devil is in the details" until yesterday, in a television series I heard one of the characters say "God is in the details". And when I saw this photo - that I took at Place des Vosges on Sunday - I could not help but think of it. Well figuratively of course, because on this occasion God is French Sculptor Jean-Pierre Cortot (1787 - 1843) who designed the 4 fountains that you can see on this unforgettable place.
BTW, I had a message from CNN who thanks you all very much. Non US based people who are interested in the France coverage can tune in to CNN International throughout the week and US based people, who I believe don't have access to CNN International can check www.cnn.com/france.

69 comments:

  1. Love this shot. Makes me want to hop on a plane to Paris!

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  2. Ha! I have the GP (golden paw!) Woof.

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  3. It looks like they have just finished brushing their teeth after a fish repast and are now rinsing their mouths. Cats, even large ones I assume, do like fish, don't they.

    Bibi does look a bit territorial up there. Perhaps I should flee while my Achilles tendons are still intact.

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  4. Flee if you must, Tall Gary, but Bibi wouldn't hurt a flea... It's her underbite that looks intimidating...

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  5. C'est un détail, mais un très beau détail. J'aime la simplicité de cette photo.

    Alexa, I'm here and noticed your joke about 'bit' (you forgot the final 'e' to be rude LOL). I was studying, and now: off to bed!

    Nite nite!

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  6. Oh, congratulations Bibi. This golden paw fits you!

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  7. Perfect for washing the blood off my flat feet, and the egg off my face.

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  8. Congrats goes to Bibi...you actually unseeded Alexa, the Golden Finger of two consecutive days.

    Eric, your reference to god and art reminded me of something Vincent van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo..."I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things." Your camera eye captured and continues to capture the essence of Vincent's philosophy. Amazing fountain in an amazing spot in Paris.

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  9. Great shot, Eric! I think the profile view has it.

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  10. Outstanding photo. I love all of your photos, but when I take pictures, I love the details best. "God is in the details" is from Mies van der Rohe, a prominent architect.

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  11. Oh that's a pleasure, by the way, CNN, anytime. Any job opportunities for a British journalist by any chance? :)

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  12. I like a lot this photo : Simple as Guille already said it, and powerful : the water that springs from the fixed stone! Nice contrast! That is the fountains principle but within the details, it is more obvious...
    I didn't remember this sentence 'The devil is in the details'. It is a strange expression, isnt'it? Maybe an endless discussion. I like details!
    Ce sont souvent les petits détails qui font la différence! :)

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  13. Great shot Eric. I love the way you captured the movement of the water. I love Place des Vosges. The last time I was in Paris, I spent an afternoon there including going to Victor Hugo's house and the museum tour.

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  14. OK Eric...this photo is AWESOME. I especially love the water, I love the sculpture and I love the green background.Merci!

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  15. It's all very well, Eric, saying "I will, I will..." but OUR CNN comments were put here with the best spirit in the public domain. It's not quite cricket for you, Sir, to send yours off privately...! I would be interested to see your views on the French. ...Gosh i'm quite demanding and assertive tonight am i not - i'm scaring mySELF. Eek.

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  16. This is a lovely shot - a cool breath of spring in Paris that makes me want to hop on a plane with Bibi and see if we can find a headless lunch to share on the peaceful Place de Vosges.

    I'll be there for the month of November (yay!) and I can hardly wait. And, I'll miss all the lovely color of spring, but,I don't care, because.....I'll be in Paris!!!!

    I'll just have to order something terribly delicious and wonderfully warming as I watch the water tumble out onto the 400 year old stones. Mmmmm.

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  17. A very beautiful photo, Eric. I love fountains.

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  18. So beautiful! I would love to visit Paris sometime. It's a dream vacation for when the kids are graduated and out of the house!

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  19. Hmm -- I didn't read the dates on the sculptor -- looks like the stones in the fountain are only a little under 200 years old (I think Place de Vosges is closer to 400, right?). Well, still a gorgeous backdrop for my Parisian lunch (strings swell in the background) to be followed by a bracing walk through the Marais and more Paris, Paris, Paris! :}
    (Trumpets flare, the sun sets, and she walks off into the twilit cityscape).

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  20. You know there is nothing I love better than a beautiful photo of a fountain! Thanks Eric. Only way it could have been more perfect is if it had been posted 2 days later!!!

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  21. Eric, I wanted to know where the sculptor is buried and so I went to findagrave.com and learned that he's buried at Cimetière du Père Lachaise. His grave site is located almost at the exact center of the cemetery. Follow this link to his grave - interesting.

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  22. Ops, forgot the link:

    www.pere-lachaise.com/perelachaise.htm

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  23. You've done it again, Eric. A photo that made me sigh. I'll be on the plane with Bibi and Carrie.

    The Wikipedia article about Place des Vosges is unfortunately not well-written, but it has more historical information than the usual travel websites I found. I had read about Place des Vosges before going to Paris and it was at the top of my list. I didn't get to spend as much time there as I wanted to, so it's still at the top of my list!

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  24. Hey Chicago Dave...nice virtual tour link to Cim.du Pere Lachaise. Merci!

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  25. Yay, Bibi (Golden Paw -- very funny). And I love your Hapsburg jaw.

    Eric -- another wonderful photo. Makes me think of the book my ex is making me read at the moment: a treatise on the esoteric interpretation of the symbolism in the parables in the gospels (now you know why I divorced him). Just kidding, it's actually fascinating. Anyway, stone and water both represent truth -- different levels of it. Not sure if I should read anything new into fountains, or just see them as the beautiful creations they are.

    Bibi, Carrie, Petrea -- may I please come too??

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  26. Just arrived home from a city council meeting. Aah, j'aime Place des Vosges. Peaceful, sun if you want it, shade if you want it. The fountains, very pretty.

    WaaaH! I wanna go baaaack!

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  27. Jeff -- you are not alone! Sometimes Eric's blog is sweet torture. Bien sur, this won't keep me from coming back every day. In fact, I'm already looking forward to tomorrow's "torture" -- bet you are too.

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  28. I love fountains! Perhaps I'll join Bibi and the others on a flight. Maybe we can get a group rate :-)

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  29. It's beginning to look like we could charter a flight. All-girls, of course.

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  30. Except now that I think about it we're coming from all over the place. So maybe we won't charter a flight, but just book an entire hotel to ourselves. I hear there are nice ones near Place des Vosges.

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  31. Bonjour Eric,

    I managed to catch the CNN special on France last night.

    As usual, viewers who wrote in had the same impressions of France: food, fashion and culture! I'm looking forward to the next episode.

    And oh, there was also a report on how France is going to stem the influx of immigrants by making them take a French language test. Is that true?

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  32. ms m -- and maybe my brother in Boise will join us, and you can share a flight with him (believe he lives very near the park in your "Orange Twilight" post; will have to send him to your nice blog).
    Actually, what a lovely idea this is -- a rendezvous in the Place des Vosges, with people who love Paris, beautiful fountains, and food that makes eye contact (or not).

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  33. Simple and refreshing Eric. I want to go stick my mouth under it and drink from the water. Well, not actually, but ne dites jamais fontaine je ne boirai pas de ton eau!

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  34. Petrea -- what say we just break the bank and stay in the Pavillon de la Reine, right in the Place des Vosges?
    Bonsoir, faut que je fasse dodo now, before I make myself completely nuts. Nice to dream though, n'est-ce pas?

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  35. You're on, Alexa. It's a bon rêve, at least for tonight's dodos.

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  36. Alexa, I also live near the "orange twilight" park. It's possible I pass your brother's house during daily walks.

    Petrea, Alexa; Where would we be without dreams -- while awake or asleep... :)

    Dormez bien.

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  37. Eric, this post brought us misfortune! Look at the weather now, rain, rain... :)
    Bonne journée all.

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  38. Wonderful composition Eric..and the beautiful green is a reminder that I am missing "Springtime in Paris"...soon to be summer!

    Pavillon de la Reine?? Mon Dieu!! 370euro for a "Standard" room! Craving luxury these days?? I guess one can dream though! ;-)

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  39. This is an incredible photo Eric! I love the fountains of Paris. Of course, I love ALL of Paris!

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  40. Very beautiful shot!
    Congrats

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  41. Oh, please let me join in that flight to Paris! I am soooooo craving a visit there. I've even been working on my "to do/see" list again lately. 'Sure wish the dollar could be stronger ... But we'll see ...

    And yes, this photo is another one that only increases my need to spend time in that home to my heart. How is it that even the water looks more majestic in Paris?!?

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  42. Mais non Guille, c'était déjà prévu comme ça hier soir !!

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  43. That's just an excuse, Eric. LOL. You have also sent a huge fountain of rain over to me. It's with love i know, though, so i don't mind...:) Plus - i'm indoors.

    Petrea i think we also are thinking of the same language test for immigrants and then a course. Though what use French will be to them in England i don't know. lol! Only kidding, English of course. I really think we should do this. Some people have lived in the UK for 20 years and cannot speak the lingo! This means that when they need to go through official channels for anything, interpreters are needed. Guess who pays for that? We, the taxpayers. It's essential in my opinion if you are going to live in another country, speak the language! Like Michael does. Like i shall when i move in with Eric. Oh sorry i meant near, not with. Freud got to my mouth first.

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  44. Okay, can I get in the group rate for the visit to Paris? Bibi, Alexa, Petrea, everyone else.....?

    Eric, great photo!! You are quite the master of wonderful angles!

    I have sad news. I won't be able to post as often, I have tendonitis in my wrist. Which means I can't type much or make beads!! Hopefully it will heal very soon.

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  45. Christie i'm sorry to hear that. I wish your wrist better. Perhaps a rest period will do it some good? You will be missed and enjoyed all the more each time you do post!

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  46. Miaou... glug glug glug. Still inspiring, Eric!

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  47. Christie -- very sorry to hear it. Perhaps you can give your wrist a rest, but find someone to type your comments for you.

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  48. I love Paris' fountains. I too photograph them. There is a fountain scene in the film "Gigi" also known as "The Parisians"(1958 United States, working title). It is known as "Gaston's Soliloquy: Gigi (Fountain Scene)" sung by Louis Jourdan. I do not know the fountain, it sure is beautiful.

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  49. Come on Christie, one finger isn't enough to type? Okay, you'll be out of Gf race but I'm sure we will see you here soon anyway.
    Joke apart, I wish your wrist is better!

    Peut être Eric, mais ça n'a pas arrangé les choses!

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  50. Marylène, yes, I did know that the entre of fish with tail through its mouth is called "en colère" ou "enragé". Thanks for adding that though. I left that out -- it makes the comment so much better now.

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  51. I noticed in NYC and San Francisco when a fountain breaks, they don't bother fixing it. It sits there dormant with dirt and leaves and trash piling up in it. And many times these are fountains in prominent locations. When I have asked, why don't you fix that fountain -- it is so beautiful. They always answer, "No, it would be too expensive". Always giving way to the dollar instead of beauty.

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  52. Parisian Heart, "wish the dollar could be stronger" They say that the US is in a recession; and that Paris is going through inflation. It seems that we are at odds money wise right now.

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  53. Lynn, "Like i shall when i move in with Eric. Oh sorry i meant near, not with." You bust me up, PDP would not be the same without you. So many different personalities at PDP. I was thinking last night that the regulars here give PDP a certain deepth and without them, it would not be the same.

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  54. Christie, I didn't know you made beads. What type of beads? Tell us about it. I love jewelry.

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  55. Christie, I'm sorry to hear it. I hope you're well soon. I know these are two things you love to do!

    Christie blogs about beading; you can click on her profile and see she has two blogs: her daily photo blog and her beading blog.

    We have clouds this morning in southern California. I don't think I'll blame Eric, though. He's going to get a swelled head if we start believing he controls the weather around the world! (Surely he controls it in Paris, but all the way over here? Mais non!)

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  56. "He's going to get a swelled head if we start believing he controls the weather around the world! (Surely he controls it in Paris, but all the way over here? Mais non!)"
    LOL Petrea I LOVE your comment!
    He surely controles the weather but doesn't realize it yet...

    We'll try something: Eric if you wanted to post a sunny or at least a not wet picture...hehe

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  57. We already know he controls the sun for his photos, so why shouldn't he control the rain as well? After all, Louis XIV had beautiful fountains created!

    Don't feel bad about the weather. It was just above 0 centigrade last week, Saturday we had hail that covered yards like a snowstorm. The endless winter. But locations like Place des Vosges and Place Royale offer beauty even in grey weather.

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  58. Jeff...you mention hail. To your south we're always on the tornado alert this time of year. At least Parisians are spared from the almighty TWISTER!

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  59. Thanks Petrea. Christie, I bought "Surfs Up" and "Bejeweled". I'm waiting for the confirmation email to complete registration.

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  60. Lois -- I love that scene in Gigi. In my mind, there's more than one fountain and one of them is the one (or ones) in front of the Palais de Chaillot, but I know that must not be right since that palais wasn't built until 1937, and that story takes place in 1900. Not that a minor detail like that would get in a filmmaker's way.
    Here in NYC, the fountains are pretty much intact -- all five of them. Oh wait, Lincoln Center is a chantier these days, so that one is h.s.

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  61. Alexa, Thanks. No, I do not think it would get in Hollywood's way. You are probably right -- it was shot in front of Palais de Chaillot. I was once talking to a filmmaker from Paris and we were discussing the film "An American in Paris". I told him, Paris is so sunny in that film. He said, that wasn't Paris; that was a sound studio. He said if you are waiting for a sunny day in Paris, you might be waiting a long time:)

    In NYC, the fountain in front of the Plaza Hotel had been broken for decades -- did they finally fix it. They kept telling me that it was going to be too expensive.

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  62. awesome shot, Eric!!:)
    next time i come to paris, i have to see all these places!!:)

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  63. Lois,
    Actually, not sure whether it's up and running at the moment with the work still in progress at the Plaza. But now that the hotel is being turned into overpriced condos, the owners will no doubt maintain the fountain if the city won't -- just as Trump paid the bill to renovate the fountain at Columbus Circle. Guess it was in his interest since his building (and his apartment for that matter) overlooks it.
    As much as I love the old films (and An American in Paris is one of my all-time dead faves, natch), at least now if you see a film that's set in Paris -- it is.
    BTW, is your name pronounced the French way?

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  64. Alexa, Thanks for all that info on the fountains of NYC. I use to paint NYC a lot when I lived there -- that is why I get so emotional about that city.

    Yes, Lois Simon is pronounced the French way. Lois with a silent "s" as in Louis. And Simon with an almost silent "n" and an i sounding like "e". I sign my paintings with an accent over the "o" as in Spanish. I am not Spanish at all:P A lot of people speak Spanish in California, and my father use to sign all of his paintings Simon in French. I wanted to distinguish his paintings from mine for the public so hence the Spanish. I started doing that when I was about 16 years old. Of course, all my legal documents are in French. I guess this Spanish thing is my "pen name":s

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  65. I LOVED Place de Vosages...the day I was there it was absolutely GORGEOUS and the courtyard was full of people suntanning and enjoying the weather!!

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  66. Lois, since the name Lois doesn't exist in French, we pronounce the 'S' here! (at least in 'Lois and Clark' dubbed version LOL). I was surprised to learn that you didn't, I guess everybody annoy you and pronounce it in the US?
    And Simon is a popular French firstname. I really like the English pronounciation of this one!

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  67. Jean-Pierre Cortot created the fountain, but you framed the shot - which I love by the way.

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