Thursday, February 19, 2009

Folies Pigalle


"Pigalle" is a pretty famous area in Paris, known for being the red light district of the city, even though it has very little to do with other cities such as Amsterdam. However, long after its glory (basically between 1850 and 1970) Pigalle still has a little bit of this raunchy flavor that people from out of town enjoy experiencing when they visit the capital! And Parisians do too, even though they act naive when passing by all these sex shops and cabaret entrances. Last night I went to a Hungarian restaurant close to this place thinking it would make a nice change from yesterday's church photo! BTW. I finally managed to post the LA PDP party photos.

55 comments:

  1. I especially enjoyed enlarging this wonderful night capture to see the kitten like figure up close. Beautiful Eric!
    Merci!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hmmm...wonder what kinds of foods are served in a Hungarian restaurant...I've never been to one?

    ReplyDelete
  3. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL :)
    Silly you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. \missed it... the phone rang. liol Well done Lily GF!

    So you were only nearby Eric? Ok then... ;) LOL. Great photo and I love the jaunty slant.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Were it not for these places there would be little need for the place in yesterday's photo.

    Did you act jaded when passing through the area? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for posting the photos from the SoCalFanPod, Eric!!!

    It looks like maybe the photo of our wonderful waiter Pierre didn't come out. Either way - he took down the PDP sitename and since he said he would be checking in to see us, I want to let him know we had a great time!

    This Pigalle photo is really nice. I've never gone to Pigalle, but maybe next time.

    Ahhhh - I hope that next time is soon!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Whatever makes you tingle, you go for it, boy!

    Hungarian food is great winter time comfort cuisine. There are about five official types of paprika, each with a particular degree of heat and sweetness. Soups and stews and sour cream sauces. Stuffed vegetables and noodles and crackling pork. Root vegetables and wild mushrooms and gulyas and palacsinta (either sweet or savory). Riced chestnut paste and tortas and sour cherries.

    Yes, I've spent some time in Hungary. I hope you liked it, Eric.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hungarian food sounds interesting! I hope you had a good dinner. The Pigalle area of Paris really doesn't interest me, probably because I'm celebrating my half-iversary tomorrow! 13 1/2 years! (if you celebrate the 1/2, you get 2 celebrations a year and the more celebrations the better, I think.)

    ReplyDelete
  9. i love this photo - it is so "rouge" and the reflection on top of the cars is tres cool. i use to go to a club in pigalle that was next to the moulin rouge called the locomotive (i don't know if it is still there)it was so much fun...had lots of great dancing nights there.

    yes Eric thanks for posting the socalfanpod - it was good food, good wine, great conversation with some incredible people.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is a great night shot. So crisp!

    Thanks for posting our party shots, Eric. Carrie, the shot I took of Pierre did not work. As I told Eric I've learned my lesson and that is, bring a tripod! No matter what!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This really is a nice shot, Eric. The kitty figure surely recalls Le Chat Noir. This one, peut etre, est La Chat Noir? Uh oh, I'll go back to yesterday's post now...See, Cali was right!

    And, merci mon ami, for posting our dinner photos. It's funny that for some reason, the only photos that worked are from my beat up old camera...which has been to Paris five times now, so maybe it was St. Genevieve in control! It's that mysterious faith thing, and again I'm going back to yesterday's PDP post.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is a perfect counterpoint to yesterday's photo, Eric—and, like Petrea said, so nice and crisp!
    Must admit that Pigalle was never my favorite neighborhood—probably because it always seemed to be full of tourists looking for the "naughty" Paris.
    Good going, GF Lily!
    Loved seeing the photos of the PDP California get-together—you all look so happy to be together. Nice shirt, Lynn!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ahhhh....Paprika! Pigalle...Paprika...sounds like a cool name for a Hungarian dancer at the Moulin Rouge...now performing..Paprikah Pigalle!!! It's late..I'm tired...the whole world is broke...whadaya want?? LOL!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Eric...
    Hungarian food? Do you honestly think we are going to go for that? lol

    Lily...congrats on the GF. Do you think Alexa's pc stopped working? lol

    ReplyDelete
  15. I kind of wonder what the neon sign maker was up to with his apostrophes. I'm sorry. Make that apostrophe's.

    Noticed those little blue-neon kitten claws. "Hey, baby. Scratch my back."

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yeah..Yeah...Yeah... another "work night", Eric ?
    We would like to know if you act jaded too, when you're in this area ?
    Hungarian food sounds interesting though.
    Tho photo is great - love the colours and the nightlife feeling.

    ReplyDelete
  17. *The photo.

    The LA PDP party photos are great, thanks for sharing.
    I can't wait to meet you all on May 13th in Paris.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gary
    Did you know it is the first time you actually addressed me?

    I'm honoured as I have been trying to impress you and Jeff for ages with no response whatsoever...
    lol

    ReplyDelete
  19. The LA PDP party photos are great!
    You are all very "chic". It looks like a wedding party and you were the special guests! Re: yesterday Laury's funny story ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Impressive you are Rose.

    No, it couldn't be this (could it?): I touched and wrote, so briefly, in the little silver (?) notebook that you presented to Jeff at the PDP picnic, so we are practically touching fingers through time, Rose. No, maybe it's just that you made me sincerely smile with your comment. Clever, and funny.

    Actually, I came here just now to make a comment about Eric's photo. It's such a gorgeous, neon-at-night scene. Those car reflections that Maria pointed out. "So crisp," as Petrea says. The "kitten" I didn't notice until Lily Hydrangea mention her... I'd like this as a Zazzie post card. But what I wanted to write is that I can't come up with some flip, smart-ass comment. Eric's artistry and impact have overwhelmed me. I'm a real sucker for this one.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gary
    Clever and funny? Wow... next you are going to say I am slim and beautiful ;)!

    So Jeff showed it to you, did he? I gave him that hoping he would be writing copius letters saying how much he enjoyed meeting me and so on... but so far nothing!lol

    Rose

    ReplyDelete
  22. OMG... I missed the impressive bit!
    Lynn, did you see that? Gary called me clever funny and impressive...
    R

    ReplyDelete
  23. I was in Budapest for a few days in November. Loved the Hungarian food! Ate more vegetables than I normally do at home.Also liked the small shot of celery juice that often came with the menu.

    ReplyDelete
  24. USElaine "Yes, I've spent some time in Hungary. I hope you liked it, Eric."

    Er... how to say... it was... er... interesting! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Nearby? How nearby and what were you doing in the area apart from dining out? Something to tell us Eric? Quite a contrast from yesterday but that is life you never know what is round the corner.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Rose, you are correct that I have been negligent in corresponding with you, but also with the others I met last year. My bad, but not focused on any individuals. I do, indeed, have the notebook you gave me and now, as Gary said, I have additional PDP names in it.

    You are also right, Gary, that the apostrophes are inconsistent, but maybe there is a French grammatical hiccup that explains it. You also are right that this photo is fabulous and mesmerizing. I think the neon artist should be proud.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Lol continuing with the door picture... you got the Idea Gary...
    Im mexican my first language is spanish, my second english, and I hope my third will be french...
    Thats why sometimes I dont understand some phrases... but I try...

    And actually... Im divorce too... If I was in that situation... married or Ice cream... I like to come back in time and choose ice cream... jajajajajajajaja

    I wish to be there in Paris at L' nuit... and try hungarian food...
    Do you have mexican food there? When I was in Paris I didnt saw Mexican restaurants... Probably will be a very good bussiness

    ReplyDelete
  28. Rose.... yes... i understand what you said... I was trying to impress Erick, Gary, Lynn and Petrea... or at lease someone said something about what I said... and not feel like Im not included in the chat.

    Hey!!! I guess I have new friends... LOL

    ReplyDelete
  29. You DO have new friends Laury! We all fight amongst ourselves here, desperately trying to impress each other, all endeavouring for the high spot of GF, to then strut our stuff in the custom-made crown and to be the wittiest at times. The others might not admit it, but I will! LOL. My name is Lynn and I like to write humour. lol - it doesn't...always...work. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Y tambien hablo espanol un poco... ;) Estudie en la universidad, pero olvida muchos cosas!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Laury: "If I was in that situation... married or Ice cream... I like to come back in time and choose ice cream." LOL.

    I have always chosen ice cream - so far no regrets and it never disappoints. Your English is very good. Maybe if I continue to watch novelas my Spanish might improve? No puede ser!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I wish I could go back and choose ice cream instead...sigh....it would have saved a lot of divorce hassles. I have got three beautiful boys though and that's better than ice cream any day! :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hey Eric! Did you capture the escaped horse in Paree today? - in more ways than one I mean...:)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Lynn, it always work for you. I don't know how you do it, but you can say things, the rest of us can't, and get away with it alive, LoooooL....

    ReplyDelete
  35. ...and Rose you ARE !
    You guys always makes me laugh. I wonder what I did before PDP ?

    ReplyDelete
  36. Great photo, Eric. Who needs Hungarian food when you have so many other "entertaining" goings-on?

    We did visit the Moulin Rouge a couple of years ago. That was very much worth every euro!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Laury, don't feel like an outsider. We're all clowns in this circus, but as I've said before, you must buy your own red nose.

    I recommend a nice Bordeaux for the best effect.

    ReplyDelete
  38. On my first trip to Paris in 1999, we were told by our travel agent that we would be staying in the Opera District, but we really stayed in this area right down the street from Le Moulin Rouge. Needless to say, we got quite an eye full at every turn! The Museum of Eroticism is really a hoot if anyone has a chance to go.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I remember when Michael was the Linkin king. Now it's TG. Bravo!

    Rose and Laury, I lurked here for months before I commented. You were all so interesting and witty, I was afraid to barge in.

    I told everyone at the soCal Fan Pod about watching the video from last year's PDP picnic: how excited I was to see you all and hear your voices, how much I wanted to be there. Then, on the banks of the Seine, Rose (in her beautiful voice) sent greetings out to a few regulars who weren't there. One of them was me. Rose, when you said my name I burst into tears. It meant so much to me.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Welcome,Laury. The only bad thing about PDP is the addiction: to the pictures and to the bloggers. You wind up feeling that they are your friends, and when you are lucky enough to meet them in person, they feel like a real long lost friend.

    Write something stupid? Try typing away to be first for the day(GF). To my horror I saw I wrote Jesus as Jesaus and other non sensical things. Don't worry , just write.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Crazy links, TG!
    I think that's called a grocer's apostrophe, as in:
    "whole chicken's, 30 cents a pound."
    btw, Rose, it's not the computer—it's me.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Michael is still (and always will be) king. I just have vague aspirations to becoming le dauphin. But thanks for the cheer, Petrea. Glad it wasn't something near Alexa's neck of the woods like a Bronx cheer.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Gary, your link to the cartoon wolf is great. My Paris traveling buddy Craig has a number of 16 mm movies and sets up projectors in his back yard during the summer. He has the cartoon from which your linked frame originates. It's really funny, and somewhat bawdy, especially for the 1950s. We all had a good laugh when he showed that before his main feature, "Niagara", with Marilyn Monroe plating a sexpot. Which brings us right back to Folies Pigalle!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Or is it Folie's Pigalle?

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thank you Bettina! I do put it out here at PDP sometimes....in truth I'm actually quite quiet. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  46. We PDPers do compete, but look how warm, positive and encouraging you guys all are (once again)! You're wonderful. : ) Yes, Laury, you do have new friends, and PHX is right, so, I hope you'll get to meet some of us in person!

    Y si pasara que si nos encontramos, podemos charlar un poco sobre Paris, y, mas importantemente, sobre las ventajas y desventajas relativas del hielo y -- qualquier otra cosa en el universo!!

    (On ice cream, I know I wouldn't pick it every time, but it does have a couple of short term plusses: its cool and sweet and never stays around long enough to leave a bad taste in your mouth.) ;}

    ReplyDelete
  47. Si, si, Lynn, : ) y con todos los otros que quieren juntarse con nosotros!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. uselaine is crestfallen to hear eric didn't like the hungarian food. she imagines kidnapping him to budapest to eat at gundel's or that romantic little place on the alley off of Vaci utca ...

    ReplyDelete
  49. Pigalle -- every town should have one!

    ReplyDelete