Friday, May 06, 2011

Barbès


Here is a famous area in Paris, called Barbès (after the name of the boulevard that starts from right after the metro line. It's famous because that is where a lot of people from northern Africa (mainly Algerians) gather (that is where a lot of reporters went to get reactions from the Arab community after Bin Laden's death for instance. Lately, it was a lot in the news, because there is mosque nearby and it's too small for everybody to fit in, so people have to pray in the street, which is against the rules of our secular state. Touchy topic, as you can imagine ;-)

16 comments:

  1. There's a lot going on in this photo. Really great angle! I'm not too familiar with this part of Paris, so I do appreciate the insight you provide. I do see more graffiti on the overpass and on the buildings in the distance. What building is on the left?

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  3. WOW superb!!!
    I like the crossing between the aerian metro and the bus on the road below. It almost renders the effervescence of the area which is really very animated. Almost!
    Inside TATI, in Barbès, that's really another world than the 7th or 16th in Paris! Well, I'm speaking of something, I haven't been to for ages! But still! ... Hope you spent a great time there, eric!

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  4. I thought the line looked familiar. i used to use the Jaures metro, on the same line. It is like a disneyland , up in the air overlooking everything.

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  5. This is Line 2 which connects me from Gare du Nord down to Varenne (L13). I also had to go through Barbes-Rou(etc) to get to Buttes Chaumont (L7). Wuhoo I remember it all ...

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  6. Went through the area many times to buy the 'gunpowder' tea to make mint tea with (the real thing, the one you drink in little glass and drop the tea into from about 3 feet high! ;) Awww I miss that tea.

    Makes me crave for a good Couscous or Tagine *sigh*

    As far as I'm concerned, Paris without Barbes wouldn't be Paris. And that metro line is a good one. You go up for a little while, see a piece of Montmartre before going back underground and end at Etoile...

    Tomate Farcie

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  7. "Station Barbès Rochechouart". I haven't heard that name in a long time.

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  8. Grrrreat picture!
    Note the iron fence on the left preventing neighbours from climbing in your balcony (or preventing you to go on theirs...)

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  9. Great photo...so much happening...I need to do soooo much today, and this photo sure helps...thanks Eric!

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  10. I love everything I can see in the whole picture like something I already knew and that I can see again, through another angle.
    Lili, that could be a philosophic issue ! Funny... Crossing through the iron hence is not recommanded. The best way is very likely the inside one !!
    Have a nice day all.

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  11. What a busy photo, and what a good one! I had to laugh a little when someone likened it to Disneyland. It does remind one of an amusement park with the "ferris wheel" on the left, the "monorail" in the center, and the crowds below. Very nice.

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  12. Eric, I love how you expound on my views of Paris, the real Paris and not just the 'tourist' Paris. I read the story you linked to about the mosque issue and praying in the street. I am a Francophile and when I visit France, the greatest joy for me is being 'mistaken' for a local. When a woman in Avignon stopped and asked me directions to the post office, I replied in French. I was ecstatic that I "passed" myself off as a French person [no camera, no map, no Rick Steves book in hand]:) I do have issues with the way French people eat pizza with a fork and I still prefer to eat mine with my hands, but ... I believe part of the problem with immigration is that immigrants no longer want to assimilate. They want everything to be exactly like it was 'back there' but they don't want to live 'back there.' Go figure. France's history has shown the importance of keeping church and state separate. Bravo! Viva la France!

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  13. Barbès-Rochechouart = my favorite métro station name. I miss this part of Paris, and the food that goes with it. Paris me manque beaucoup.

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  14. It reminded me all the day of something well known and lastly I got it well. Thank you for the good memories. Precisely back and fine.

    Flore

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