Sunday, July 31, 2011

Home in Paris


The tables, tha chairs, the font on the awning... Yes it looks like a typical Paris café, but precisely it's a little bit too perfect to be true... Not to mention the name of the place "Home in Paris", which does not exactly sound French to me LOL! I investigated a little more and found out that this restaurant is managed by 3 people, including Guillaume Gomez, who is a deputy Chef at l’Élysée (the home of the French presidents). I don't know if it's good or bad news (I never ate at l'Elysée LOL), but now I feel like trying it (the restaurant I mean...)! BTW, it's at 17 avenue de la Motte Piquet, just by the rue Cler.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Urban weeds


I love the way people make use of urban furniture sometimes... Hence these poles which primer use is to prevent cars from parking on sidewalks (yes, people in France park on sidewalks if nothing prevents them from doing it!). Well, some people thought it was also the perfect place to grow "things" (which things, I don't know!) - I suppose they had to make the dirt holders to measure. Anyway, it's a clever idea and changes the looks of the street (I took this photo at rue Saint Marc, in the 2nd arrondissement).

Friday, July 29, 2011

A real diner in Paris


A-ma-zing! if you're American, if you're in Paris and if you feel a little home sick, I have the perfect place for you! It's called Happy Days diner, and as its name let's you guess, it's a diner! But just not like a French imitation, a real one: with Formica tables, pastel colors, an old jukebox, an old US gas pump... You expect Fonzi to walk in any minute LOL! I know that you don't come to Paris to eat at a diner, but frankly this place is really worth a visit (there are actually 3 in Paris so far, I took this photo at the Hotel de Ville one).

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Place Dalida


Yesterday morning I had a business meeting on avenue Junot, probably the most chic avenue in Montmartre - where a lot of famous people lived. On the way out I walked around a little bit and ended up at the Place Dalida, that I had never been able to find before! Dalida was a very famous Italian/Egyptian singer who used to live in France, precisely in Montmartre (listen here to one of her songs). She was also a good friend of the present Paris mayor. BTW, this bust of her was made by Alain Aslan.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Snake trains!


I "ventured" to the very eastern part of Paris yesterday morning and found myself in the middle of giant works (they are installing an extension to the tramway that I already showed several times here). Then I passed on a bridge (le pont National) over railway tracks (coming from Gare de Lyon) and found all these TGVs (bullet trains), waiting for God knows what (the yellow one belongs to the postal services and the other ones are just normal passenger trains). I thought it would make a cool photo - and it does, in a way ;-)

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Paris Plage at night


Since the weather is a little better at the moment, I went for a walk at Paris Plage last evening. Very nice! And yes, there is - or there seems to be - much more sand this year. I saw the famous Sleeping beauty castle provided by Disney Resort Paris and a few other things, but I did not go all the way to the end. I will. The bridge in the back is Le Pont Marie, a superb bridge that goes from the Ile Saint Louis to the Quai de l'hôtel de ville.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Vive l'Australie !


Today the Tour de France landed on the Champs Elysées, like every year since 1975. You may know it already as this race seems to be extremely popular throughout the world (they say it is broadcast in 190 countries!), this year an Australian (Cadel Evans) won for the first time. I'm really happy for this country that I really like. Now I debated between showing you a photo of the winner and a stunning aerial photo of Paris that I stole from the television and... well the latter won! You can see the Seine on the left, the Eiffel Tower of course, in the foreground Le Grand Palais and the big avenue in the middle is... Les Champs Elysées. Again, a very rare occasion (with the 14 Juillet march) to see Paris from the Sky.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Macarons Masterclass


I know I'm going to make some of you very envious... Yesterday (Saturday), one of my neighbors invited a pastry chef to show her and a few friends how to make macarons... I attended part of the "ceremony" and it was quite interesting, for I never knew how they made them. I usually buy them ready-made from Ladurée, la Maison du Chocolat or Pierre Hermé - and no, not yet from Mc Donald's! Even though, believe it or not, they carry them in some of their restaurants! What you see in this photo is the final result, but I have more photos. You can see them in the little Animoto here (or directly in the right column, up top).

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Hurrah, the sun showed up!


Hard to believe, we saw a ray of sun today... It was even warm at lunch time! So warm that some people even ventured at Paris Plage. As I told you, our yearly beach opened 2 days ago, and like every year it breaks a couple of records: twice the amount of sand as last year, Sleeping beauty castle, giant deck chairs... and a lot of daily events. I'll show you more along the month of course.

Friday, July 22, 2011

A (rainy) day at the museum


There's a positive side to everything... Since it's raining and cold in Paris, isn't that the perfect moment to go to the museum? And when it comes to museums, Paris a lot to offer. I'm talking... a lot! I counted no less than 141 in this list. Some are famous of course (like le Louvre or Rodin), some are less known, even though they are worth a visit (like le musée des arts décoratifs or Maillol). My favorite one is probably the Musée d'Orsay, in front of which I took this photo. As you can see they installed this big Impressionist canvas by Renoir, just in front of it. Pretty cool.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

More rain


I swear, I took this photo yesterday (Wednesday, on the Pont Royal, the one that leads to the Louvre) and not last November LOL! Not that I complain , I actually like the blurry effect of the drops on the lens ;-) Besides I have a lot of work on my plate, so I don't care too much about the weather... Anyway, just FYi Paris Plage opens today, I don't think it'll be too crowded ;-) I just feel really sorry for the tourists (I hear museums are full...).

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Popping the question...


The weather is soooo depressing in Paris at the moment (I feel sorry or the tourists!) that I refuse to use a photo du jour! Instead, let me offer you this very rejoicing one that I actually took last year at Beaubourg, when the sun was still shining. FYI, there are several companies that can organize marriage proposals for you... like this one for instance ! Hint, hint?!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Rotten July!


People often ask me what to pack when coming to Paris? I never know what to answer as the weather is always very unpredictable... Hence last April and May, when we suffered an unusual and terrible drought and now July which is really windy, rainy and a little cold too (and probably not good for business). Only positive point: nice weather to take pictures ;-) Need I introduce you to the Arc de Triomphe? I did not think so!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Quiet Sunday in the country


I spent Sunday (yesterday) afternoon at a garden party with close friends at Le Vésinet, a very nice suburb of Paris, near the Ile des Impressionnistes (an island on the Seine, where the Impressionnists used to come and paint towards the end of the 19th century). It's a wonderful area, very green, with very nice houses, which is worth visiting (easy to reach with the RER - the speed metro) if you have never been there. As you can see in this photo, life there is not too stressing ;-)

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Haut Marais art


Here another one of my "discoveries" in Le Marais. I found it at the beginning of rue Charlot (or the end, depending on which end you start it!). Apparently these posters are remains of an event that was organized by the 3rd arrondissement City hall of Paris aiming at promoting artists, art galleries, museums... in the Haut Marais (the higher part of Le Marais) area (they were more than 230 participants apparently). I missed all this as... it took place in May 2011. Next year maybe! Still love the posters though ;-) FYI, it's pouring in Paris at the moment ;-(

Saturday, July 16, 2011

A new place to visit


This morning I went to rue des Archives, in Le Marais, and noticed that the door to the gardens of the Hotel de Soubise (that I already mentioned here) were open. To me, that was a first, so, of course, I entered... And I discovered a huge area in which you can see this stunning facade (this building is actually the place where the French national archives are located) and gardens. I found out later on the Web that the doors have only been opened to the public since the end of June and that there is a total surface of 8 000 sq meters (86 111 square feet). All this in the heart of Paris, not bad!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Bird's-eye view of the arch....


Thank you so much for your nice wishes yesterday ;-) Like last year I don't resist showing you an image that I grabbed from the television and that you will rarely see (it is normally forbidden to fly over Paris). The Arc de Triomphe in the middle of La Place de l'Etoile from the sky... I love it. Did you notice the red trucks? They belong to the firemen brigades that marched, like I was telling you yesterday.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

200 year anniversary


Today is Le 14 juillet (Bastille day), the day France celebrates its Revolution... Like every year, there is going to be a huge march on the Champs Elysées and like last year it seems it's going to rain [update: not really, it's a beautiful day!]! This year's theme is "overseas" (we have several troops stationed in the West Indies and other French territories). The firemen will also be honored, as they celebrate their 200 year anniversary this year (I wonder who put out fires in Paris before?!), hence this photo, that I took from my window a few days ago, when my boulangerie caught on fire!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Splendid door


This door belongs to the Musée d'art moderne de la Ville de Paris, a museum that was built during the 30's, more precisely for the "Exposition internationale des arts et des techniques" (International Exposition dedicated to Art and Technology in Modern Life) that took place in 1937. It was erected on former military lands. Everything in this door is typical of that period, even the font that says Musée de la ville. Beautiful.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Green Paris


I'm just back from a very long weekend in the South of France (near Nîmes) where I attended a wedding and spent some time off, far from the city buzz... And though no need to go that far to feel like you're in the country while in Paris! Hence this Parisienne that I photographed in Montmartre and who obviously has green fingers! Maybe did she win the Balcons fleuris (balcony flower decoreting) contest that the Paris city hall organizes every year?!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Repetto


Repetto is a real French landmark. The name comes from the founder, Rose Repetto, whose son, Roland Petit (who just passed away yesterday at 87), used to come back with injured feet from his classical dance lessons. In 1947 she then decided to make him dancing shoes, that would prevent the pain (as if?!). The famous Pointe and Ballerines were born. Soon, they became THE dancing shoes of the most famous dancers in the world. Now the brand has been repositioned, they sell all sorts of dancing equipment and regular shoes. They have several stores in Paris and many in the world. I took this photo at 36 rue de Passy, in the 16th arrondissement.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Jerry Bin Laden


Not much to say about his graffito (which is more of a printed painting really). I saw it near the Beaubourg Center and could not help but laughing when I saw it. I have no idea who made that, but I think it’s pretty creative and funny. Jerry (and Tom) are very popular in France for we had them on television (and we probably still do). Bin Laden is a little less popular, but he was a lot on French television too ;-)

Saturday, July 09, 2011

Paris Port


Where did I take this photo? In Camargues, where I’m currently spending the weekend? In Normandy, where I often go? Nope! In the middle of Paris! As a matter of fact if you look closely you can even see the Génie de la Bastille (the little guy up top the Bastille column) in the background of the photo. Believe it or not, there no less than 19 ports within the Paris area and they are not all for goods delivery. This one is called Le Port de l’Arsenal, it’s a “Port de Plaisance”, that is dedicated to yachts only. You can rent a spot for only 2 306 € a year if you have a small boat and … if you find room ;-)

Friday, July 08, 2011

Place des victoires


Hurrah! After several weeks of work, where half of the Place des Victoires was totally hidden by scaffolding, they finally freed Louis the 14th (the guy on the horse in the middle!)! This place is one of the most beautiful ones in Paris for it's not too large, yet extremely spacious - and not too busy with car traffic ;-) For those of you who are into history, you should know that it was first inaugurated in March 1686 and that the law stated that only symmetrical buildings could be erected there.

Thursday, July 07, 2011

Ham and cheese party


I may have been blogging about Paris for several years now, but I'm not the only one! Last evening I attended the anniversary party of Eyepreferparis, the blog that ex New Yorker Richard Nahem has been managing for 5 years! It took place at O Chateau, a place I already mentioned a long time ago (they do wine testing seminars in English). As for me, I only took photos as I don't drink wine and I'm trying to lose weight!

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

A little piece of Brazil in Paris


A new shop opened in my street and it's really neat! It's a Brazilian store, called Não do Brazil, and they sell sneaker like shoes, of all colors. Really cool. I wonder if it's really Brazilian or just marketed as Brazilian and... made in China ! (I'm kidding). Maybe Monica (with one "n"!), my truest visitor from Brazil can tell us the truth...

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Paris by night


I'm just back from an evening out in Paris. On the way back, the weather was so nice, I took "Le chemin des écoliers" (the long way round) and I did not regret it! Need I say more?

Monday, July 04, 2011

Happy Independence Day


Since I have a lot of American visitors, let me dedicate today's post to them as it's the 4th of July! Thanks to PDP friends (Guille, Michael, Stuart and Elizabeth), I had lunch at Blues Bar-B-Q, yesterday (Sunday). Co owned by delightful Diana from Texas, it is a real American restaurant where I discovered pulled BBQ pork, corn bread, genuine coleslaw and of course, an ice cream float! Now that's a festive occasion!

Sunday, July 03, 2011

Big Jump!


I don't know if you remember Taïg Khris, a French guy who loves to jump off anything with roller skates on? Last time he jumped from the Eiffel Tower and yesterday he did the same from... le Sacré Coeur. And now that I have connections in Montmartre ;-), well it was easy for me to cease the right moment! Taïg Khris claims to have broken the record of the longest jump on roller skates with 29 meters. Impressive. Watch this in motion, in this little video if you want more...

Saturday, July 02, 2011

Art!!


I know that modern art is not an easy topic to deal with, but there is a lot in Paris and from time to time I like to report about it. Thus, this week, I went to La Maison Rouge, an art gallery located near Bastille, where they celebrated the launch of Slash Magazine, an online magazine that... deals with modern art. The main exhibit was dedicated to Winnipeg, and this little sculpture was part of it, I believe. Don't ask me... Maybe one of the "treasures" that will be part of the huge treasure hunt that the Paris city hall is organizing this Saturday!

Friday, July 01, 2011

Green Broom


On this 1st of July our Theme day is "Green". I could have photographed a tree, but I already took a tree related photo a couple of days ago. Instead I dug out this photo of a typical Paris cleaners' broom that I photographed recently on my way to the gym. Isn't this green vibrant? Check what's green in the other cities of the City daily Photo bloggers community.