Wednesday, November 23, 2011

On high horses...


If you visited Paris, here is a scene that will probably remind you of something. It shows La Samaritaine in the background - a department store that was named after a water pump located right by the Pont Neuf - and the statue of King Henri the IVth (of France, not Henry the IVth of England), a king that all French pupils remember for he is said to have made sure that all French households would eat at least a chicken a week (there was no KFC at that time LOL). The Samaritaine is currently closed and is being turned into a hotel and shops, which is a shame because from the rooftop you could enjoy one of the most beautiful views in Paris.

17 comments:

  1. This is cool because you made the statue look like its parked right in front of the store when it is at least a hundred yards from it - with a rather big river in between, as I recall! I never got to go to the top of La Samaritaine so I'm looking forward to that the next time around, hopefully on as beautiful a day as it was in this photo.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I missed the opportunity to have lunch on the roof of Samaritaine before it closed. I'll regret that forever. Maybe, however, the hotel will have a rooftop cafe.

    It really is a beautiful building.

    ReplyDelete
  3. One of the best views is in the movie, the Bourne Identity. I ate there before it closed years ago. It is primo Paris property and the "renovation" is sure moving slow.

    Jean, Williamsburg, VA

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's like that everywhere .... they gut old shops and beautiful old buildings and put trendy stuff in there instead .... a pastry shop from my childhood is now a clothing store that says on the outside "boulangerie Patisserie."

    Tomate Farcie

    ReplyDelete
  5. It is so sad that La Samaritaine has closed. It is such a beautiful piece og Art Deco.
    I too hope there will be a new café at the rooftop.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Je ne savais pas que la Samaritaine se ferme pour devenir un hotel! So glad I can say I've taken in their famous view, tho it was over 30 yrs ago. Have to settle for Montmartre, La Tour Eiffel & the balcon of Musée d'Orsay, if I ever get back. I could never bring myself to pay the outrageous prices to go to the top of la Tour Montparnasse. And I think I'll be too old & creaky to climb the bell tower of Notre Dame again, since I'm already at that point. Last time, in 2002, I managed Notre Dame de Paris, N-D de Chartres & Sacré Coeur (and even, que j'en suis fière, la Tour Eiffel à pied, aller et retour!) but I could barely bear the claustrophobia by then. Now it'd be my legs & back that would resist the effort. So, to lose this venue with an elevator, c'est bien triste.

    ReplyDelete
  7. When I was in Paris I spent many magical moments on the rooftop. Didn't cost anything except a little time walking the rickety floor of the department store and climbing the narrow, dark staircase. Then, the beauty opened up suddenly and never failed to create joy.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It is a shame. For the price of a beer or a coffee anyone could enjoy one of the best views in Paris. When luxury goods maker LVMH eventually get round to re-developing it (it has been closed since 2005 and the subject of much controversy) you can be sure - that view will cost a great deal more.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It sounds like a lovely place to visit. I hope that there will eventually be a place where you can enjoy the lovely view! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Boo Hoo! I loved shopping at La Samarataine, and thought it was under remodel and would reopen as a store. I agree with Jeff, hopefully the hotel will be smart enough to keep the roof top cafe. Not a bad place to stay when it does become a hotel, though - great location.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Loving memories of a chocolate chaud up there... glad I took photos when I could!

    ReplyDelete
  12. @Jeff & Monnic ". I agree with Jeff, hopefully the hotel will be smart enough to keep the roof top cafe." yes, I'm sure they will. Actually there s a restaurant up there tjat is still open (the Kong) but I'm not sure.
    I'm pretty sure they will make use of this fantastic space anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Though others have commented on La Samarataine, I was glad to see you giving Henri IV his due. (I still like to believe he really did say, "Paris is worth a mass," though I recently read that story was apocryphal.) I make a point to say "bon jour" to this statue of Henri every time I am in Paris -- and am I correct in remembering the Pont Neuf, on which is stands, is graced with his presence because he organized said pont to be built? Henri was one of the people most responsible for the look of Paris, no?

    ReplyDelete
  14. @DHMCarver " Henri was one of the people most responsible for the look of Paris, no?" Well I don't know about that really, but it's possible. It's not something I learnt at school (or remember at least!), but if you heard it, it's probably true (mind you, Paris at that time was much smaller than today ;-))

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Eric... Ahh.. Pont Neuf... AND La Samaritaine... I used to gaze at that building every morning as I walked to the underground station... I used to live right there at 53 ter, quai des Grands Augustins on the river.

    What a great walking city as well... You could wander (as you obviously do) for days in the different neighborhoods and never get bored for a second... Wonderful memories.

    ReplyDelete
  16. thanks for your thanksgiving wishes. you, eric, are at the top of the list for many of us when it comes to giving thanks. we are so grateful for what you've created here.
    wedding photographers

    ReplyDelete