Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Vivons heureux, vivons cachés

In France - a country of Catholic tradition - showing your wealth is very badly considered, if not a sin! Therefore, if you happen to be richer than your neighbour, you may want to hide it... We even have a saying that sums it up "Pour vivre heureux, vivons cachés" (If you want to be happy, keep your head down) Therefore, it's not very surprising that in Paris, the chicest places to live are generally concealed from the view of everybody... Hence this Square du Croizic, a sort of "gated community" in the heart of Montparnasse where no cars are allowed and where all buildings were built  according to the Haussmann rules. There are many many places like this in Paris in all arrondissement, even in Montmartre. Needless to say they're pretty expensive!

16 comments:

  1. Omg! I use to live in square du croisic in the early 90s. Who new I was chic and poor :-D

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  2. I find what you wrote very interesting! Excellent photo!

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  3. It looks rather lovely. My question is how did you get beyond the gates?

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    1. Yes the entrance door has a code. I simply waited for someone to walk out...

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  4. @Sasha...we had a code. I bet if I look for it I can find it. Eric would you try it out for us?

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    1. For the code? How could you find it?!

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    2. Like most non technical people, they probably haven't changed it since the key code was installed. So if Maria can find her old code, she's in! Only let it go to Eric for a good price, Maria.

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    3. Yes I'm sure I still have my Filofax with all my notes from when I was there. I will look for it.
      Sasho - my fee for the code will have to be paid in person of course and in "drink" form.

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  5. Stunning! This feels like a wonderful secret ...

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  6. You sneaked in.....you naughty boy!

    Interesting what you say about French attitudes towards displaying one's wealth. I wonder if thoughts of Madame Guillotine stroking the necks of the aristos still reside deep in the French psyche? "If you want to keep your head, keep your head down." :-)

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  7. Well: 165 qm à 4000 Euro ....... http://www.seloger.com/annonces/locations/appartement/paris-15eme-75/85519535.htm

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  8. I have NO problem "pretending" I'm not wealthy. :~}

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