Sunday, December 9, 2007
The Pied Piper of Paris
A street performer, painted all silver, who sits in front of the silver entrance to the Palais du Louvre metro station, playing a silver pipe. The kids that passed by were totally fascinated and giggled when he started dancing a jig. He works hard for his money, this modern day Pied Piper of Paris.
The Palais de Justice
The Palais de Justice on Ile de la Cite. To go in you pas through a metal detector and have your bags checked by some very serious looking officials. Past that, however, you get fantastic views of fresco-ed ceilings, carved cherubs along the doorways, rich dark wood panelling, you know, the usual haha. It must be a wonderful backdrop to work in for the suited lawyers though.
Best of the Bread
Lionel Poilane, considered the maker of the best bread in the world. And I quote "the world's most-celebrated purveyor of old-style, handmade, oak-fired, thick-crusted, sourdough country bread." There's two Parisian branches of his bakery, and one in London. You can order the breads delivered next day all over the world. I did enjoy the bread, it was difficult to describe the taste, but should you feel like trying it out yourself 36 euros will get you a loaf to feed 6 at least. www.poilane.fr
Defenseur du Temps
The Defenseur du Temps in the Quartier de l'Horloge(the Defender of Time in the Clock District). It represents the man against three adversaries: the dragon, the crab, and the rooster, representing the earth, the sea, and the air. Every hour he's attacked by one of the three, except at 12, 6, and 10, when he's attacked by all three, accompanied by sounds of the waves, the wind, and the earth rumbling. At 2 and 8 he wins the battle, and the children who gather round cheer.
Oscar the Smiling Grouch
Oscar over the Dancing Banana(a tribute restaurant to Josephine Baker) on rue Pierre Lescot by les Halles.
Point Zero
This is Point Zero, located just in front of Notre Dame. All distances in France are measured from it. I had quite the time getting a shot with no feet in it because all the tourists walking on it, but I finally managed.
Ping Pong Me Part 2
Maybe I missed out on something, but it seems ping-ping is quite popular here. This is a father son team playing on a Saturday morning at the Square du Temple.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Tick Tock
This is a rather special clock. It's the very first and oldest public clock in Paris, on the corner on the Conciergerie on Ile de la Cite. I think the original was put up in the 14th century but had to be replaced by this one put up in 1585.
Barye Square
At the very end of Ile St Louis is this little park that looks out on to the Seine. It makes for a nice spot to have a seat after your stroll...
The walk home
Around 4 pm every week day the streets fill with children coming home from school. This was a Grandad who was picking up his little granddaughter from her Ile St Louis school one afternoon.
All in the details
A good amount of the windows here have darling little flowers that really perk everything up.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
I'll be back
Ran in to more problems with the posting, so I'll be back tomorrow with more updates...
By the way, I bought a vacation to lovely Tunisia(in North Africa for those who were wondering) yesterday, so I'm leaving on Sunday to spend a week on the Mediterranean coast, by the white sand beaches :)
By the way, I bought a vacation to lovely Tunisia(in North Africa for those who were wondering) yesterday, so I'm leaving on Sunday to spend a week on the Mediterranean coast, by the white sand beaches :)
Hotel Rolland
The Hotel Rolland(hotel in French can mean more than one thing, in this case, hotel means mansion or palace). Located on Ile St Louis, this was home to the Marquis de Soumont.
Inside the Deportation Memorial
The walls are convered in poetry, the lights dimmed, and in the walls are the names of each death camp, from each location a bit of earth was collected.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)