Another week and another set of little Paris discoveries. Lots of outdoor shots this time as I’ve been really hitting the streets lately to expand my knowledge of the city.
Let me know in the comments which part of Paris you’re dreaming of lately! Hope you like this week’s set.
Prepwork at Cream café before venturing out into the 20th arrondissement. I have to face the unfortunate truth that I will certainly die before I get through my entire library of Paris books. So each time I find time to crack one open it’s a victory!These peonies were speaking to me along Rue de la Villette (20th arr). There’s such a great cycle of flowers that come through Paris throughout the course of the year, spilling out onto sidewalks and flooding window displays. Back in the States I don’t remember people respecting fresh flowers like they do here. Props to the French for that.Rue Sorbier is a lovely find in the 20th arrondissement, a street with a relaxed vibe and this quirky little food store. It’s oozing with vintage ambiance (which is so uber trendy now) and you almost don’t know if you’re walking into a produce shop or an impromptu garage sale.When I posted this many of you were surprised that photographs were allowed inside Musée de l’Orangerie. It’s true they were forbidden for a long time but for some reason they’ve lifted the ban. While I’m happy about that, I’m saddened that they’ve also lifted the ban on excessive noise. I remember the guards used to ask for silence in these Monet waterlily rooms; now they seem to have given up on that (rather impossible) task. But the moral of the story is: you should definitely visit this museum next time you’re in Paris.The 20th arrondissement is full of shabby-chic spaces and I found this outdoor terrace on Rue de Belleville. It belongs to the retro-rock bar Culture Rapide, packed with music memorabilia and knickknacks. I liked the pink and the green in this photo.This is from the window of the city’s oldest café, Le Procope (6th arr). Many people don’t know you can climb your way to the attic of this building for a secret corner of Paris. Here we’re looking down onto one of the funnest cobblestone alleys, Cour du Commerce Saint-André. It traces the path of the medieval moat that once protected Paris (a much smaller city at the time). If you look carefully you’ll see the streaks of the very rain drops I was trying to avoid that day.Roses and shutters, roses and shutters…they’re kind of like peanut butter and jelly in my world. One reason I’ve been in Belleville so much lately is because it’s full of leafy passages and charming residential pathways that I want to get to know better. This shot came from Villa de l’Adour (20th arr).We’ll finish with a more traditional shot of the gate of the Palais de Justice and spire of La Sainte-Chapelle (1st arr). This gate of the courthouse is always heavily guarded and rarely open, so I thought I’d take advantage of a rare bit of composition. If you haven’t heard before, the Sainte-Chapelle was a 13th century masterpiece built by Louis IX to house his most prized possession, Christ’s crown of thorns. Some refer to it as an illustrious Gothic jewelry box for that precious object. The crown miraculously survived the destruction of the French Revolution and now resides in Notre Dame Cathedral. Voila, there’s a splash of French history to brighten up your day!
Thanks for stopping by everyone and hope to see you for next week’s photo set. You can go here to see the previous group of photos. Take care!
I love le procope!!…I have eaten there several times and I didn’t know you could go further up than I have….I walk the halls in amazement…I was told once by the waiter they lost their heritage status inside because they put in air conditioning!!!
And yes you are right about the care and live for flowers!!!
Well written piece….another tug at my parisien heart strings
What wonderful photos and narratives….one day…
Fabulous :)
You wouldn’t know how many peonies you get for a rather steep sum of €20.-? On our market you can buy a bunch of – I think – 5 stems for €10.- but they are generally quite dear. I had some 120 frilly filled and very large, heavy headed wonder-blooms this year, (shrub peonies, very old!) and last year not a single one….. Much reason to be thankful for this exceptionally beautiful and long lasting spring this year! I have a very large garden with plenty of blooms at all times but I still buy flowers every Friday on the market – I cannot live without flowers around me. Didn’t put any peonies inside though, they smell not very lovely and the extravagant blooms wilt within 2 days, so I leave them outside. Market-bought ones last longer. Don’t know what they do to them that they stay that long. They are probably ‘built up people and stress resistant’…..
Vintage vs garage sale: You find out quickly enough when you look at the prize! (Or is it price? I never know for sure! Sorry….) You know I’m a person from another century (truly and figuratively) – I love things with a story and a history (hence that crazy 1920 stone pile with all the trimmings from a post Victorian aera) but sometimes I hold my breath when I see what is being asked for ‘frankly’, junk stuff…..
Your last shot is amazing – as is the Procope one – BRAVO – Every time we walk past it, it’s closed…. and I also find that the raindrops sliding down on your photo adds a lot of nostalgic ‘umpf’ :)
Aaaah MONET – Have my mum-in-law visiting for a week and went to Giverny to visit Monet’s Garden…… This – in my v. humble opinion – is really a MUST when staying in Paris for more than just 2-3 days. It’s maybe 110/120km from ‘chez nous’ and I have visited for maybe 3 times before, always a treat for all senses and a eye-candy par excellence….. I was saddened to learn that photography is no longer allowed in the Musée d’Orsay. I must have hundreds of photos when it was still allowed. BTW, photos inside Monet’s house is allowed, albeit not with flashlight. But that’s alright! :)
Yeah, roses and shutters, roses and doors, roses and gardens – you’re a guy after my own heart – but then this is the owner of ‘The Roses’ writing so that must mean something…. And we’re not talking mosaics now….
Thanks for the comment Kiki! I’m glad your enjoying these little glimpses of Paris. To answer you question it would be “price” and not “prize”. I agree with you about Giverny, such a gift! And next time you’re in Paris be sure to go up into Le Procope, just make sure it’s between 3pm and 7pm to avoid their dinner hours upstairs. Take care!
Hi Corey, have you visited the cemetery behind 2 Av Paul Doumer (16th)? It’s a smaller, lovely place to visit. I would love to see some photos from that area of Trocadero. Thanks for your lovely photos. Makes my memories of living in Paris more vivid. Lived there from Oct. 1968 to Feb. 1971. Miss Paris every day of my life.
Diane Powell
You know I haven’t seen that one, no. I’m sure it’s lovely. You were in Paris in ’68? Wow, interesting time to be there! I’m glad I can help you reconnect with those fond memories. What a blessing it is to be able to live here, as you know! If I’m ever near that cemetery I’ll snap a few shots for you. :-)
Paris can carry the shabby chic look with such aplomb that she still manages to look beautifully unruffled. I love your blogs and pictures, you successfully encapsulate the simplicity and enigmatic essence of this city in your pictures. I really, really must make the effort to fly over and spend a relaxed weekend soaking up the magic!!!!
Thanks for the nice words Maria. Glad you stopped by and I’m happy that my photos have connected with you in some way. That’s what it’s all about! Take care.
afrenchfryeinparis.com 
I love le procope!!…I have eaten there several times and I didn’t know you could go further up than I have….I walk the halls in amazement…I was told once by the waiter they lost their heritage status inside because they put in air conditioning!!!
And yes you are right about the care and live for flowers!!!
Well written piece….another tug at my parisien heart strings
What wonderful photos and narratives….one day…
Fabulous :)
You wouldn’t know how many peonies you get for a rather steep sum of €20.-? On our market you can buy a bunch of – I think – 5 stems for €10.- but they are generally quite dear. I had some 120 frilly filled and very large, heavy headed wonder-blooms this year, (shrub peonies, very old!) and last year not a single one….. Much reason to be thankful for this exceptionally beautiful and long lasting spring this year! I have a very large garden with plenty of blooms at all times but I still buy flowers every Friday on the market – I cannot live without flowers around me. Didn’t put any peonies inside though, they smell not very lovely and the extravagant blooms wilt within 2 days, so I leave them outside. Market-bought ones last longer. Don’t know what they do to them that they stay that long. They are probably ‘built up people and stress resistant’…..
Vintage vs garage sale: You find out quickly enough when you look at the prize! (Or is it price? I never know for sure! Sorry….) You know I’m a person from another century (truly and figuratively) – I love things with a story and a history (hence that crazy 1920 stone pile with all the trimmings from a post Victorian aera) but sometimes I hold my breath when I see what is being asked for ‘frankly’, junk stuff…..
Your last shot is amazing – as is the Procope one – BRAVO – Every time we walk past it, it’s closed…. and I also find that the raindrops sliding down on your photo adds a lot of nostalgic ‘umpf’ :)
Aaaah MONET – Have my mum-in-law visiting for a week and went to Giverny to visit Monet’s Garden…… This – in my v. humble opinion – is really a MUST when staying in Paris for more than just 2-3 days. It’s maybe 110/120km from ‘chez nous’ and I have visited for maybe 3 times before, always a treat for all senses and a eye-candy par excellence….. I was saddened to learn that photography is no longer allowed in the Musée d’Orsay. I must have hundreds of photos when it was still allowed. BTW, photos inside Monet’s house is allowed, albeit not with flashlight. But that’s alright! :)
Yeah, roses and shutters, roses and doors, roses and gardens – you’re a guy after my own heart – but then this is the owner of ‘The Roses’ writing so that must mean something…. And we’re not talking mosaics now….
Thanks for the comment Kiki! I’m glad your enjoying these little glimpses of Paris. To answer you question it would be “price” and not “prize”. I agree with you about Giverny, such a gift! And next time you’re in Paris be sure to go up into Le Procope, just make sure it’s between 3pm and 7pm to avoid their dinner hours upstairs. Take care!
Hi Corey, have you visited the cemetery behind 2 Av Paul Doumer (16th)? It’s a smaller, lovely place to visit. I would love to see some photos from that area of Trocadero. Thanks for your lovely photos. Makes my memories of living in Paris more vivid. Lived there from Oct. 1968 to Feb. 1971. Miss Paris every day of my life.
Diane Powell
You know I haven’t seen that one, no. I’m sure it’s lovely. You were in Paris in ’68? Wow, interesting time to be there! I’m glad I can help you reconnect with those fond memories. What a blessing it is to be able to live here, as you know! If I’m ever near that cemetery I’ll snap a few shots for you. :-)
Paris can carry the shabby chic look with such aplomb that she still manages to look beautifully unruffled. I love your blogs and pictures, you successfully encapsulate the simplicity and enigmatic essence of this city in your pictures. I really, really must make the effort to fly over and spend a relaxed weekend soaking up the magic!!!!
Thanks for the nice words Maria. Glad you stopped by and I’m happy that my photos have connected with you in some way. That’s what it’s all about! Take care.