Candle in the wind

Today marks the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death in Paris.

While debating whether some kind of candle or flame should be erected as a memorial, it turned out that an enormous flame - the flame of the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States - was already over the tunnel at the exact spot of the car crash at Pont de l'Alma, which means, "Bridge of the Soul." - BPJ

Dior #1

Seventy years of fashion at the sensational mixed-media Dior retrospective.

Christian Dior, Couturier du Rêve

Musée des Arts Décoratifs
 107 rue de Rivoli 75001

Until January 7, 2018

Lamp locks

Despite glass panels to keep "Love Locks" off the Pont des Arts, love persists, as evidenced by these locks clinging to a lamp post. 

Hoisted rhino

 Sculpture in gallery window of a rhino suspended in a halter. In the background, a painting of a matador.

Place des Vosges Galleries

Courtyard cluster

A small passageway connects hidden courtyards in the heart of the Left Bank.

Tea-rex

A poster on the wall of a shop that sells coffees and teas.

“Art has something to do with an arrest of attention in the midst of distraction.”
Saul Bellow

Time pileup b&w

Yesterday's photograph in black and white.

Time pileup

Close-up of Armand Fernandez' clocks sculpture installation at Gare Saint-Lazare.

 

(click to enlarge)

Ruskin knew

 

 

You, who have ever been to Paris, know....

 John Ruskin 1835

 

Above: Pont Alexandre III just before the sun sets

Un jour parfait

Hockney at the Pompidou, sunset drinks on the Seine, late dinner of cassoulet, France's most-loved stew.

David Hockney Retrospective

 

Ends October 23, 2017
 

Centre Georges Pompidou

Place Georges-Pompidou 75004

***

Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie
34 rue Montmartre 75001

Bien-être on the block

First a "health bistro" for lunch, then café glacé at a trendy coffee shop a few doors away.

Abbatoir Végétal

61 rue Ramey 75018

Café Pimpin

64 rue Ramey 75018
(also has light healthy lunch choices)

 

Majestic

The Basilica's dome cradled by bushes and trees.

Cool spot

Shaded and quiet, Marcel's terrace is a warm-weather favorite to meet up with a friend and linger.

Marcel

1 Villa Léandre 75018

Truly Paris

Mornings at Le Vrai Paris ("the true Paris") feel like you truly are in Paris.

Le Vrai Paris

33 rue des Abbesses 75018

Homage to Steinlen

Sculpture of Swiss-born artist Théophile Steinlen with his wife atop a fountain in a small square.

Steinlen's well-known poster Le Chat Noir is often misattributed to Toulouse Lautrec.

 

On a curve

Mild August evenings see side streets lined with tables chairs and locals.

Le Jardin d'en Face

29 rue des Trois Frères 75018

Love glory botox

Street artist Miss.Tic leaves her mark yet again, this time on the wall of a Montmartre gallery.

Breakfast on the butte

Large ceramic bowls of café au lait, hearty breakfasts and artisanal breads give this café-bakery the feel of a French country inn.

Coquelicot
24 rue des Abbesses 75018

La vie en bleu

 

Montmartre is "the" quartier to cool down in August.

Above: street used as film set for La Vie en Rose (2007) starring Marion Cotillard as Édith Piaf, winning Oscar for Best Actress

- Starting tomorrow more vignettes from Paris' artsy hilltop village -

Marais in August

A pedestrian only medieval street in the Marais district.

Closed for vacation

"Dear clients, dear bichons. I've gone to gild my butt cheeks in the sun! 

I will return Wednesday August 23. A beautiful summer to all!"

La Bossue (The Hunchback)
Pastries - Coffee - Brunch

9 rue Joseph de Maistre 75018

Paris when it sizzles

Seated in a position reminiscent of Rodin's "The Thinker" a man listens to music while texting.

- Another August sees Paris-Plages back in full force -
 

3 hours (or less) from Paris: London

A beloved stomping ground revisited. Again.

Nouveautés

Happy at the market

Happiness is a warm bière for this cheerful fellow outside a small grocer's in Montmartre.

Champagne evenings

It's cocktail hour at Hotel Le Meurice.

Above: foie gras and smoked salmon canapés; lobster club sandwiches

Bar 228 Le Meurice Hôtel
228 rue de Rivoli 75001

Lady of the night

The Eiffel Tower from a carousel under an almost full moon.

- Suggestion: bring along plastic flutes and uncork something bubbly -