History

Events, History, Ile-de-France, Life in Paris & France

Paris Seine Flooding Routine and the Statue

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Image of le Zouave statue, Pont de l'Alma and the Eiffel Tower during Paris Seine flooding

An image on the front page of a Spanish newspaper showed the Seine flooding. This prompted a reader planning a Paris visit to inquire about the situation. Looking back at my photos from 2016, I had some evidence of the river a couple of days after its peak. Each year the Seine’s waters rise, usually as snow melts and reservoirs flood. This year, the Seine seems to be flooding a bit early from heavy rains. The last record for flooding was in June 2016. Le Zouave statue on the Pont de l’Alma is one of the gauges used. Legend says: “When the Zouave’s feet are under water, the Seine is flooded”. Authorities predict the Paris portion of the River Seine could reach 6,20 m by Saturday, January 27. The recent Paris Seine record is 2016 at 6,05-6,10 m.

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Events, Exhibitions, History, Welcome to Colleen's Paris

Dior-Designer of Dreams at Arts Décoratifs

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Image in Musée Arts décoratifs entry for Christian Dior Couturier du rêve until January 7, 2018

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs celebrates the 70th anniversary of the creation of the House of Dior until January 7, 2018 in a lavish and comprehensive exhibition, Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams (Couturier du Rêve). Whether or not you are a fashionista, if you love history, fashion (retro and future), fabric, intricate beading, art, interiors, photography, etc. this is a rich exhibit that I can recommend. The Dior Héritage collection and works of art are on loan from museums in France, United States and England. Most of the works featured in exhibit are from the Dior Héritage collection and the first time they are shown in Paris.

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Exhibitions, History

Inspiring Comtesse Greffulhe at Galliera

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Grefflhe Galliera image

The Comtesse Greffulhe did not follow fashion, she dictated fashion for all in Paris society to follow. She inspired Marcel Proust and fashion designers. Until March 20, 2016, Palais Galliera, Musée de la Mode, is displaying Comtesse Greffulhe’s wardrobe collection “La Mode retrouvée” (Finding lost fashion). The collection moves to New York’s Museum at FIT in September 2016 under the title “Proust’s Muse”. As with most women who are “clothes horses” ….

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Exhibitions, History

Artist, Beauford Delaney Exhibit in Paris

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Beauford Delaney exhibition in Paris - groupings of some of his works. Exhibit in 2016 Wells International Foundation

The works of Beauford Delaney, a figurative, abstract expressionist, i.e., modernist painter, are being shown in the first solo exhibition since 1992. The exhibit, Beauford Delaney: Resonance of Form and Vibration of Color, opens February 3 with a Vernissage in Paris in the Grande Salle at Columbia Global Centers Europe at Reid Hall (Columbia University’s Paris facility), 4 Rue de Chevreuse, 75006 Paris, Metro: Vavin line 4. Any questions or want an invitation to the vernissage……

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Book Reviews, History, Sightseeing, Videos

Rosemary Flannery’s Angels of Paris

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cover of Rosemary Flannery's Angels of Paris Architectural Tour through the history of Paris

How do you view Paris? With an angel on her shoulder, Rosemary Flannery views Paris through angel eyes. Rosemary is the author of the book, “Angels of Paris, an Architectural Tour through the History of Paris”. Rosemary wrote the text and took the photos, even if it included carrying a ladder around to get the best angle of an angel. I only recently discovered this book, a little slow on my part, but that shows the timelessness of a subject that dates back….

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History, Neighborhoods

Paris Parks begin Winter Hours

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The gardien ending his day at Square Louis XIII - Place des Vosges in the 4th arrondissement of Paris walking toward the statue.

Walking through Square Louis XIII (also known as Place des Vosges), my short cut route was cut short. The route became the long way around! The corner where I usually exit was already locked! And then I heard a hint of why.”Le square ferme. Mesdames, Messieurs et Mesdemoiselles*, le square ferme,” he called out. To my surprise the 7:30 pm closing time was no longer; it was now 5:45 pm! The majority of Paris park changed to winter time when the clocks fell back an hour. …

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