Neighborhoods
One example of a colorful neighborhood to visit is Chateau Rouge; played an important role in Paris' immigrant history
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Finding Treasure Around the Corner in the Bastille
Have you ever wanted a specific, stylish item? And you searched until you found it? My search was for finding the hanging lamp treasure that would fit in with my 1890s library ceiling. No flea market was needed. The treasure was literally, around the corner from my apartment in the Bastille. I looked through the window of a vintage lamp store. After 27 years, I finally pushed open the door of Arts et Lumières, looked around, looked up and fell in love. Once I made the decision about buying the lamp, I took my time. Uuntil one day, the signs Tout doit Disparaitre (Everything Must Go) and Déstockage Massif (Clearance…
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Life in Paris: Tassin Leather Continues an Upholstery Tradition
Paris neighbourhoods have gone through gentrification significantly in the 2000s. Along Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine n the Bastille is no exception. The furniture manufactures and sales offices have given way to clothing and sports stores. There is hope, however, because La Maison Tassin Cuir (leather) continues an upholstery tradition. Their story includes drama. In 2015, a fire destroyed the company’s artisan workshops. Livelihood, unfinished orders from distant lands and their leather went up in flames. Like a phoenix, however, the Tassin company mobilised and moved into adjoining buildings. The former display room became the workshop. The business offices moved to another neighbourhood. Soon, by relative time standards, the salvaged tools…
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Montmartre Morning Relatively Full of Sights and Sounds
A Thursday edition of the newspaper, Le Parisien, carried a story with recommended restaurants on Montmartre's back streets. The morning quest turned into more. On this quest, I experienced the sights and sounds of Montmartre on a quiet September 2021 Thursday morning along not very crowded streets. The article spoke of various chefs, including a three-star chef on Rue Lepic. The whole idea was to locate the restaurants, see if they are open on Saturdays for lunch and head back home. I found the restaurants but the real pièce de résistance (the best part of the meal) were Montmartre’s back streets.
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Springtime Silence in Paris for 55 Days
It is time to turn the page on Chapter 2020. Who would have guessed that one would feel a bit nostalgic for the Paris Springtime in 2020!? All of the ups and downs and changes during the Springtime in Paris lockdown from total confinement to mostly open for summer and back to partially open; having to differentiate between what is essential (food) and non-essential (books) and back to semi-partial of partial and curfews. Aiiieee!! A Nostalgic Period? One Parisian confinement period stands out among all the rest of 2020. Between March 15 and May 11, 2020 Paris went silent.
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Use Lulu Dans Ma Rue When You Need Help
From our balconettes (Parisian wrought iron window fences), we are enjoying our carrots - getting fatter every day, fresh cherry tomatoes, and wild strawberries; the plants are blooming. BUT who will water them while we are on vacation? Lulu Anna. The city of Paris (Mairie de Paris) has a service called Lulu dans ma rue (Lulu on my street). Need a helping hand taking things to the cellar (cave)? Ironing? Water your plants?
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Paris Parks begin Winter Hours
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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Paris façade after the rain
Façade after the rain reflected on a man hole cover rue Saint Antoine with the words “Ville de Paris”
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Journées du Patrimoine-My Paris Fire Station
One of the advantages of the Journées du patrimoine, the annual heritage weekend, is that doors normally closed are open to the public. Most Parisian courtyards are hard to peek into nowadays unless you happen to be around when someone enters or exits. The magnetic key used is necessary to ensure security. On this special weekend you may find courtyards of other buildings accessible. The sapeurs pompiers (the fire brigade) for our area opens its doors every September. They are also known for their July 14 (Bastille Day) fireman’s ball. Since 1812, our caserne des pompiers, 7 & 9 rue de Sévigné, is housed in a former prince’s domaine. The…
