Essential

 

During this confinement businesses deemed essentiels include chocolate shops, cordonneries, bookstores, hairdressers, tabacs and absolutely, florists.

The way she was

 

On the face of this ancient queen of our cathedrals, beside each wrinkle one invariably finds a scar. - Victor Hugo from, Nôtre Dame de Paris a.k.a. The Hunchback of Notre Dame

 Above: photograph of the cathedral taken from Square René Viviani before the fire of April 15, 2019, two years ago today

Night bike

 Bicycle parked on a ledge outside a gate for the night.

All in a row

A lineup of faces on rue des Abbesses.

Mona Monday

L'oeuvre d'art at a small private showing in Montmartre.

In bloom

Unremarkable one moment, a fury of blossoms the next.

Horizon

 

 Full moon over Paris from a private rooftop terrace.

Stravinsky lips

Close-up of lips by artist Niki de Saint Phalle, Stravinsky Fountain, Beaubourg Center.

Un bol de café

 

 

Traditional French breakfast coffee bols bide their time on shelves waiting for the day this café-boulangerie will re-open.

 

Coquelicot
24 rue des Abbesses 75018

A touch of nature

Conceived by Stéphane Cachelin chapotelets are placed on already existing posts adding a touch of nature and art to Paris streets.

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"Un nouveau rôle aux potelets qui jalonnent nos rues" ("A new role for the posts that line our streets")

Easter lamb

 

This gigot d'agneau, roasted to juicy perfection and served with its traditional flageolets, elicited oohs / ahs as it was placed on the table.

Below: starter of foie gras de canard w/chutney de figues maison

 

  ***

 

 "Faire cuire pendant 1h à 1h30 selon la taille de la bête" ("Let cook for 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on the size of the beast")

 

Merci Christophe

Easter eggs

 

Fresh eggs are displayed in nests made of straw at the Bastille market.

 

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 Joyeuses Pâques / Happy Easter 2021

 

💐

 

Working out

 

An early workout behind the Basilica of Sacre Coeur.

Your eggs await

 

Today's post is a flashback to the days when cafés were ready for customers on almost every block.

Above: extra large eggs, croissants, coffee and fresh orange juice set out at a café near the Bastille

Once upon a vine

  

With over a hundred fifty years of life left in it, a landmark wisteria vine in a hidden corner that shaded over a century of terrace diners was tragically damaged during renovations, and removed.

Below: in its former glory

 (click to enlarge)