More empty tables

As the number of coronavirus cases climbs ever-changing rules for cafés and restaurants are keeping wary habitués at a distance.

A Paris vineyard

Paris' last surviving vineyard overlooks the city from its Montmartre perch.

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 Avec nos remerciements à La Commanderie du Clos Montmartre

Basta pasta!

 In Paris, Italian cuisine is probably the most exalted after French.

 Above: the gratinéed foie gras-studded "mac cheese" fusion entrée that had everyone wishing they'd ordered the same

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 This week: more Italian... "Monday night is Italian night!"... at home

Maids all in a row

Into the weekend with anachronistic sculptures by Catalan artist Gerard Mas.

Halle Saint-Pierre

- bookstore / coffee shop / museum -

 2 rue Ronsard 75018

Fake news

Napoléon Bonaparte was shrewdly aware of the impact of images, and would commission paintings depicting him in scenes that never quite happened that way, for posterity, as well as prosperity: he ensured that his story endured positively, bringing prosperity to his reputation and the Bonaparte family's influence; his nephew later became emperor. - BPJ
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Top:

Napoléon Visiting the Plague-Stricken in Jaffa (Antoine-Jean Gros) - During The Egyptian Campaign Napoléon's troops contracted the deadly, and highly contagious, Black Plague, decimating their numbers. But Napoléon wanted history to remember him as a loving leader willing to touch their open sores, risking his own life.

Bottom:

 Napoléon on the Battlefield at Eylau (Antoine-Jean Gros) - This painting of the French army's bloody victory in eastern Prussia detracts from the humiliating defeat to come during the harsh winter. In this painting Napoléon had the artist portray him as a much-adored compassionate hero whose (handsome) officers and soldiers attend to (grizzly) wounded Prussians.

 

Below:

The Coronation of Napoléon (Jacques-Louis David) - Napoleon's mother, seated on a throne under green curtains in the middle of the painting, was not there. Other on-purpose inaccuracies also occur in this painting which took place in Notre Dame Cathedral and is supposed to reflect an actual historical event.

 

Musée du Louvre

 

Empty tables

With even more restrictions in place for restaurants, tables remain empty.

 

Red and white

When I was writing for USA Today a tidbit of advice I'd pass on to readers was, "Try to avoid those cute Paris bistrots with red and white checked tablecloths. As tempting as they are, they're usually tourist bait." But this Left Bank jewel that's been serving up French classics to a devoted clientèle since 1970 is an exception. - BPJ

 Above: chef Rémi Lebron's "legendary" (quoting his menu) Bœuf Bourguignon w/grilled marrow bones warm up a chilly autumn evening

 Chez Fernand

13 rue Guisarde 75006