30 June 2015

Medici Fountain #2: Green-eyed monster

 
The one-eyed hulk Polyphemus, who's been stalking the nymph Galatea, sneaks up to find her in the arms of Acis, her lover, and flies into a rage.
 
 

29 June 2015

Medici Fountain


The Fontaine Médicis (1630), a magical oasis in the Jardin du Luxembourg, is crowned by an enormous sculpture often mistaken for Poseidon but in fact is Poseidon's son Polyphemus, the Cyclops.

28 June 2015

Crayon art


Almost every surface inside this rue des Beaux-Arts gallery including the front door is covered in scribblings.
 
At the reception: helium balloons, home-made lemonade, cookies - for adults

26 June 2015

Pain Poilâne


The wood-fired brick ovens at Poilâne's small original Left Bank boulangerie work round the clock turning out thousands of signature rustic loaves daily.

25 June 2015

Giant bubbles


Giant bubbles float across the expansive square in front of l'Hôtel-de-Ville.

24 June 2015

Pastries to perfumes


Ladurée has teamed up with Nina Ricci to create fragrances to go with its macarons.

23 June 2015

Making a splash


An effervescent fountain in a courtyard of the Louvre is contrasted against the darkness of the building behind.

21 June 2015

Place Dauphine


Place Dauphine reflected in the windows of a restaurant where photographs of Simone Signoret and Yves Montand, who lived next door, decorate a wall.

19 June 2015

Pursed lips


The beguiling bag that's been taking Left Bank fashionistas by storm is signed Sonia Rykiel.

18 June 2015

Room with a view


The sitting room of this top floor flat opens onto a balcony with majestic views, a perfect spot for an evening apéritif.

17 June 2015

16 June 2015

Orange alert


Striking in bright orange garb this group huddled amid Montmartre's portrait artists before departing, single file, down this stairway.

14 June 2015

A terrace lunch


Clockwise: sweet green peppers grilled in bacon; heirloom tomatoes in olive oil w/garlic toasts; roasted duck breast on bed of caramelized onions tartines; pickled vegetables

(Not shown: smoked salmon grain mustard cream tartines; chilled green pea soup w/fresh mint; red wines from Bergerac)



Barrel tables were pushed together so we could all sit together and share.
 
Dessert: pain perdu, forerunner of French Toast, served w/home-made vanilla (bean) ice cream; espressos


13 June 2015

Night rain

 
Early this morning I was struck by the peacefulness of this square, still wet after a night shower.

11 June 2015

The end of the street


Today marks the last day of "Graffiti Street," a long-standing Belleville mainstay.
Always changing, it was the only place in Paris where anyone with a can of spray paint could let loose without having to look over their shoulder.

10 June 2015

Un café serré SVP


This tiny bit of coffee packs a punch and, in its tiny way, has come to symbolize the Parisian lifestyle.

8 June 2015

More Fornasetti


With the Fornasetti retrospective winding up in less than a week I couldn't resist posting two more of my favorite photographs from this don't-miss exhibition.

7 June 2015

A summer wine


Back in season, French rosés are showing up everywhere, even on supermarket shelves.

6 June 2015

Old-fashioned lace

 
Delicate French lace fills this Right Bank shop, conjuring visions of parlor gatherings and summer garden parties à la Renoir and Manet.

3 June 2015

French macarons


I am unable to pass Gérard Mulot's rue Bonaparte shop without being lured inside and picking something up.
 
Real French macarons aren't nearly as sweet as expected.

2 June 2015

Square Édouard-VII


In Paris, turning a corner can stop you in your tracks.

Above: a theater and just beyond, Square Édouard-VII