Marquise

A large marquise dominates the entry to a hotel on Boulevard de la Madeleine.

Meringues and marzipan

A busy market street.

Chocolate meringues and marzipan piglets share a pâtisserie window

Castle on the Seine

A section of the medieval castle the Conciergerie as seen from a nearby bridge.

So-Pi

Place Saint-Georges, gateway to "So-Pi" the up/coming South Pigalle district, bathed in morning light.

Holy smoke

 

In Memoriam 

 

The tradition of offering Masses for the dead originated in the very early Church. Beautiful service today at Notre-Dame Cathedral, setting of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," Ralph's favorite novel and a fitting end to his story.

Above: the priests' arrival is heralded by incense; a soloist and backup choir sing the liturgy; a dignified departure

Farewell and Godspeed

- My deepest gratitude for everyone's support and to those who attended -

BPJ

***

- Getting a loved one's name on The List requires an appointment

- Masses for individuals at the Cathedral are not offered. These are group requiems and your loved one's name will be read aloud along with others for that day
- Incense ritual: just before Mass the priests enter in single file led by an acolyte swinging a small metal container of burning incense on a chain. With each swing the puffs of smoke rise higher as everyone makes their way to the altar
- Victor Hugo's original novel was called "Notre Dame de Paris" not "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," considered a spoiler title
- The Cathedral was built in 1163

 

Update: Since the April 15, 2019 fire a tentative re-opening of the Cathedral is scheduled for 2024

Fauvist feast

Café scene at the foot of a Montmartre stairway reminiscent of colors of Gauguin.

 

Ribbons of air

Passersby are handed colored ribbons to tie to a large grille of a sidewalk air vent.

Lunch meet

A bistro on a quiet square behind the Palais-Royal Gardens.

Bistrot Valois

1 Place de Valois 75001

Book space

  A librairie beneath Sacré Coeur that's also a café, gallery and museum of the avant-garde.

Halle Saint-Pierre 

2 rue Ronsard 75018

Orsay atrium

The ceiling of this former train station illuminates the many sculptures on display below.

Twirling skull

Rotating, spurting sculptures in the Stravinsky Fountain add color to an overcast day.

Paris unchanged

As more and more Paris cafés modernize many preserve their days-gone-by allure.

Suspended

More street art, this time a bicycle attached to a wall in the Marais district.

Gregos art

He's everywhere: another of street artist Gregos' familiar faces.

C'est l'heure

As the evening Happy Hour approaches tables begin to fill up.

 

The cobbler

 

 This mechanical cobbler is a fixture in a cordonnerie window on rue des Abbesses.

 

 

Corridor

  A long empty corridor inside the Paris underground métro system leads to Line 11. 

 

Lunch launch

 

Le Train Bleu inside the Gare de Lyon is still "the" must-lunch stop for travelers off to the French Riviera and sunny Provence.

 

Above: wall and ceiling paintings depict alluring destinations on the Côte d'Azur

 

Air ducts

Two massive air ducts outside the Pompidou Center.

Crouching angel

A secret courtyard conceals the sculpture of an angel.

 In Loving Tribute
 
  Brother In Arms

An angel found you, and scooped you into his arms.
Father, husband, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, friend, gifted musician, woodworker, world traveler, raconteur.... You were amazing, and now even more so. My heart will hold all of those memories, of the good times growing up, and later, together in Europe. We will forever celebrate your Life (with that glass of Cointreau...?), your unique sense of humor and countless "Ralph-isms" as we try and live up to your mantra, "Don't let the party die!" Until we meet again my cherished beautiful Big Bro.

RALPH MARC PASQUET
R.I.P.

  Many thanks to one/all for kind comments, condolences, flowers, cards. I will be getting back to everyone early next week. Yes Ralph was truly one of a kind. In gratitude, BPJ

 

December 2015

"Handsome. Kind eyes." Mandy L.
"Incredible guy." John B.
"Mean bass player!" Bob M.
"Won't forget him." Sean and Mary H.
"Generous. Great sense of irony, humor." Sebastian C.
"Deserves all happiness." Jesus G.
"A force of nature few understood." Katherine T.
"Wish I'd met him." Arnaud D.
"The Dude." Anonymous
"An amazing and interesting person whose time on earth was way too short." Lauren S./Tom P. 
"Wish we could've got to know each other better. RIP Cuz." Mike N.
"Sleep in Peace noble Prince." Taylor Family

 "A remarkable guy with the greatest gift of gab I literally ever encountered. He had some stories to tell that I said to him on several occasions he should write about in a book. I hope he was able to find some peace in the last years of his life, despite what he had told me were his struggles with diabetes" An old friend
 ----

Some of Ralph's favorite links:

"Sanctuary!" 1939 film The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Night Tripper ZuZu Mamou / Dr. John
Thirty Days In The Hole / Steve Marriott
Papa Don't Take No Mess / James Brown
Lady Blue / Leon Russell (R.I.P. 11/9/2016)

To Ralph:
"We dressed up and fought, then thought, make amends.
We were never holding back, worried that time would come to an end...
 But I thought in spite of dreams
You'd be sitting somewhere here with me."
Being Boring / Pet Shop Boys


Update 9/21/2016
A candle placed before "Ralph's Angel" today.

 

 A Mass was said for Ralph at Notre-Dame Cathedral. Thank you thank you to those who came or were there in spirit.

Update 10/20/2016

 As some of you know Ralph entrusted to me and others close to him certain photos/docs to post online. Please check your email for details. If anyone has anything to supplement what we have please forward it to the address on the mailing list. If you're not on the list, you can contact me via WPA (Subject: R.I.P. Ralph). Thanks!

Update 10/31/2016

- Just in time for Halloween - 

To the person who sent the "Quasi Modo" photo from Ralph's FB,

*** THANK YOU ***

Update 12/28/2016
By request I am creating a "Ralph page" of photos, updates, docs, etc. password accessible only. Please watch your inboxes starting January and share with all of your followers/connections.

 

 

 Below: Ralph was on his H.S. Track Team, in the Rifle Club (below) and loved basketball. He excelled in running and dreamed to compete in varsity sports.

 

Ralph Pasquet, bottom row right (click to enlarge)

 

 

***

 
 

 

 

Touch of Sweden

Coffee-and-cake corner at the Swedish Cultural Center on rue Elzévir.

Galerie des enfants

Installation of miniature skyscrapers for kids by JR, artist known for his gargantuan photographs.

Ends September 19, 2016

Centre Georges-Pompidou

Place Georges-Pompidou 75004 

Tied down

Yet another bicycle tied to a fence. Behind, church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre.

Square René-Viviani
79 rue Galande 75005

Street chic

Casual city bag and shoes just in time for fall.

Ralph Lauren
173 Boulevard Saint-Germain 75006

[at same address: RALPH's restaurant] 

Paris' 21st arrondissement #2

 

Provençal-style markets, small fishing villages, local fleur de sel and fleur de sel goat cheeses.

 

On the nearby tiny island of Aix where no cars are allowed and access is solely by ferry a man makes his way down the main street.

 

***

 

Getting there: 

By TGV train from Paris: leave early to La Rochelle (just 2 1/2 hours)

At La Rochelle rent a car and head to île-de-Ré, a 10-minute drive

 

By car from Paris: approximately 4 hours 

If driving, plan on spending at least one night