Le culte

 The Basilica of Sacré Coeur on a November evening.

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Yesterday an English friend asked about the use of “culte," a word that turned up in "déplacements pour se rendre dans un lieu de culte" on the latest ramped up attestation that everyone has to fill out to justify why they're outside.

In French, all religions, Catholicism in particular, are referred to as “cults” - a term which takes many a native English speaker aback as it carries with it undertones of sects, of secret rites and dodgy rituals.

All it means is that since Saturday, attending religious services is now allowed. - BPJ

Dome-inating

 

The dome of the Basilica of Sacré Coeur dominates the Montmartre skyline.

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Autumn in Montmartre

Giving thanks

 

 

 If you're reading this you're alive, hopefully well, and have much to be thankful for.

 

- A Very Happy Thanksgiving 2020 -

 

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Autumn in Montmartre

Cornered

A bicycle beneath a window.

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Autumn in Montmartre

Street in time

 

The Basilica of Sacré-Coeur emerges like a masterpiece from a Maurice Utrillo canvas.

 

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Autumn in Montmartre

A bottle of Beaujolais

 

Maison des Épicureans

46 rue Lamarck 75018

Autumn arbor

 

Jumping rope beneath a lush arbor of autumn leaves.

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Autumn in Montmartre

Vin de primeur

Yesterday was the day when the French region of Beaujolais released its young Gamay wines, traditionally drunk almost immediately after the harvest. But with confinement restrictions still in place, instead of revelers spilling outside wine bars and cafés, more at-home toastings and tastings than usual were held to ring in this year's Beaujolais Nouveau.  - BPJ

Seeing red

 

Red leaves brighten some of the most unexpected places.

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Autumn in Montmartre

Artstairs

In the haunted house of life, art is the only stair that doesn't creak. - Tom Robbins

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Autumn in Montmartre

Hat stand

Hats for sale at the foot of Montmartre's funiculaire.

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Autumn in Montmartre

Behind the dome

Some of the best views of the Basilica of Sacré Coeur are from a small park just behind it.

 

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Autumn in Montmartre

Golden song

 

Fallen leaves on the ground are the golden song of immortal creativity. - Amit Ray

 

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Autumn in Montmartre

Rule of 6

 

An apéro evening in early September when hopes were high that this would be over by now.

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Many have been asking whether not adhering to the government "Rule of 6" carries with it a fine. Here's the rule in time for Friday night... keeping in mind that this is for the safety and health of everyone:

  Covid-19 : pas plus de six personnes “à table ou dans la rue... une recommandation plutôt qu'une obligation"

Covid-19: no more than six persons "at table or in the street... a recommendation more than an obligation" - BPJ

Back light

A lamp behind this tree makes its leaves shimmer.

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Autumn in Montmartre

Burning bush

Bright crimson leaves make a splash in this small hillside cemetery.

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Autumn in Montmartre

Truffling

Cheeses marbled with aromatic black truffe have taken over Paris fromageries and are gravitating to many more places besides the apéro planche: fondues, omelets, mac-cheese, pizza, risotto....

 

Below: grilled (truffle) cheese sandwiches

 

 

Monday motivation

Trees in fall foliage command a sweeping view of Paris.

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 Autumn in Paris

Blue doors

Two bright blue doors crown rue des Saules.

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 Autumn in Montmartre

Ghost café

 

 

Following distant laughter a night walk reveals an empty café.

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Autumn in Montmartre

Quiet walks

 

 

As leaves fall it's poetry to walk the streets of Montmartre.

 

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Autumn in Montmartre

Breaking boules

Nothing compares to fresh artisan bread straight from local boulangerie ovens, still warm. The small round loaves or boules - look for them on upper or back shelves - can be tranchés (sliced) but for the asking. Paris has so many bakeries that unique specialty breads, some available only on certain days of the week, are created to stand out among the competition.

 Above: Pain Scandinave w/hazelnuts, walnuts, dried apricots and currants

 Below: a Pavé (cobblestone) Caulaincourt ready for the toaster

Autumn theater

The real show here is the profusion of bright leaves over the door of this small theater in Montmartre.

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Autumn in Montmartre

Five steps

A warming new coffeehouse / salon de thé just steps from Place Dalida became my new coffee meetup spot but has temporarily closed due to the latest lockdown, except for takeaway.

 Les Cinq Marches

12 rue Girardon 75018