Throwback Thursday

 

A long chat along the river.

From Paris Plages 2023

 

Closed for August

 

Storefronts shuttered for the annual congés d'été.

Street oasis

Not only are tables and chairs spilling onto streets but imagine turning a corner and coming across this idyllic miniature living room set up on a sidewalk, where enticing hot chocolate, tea, coffee and cakes are served along with wi-fi and wit. And when you return the next day, just like that, it's gone.

 

Paris Is My Living Room Dept.

Peachy

Last week's heatwave inspired a wave of light refreshing homemade drinks. 

Above: peach spritzes with a splash of Cointreau

Social distancing

In a cobbled passageway behind the Bastille.

Street heat

With temperatures soaring and annual August flight, Paris streets are (gloriously) deserted.

Lemon aid

A lemon tree adds a touch of fraîcheur to the interior at Eataly.

Eataly Paris

37 rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie 75004

Sun spots

The late afternoon sun cuts a dappled path through trees in the Palais-Royal gardens.

Chairs pileup

  It's mid-August and a café gets ready to close for the rest of the month.

Quiet Paris

Shuttered shops, less traffic: many consider August the best time to be in Paris.


August newsletter

Nouveautés

Truly Paris

Mornings at Le Vrai Paris ("the true Paris") feel like you truly are in Paris.

Le Vrai Paris

33 rue des Abbesses 75018

Love glory botox

Street artist Miss.Tic leaves her mark yet again, this time on the wall of a Montmartre gallery.

Breakfast on the butte

Large ceramic bowls of café au lait, hearty breakfasts and artisanal breads give this café-bakery the feel of a French country inn.

Coquelicot
24 rue des Abbesses 75018

Candlelit concerts

An ancient church near Notre Dame Cathedral holds concerts almost every evening year round.

L'église Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre

79 rue Galande 75005 

Farewell aux plages

As August winds down so does Paris-Plages, the annual urban project that put a whole new spin on "stay-cation." 

Above: relaxing w/champagne and (free) city wi-fi

 

Below: members of a jazz trio take a break; a small bar w/potted palms has been set up as river boats cruise by in the background

 

 

 

 

 

Urban volleyball

For August, volleyball courts were set up in the city center in front of the main Town Hall complete with sand, live music, palm trees, refreshments and changing tents, attracting swimsuit-clad players, some in speedos.

Open all summer

A rare sight in August, a sign that reads, "Open all summer." Besides breads this boulangerie has pastries, quiches and "sandwichs," all freshly made daily on their premises.

Ever since my brother Ralph's beautiful wedding reception I've been on the lookout for the perfect quiche canapés. These are probably as close as I'll ever get.