Treeful Tuesday

 

Quirky courtyard "hotels" offer a bird's eye view.

Window Wednesday

A few bright leaves hold out before winter claims them.

 

Perfect weather Wednesday

Beautiful weather means dining al fresco.

Above: an Italian treasure hidden in a leafy courtyard

 Pinot Grigio

Village Saint Paul

7 rue Charlemagne 75004

(open in August)

 

***

 

The period of Roman occupation of Paris (then called Lutetia) lasted about 500 years and left much behind including roads, baths, a forum, an amphitheater and some of the best Italian restaurants, markets and shops outside of Italy.

September newsletter:

Best Italian, Paris

 

 

Floral Friday

Inside a private courtyard on île de Ré.

 

Floral Friday #2

A sunny view over a green Montmartre courtyard.

Hamlet

 

 

Easy-to-miss sign on Avenue Junot, "Hameau des artistes" - artists' hamlet.

 

Below: from a balcony overlooking a private courtyard

 

Out to dry

A small boutique tucked into a courtyard displays its wares despite the rain.

Courtyard dining

A favorite restaurant's magical courtyard.

Le Derrière
69 rue des Gravilliers 75003

 

Courtyard cluster

A small passageway connects hidden courtyards in the heart of the Left Bank.

A baker's dozen

 

 

 A courtyard conceals beautiful homemade brunches, lunches, buttermilk biscuits (a specialty), pies, nibbles, coffees, teas and creative summer drinks. And it's run by a lovely American.

Treize Bakery

16 rue des Saints-Pères 75007

Hidden tea room

Step behind the doors of this lovely hôtel particulier, now an art and cultural center, into a courtyard tea salon, and another world.

Centre Culturel Suédois
11 rue Payenne 75003 

A good egg

The mossy courtyard of La Maison de l’Europe harbors a giant Croatian Easter egg symbolizing friendship among nations.

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)

 

 

***

 
 

 

 

Quiet cool

Inner courtyards of former hôtel particuliers in the Marais district provide cool respite.

Provence in Paris

A touch of Provence in Paris:

 

Exclusively during summer and for just four more days escape the canicule in the private garden courtyard of a 16th century former abbey.

 

Open bar - live music

Palais Abbatial
Place de Furstemberg

5 rue de l'Abbaye 75005

Memory lane

Inner courtyard of my first apartment in Paris.

Courtyard corner

Entryway into a courtyard of an apartment building on Boulevard Raspail.

Hidden passage #3

Close-up of a doorway within one of the private courtyards of the Cour de Rohan passageway.

Hidden passage #2

An ethereal light diffuses through an open gate into one of the small courtyards hidden behind an historic passage.

Hidden passage

This small courtyard, behind gates and one of three, was part of an ancient passageway once blocked by remnants of the Philippe Augustus wall. The modern glass structure is an artist's studio.