Social distance

Parisians' reputation for being distant, even rude (the latter usually the conclusion of outsiders who've not mastered basic niceties) has been noticeably put on hold thanks to the virus. As soon as the confinement was lifted there was a distinct shift in our quartier: familiar eyes and voices behind masks stopping to engage in long conversations, neighbors suggesting a coffee or drink together and, as everyone knows someone, terrace tables fill up quickly and suddenly, it's lunch time. - BPJ

Above: get-togethers at different spots almost every day; coffee / tea for 8; tables pushed together for a spontaneous lunch

Below: an elderly couple who rarely venture out finally enjoy a long lunch  

Picture perfect

The façade of this café-restaurant behind Notre Dame Cathedral has become the subject of many a photograph evoking romantic old Paris.

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In September newsletter:

Reprint, "Paris is Picture Perfect!"  

© Barbara Pasquet James

Farewell to Joséphine

While Napoléon might have been crazy about his impératrice Joséphine de Beauharnais (a.k.a. "Yeyette"), descendants of French colonialism are not. On Sunday her already beheaded statue, a reminder of that era, was toppled in Martinique, her birthplace.

Above: close-up from "The Empress Joséphine" by Pierre-Paul Prud'Hon

Musée du Louvre

Due to Covid-19 all visitors are now required to book a time slot and wear a mask

Parasol perfect

A splash of color in front of a small shop in the Marais district.

Farewell to le métro

...And bonjour to bicycling, walking and, when necessary, taxis, Ubers and buses, until the virus is under control - or better, disappears altogether when at last we can say, "Farewell le Covid." - BPJ

A safe and beauty-filled weekend to one/all.

Goodbye Mr. Chips

...And a fond farewell to Messrs. Peanuts, Pretzels, Olives, Sausages and other complimentary nibbles that traditionally accompany the evening apéro, due to health concerns about the virus.

Above: customers were invited to BYOC (bring your own chips)

Farewell to menus

Menu sans contact: Au revoir to hiding behind menus to discreetly flirt with someone at the next table or check if anything's stuck in your teeth with your knife. With coronavirus in the air, for health and safety reasons there are now QR code stickers on many restaurant and café tables to enable patrons to scan and read digitalized menus on their cellphones without having to touch a printed menu. Good idea. - BPJ

Le Pain Quotidien

31 rue Lepic 75018