Sunday squeeze

 

 

The Rue du Chat-Qui-Pêche - Street of The Fishing Cat - is the narrowest street in Paris.

Until a narrower one comes along.

 

 

 

 

Sunny Saturday

 As temperatures climb Parisians sit.

***

 A 2019 article from Paris Perfect suggests that if one were to visit a different café terrace every day, it would take nearly 30 years to see them all. Parisians lounging on café terraces all day isn’t just a stereotype—it’s a cultural cornerstone. And as long as there's sunshine, temperatures don't really matter. Sipping an espresso or nursing a glass of rosé, people-watching is an art form, where time slows and conversation reigns supreme. It’s not laziness; it’s a deliberate embrace of la vie en rose, where life’s pleasures trump the hustle.

From Montmartre to rue Montorgueil, from the Marais to Montparnasse, these sidewalk perches are cherished salons—part social hub, part philosophy meetup—where a quick coffee can stretch into hours without apology and without a pesky waiter bringing the bill before you ask for it. - BPJ

 

Fishy Friday

 

 

A fresh catch has arrived at a local poissonnerie.

 

***

Look (and ask) for:

 

lieu noir - pollack

lieu jaune - yellowtail

bar - sea bass

saumon - salmon 

rouget - red mullet 

daurade - sea bream

églefin - haddock 

bulots - whelks  

cabillaud - cod

 truite - trout

thon - tuna 

 

The fishmongers' services include:

 

 écaillage - scaling

vissage - gutting

nettoyage - cleaning

désossage - de-boning

dépouillement - skinning

filetage - filleting

papillonnage - butterflying 

 

Custom cuts fall under coupes personnalisées.

Some will even package the fish for freezing or transport.

 

Letting Luce

 

MAXIMILIEN LUCE

l'Instinct du Paysage

 

Musée de Montmartre

12 rue Cortot 75018

 

 

Ends September 14, 2025

 

*** 

Maximilien Luce (1858–1941) was a trailblazer of Neo-Impressionism and key figure in anarchist and libertarian communities. Leaving an indelible legacy through his deep artistic and political passions, his paintings of urban and rural scenes as well as the human experience reflect the social and industrial shifts of his time. Although his stunning landscapes take center stage in this exhibition, he also portrays subjects that were unexplored by his fellow Pointillists, such as workers in motion.
 
The humanistic spirit at the core of his work defines its essence, yet landscape remains a central theme that energized his art throughout his career. With a distinctive sensitivity, Luce masterfully portrays light and color. This exhibition showcases his artistry and brings his frequently underappreciated work to a wider audience.

Luce lived on rue Cortot from 1887 until 1899, just steps from where this exhibition, the first Paris retrospective since 1983, is now being held. — BPJ

Window Wednesday

 

 

Step into the wild on a backstreet in the Sentier district.

 

Design & Nature

4 rue d'Aboukir 75002

 

Table Tuesday

 An art gallery along a passageway off Place de la Bastille.

 

Market Monday

 

From organic wines, honey, salts and foie gras tastings to crêpe stands, flower stalls and ready-made traiteur dishes (above), the sprawling Bastille market caters to every taste.