Shabby Chic on the Mont.......

My first thoughs on viewing my photos of  Place du Tertre were
 -what a difference a coat of paint would make-
but on reflection, I think that this unique area would be some-what diminished
with-out that shabby chic look.

What do you think?

Musée D'Orsay.....

It's so nice that I was able to take photos (minus flash of course)
in this wonderful museum.  Although mine are far from quality photos
I feel a certain attachment to them because I have actually stood in front
of some of these amazing art-works - they are not reproductions they are the original works
At times I had to pinch myself !!

I understand that the museum now has a "No Camera" policy
but have been unable to verify this - Does anyone know the current policy!!

This oil on canvas "Homage to Delacroix"  was painted by Henri Fantin-Latour in 1864
that's Henri in the white shirt and Eduard Manet with his hand in his pocket.
I love the little spray of field flowers - it adds a touch of pretty
to an otherwise quite sombre painting.

Square René Viviane......

I've previously taken you to this little park (click here) on Quai de Montebello
and I think of all the places I would like to be in Paris
it would be sitting here in this pretty park

Le Petit Dejeuner dans Le Terrace.....

The French know how to do breakfast well
and this charming chambre d'hote in Avignon
was no exception.
.........................
The Madame of the house had been up early
baking flaky croissants and nut breads
for our petit dejeuner
and on each table she served individual
pots of home made strawberry yoghurt
truly delectable!

Pretty Touches in French Country Homes.....

I love the way the French dress up there homes
with those little special little touches.

bowls of foil wrapped sweets
with just a few discreetly scattered underneath

Gossamer curtains to add that touch of elegance to personal spaces

And soft throws on lounge chairs
should I sit on there?    I did.

Sous Les Ponts De Paris.....

Beautiful Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris
with construction commencing in 1578.
....................
I love to sit in one of the alcoves along the side
observing the comings and goings of river life
whilst humming in my head the lovely lyrics of the
song made famous by Dean Martin

"How would you like to be
Down by the Seine  with me
Oh! what I'd give for a moment or two
Under the bridges of Paris with you"

Strolling up Rue Monge.....

Rue Monge is one of those Parsian streets that you walk up slowly

especially with 1 large suitcase in tow!

.................. 

I commenced my walk at Boulevard Saint-Germain

duly noting the delectable "Eric Kayser" artisan boulangerie on the right

and Cafe Le Barnum on my left

At the corner of Rue des Ecoles  I passed a wonderful fleurist

"L'ile aux Fleurs" with big buckets of flowers spilling out onto the street

filling the morning air with their sweet perfume

Further up the "Arenes de Lutece" that amazing outdoor amphitheatre

built by The Romans in the 1st century AD.

A film company were filming and made many repeat shoots

 of children running onto the centre carrying huge bundles of colourful baloons.

I though it all looked so perfect but the producer would yell coupé

and then start all over again.

 Finally arriving at my destination the lovely -Hotel Acte V-  for a 1 night stopover

before moving, with my sister and her husband, into a studio in the 7th.

St Remy-De-Provence........

~Brasserie Des Varietes on Boulevard Victor-Hugo~

Whilst staying in Provence we hired a mini bus and driver for a few day outings

this turned out to be an excellent choice because our guide and driver Alain

knew all the best little backroads, villages and eateries

plus with the cost divided between 5 people - it worked out very economical

and we were all able to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Le Poulbot.......

This quaint and quirky little French Restaurant is situated in Montmartre

on the Rue Poulbot

It was named after Francisque Poulbot

affichiste and illustrator who was born in Paris in1879

and well known for his cute illustrations of

Parisian street children.

..................................

I'm sure you will recognise his work! 

~ Francisque Poulbot    1879 - 1946 ~

Studio in the 7th......

Most of the Studios on the left-bank are small

but I found this one in the 7th arrondissment - facing out onto a Passage

very workable, reasonably quiet

and just a hop step and jump away from every thing I needed

chocolate mille feuille and tarte au cerises

tend to leave lots of crumbs

 

Ne Touchez Pas Les Fruits......

Is it any wonder that shop keepers in Paris don't want customers

messing with their carefully arranged fruit displays.

I learnt my lesson after an abrupt rebuttal

from the Monsieur at this charming magasin-de-fruits

on Rue Montorgueil

"Raffles Hotel" .......

 

On the stop-overs  between Australia and Europe

it's nice to do a little browsing around.

I love to visit the beautifully elegant Raffles Hotel in Singapore

one of the most famous Hotels in the world.

There's a lovely cool atmosphere   (those ceilings are so.... high!)

and a superb high-tea served in the "Tiffin Room"

I could almost feel the history of the place seeping into my bones

and imagined a bygone era with ladies dressed in their long finery

and the lights from those exquisite Austrian chandeliers reflecting

off the highly polished marble surrounds.

.....................................

Somerset Maugham referred to it as

"The legendary symbol for all the fables of the exotic east"

I think he was right!

This early colonial establishment has featured in many films

including one named "Raffles Hotel"

which was shot here on location.

Un Petit Peu de Rouge..........

I love the splashes of red that light up Paris

On café canopies - ladies jackets - hotel awnings -  knee-high snug boots

and those masses of vibrant red geraniums trailing down from ornate wrought iron balconies

Rouge is  very comfortable in Paris

et

 je pense que Paris est trés comfortable avec le rouge