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Post by koloagirl on Mar 25, 2012 19:25:10 GMT
;D Aloha from Kaua'i! Well, first of all, I feel very badly about not doing this report before this - I went to Paris last September (the last 2 weeks of September) and certainly expected to contribute something long, long before this - so mea culpa X10! This was our 2nd trip to Paris (first was in 2010) and once again, I fell in love with Paris - my love affair just seems to grow and grow and I just hope our pocketbook can keep up with my continual desire to visit her! So.....we stayed at the same flat we had the year before (35 rue de Lyon) - "Maison Zen" - which is a lovely 200 year old building set 2 courtyards back from busy rue de Lyon - an oasis of quiet really, and a great studio flat that has a kitchenette, bathroom, Wifi and everything we could possibly need. So.....despite a medical "glitch" that I had come up mid-way thru the trip - we enjoyed wonderful days of lovely hot weather exploring some places that we'd seen before, and others yet to be discovered. I'll post my photos here and caption them - and I am fueled by the excitement that I feel now due to our being able to go back yet again this September! Same flat, one week earlier than last year - I can't wait! So.....hope that altho' they are late - you enjoy the photos!
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 25, 2012 19:31:58 GMT
Our first day in Paris - waiting for our flat to be ready - we strolled on the Promenade de Plantee - which looked vastly different in September from our prior visit in February! Amazing facade of the Police Dept. of the 12th Arrondissement - reproductions of "The Dying Slave" - how I missed this in 2010 I'll never know! Interesting to see the big puka (hole) in the backs of these pieces - a different perspective! I was amazed to see this little flower (see the smiling alien face?) and discover it was a passion fruit flower - we have lilikoi (aka passion fruit) all over the island I live in, so to find it in Paris was kind of a kick and a half! I'm just so fascinated with the varied architecture of Paris and wish I knew more about it - but I've learned a lot (telemone, etc!) from "Any Port"!!
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 25, 2012 19:42:26 GMT
Still with me? I love the views from the Promenade de Plantee - above the street and yo0u are able to see so many things from that perspective that I don't see at ground level! One thing we really enjoyed in September was the abundance of flowers everywhere, and greenery in general - while in February I fell in love with Paris, going in September gives you a whole new appreciation for all the amazing colors, textures of the foliage and flowers! Marche Richard Lenoir - which is closeby the flat that we rent - always a fun place to shop! A successful foray to the market - back to the flat to decorate with flowers and stock the larder! Here's a question, I learned all about telemones, etc. here -but what are the heads that are placed above windows, etc. called? Since they aren't full body and aren't holding anything up? I can't remember the location of this run-down hotel sign and building - but my husband loves to take photos of slightly derelict and atmospheric buildings like this... Study in contrasts... I love this photo - the pigeon really makes it in my opinion! Musee Carnavalet - which we loved! Both inside and out....
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2012 19:55:17 GMT
Oh, your photos are already extraordinary, koloagirl, but I knew that they would be. You expressed so much enthusiasm about Paris that I was certain that the dazzle would be reflected in your pictures. I am sure that the sculpted heads on buildings must have a specific name, but I have not bothered to learn it yet, even though I started a long-running thread on the subject long ago. Have you seen it?
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 25, 2012 20:08:25 GMT
;D And yet again....more I have an endless fascination with the rooftops of Paris (I know I'm not alone in this!) and the little chimney pots of various sizes each have a unique character! Sculpture in the courtyard of Musee Carnavalet - the day we were there there was a men's choir rehearsing directly below - it was such a wonderful experience to sit and listen to them! Shop sign in Musee Carnavalet - there was a whole room devoted to these, truly fascinating and beautiful! I suppose this had to be my favorite! No idea what this shop's specialty might have been! Comedie Italienne figure - Musee Carnavalet Musee Carnavalet was endlessly fascinating to me - not in small part due to the large amount of space it devotes to King Louis XVI and his family - this was a recreated bedchamber of Madame Elizabeth, his sister. Carving inside Notre Dame Cathedral [imghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Koloagirl/DSC_0380.jpg][/img] Beautiful, hot day along the Seine!
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Post by nycgirl on Mar 25, 2012 20:16:47 GMT
Yay, more Paris photos. Don't worry about belatedness, we'll take anything, no matter how old it is. I'm really enjoying seeing Paris through your eyes. I especially love the sumptuous colors of the flowers. Can't wait to see more!
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 25, 2012 20:25:19 GMT
Apologies for the error at the bottom of the last post - sometimes my head gets ahead of my fingers! "kerouac2" - I am going to enjoy going thru that thread, everytime I read one of your reports, I learn something new! So, hana hou (once more!) here is a hot day along the Seine! Windowbox above the iconic Shakespeare and Co. - which I love even though I know it is something of a "tourist trap" - but not the bad kind I think! lol Wallace fountain in front of Shakespeare and Co. Yet another image of the Seine with Le Tour Eiffel in background. A black and white study of a wall with ivy and rooftops behind - I love the contrasts in textures in this one! In the gardens of Musee Rodin - which I loved! I know that the mansion is closed this year for refurbishment, but I hope to go back because the gardens and statuary were magnificent! The roses in the garden rivaled the statuary in my opinion - I've not seen roses this beautiful in many years! Inside the mansion - in the "Camille Claudel" room. I love her statuary at least as much (if not more) than Rodin's and I spent a lot of time in this room! This one in particular struck me - I could look at that face for hours and almost have a conversation with her! No description necessary on this one!
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 25, 2012 20:33:05 GMT
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 25, 2012 20:44:07 GMT
Mahalo (thank you) for the link to the thread "kerouac2" - "Have You Seen It"! Regardless of what they are called, they are endlessly fascinating to look at - I'm curious though, given the age of many of the buildings, are most of them re-cast do you think - or original? I love them no matter what!
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Post by mich64 on Mar 25, 2012 20:51:27 GMT
Wonderful Janet, well done. A beautiful collection, just what I needed today.
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Post by lagatta on Mar 25, 2012 22:00:34 GMT
That was lovely, koloagirl. Are you still as pleased with La Maison Zen? I'll really try to stay there some time I go to Paris; wifi is a great help (means I can easily work while there) and I have friends who live not far away, both in the 12th and the 20th.
A wee correction - it is not la Promenade de Plantée (as if Plantée were someone's or something's name) but la Promenade plantée - the Planted Promenade/walkway. With lots of greenery.
I'm so glad you liked Musée Carnavalet. Obviously, the black cat and pissed-off moon would be my favourite sign as well. That was probably just a café. As for the scissors - someone who snipped for a living...
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Post by auntieannie on Mar 25, 2012 22:39:54 GMT
lovely pictures, koloagirl! thank you for taking the time to share them with us! Oooooohhhhhh! where did you find this passionflower? It is something we use medicinally. A plant originally from South America. This site looks like it will give you more info about it than you would even want to know: www.passionflow.co.uk/keep posting! much love!
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 25, 2012 23:33:39 GMT
;D And you thought I was through for the day! Just had to re-charge my laptop! "lagatta" - I do very much appreciate the correction - la Promenade plantée - I will definitely make a note of that since I try (usually) very much to use the correct spelling, etc. - sometimes I goof though and please feel free to always correct me! Merci beaucoup! And so.....more yet again....... The section of la Promenade plantée where it goes down into the park area (I don't know the name of this section - ?) Musee du Moyen Age (Cluny)- courtyard Detail from well in courtyard - Musee du Moyen Age (Cluny) Courtyard Musee du Moyen Age (Cluny) Streetview of Musee du Moyen Age (Cluny) Soloists at Vivaldi concert - Saint Chapelle Saint Chapelle
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 25, 2012 23:56:17 GMT
And......more! La Seine at night.... Looking out to the Place de la Concorde - what a busy area - even for Paris! Our peaceful view from "our" flat of the surrounding buildings and interior courtyard - I love this view! My husband loves the "vistas" of velib(s?) that are everywhere.... I wish I could recall where this Metro sign is - I think it is the one at Abbesses at Montmartre Montmartre - curious puppy! Busker with dog in Montmartre - he was really nice, despite the scowl! We did "donate"! What a remarkable face! And I loved his dog! img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Koloagirl/DSC_0568.jpg[/img] A view of windmill in Montmartre - that was one bustling Sunday afternoon! Montmartre Wall mural in the park with the "love wall" - Montmartre
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 26, 2012 0:11:48 GMT
Aloha from Kaua'i! "lagatta" - yes, we really love Maison Zen - we've stayed there both times we've been to Paris and have it booked for another 2 weeks this September - same flat! They have changed only in that the building now has 2 names - depending on which flat you rent - as there are 2 different landladies for certain flats. One is "Maison Zen" - the one that we stay in is now under the website "My Open Paris" and Madame Eanjo is our landlady. She and her husband Stef are wonderful and I'm looking forward to seeing them again this year. As I said, it is the exact same flat we've stayed in the last 2 years, only under a different website now. My corner of the bed - I leave the curtains open at night so I can see the rooftops and the tails of planes going by high above.... A messy view of part of the kitchenette "My" boulangerie about 1 block away - I'm there at 7am when they open up!
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 26, 2012 0:13:20 GMT
;D
Well, I think I'll end here for the day - but I have plenty more pictures (and that is a threat!) - so..... à demain!
Malama Pono, Janet
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Post by lagatta on Mar 26, 2012 0:13:23 GMT
And la Maison Zen? Always happy with that?
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 26, 2012 0:17:34 GMT
Aloha from Kaua'i! "lagatta" - I think our messages crossed - take a look at #14 above - in a nutshell - yes, we love it, although the flat we stay in is now called "My Open Paris" - same flat, but new website because Madame Perl is landlady for some flats called "Maison Zen" and Madame Eanjo is the landlady for the others (including ours). Can't wait to get back to "our" flat in September! LOL Malama Pono, Janet
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Post by lagatta on Mar 26, 2012 0:32:56 GMT
Thanks, yes I found the website for "my open paris" - myopenparis.comNo drastic (more than inflation) price increase. And see they all have access to the garden. I'm not remotely interested in taking part in meditation while travelling there, but on a quiet, meditative place, yes.
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Post by fumobici on Mar 26, 2012 1:36:36 GMT
Fantastic. You've obviously got a good eye for color, details and composition. More please if you've got any to share.
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Post by apres on Mar 26, 2012 3:24:46 GMT
Wonderful photos! Such beautiful colours and I love seeing the architectural details. I know I'm always greedy for more Paris so please, post everything you've got!
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 26, 2012 3:42:27 GMT
Aloha from Kaua'i! Merci for the kind comments - that is only about half of what I'm planning to put on my thread, so I'm just taking time off for bed! I've always wanted to "try" the morning meditation that goes on at Maison Zen (there is absolutely no requirement to do so however) - but I find that after my pre-dawn walk - I want my cafe and croissant more than I want to meditate! But it is nice to know that it is there whenever you might like to join them. Most of the photos were taken by my husband (who is self-taught in photography and uses a Nikon D7000 for these pictures) - the lesser quality ones were taken by me with my little digital point and snap! Don't worry, I won't stop here! Malama Pono, Janet
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Post by bjd on Mar 26, 2012 7:39:22 GMT
Nice pictures, Janet.
The place where the Promenade Plantée (aka La Coulée Verte) goes down into a park is called the Jardin de Reuilly.
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Post by tod2 on Mar 26, 2012 11:45:12 GMT
At last Janet! So glad you have given us your photo Trip Report! Your husband ( or you?) has an eye for the unusual angle photos and they are just great! Yes, that was indeed Abbesses (because it says so in the background ;D) The beautiful rose you photographed in the garden of the Musee Rodin is called 'Peace'.
As we will be staying in the Bastille area this May, I might pop into "My Open Paris" and check it out for the future! Just a block away, on the corner of rue d'Austerlitz is Chez Leon which I want to try for their tagines. Did you take a wander through the upstairs section of Shakespeare & Co.? There are cosy reading chairs next to that open windowbox you snapped.
Looking forward to more soon with some of your restaurant experiences - good or bad, we don't care!
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 26, 2012 17:44:51 GMT
Aloha from Kaua'i! Well, a few quick pics before I head off to my outdoor water exercise class - it is beautiful here today and expected to get into the low 80's - but I understand Paris has been getting some gorgeous weather lately as well - so don't be jealous! "tod2" - merci for the name of the beautiful roses that my hubby photographed in the garden of Musee Rodin - actually I was so taken by them that I have quite a few pictures of roses - we don't have them here where I live and I'd forgotten how gorgeous they can be! I did go upstairs at Shakespeare & Co. - and could have snuggled down there with a book for an hour or two, but my husband is not a huge fan of Shakespeare & Co. (just not his thing) - so maybe this year I can walk over there one day when he is running and plop myself down for a bit and meet him nearby! I might add that on this visit I was able to meet Sylvia, the late Mr. Whitman's daughter - as well as Colette, the bookstore dog! She was lovely and so very friendly as was Colette! I really enjoyed having a small chat with her. As for restaurant experiences - I'm the odd duck when it comes to this and Paris. I know that Paris is a mecca for "foodies" all over the world - but my husband and I have some food restrictions (I'm a pescatarian and hubby is a vegetarian) - so while we love the food in Paris - we usually are happy to have a meal in the middle of the day at a cafe or brasserie, or creperie and make that our main meal. We just really don't "do" fine dining I'm afraid and would rather spend that money on other things - now that isn't to say that I don't enjoy the boulangeries and patisseries very much! Also I am a huge cheese fan, so Paris is heaven for me in terms of going to fromageries! We love eating in Paris, but it isn't as big an event for us as most people who visit I think. I'm happy with a good omelette, mayonnaise ouef, Soupe a l'Oignon or even (horrors!) - pizza! We've had some great pizza in Paris - LOL! So I'm afraid no food reviews from us I'm afraid!
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 26, 2012 18:03:13 GMT
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Post by auntieannie on Mar 26, 2012 19:36:05 GMT
yey! really enjoy looking at these pics! I love the quirky ones, the ones that show details. and what beautiful foliage!
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Post by koloagirl on Mar 26, 2012 22:37:12 GMT
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Post by mich64 on Mar 26, 2012 23:02:20 GMT
Thank you Janet for so many lovely photos of Marie Antoinette's Hamlet. I have actually never seen it. I have been to the Chateau du Versailles, but was unable to make it out that far. After seeing these photos, I will definitely try to visit some day.
I also enjoyed your photos of Jardin du Luxembourg. I believe I can never tire of photos of Paris, we all see different ways to photograph it and I really enjoyed your way.
Cheers! Mich
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Post by lagatta on Mar 26, 2012 23:05:16 GMT
Koloagirl, if you look at Jazz's thread on eating well in Paris on a budget, you will see that it certainly doesn't only involve "fine dining". I've advised vegetarians visiting there, insisting that one friend get a rental (Maison Zen would be fine) because why Paris can be a somewhat difficult city for vegetarians in terms of restaurants, there is an abundance of non-meat riches in public markets and even good supermarkets.
There is good pizza in Paris - why on earth is that a horror? - but you have to look for it, as there is also quite a bit of dreadful pizza.
I always take a few kitchen tools - a very sharp small knife (buy a folding Opinel with a wooden handle in Paris, or anywhere in France) a little grater, a julienne tool for salads of carrot, celeriac etc. and a small, flexible cutting board (in thin plastic) that lies in the bottom of my suitcase. I've found those in dollar or Euro shops. You can improvise a salad spinner from a towel or dishcloth. I love a pizza, but find it needs a green salad or crudités as a counterpoint.
I loved the old guys playing pétanque or some kind of boules. I live in our Petite Italie (Little Italy) and while that is mostly a memory as Italians are fully melted in here, it is nice to see old guys playing bocce at a little park here - very similar. As for the Sorbonne picture, I had one of those odd Stendhal in Florence experiences having a coffee there with friends - if you are a francophone from anywhere, that image is iconic.
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