Partager Florida

Well, as you can see from the scene here, I am no longer in Kansas...I mean Paris.  I forgot to mention that I was leaving for my bi-annual trip to Florida....

Partager Paris Last Time

Quitter Paris??!!  I couldn't believe my ears!  Not you, too!!  Living in Paris, you do make lots of friends...

Partager Dimanche

The weekend flew by once again, but dimanche, Sunday, is always welcome and a brings an interesting view from our window.  We are fortunate to live right across the street from one of the most popular bakeries, Pain d'Epis.

Partager Paris Fashion WWII Style

Fashion is and, seemingly, has been very important in Paris;   Well I think its safe to say that Paris IS Fashion.  they say that it is the accessories that make your outfit, and its better to have a really good pair of shoes and nice bag, than to have 101 outfits.  So, where did this come from?

Partager PhotoQuai 2009

The day is rainy and not exactly the day for outdoor fun, but who cares?  The photos are great and you are overlooking the Seine at the same time.

Partager Pastries

Who can resist? Before you start your day, you warn yourself that you really shouldn't..not today, its only mecredi, Wednesday, and I should wait until the weekend to indulge in such sweet rewards. But before you know what you are doing,

Partager Stockholm

I stumbled upon her, surrounded by flowers, while I was ambling around, taking a few shots here and there and dodging the raindrops. She seemed so earnest in her gaze at the water's horizon that I was forced to join her and share this view of the water's edge and the city; one of the best places to watch the sizzling sunsets, ...following the graceful sailboats and the determined excursion boats' wakes ...why did she have such a concentrated stare? maybe waiting for her lover to return? Or just escaping the worries of the day, the gray of the season? This lovely lady is perched in the gardens of the Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde Museum on the island of Djurgarden, the former home of the Prince Eugen (1865-1947). It is now one of the most popular art museums. A entrance ticket allows you to visit the beautiful private apartments, his atelier, and gardens. Plan to have a few extra minutes after you have made the tour to enjoy a delicious, truly Swedish meal served in the small restaurant on the second floor. That was a really nice surprise!

This is just one of the many interesting things to do while visiting Stockholm (just to let you know that there are over 70 museums here). I was disappointed that I didn't have the time to take a boat ride tour of the islands, or just as a taxi between islands..what a nice way to get across town quick!

So, let's go back and partager a boat ride over to the Gamla Stan, the Old Town, to walk through the winding, cobbled alleyways and medieval squares, a real cultural landmark of Sweden. Allez!

If you would like to see more of my Photos of Stockholm, please take a look.

Partager MADRID

The exhibition, TEARS OF EROS, translated from Les Larmes d'Eros, Georges Bataille's last book, opened in Madrid last week at the Muso Thyssen-Bornemisza. Just say the word Eros and everyone seems to take note, in a taboo sort of way. I had noticed the exhibition announcement in the plane's magazine, and made a mental note to check it out. The exhibit associates Bataille's discussion of the issue of of the intimate relationship between Eros and Thanatos...between sex drive and death instinct.

It is an interesting exhibition that warrants at least 2 hours of your time, plus it is right across the street from the famous Prado Museum.

The past week has been a busy one...traveling from the south to the north...Madrid to Stockholm.. two wonderful trips to partager with you. Paris is one of the doors to the rest of Europe. It is so facile, easy, to hop from one end of Europe, or the world, to the next, for a reasonable price; be it by train or by plane. So, when planning your trip to Paris..keep an open mind to take a jump to another city; a 2 hour plane ride will get you there! I'll fill you in on Stockholm on Friday! To see some more of this beautiful city, check out the photos on these Flickr sites: flickr.com/photos/bltdevue and flickr.com/photos/collardgreens

á vendredi!

Partager Fete Des Vendanges de Montmartre

My first time ...and a great one! Why did I wait so long to partager in this wonderful event? The event that I am still so excited about "La Fete des Vendanges de Montmartre." What a celebration! It is a GRAND parade, défilé, in honor of Bacchus ( one of my favorite gods!) and the Harvest Queen. I went with our photoclub, Paris PhotoMeetup, (check it out for some great shots of this event) to spend the day and most of the night celebrating the grapes of Montmartre. It began at the Marie du 18th arrondisement, and ended at Sacré Coeur, where the "Pyramide des Castellers", were building a human pyramid, consisting of men, women and children. I started to participate, but I am afraid of heights! The grand finale of the this special fete was celebrated with fireworks in front of Sacré Coeur. Along the way we enjoyed some of the fetes' products, produits du terroir, but more important, the Vigne du Clos Montmartre, the wine!

I will make it a point, to partager, this fete again next year. The vendange is celebrated every year...the first weekend of October. How about you? Get ready to climb the hill of Sacré Coeur and join in the fun!

Partager Music

I hadn't seen him in quite a long time. He seems to slip in and out in the middle of the night. Never do I see a suitcase in his hand. He isn't actually my neighbor; he is my neighbor's "petit ami". She is 92 and I am not sure of his age. Oh, the beauty of love ...at any age. I am always so happy to see him, because then I know she is not alone. But, how do I know when this mysterious man has dropped by for a visit? I don't see him, but I hear him. He plays the trombone, not just plays, but really plays well; plays all around France with some big names. So, when he is here, I receive a concert, gratuit. Today I actually saw him; met him in the stairwell. He told me Mme. is not doing so well...going down, he said. "And so am I. I don't play the horn anymore, but the keyboard". "Oh", I said slowly...I guess I must have added bit of sadness to those words, realizing that the much enjoyed concerts were now sold out... because, now, as I am typing this a few hours after our meeting in the stairwell, l'escalier, his music is wafting out his window and into mine. I like to think he is playing just for me...well, probably for Mme, too!

Partager Music...what a beautiful thing to share!

Partager Nuit Blanche 2009

Yes, Paris is known as the City of Lights,...which invites you to stay up all night. It is the city to partager at night. So the first Saturday in October, Paris celebrates with an all night Slumberless Party...La Nuit Blanche, which translates to "white night", or a night awake. A great excuse to give in to that "itch" to be outside..., to roam the city all night. So, I did! Not only was the weather great, but the moon was FULL, one of the fullest moons of the year. This year, the city concentrated most of the celebrating to three quartiers of the city, Chatelet/Marais, Buttes Chaumont, and the Latin Quarter; even Notre-Dame and the Grand Mosque were included in the events. To make the evening easier to enjoy, (there were more than 60 projects being shown!!) Soundwalk provided gratuit an application for the iphone which offered promenades of each of the quartiers of Nuit Blanche..just like a movie! What a great idea! and so, I was able to make it to just about all that was happening. Paris knows how to give a Slumber Party! Make your plans to be here for the the next Nuit Blanche 2010, so I can Partager it with you!

Dans Mon Coin - PARTAGER ART and CULTURE

Just happened to be looking out my window to witness the "love of art" in mon coin. It is not surprising to see this type of support between artisits, even on the street corners as seen here. It is so much of the life here; and there is never a shortage of art to appreciate, admire, be inspired by..or just plain wonder "what were they thinking?" Art, to me, is one of the best ways to connect with life and self....somehow. This week (26th Sept. thru 4 Oct.) there is the 8th Edition of the Week of Cultures Étrangères - an exchange and convergence, a partagering, between men (and women of course!) of all different embassies that are found dans mon coin, the 7th arrondisement. You will find Canadiaens, Italiens, Romanians, Chinese to name a few...take a look www.mairie7.paris.fr. I don't know which embassy to visit first! but I hope you will be able to partager this event with someone, too.

Indian Summer

La Rentree has come and gone...The summer passed way too quickly, and as reflected by my tardy post, I am reluctant to give up the summer! But, the meteo managers have smiled upon us and granted us the beautiful days of Indian Summer in Paris. These last few days have painted us over with the most "blue of blue" skies ...keeping the blues of "back to reality" to a minimum.

Partager Paris is tres content to be "back to reality" to partager the warmth and energy of these Paris blues.

Welcome back tous le monde!

Dans Mon Coin - La Grande Dame

Well, its been a great week...my birthday week! I believe in making the most of it every year. That also explains the lack of daily postings..too much really good Champagne from
Epicerie Fine Rive Gauche and from an impromptu birthday party celebrated at Le Bosquet. Jean-François, the owner, has a great group to serve you, tasty menu (especially the St. Jacques and the Moelleux Chocolate..I never get enough!), and will recommend good wines if you don't have a clue! It is my other home. Speaking of other homes,...I am off to Florida tomorrow for 5 weeks..hopefully I will be able to check in from time to time and share my Florida vacation...if not, be sure to come Share Paris with me in the Fall!

"Dans Mon Coin" Serge Lutens

It's hard for me to resist perfume, not just any perfumes, but the Parfums made by Serge Lutens "..a stimulant for the senses, tonic for the spirit, a luxurious mirage, our own shadow.." is how he describes his magic potions. I must have inherited this great trait from my mom, who is also a perfume lover. I have converted my whole family...the female ones, at least...come to think of it? Does he have men's perfumes as well? Something for me to "nose" around and find out (please pardon the pun). Lucky for me , over the weekend, Marionnaud, dans mon coin had a moins 20% sale on all perfumes! talk about a stimulating experience! this perfume is meant to be shared...

"Dans Mon Coin" Brocante!

Oh how I love a Brocante! I can spend hours rummaging, pretending, wondering, maybe even buying at a brocante. Rue Cler usually has two brocantes a year, one in the fall and one in the summer. Its a real social occasion for the other shopkeepers around the brocante, too. Never miss a chance to sell your wares! There is something for everyone's tastes, as bizarre or as classic a taste as one my have... and the day is shared with all!

"Dans Mon Coin" Pain & Chocolat

Salon de thé, petits dejeuners, patisseries, viennoiseries...miam, miam! This was one of my secret places, but I think the cat is out of the bag! And why not? As you walk down La Motte Picquet (16 avenue La Motte Picquet, to be exact) in the 7th, Paris, you are tempted by this discrete, intimate, so sweet-looking, petit restaurant...the smells beckon you in...along with its vitrine of lovely, naughty desserts. Each one would be welcomed at your own table...and always served with a smile. Pain and Chocolat, you will still be one of my secret places, but now I will have to share it with others...avec plaisir!

"Dans Mon Coin" L'Epicerie Fine

L'Epicerie Fine, located on rue du Champ de Mars, is the place where everyone knows your name. Pascal, the owner, along with his wife, Nathalie, and Joanna run this fine food store. Its not uncommon to find half of the "coin" tasting wines, jams, spice cake..whatever the season is serving. Par example, the other night, we tasted this year's ROSÉS..Les CRU 2008.. Nine to be exact, well, I think...I did have trouble keeping count .All were delicious, as I am prone to a nice Rosé for the summer. If I'm having a low day...this is where I head..just the smell as I walk in the door is enough to put my head back in the clouds, where I like it..the oils, the vinegars, the teas, the cafés..the wines...yikes! that reminds me! I need a nice rosé for the evening! Maybe I will try the Domain des Aspras Culture Biologique.. Down I go.. to L'Epicerie Fine, where eveyone knows my name.

(a Big Merci Bien to Ted Tabor, photograph)