Ann Jeanne in Paris

a Friend in Paris

30Jun

Vanves flea market – Paris 14

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: Non classé Places
3 Comments
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Vanves flea market : charm and authenticity 

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24062018-IMG_4634If you’re a passionate collector, a lover of hunting for bargains, or just enjoy wandering through flea markets, you’ll probably like Vanves flea market!  Carte Paris avec repère pour le marché de Vanves

Every Saturday and Sunday morning, it’s a paradise for “les Chineurs” (= the French nickname for the bargain hunters). More confidential than Saint-Ouen. On a sunny Sunday morning, more especially,  you’ll spend an exquisite peaceful morning, whether you’ve planned or not to buy something, whether you’ve bought or not something !

It is one of the largest flea markets in Paris : 350 merchants along 2 avenues (boulevard Marc Sangnier and boulevard Lafenestre) on the edge of Southern Paris.   At the crossroad of these two avenues a man play on his piano.

This market is filled with charm and authenticity, friendly. A relaxing and joyful way to spend a morning of a weekend24062018-IMG_4618

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What will you find at Vanves flea market?

If you love authentic items, this is the place to go to. 

20s and 30s items, 18th, 19th and art deco objects, luminaires, glassware and silverware; vintage jewellery and fantasy, cameras, records, old French comic books and old papers; dusty antique books, old fashion magazines from the 20s and 30s (and some a bit more recent ones), coins, military medals; paintings, drawings and engravings and vintage postcards, antique toys, religious objects, dolls, old dishes, table cloths, vases, vintage kitchen items…

Only a few stalls vending old clothes and textiles. Same for big furniture

Most of what’s sold there is quite affordable and you can negotiate the price as in all flea markets24062018-IMG_4662

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The main Paris’ flea markets are Montreuil, Saint Ouen, and Vanves. They developed during the 19th century on the area where the fortified wall of Thiers (President of France from 1871 to 1873) was located. (The wall of Thiers was a defensive wall,  built around 1840 and included almost the whole  actual Paris. It was demoslished around 1920.)

The Saint Ouen flea market is by far the largest in the city (more than 2500 stalls and 17 kilometres of alleyways spread over 6 hectares).24062018-IMG_4677

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So why choose Vanves?

Much smaller than Saint Ouen flea market: you’ll easily find you way, won’t get lost and won’t feel overwhelmed. Also a peaceful and intimate Parisian atmosphere, a little outdated, easily accessible by metro, and still largely the haunt of locals and regulars. You’ll find there atmosphere of an old Paris.

Some of the vendors are professionals and many of them have had a stall for a long time. Some of them for several decades. 

But if you‘re more interested in large furniture, Saint Ouen flea market will probably be a better place. And if you’re looking for vintage clothing, the choice in Saint Ouen flea market will be much larger.24062018-IMG_4687 24062018-IMG_4670

My suggestions and opinion :

  • Saint Ouen or Vanves ? Pro : Vanves is a smaller and thus of a more manageable size. You can’t get lost ! . Cons : Not the best place for furniture (or clothing, especially if you’re looking for something specific)
  • Plan to arrive not too late, if possible around 10.30 or earlier if possible, for the best finds. Not after 11am (The vendors generally leave around 1.30pm)
  • Take some cash with you. Most vendors take cash only. And be prepare to bargain,
  • Needs between 1.30 to 2.30 hours to enjoy it; Good prices.
  • Some vendors speak some English. It would be helpful if you spoke a little French. Don’t hesitate to bargain.24062018-IMG_4628

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VIDEO

Practical details :

  • Marc Sangnier avenue and Georges Lafenestre avenue – Paris, 14th arrondissement
  • Opened year-round on Saturday and Sunday from 7 to 1.30pm
  • Free entrance
  • Metro stop : Porte de Vanves, line 13 or Tram T3 or Bus 58, 95, 191
  • http://www.pucesdevanves.fr/
  • Payment in cashCarte des rues du Marché de Vanves

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You can combine your visit to Vanves flea market with : 

AJIP Private walking tours and photo sessions

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Ann Jeanne in Paris

Share my Paris, the Paris I love. I welcome you, I accompany you and we walk at your own pace. I’ll be delighted to be your friend in Paris ! 2 days, 3 days or more,  half a day,  a whole day with a native Each tour includes a break in a Parisian cafe. It’s a cross cultural experience and a way to see Paris in a different perspective. A way to know more about Paris’ life and culture. 

 

Ann Jeanne in Paris’ private tours are designed for one or two persons. A friendly, authentic and personal way to experience Paris. I was born and raised in Paris. Paris is the city where I live.

More details about Ann Jeanne Paris tours  – contact

And  : Some details about the booking and pricing

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26Mar

My 20 suggestions of gifts to take back home

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: Non classé Useful Informations
9 Comments
Capture d’écran 2018-03-27 à 00.11.46

This list includes my personal suggestions. It’s not (of course !) an exhaustive  nor an objective list. I may update it later in case I find out other ideas to suggest you.

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1 – Anne Maisonneuve’s T-shirts : You can get a  T-shirt with a great printing related to Paris. Elegant, Parisian and fun. For instance : macarons, Eiffel tower made with macarons…. And many more. Not a souvenir look but a T-shirt you’ll probably enjoy to wear as a good memory of your Paris stay ! BTW : Don’t rely too much on their website : the products look much greater in real !! In the shop, you’ll find costume jewels too – Where ? : Anne Maisonneuve – 113 boulevard Raspail – Paris 6 – Metro stop : Notre Dame des Champs (Montparnasse neighborhood) – annemaisonneuve.comOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Lacroix22 – Mariage Frères tea: Mariage Frères is an old renowned French company (since 1854),  which sells a large range and high quality tea – They sell nice teapots and cups too.   Where ? :  Saint germain des Prés :  13 rue des Grands Augustins – Paris 6 // La Madeleine : 17, place de la Madeleine – Paris 8 // Tour eiffel 56 rue Clerc – Paris 7 // Le Bon Marché 38, rue de Sèvres, Paris 7 (La Grande Epicerie, 1st Floor) // Galeries Lafayette , 21b boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9 (ground floor) // Printemps, 64 boulevard Haussmann Paris 9 (3d floor) – www.mariagefreres.com 

Another French brand of Tea : Kusmi tea, a nice french brand of tea too (In La Grande Epicerie of the Bon Marché – Metro stop : Sevres Babylone and several Kusmi tea shops in Paris including one on the Champs Elysées

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Mariage frères – French Tea

Lacroix23 – French candies : Calissons, Marrons glacés, Pralines, Nougats, berlingots, all very popular French candies. This is just some of the most traditional French candies. There are many others. 

“Les Anis de Flavigny” : the oldest fresh candies, not larger than a pea. The original ones are made with anise; Other flavors : rose, lemon, mint, violet… And the boxes are gorgeous old-style metal boxes. 

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Anis de Flavigny

Where ? confectionery, delicatessen La grande Epicerie of the Bon Marché, A La Mère de Famille shops

Marrons glacés (= Candied chesnuts): Seasonal candies that can be found generally in Chocolate shops from end november to end of January. A confection originating in southern France and northern italy, consisting of a chestnut candied in sugar syrup and glazed. People who like them actually LOVE them. Where ? : high quality chocolate shops such as JP Hevin, Jacques Genin, La Maison du Chocolat, Patrick Roger, Arnaud Lahrer. The making process of those candies is so complex that if you get them in ordinary shops you may be very disappointed.Marrons glacés

Calissons : a traditional French diamond-shaped candy, made of a smooth pale yellow paste of candied fruit and ground almonds topped with a thin layer of royal icing. Renown brands for Calissons : Léonard Parli (founded in 1874) or Roy René. The packaging is what they call themselves a “diamond-shaped box”. Where ? confectionery, delicatessen La grande Epicerie of the Bon Marché, A la Mère de Famille shops

Calissons

Calissons

Nougat :  the Montelimar nougat, has a traditional whitish color and is made of honey, almonds and a light mousse of egg whites  mixed in copper cauldrons. Made since the 18th century, in the Ardèches (region of France). My recommendation : choose it in bar shape (rather than in small candy size) then cut it when you want some and buy it in a chocolatier or a good quality candy shop (rather than in a supermarket), this will make a real difference. Check too that “Montelimar” is written on the package. You can ask for nougat soft (=tender) or hard. Generally, nowadays, you’ll find more easily soft nougat (that I recommend) rather than hard.Where ? confectionery, delicatessen La grande Epicerie of the Bon Marché, A la Mère de Famille Montelimar

Pralines : combination of almonds and caramelized sugar. Created in the 17th century It’s a specialty of Montargis, city of the Loire Valley, nearby Orleans. You can find brown or pink pralines. Mazet (French brand, founded in 1903) is maybe the most famous brand of Pralines, located in Montargis. Pralines roses

Berlingots : Hard and pyramidal shape candies. Nice to eat and to look at. And I must say that I like the sound of the word “Berlingot” too (!). Very musical ! Though I remember that you can’t eat music !Berlingots

Where find these candies ? In La Grande Epicerie of the Bon Marché, and in most of confectionary and chocolate shops.  “A la mère de Famille“ is a popular confectionary shop. The larger “A Mere de Famille” (and the original one)  is located 35, rue du Faubourg Montmartre – Paris 9 

Lacroix24 – Chocolate : Many great chocolate shops in Paris.Chocolate

My suggestions : Jacques Genin chocolate shop, 27 rue Varenne, Paris 7 (in Saint Germain des Prés – Metro Stop : Rue du Bac or Sèvres Babylone) : a large shop and a great service www.jacquesgenin.fr  . Or Jean Paul Hevin shop : 3, rue Vavin – Paris 6 (Metro stop : Vavin, Montparnasse neighborhood) www.jeanpaulhevin .

Other renown chocolate shops :   Arnaud Lahrer, Pierre Marcolini…and many more !

Lacroix25 – Armor Lux : The « Marinière » = the classic Breton stripe shirt  : It’s an iconic French armor_luxoutfit, that actually is originated from Brittany and a cloth that takes its inspiration from the maritime tradition. It’s a great French basic that many French have in their wardrobe; a classic ! Jean Paul Gaultier has been using it as an emblematic piece of his fashion collections.  Armor Lux is renown for its “Marinières”. It’s a company created 80 years ago in Quimper a western city of Brittany (itself a western region of France). You’ll find marinières from women, children and men. Where ? Seven Armor Lux shops in Paris. Among them : Saint Germain : Paris- Sèvres, 33, rue de Sèvres Paris 6 –// Montparnasse : Paris-Vavin, 16, rue Vavin, Paris 6 // Montmartre – 1bis rue de Ravignan – Paris 18 – www.armorlux.com/en/armor-lux-classic-long-sleeve-off-white-1629215051842_675

Or Petit bateau (= “little boat”)– another renown French company,  a 124 years old company – nice great quality Tshirts and other products – They often sell Marinières too. Where ? 30 Petit Bateau shops in Paris – One in Saint Germain des Prés – 33 rue du Four – Paris 6 www.petit-bateau.co.uk

Lacroix26 – Traditional French Biscuits : Lu, Paille d’or, Crêpes dentelles, sablés bretons (La Grande Epicerie, Monoprix)

Crêpes dentelles

Crêpes dentelle

Crêpes dentelles : one of the iconic biscuit originated from Brittany dating back to 1893 : pancake. www.gavottes.fr/fr
batter rolled into a lace-thin cylinder. As light as crispy and succulent Brand recommended : “Gavottes”  You can get a cardboard box (lighter than the metal ones)

Galettes pont aven

Galettes Bretonnes

Sablés Bretons ( called “galettes” bretonnes too) : Breton round shortbread cookies, sandy texture, slightly salted. Brands recommended : Traou mad, Saint Michel, Ker Kadelac, La Trinitaine. Warning : not to be confused with the “‘Sablés de Retz” (different texture and taste)

Palets bretons

Palets Bretons

Palets Bretons (= Breton “disk”) : thicker than the sablés (about 3 cm thick), quite soft and slightly salted. Brands recommended : Traou mad, Saint Michel, Ker Kadelac, La Trinitaine. Warning : not to be confused with the “‘Sablés de Retz” (different texture and taste)

Palmito

Palmiers Palmito

Palmiers (= “palm tree”) : flaky and crunchy. Nature (= the original and classic one) or chocolate (black or milk chocolate). Brand recommended : Palmito

Tuiles (=tiles) : egg white, caster sugar, flour, butter and vanilla extract. Great with a fruit salad for instance.

Cigarrettes russes

Cigarettes Russes

Cigarettes russes : Cigarette-shaped biscuits, sandy and empty, size of a cigar. A great classic that you can eat on its own or with ice-cream. Brand recommended : Delacre 

Barquettes

Barquettes Lu

Barquettes: Little boat- shape biscuits. The children especially like them. The original is apricot flavour, but some are chocolate or strawberry… Brand recommended : Lu

paille-d-or

Pailles d’or de Lu

Paille d’Or (= gold straw) Strawberry (Lu Brand): rasberry wagers, very fine and crispy with no artiicial color or flavor. Brand recommended : Lu

Where ? You can get most of these biscuits in the Monoprix or in La grande Epicerie of the Bon Marché (in the Franprix too)

Warning : There are everal chains of stores selling biscuits that I wouldn’t recommend. Their storefronts look really attractive, but in my opinion their products are as much disappointing as their storefront and setting are attractive.

Lacroix27 – Heyraud umbrellas. Not an ordinary souvenir – Wonderful umbrellas that look more real ombrella than souvenir that won’t last – Parisian patterns : Le Pont des Arts – Tour Eiffel pattern. Not made for tourists but for Paris lovers (either Parisians or visitors) . Herault company sell mainly high quality shoes, an a few other products  Where ? Heyraud – Paris Montparnasse 142 rue de Rennes – Paris 6 // Heyraud – Paris St Germain 23 rue du Four – Paris 6 // Heyraud – Paris Rivoli 90 rue de Rivoli – Paris 1 – // Heyraud Paris La Madeleine, 5 boulevard de la Madeleine, Paris 9 // Heyraud paris Italiens, 32 boulevard des Italiens, Paris 9 Heyraud umbrellas

Lacroix28 – Hermès scarves : An iconic brand and an iconic great French classic. A scarf as much as a work of art. Awsome material and design… and… very pricey (around 360 euros) … The house of Hermès launched the creation of its first ever silk scarf in 1937. Most popular size : 90cm X 90 cm. Where ?  Main Hermès store (flagship store) : 24 rue du faubourg Saint Honoré (between La Madeleine and La Concorde) The store itself is worth the visit //  In Saint Germain des Prés 17 rue de Sèvres Paris 6 // in Le Bon Marché too.

The Christian Lacroix scarves are gorgeous too. Expensive too, but far less expensive than the Hermès scarves. Where ?  Le Bon Marché ( www.24sevres.com/fr-ba/accessoires/echarpes-et-foulards/foulards ) or at the Galeries Lafayette or Le Printemps. 

You’ll find other wonderful scarves in the department stores, like in Le Bon Marché

Lacroix29 – Get your portrait drawn at the Place du Tertre. Your portrait or your silhouette !

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Place du Tertre – Montmartre (Paris 18)

The Place du Tertre is the most “touristic” spot of Montmartre village. Probably the most touristic spot in Paris. However having your portrait drawn, may be a great idea, a great memory of your stay. Try to avoid to crowded hours. Better choose the morning or an early evening. Take your time to choose the artist and if the artist is too insistent and pushy, don’t hesitate to say no and walk away. The average price : 60 euros for an individual portrait. Don’t hesitate to bargain a little. I can help you if I’m with you.

or

Get your silhouette cut by a Montmartre artist : Silhouette cut-outs : Great too. One of my friends still fancy having her sihouette cut out in Montmartre several decades ago. A great memory for a cheap price.  The artist use only a pair os scissors and will cut a coloured sheet of paper in the shape of your profile. Great to bring back as a souvenir. But some of the artists are really pushy. Don’t hesitate to walk away if the person is too insistent.

Where ?  Place du Tertre – Paris 18 – Metro stop : Anvers or Abbesses

Lacroix210 – Get a book at Shakespeare and Company … with a stamp ! Get it stamped after purchase : the famous kilometer zero stamps inside the front cover.  You could buy a book of Poems by Jacques Prévert (“Paroles” for instance). Prévert, a so (!) Parisian poet or Apollinaire (very Parisian too !) who wrote « Sous le Pont Mirabeau » or a book by Hemingway, for instance « A moveable feast » (“Paris est une fête”) or a book by our beloved Colette, or “The little Prince” by Antoine de Saint Exupéry. And enjoy this beautiful old 16th century building and all the books at the same time !… Shakespeare and Company

Where ? : Shakespeare and Company, 37 rue de la Bucherie, Paris 5 – Metro stop : Saint Michel. Located nearby the Seine and Notre Dame. Oh ! … after getting your book, take the opportunity to have a break in their (tiny and great) tearoom which is nextdoor (great tea and a cheesecake I highly recommend !)

Lacroix211 – Soaps and perfumes at Oriza L. Legrand 

Oriza house was created in 1720 during the reign of Louis XV, Supplier of the Royal family and Queen Marie Antoinette ; The boutique is tiny and gorgeous. The old style packagings awsome. The old-style setting of this shop is gorgeous too. In this tiny shop, you’ll find soaps, perfumes/cologne

Where ? Oriza , 18 rue Saint Augustin, Paris 2ème Monday to Saturday 11am to 2pm – 3pm to 7 pm   Orizaparfums.com

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Les Parfums de Rosine

Lacroix212 – Les Parfums de Rosine. An old style and tiny shop focused on rose perfume. In the awesome setting of the Palais Royal garden.

Where ? Palais Royal garden – 105 Galerie de Valois – Paris 1 – http://www.les-parfums-de-rosine.com/index.php  Metro : Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre rosine.com

 

 

Lacroix213 – Bérets (Galeries Lafayette) –

Where : You can find a beret Made in France in the Galeries Lafayette, 6th floor, 40 boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9 – Metro Stop : Chaussée d’Antin – Other shops : Le Béret Français The numerous berets of “Le Beret Français”

beret-laine-enfant-orange

Lacroix214 – Aprons, tea towels, egg cups, trays… theme Paris – La Cocotte brand (Le Bon Marché) –  

Where ? : Some of the products are on sale at Le Bon Marché, 24 rue de Sèvres – Paris 6 – Metro Stop Sèvres Babylone-   https://www.lacocotteparis.com/fr/16-mugs-tasses La Cocotte Paris – 5 rue Paul Bert – Paris 11 www.lacocotteparis.comTorchon la Cocotte

Other nice brands of tea towels, apron, and others things for your home in Le Bon Marché or Galeries Lafayette gourmet maison 35, boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9 – Metro Stop : Chaussée d’Antin or Opéra

Note : the Galeries Lafayette gourmet maison (35 boulevard Haussmann) is for food and all what’s related to the home. It’s located in a different building from the main Galeries Lafayette department store (40 boulevard Haussmann)

Lacroix215 – A gift from Le Louvre – A wide range of products derived from the collections and exhibitions of the museum : jewelry, prints, stationery, postcards, posters, books, scarves…  and many more or reproductions of works. For instance the miniatures of the Venus de Milo or the Winged Victory

Le Louvre Venus de Milo

La Venus de Milo

Where ? Librairie Boutique du musée du Louvre – Under the Pyramide – Paris 1 – Metro Stop : Palais Royal Musée du Louvre 

Lacroix216 – Beauty products 

2 very popular shops for beauty products at discount prices : Citypharma and Pharmacie de la Place Monge. You’ll find in both places many brands including Caudalie and Nuxe, most of them at a discount price . But these places are often crowded ! No high fashion designer brands like Dior, YSL, Chanel…

Where ? : Citypharma, 26 rue du Four, Paris 6 (Saint Germain des Prés) – Metro Stop Saint Germain des Prés, Mabillon or Odeon //  Pharmacie de la Place Monge, 74 rue Monge – Paris 5 – (in the Latin Quarter). Metro stop Place Monge (line 7)

2 French iconic products : 

Caudalie beauty products (City Pharmacie or a Caudalie shop) One of their most popular product is the “Eau de beauté” . Where ? : CityPharma, Pharmacie de la Place Monge, or one of the Caudalie shops (Caudalie shop 80, rue des Saint Pères, Paris 7 (Saint Germain des Prés) In most Pharmacies too. 

or “L’Huile prodigieuse” by Nuxe : Another very popular and iconic French beauty Product is the “Huile Prodigieuse” by Nuxe – Where ? : CityPharma, Pharmacie de la Place Monge,  In most Pharmacies too. 

Lacroix217 – Theatre Comédie Française – In the building of the Comedie française, nice little shop and objects related to the theater. – boutique de la Comédie française21032018-IMG_2778

Where ? Place Colette – Paris 1 – Metro Stop : Palais Royal Musée du Louvre. Nearby the Palais Royal garden

An Other nice boutique : The  boutique of the Assemblée Nationale too (= our first assembly room) – boutique de l’Assemblée NationaleIMG_7073Where ? Boutique de l’Assemblée Nationale, 7 rue Aristide Briand, Paris 7 – Metro Stop : Assemblée Nationale

Lacroix2Fromage18 – Cheese :  Androuet is one of the oldest Cheese shop in Paris (since 1909) – 9 shops in Paris – In my opininon, a company on which you can rely . Great service and products. Several shops in Paris. Nice welcoming and knowledgeable staff and they provide vacuum packing to transport cheese home.

Where ? Androuet 38, rue Saint Louis en l’Ïle – Paris 4 (on Saint Louis Island), Androuet, 37 rue Verneuil, Paris 7 (In Saint Germain des Prés neighborhood) – More addresses of Androuet shops in Paris :  http://androuet.com/fromage-paris.html 

From the Assemblée Nationale – a nice shop

Lacroix219 – Ladurée gifts :

Nice gifts in Ladurée  : Key chains, shopping bags… and many more. And their famous macarons too.Capture d’écran 2018-03-26 à 15.22.31

Where ?  8 shops in Paris. Among them : Ladurée Champs Elysées, 75 avenue des Champs Elysées , Paris 8 – Ladurée Saint Germain des Prés, 21 rue Bonaparte, Paris 6, Ladurée web site

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Ladurée tea and beauty

And a new Ladurée Tea and beauty shop !!! : A quite new shop (opened about 1 year ago) entirely dedicated to teas, candles and home fragrances. : Ladurée Thé et Beauté, 232 rue de Rivoli, Paris 1 – A boutique located a hundred meters from Angelina, 

Where ? Ladurée Tea and beauty shop, 232, rue de Rivoli, Paris 1 – Metro Stop : Concorde or Tuileries, close to Angelina

 

Lacroix220Dernière-version-Format-original-9060146-2 – A life style photo session with Ann Jeanne  : details
Take home unique memories of your Paris stay !  A pleasant and fun moment. I focus on capturing emotions, and on telling your story in Paris.  More details : Photo session, photos and/or musical slideshow

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AJIP Private walking tours and photo sessions

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Ann Jeanne in Paris

Share my Paris, the Paris I love. I welcome you, I accompany you and we walk at your own pace. I’ll be delighted to be your friend in Paris ! Half a day or a whole day with a native including a break in a Parisian cafe. It’s a cross cultural experience and a way to see Paris in a Parisian perspective. A way to know more about Paris’ life and culture. 

Ann Jeanne in Paris’ private tours are designed for one or two persons. A friendly, authentic and personal way to experience Paris. I was born and raised in Paris. Paris is the city where I live.

More details about Ann Jeanne Paris tours  – contact

And  : Some details about the booking and pricing

 

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21Feb

My 15 French films suggestion

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: Movies-Videos-Books
9 Comments
Illustration - My 15 Franch films suggestion

My 15 French films suggestion

(Films shot since 1990)

Introduction : This isn’t a list of the most renowned French films only. It’s a subjective list of 15 films I particularly liked or loved.

15 films shot since 1990 (I’ll post a list of French films shot before this date later). Some are funny, some aren’t. Some of them are very well known, some are less known.Illustration - My 15 Franch films suggestion

Films can be seen a great reflection of a country and watching French films can be a good way to get to know more about France and its culture.

… alike architecture, music and meeting French people, novels by French authors, French songs, French cooking books…and so on

Unfortunately, I know that one often think that French films are boring,…!!! This could be partly true and that’s what you might think and feel about some of the films of this list

As you know already, I am French. Thus, if you think that those films are boring , I must be very very French…!!! But I hope I’m not too boring…!!! Nevertheless I hope you’ll enjoy some of the films mentionned in this list

If you’ve already watched some of them or when you’ve seen some after reading this article, I’d enjoy hearing about your appreciation and your feelings

The films are ordered from earliest to latest.

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1 – La discrete (1990)  –  Comedy-Drama           

Director and co-author : Christian Vincent

Stars : Fabrice Luchini, Judith Henry

Antoine (the narrator and main character) has been duLa discrètemped by his girlfriend and has no inspiration for a next novel. In an attempt to find a solution, he decides to seduce a young woman with the singular purpose fo keeping a diary of the seduction and then break up before publishing the book about it. Unforttunately, he falls in love with her…

In my opinion ; No surprise I like this film… As its Director (Christian Vincent) is said to be an admirer of Eric Rohmer…And I especially like Eric Rohmer’s films (New Wave/Nouvelle vague)…   So this film may sound as special as Eric Rohmer’s films and for this reason you may not like this film… I love it for the atmosphere, for the acting by F Lucchini and Judith Henry, for the Paris’ background. One scene takes place in the famous “Café de la Mairie” at Place Saint Sulpice at Odeon/Saint Germain des Prés neighbourhood.

TRAILER IN FRENCH (…Sorry)

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2 – Nelly and Monsieur Arnaud (1995) – Drama

(Original title : Nelly et Monsieur Arnaud)

Director :  Claude Sautet

Stars : Nelly (Emmanuelle Béart), Monsieur Arnaud (Michel Serrault), Jean Jugues Anglade.

Music : Philippe Sarde
NellyNelly is married to Jerôme. She meets by chance M Arnaud, a mature and wealthy just retired businessman. She has fallen six months behind on the rent for the apartment in which she lives with her husband. Nelly type up Mister Arnaud’s memoirs. Nelly thus learns more about Mr Arnaud’s life. Begins a strange and special relationship between the two personalities.

 

Notes : It won the César award for best director and best actor from Michel Serrault. A film to be watched for the great French director (Claude Sautet) and Michel Serrault and Emmanuelle Beart’s excellent performance. A subtle film which explores many emotions.

One of my most favorite films. And Michel Serrault and Claude Sautet have a special place in my heart

 TRAILER IN FRENCH (Sorry… !)

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3 – Family resemblance (1996) – comedy

Un air de famille(Original title : Un air de famille)

Director : Cédric Klapisch 

Stars : Jean-Pierre Bacri, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Agnes Jaoui, Catherine Frot

An upper middle-class French family celebrates a birthday in a restaurant . One evening family history, tensions, and memories clash

Notes : The film won the Cesar award for best writing, best supporting actor and best supporting actress. In this film, scathing phrases and situations..

 TRAILER IN FRENCH (Sorry… !)

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4 – Marius and Jeannette (1997) – Comedy-Drama-Romance

  (Original title : Marius et Jeannette)

Director : Robert Guédiguian

Stars : Ariane Ascaride, Gérard Meylan, Pascale Roberts

Marius and JeannetteMarius is the keeper of an abandoned cement works in the quarter of l’Estaque in Marseilles. Jeannette is bringing up her two children alone with her poor checkout operator salary. Their meeting won’t be without trouble, since besides material difficulties, both of them are wounded by life. They have to learn how to be happy again.

Notes : A feel good movie. poetic and very touching. A mix of love story, family drama and comedy, joy,  tears and emotion. The film won the César award for best actress, best supporting actor and Best supporting actress,

 TRAILER IN FRENCH (Sorry… !)

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5 – Amelie (2001) – Comedy-Romance

(Original title  = Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain)

Director : Jean Pierre Jeunet

Stars : Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus

Music : Yann Tiersen (Original main theme : “La valse d’Amélie)

AmeieAmelie, a young girl in Paris, resort to her own fantastical world and dreams of love and beauty . She decides to devote her life to the people around her, such as, her father who is obsessed with his garden-gnome, a failed writer, a hypochondriac, the love of her life and a man whose bones are as brittle as glass. But after consuming herself with these escapades – she finds out that she is disregarding her own life and damaging her quest for love.

Notes : A great film worth to be seen, notably for the setting in Montmartre and the music. Most of the locations in the film can be found in Montmartre. The main colors in the film are inspired by the paintings of the Brazilian artist Juarez Machado. It was in 1974 that Jean-Pierre Jeunet began collecting the memories and events that make up the story of Amélie. The part of Amélie was written specifically for Emily Watson, but she had to decine because she didn’t speak French and had already agreed to be in Gosford Park (2001)

TRAILER : SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH

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6 – The Girl from Paris (2001) – Comedy-Drama

(Original title : Une hirondelle a fait le printemps)

Director : Christian Carion

Stars : Adrien (Michel Serrault), Sandrine (Mathilde Seigner) 

The girl from ParisSandrine, a young Parisian woman, tired of her life in Paris, decides to leave her work in computers and become a farmer. She buys an isolated farm from Adrien, an old farmer who decides it’s time to retire. However, Adrien wants to stay a few more months before moving away from the farm, and the rough winter finds them together… Adrien ‘s arrangement with Sandrine allows him to remain on the farm for 18 months. She is too self-confident to require much help and he is more interested in waiting around for her to fail than offering help. But gradually, they become friends…

Notes : This film is worth seeing for the beauty of the setting  ( in the Vercors region of France) and the wonderful performance of Mathilde Seigner and Michel Serrault (the grouchy old peasant). Great actors and touching characters.

TRAILER IN FRENCH (Sorry… !)

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7 – 8 women (2002) – Comedy, drama, mystery and Suspense  

(Original title :  8 femmes)

Director : François Ozon

Stars : Fanny Ardant, Emmanuelle béart, Danielle Darrieux, Catherine Deveneuve, Isabelle Huppert…

8-women-8-femmes.66999At an isolated mansion in the snowy countryside of 1950s France, a family is gathered for the holiday season. But their beloved patriarch has been murdered. The killer  can only be one of the eight women . One murdered man, eight women, each seeming to be eager than the others to know the truth.

Notes : An entertaining film with 8 famous French Actresses. The film is filled with references to beloved classics. With a special like for the scene with Fanny Ardant (signing “A quoi sert de vivre libre” ) which pay homage to Rita Hayworth in Gilda. Fanny Ardant among my best favorite actresses. A part of the film is sung, but not a real musical

Below : “A quoi sert de vivre libre”  by actress Fanny Ardant

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8 – OSS 117, Cairo, nest of spies (2006) – Comedy-Adventure

(Original title  : OSS 117, Le Caire, nid d’espions)

DirectoOSS 117r : Michel Hazanavicius

Stars : Jean Dujardin

It’s 1955 and after a fellow agent and close friend disappears, secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath, a.k.a. OSS 117, is ordered to take his place at the head of a poultry firm in Cairo. This is to be his cover while he is busy investigating, foiling Nazi holdouts, quelling a fundamentalist rebellion, and bedding local beauties.

Notes : An homage to classic spy films. Entertaining/funny. Jean Dujardin is the actor who played in “The artist”

TRAILER IN FRENCH (Sorry… !)

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9 – The neighbor (2007) – Comedy Romance

the neighborDirector : Eddie O’Flaherty

Stars : Matthew Modine, Michèle Laroque, Katie Walder 
A guy whose life is in turmoil falls for an attractive real estate broker who moves into the condo next door, but soeisn’t realize that she expects him to move out for her planned renovation.

Notes : Really entertaining. Not a French film but a remake of a French film. Nevertheless, I included it in this list because of the irresistible Michelle Laroque, French actress, who was playing in the original French version too.Though I prefer much more the French version with M Laroque and Richard Berry (It was a telefilm). Great for Michelle Laroque, definitly one of my most favorite actress

 

TRAILER IN ENGLISH

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10 – 2 days in Paris (2007) – Comedy 

2 days in ParisDirector : Julie Delpy

Stars : Julie Delpy, Adam Goldberg, Daniel Brühl

A New York based couple,  Marion and Jack attempt to re-infuse their relationship with romance by taking a vacation in Europe. Their trip to Venice didn’t really work out. They have higher hopes for Paris. But the combination of Marion’s overbearing non-English speaking parents’,her ex-boyfriends’, and Jack’s obsession with photographing don’t make things easy.

Notes : The characters of Marion’s parents are played by Delpy’s real life parents. Julie Delpy is French, but one of the most American “French Director ” !

 

TRAILER IN ENGLISH

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11 – The wedding cake (2019) – Comedy-Romance 

(Original title  : Pièce montée)

Piece montee-image.eventnodeDirector : Denys Granier-Deferre

Stars : Clémence Poésy, Danielle Darrieux

Vincent and Bérengère are getting married on a beautiful spring day in the French countryside, in the style of the Haute bourgeoisie. But a chain of events threatens to bring down a family façade which has been cultivated over the past few decades.

Notes : An entertaining and touching film. And the last film of Danielle Darrieux, a wonderful French actress

TRAILER IN FRENCH (sorry…!)

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12 – The women on the 6th floor (2010) – Comedy

(Original title  : Les femmes du 6ème étage)

Director : Philippe Le Guay

Stars : Fabrice Luchini, Sandrine Kiberlain

Les Femmes du 6ème étageParis 1960s. A conservative French couple’s lives are turned upside down by two spanish maids who work in their apartment building. Mr Joubert is an unadventurous stockbroker who befriends  a group of Spanish maids who live on the top floor of his building and live the life of the poor.  Then he discovers that there is a whole other world he never knew existed, . Slowly he recovers his joie de vivre by tasting life ‘s simple pleasures . He becomes increasingly involved with the problems of the Spanish women working improving their lot while causing friction at home.

Notes : A light-hearted and amusing comedy of worlds colliding. It focuses on Jean louis transformation. Fabrice Luchini is terrific

 

SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH

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13 – The intouchables (2011) – Comedy-Drama

(Original title  : Les intouchables)

IntouchablesDirector : Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano

Stars : François Cluzet, Omar Sy

After he becomes a quadriplegic from a pargliding accident, an aristocrat hires a young man to be his caregiver

Notes : The second giiggest box office hit in France, The film has received several award nominations i. In France, the film won the César Award for Best actor for Omar Sy. Nominated for a golden Globe. The plot is inspired by the true story of Philoppe Pozzo

SUBTITLES  IN ENGLISH

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14 – Delicacy (2011) – Romantic-Comedy-Drama

(Original title  : La délicatesse)

DelicacyDirector : David Foenkinos and Stéphane Foenkinos 

Stars : Audrey Tautou, François Damien

Music : Emilie Simon ‘Something more”

A romantic comedy about love. Nathalie, a beautiful, happy and successful Parisian business executive woman finds herself suddently widowed… To cope with her loss, she buries herself and her emotions in her work but one day, inexplicably, she meets a seemingly unexceptional, gauche and average looking subordinate, Markus…

Notes : the film is based on “La delicatesse”  a book by David Foenkinos

TRAILER IN ENGLISH

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15 – What’s in a name (2012) – Comedy-Drama

(Original title  : Le Prénom)

What's in a nameDirector : Matthieu Delaporte, Alexandre de la Patellière 

Stars : Patrick Bruel, Valérie Benguigui, Charles Berling… 

Vincent is about to become a father. At a meeting with childhood friends (In an upper-middle-class apartment in Paris), he reveals the name for his future son. Everyone at the dinner is speechless…The situation eventually gets out of hand, when no one can come to an understanding, and everyone starts unearthing old rivalries and unspoken issues.

Notes : Patrick Bruel is a very famous French singer too.

 

SUBTITLES  IN ENGLISH

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AJIP Private walking tours and photo sessions

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Ann Jeanne in Paris

Share my Paris, the Paris I love. I welcome you, I accompany you and we walk at your pace. I’ll be delighted to be your friend in Paris ! Half a day or a whole day with a native including a break in a very Parisian cafe. It’s a cross cultural experience and a way to see Paris in a Parisian perspective. A way to know more about Paris’ life and culture. Don’t hesitate to contact me !

Ann Jeanne in Paris’ private tours are designed for one or two persons. A friendly, authentic and personal way to experience Paris. I was born and raised in Paris. Paris is the city where I live.

More details about Ann Jeanne Paris tours Don’t hesitate to Contact me

And  : Some details about the booking and pricing

 Looking forward to see you !

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9Oct

MONTMARTRE at NIGHT

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: My Paris VIDEOS
2 Comments
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Follow me in Montmartre village !

And maybe in person on your next visit to Paris… ! 

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The Sacré Coeur of Montmartre

I am a native who loves her city. I’d be delighted to welcome you in person and share my Montmartre with you, off the beaten track, discovering all the best spots of the village often missed by visitors and the most famous spots of the village too (Place du Tertre and the Sacré Coeur)
Book you private visit, for you only !

Don’t hesitate to contact me

More details about Ann Jeanne Paris tours

Please, keep an eye on this page : The next videos filmed in Montmartre at night will be added to this page (except the Iphone live videos because of their lower quality)

(more…)

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28Sep

Montparnasse cemetery

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: Non classé Places
7 Comments
Bartholdi

Montparnasse cemetery,  the final resting place of many artists and illustrious personalities.

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The grave featuring Mr and Mrs Pigeon lying on their bed

After WWI, just after the heyday of Montmartre (and before the Saint Germain des Prés one) and for a few decades, Montparnasse was the home and favorite haunt of many writers and artists : Picasso, Soutine,Man Ray,Sartre,Simone de Beauvoir, Hemingway, Foujita, Zadkine, Brancusi,Amadeo Modigliani, Samuel Beckett, Fitzgerald just to name a few27092017-IMG_9992

 

Artists came from all over the world and Montparnasse was the capital of the avant-garde, the heart of the artistic and intellectual Parisian life.

This neighborhood has changed but you can still go to the same iconic cafés, brasseries where all these artists and writers used to go, you’ll see beautiful building façades of the old time, the homes of some of these artists, the old art supplies shops and art academies, and you’ll feel the spirit of the Roaring 20s and of the following decades. Personally, this is my favorite Paris neighborhood (with Saint Germain des Prés)

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Montparnasse cemetery is the final resting place of many of these artists. Man Ray, Soutine, Zatkine, Brancusi, Brassaï, Bourdelle … It’s also the cemetery where you’ll see the graves of Jean Seberg, Serge Gainsbourg, Marguerite Duras, Susan Sontag, César (the sculptor), Brassaï, Baudelaire, Guy de Maupassant, Bartholdi, Camille Saint Saens, Samuel Beckett, Eugène Ionesco, Constantin Brancusi Some of them were the illustrious residents of Montparnasse. Graves of writers, poets, artists, filmmakers, politicians, actors, publishers, patrons of industry…  Many graves of foreigners who have made France their home.

You’ll see unusual graves too, some with great funerary art (Niki de Saint Phalle, Tinguely, Cesar…)

Auguste Bartholdi's grave

Auguste Bartholdi’s grave

A huge but beautiful and peaceful : 

You can spend a few hours in Montparnasse cemetery, walking through the lanes. This place is worth a visit. It’s a huge cemetery (47 acres – 19 hectares, with about 40 000 graves, 750 trees and bushes), very peaceful with some fascinating graves. It’s divided into 2 cemeteries separated by a street  (rue Emile Richard) : on one side, the “grand cimetière” and on the other side,  the “Petit cimetière” . Btw : The main difference with Père Lachaise is that Montparnasse cemetery is flat. No slopes. Thus, you may find Montparnasse cemetery is less charming than the Père Lachaise, but It still a beautiful place with great funerary art work and great personalities’ graves

But the graves are tightly packed. Even though you’ll find a plan of the cemetery at the entrance to help you find the graves it’s quite difficult to get around and find some graves you want to see, .

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Don’t hesitate to contact me. I can accompany you and help you find the graves you’re interested in (This walk can be added or included in the Montparnasse of the Roaring 20’s’ walking tour). More details about Ann Jeanne Paris tours and  Some details about the booking and pricing 

My personal link with Montparnasse cemetery : This is the final resting place of my father. Also where my piano teacher, who taught me (private lessons) the piano since I was 8 to the age of 22, rest. So to me, this cemetery is not like the others… And … it’s nearby my home and in neighborhood I particularly love. 

Some History :  The cemetery opened in 1824. after the cemeteries closer to the center of Paris, Moulin de la Charitéwere banned owing to sanitary problems. In the early 19th century Montmartre, the Père Lachaise and the Montparnasse cemetery replaced some small ones.

Before being a cemetery, the land of Montparnasse cemetery belonged to a religious community. There was a monastery on the place and an old flour mill. It became national property at the French Revolution (from 1789). The Monastery was pulled down, but the windmill, “Le Moulin de la Charité” was kept.

Practical details : Montparnasse cemetery : 3 boulevard Edgard Quinet – Paris 14  Metro stop : Edgard Quinet or Raspail. Main entrance : Boulevard Edgar Quinet – Opening Hours : March to November : 8.30 to 6pm (Sunday : 9am) November to March : 8 to 5.30pm (Sunday : 9am)

Unusual Gravestones : 

Le Chat : A polychrome cat by Niki de Saint Phalle. A 1,50 m tall masaic representing a cat for the tomb of her friend RicardoLe Chat by Nikki de Saint Phalle

L’Oiseau : a birdman by Niki de Saint PhalleL'oiseau

The statue of the “Génie du Sommeil Eternel” (Eternal Sleep) by the sculptor Horace Daillion in the center of the cemetary14092017-IMG_9758

Le Baiser : by the Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi

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Sculpture by Brancusi (“The Kiss”)

Pigeon Charles’s grave (1838 – 1915) : French inventor of a non-exploding gas lamp. Born in France in Normandy. A life size figures of Mr and Mrs Pigeon (fully clothed) lying in a bed. The bed forms the grave . 

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The grave features Mr and Mrs Pigeon long on their bed

Some of the illustrious personalities (buried in Montparnasse cemetery) : 

Baudelaire (1821 – 1867): French poet born in Paris where he lived most of his life.  buried with his mother and step-father. Also a cenothaph dedicated to the poet.

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Baudelaire’s grave

Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre :  leading figures of the Existentialist literary movement are buried together. Simone de Beauvoir (1907 – 1986) was a French writer, philosopher, and feminist. Best known for her work “The second Sex” (1949) which contained detailed analysis of women’s oppression. Jean Paul Sartre (1905 – 1980) was French writer, philosopher and critic. Best known for his writing : “Being and Nothingness”. He believed in the fundamental freedom of human beings and reflected ont the unbearable nature of that freedom. Major works : Nausea, Being and Nothingness (1943), the Words (1964)

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Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir’s grave

Susan Sontag (1933 – 2004) : American author born in Manhattan. One of her more famous books was “Illness as Metaphor” (1978)08092017-IMG_9722

 

Chaïm Soutine (1893 – 1943) : Painter, born in Lithuania. He moved to Paris in 1911 and settled in Montparnasse district; He became famous after years of poverty in 1823 when Paul Barnes, a wealthy American cnollector bought 60 of his paintings at once. . He became known for his portraits of working-class people, still lifes and landscapes. As a Jew, at the start of WWII, he fled the Nazi occupation of France

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Chaïm Soutine

Zadkine Ossip (1890 – 1967): Russian-born sculptor. There is a Museum dedicated to Zadkine’s work of art located in Montparnasse. This was the house and workshop where Ossip Zadkine major figure in the School of Paris, lived and worked from 1928 to 1967.  Zadkine Museum: 100 bis rue d’Assas – Paris 6

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Man Ray (1890 – 1976) : Artist born in USA especially known as a photographer. He is acknowledged as one of the masters of the 20th century. He moved to Paris in 1921. He immortalized in many famous photographs the model Kiki de Montparnasse with who. In 1940 Ray fled the Nazi invasion and went to California. He returned to Paris in 1951

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Man Ray

Marguerite Duras (1914 – 1996) :  French writer and film director, best known for her novel “The lover” (Prix Goncourt – 1984), which was made into a movie.

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Marguerite Duras

Guy de Maupassant (1850 – 1893) :  French writer. He is considered one of the world’s great short-story writers. He wrote novels too. One of the best known : “Bel Ami”21092017-IMG_9922

Samuel Beckett (1906 – 1989): Irish Author, Playwright. novelist who spent most of his life in Paris (Paris 14), from 1937 and wrote in French after 1945 His best known work is the play “Waiting for Godot”08092017-IMG_9724

Ionesco Eugène (1912 – 1994) : French playwright. Known for his contribution to the theater of the absiurd. Two of his plays are  shown at the Theatre de la Huchette in Paris since 1957 without any interruption !. (“The Bald Soprano” and “The lesson”)

Antoine Bourdelle : (1861 – 1929) : French sculptor. One of the Pioneers of 20th century monumental sculpture. His home and studio where Antoine Bourdelle has been working from 1885 to 1929 is located 19 rue Antoine Bourdelle – Paris 15, and can be visited. 27092017-IMG_0017

Constantin Brancusi : (1876 – 1957) : Romanian sculptor, painter and photographer who made his career in France. He is considered as a pioneer of modernism and one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th-century, 14092017-IMG_9780

Brassaï (1899 – 1984) : Hungarian photojournalist, portraitist. He moved to Paris in 1918 and fell in love with the city. Hi is renowned for his photographic chronicles of the night.08092017-IMG_9720

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (1834 – 1904) : French sculptor most renowned for the Statue of Liberty. He designed his own grave.27092017-IMG_9994

César Baldaccini (1921 – 1998) : French sculptor, better known simply as César. He was at the forefront of the  Nouveau Réalisme movement with his radical compressions (compacted automobiles, discarded metal, or rubbish), expansions (polyurethane foam sculptures), and fantastic representations of animals and insects.14092017-IMG_9762

Camille Saint Saëns, (1835 – 1921) : composer, leading representative of French Romantic music. His most popular piece is “The Carnival of the Animals” (1886)

Jacques demy, Eric Rohmer, Claude Sautet, filmmakers

Serge gainsbourg (1928 – 1991) : Songwriter, singer and film maker : one of the most visited graves in Montparnasse. His grave is often covered with different objects which are references to some of his songs : a cabbage (for his LP called “L’homme à la tête de chou”, a metro ticket for his song called “Le Poinçonneur des Lilas”, or cigarettes’ buts because he was smoking a lot and also wrote a song called “Dieu est un fumeur de Havane”.14092017-IMG_9756

Jean Seberg, (1938 – 1979) :  American actress who played in “Breathless” (1959) (director Jean-Luc Godard). 27092017-IMG_0005

(MORE PHOTOS OF MONTPARNASSE CEMETERY AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE )

 

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Even with the help of a map, it’s quite difficult to find the graves you’re looking for. Don’t hesitate to contact me : A visit of Montparnasse cemetery can be included (or added) in the Montparnasse walking tour (= “The Roaring 20’s ) Share my Paris, the Paris I love. I welcome you, I accompany you and we walk at your pace. Half a day or a whole day with a native including a break in a very Parisian cafe. It’s a cross cultural experience in Paris and a way to see Paris in a Parisian perspective.

Ann Jeanne in Paris’ private tours are designed for one or two persons. A friendly and personal experience of Paris. I was born and raised in Paris. Paris is city where I live.

 

More details about Ann Jeanne Paris tours Don’t hesitate to contact me

And  : Some details about the booking and pricing 

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More photos of Montparnasse Cemetery

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Practical details : Montparnasse cemetery : 3 boulevard Edgard Quinet – Paris 14  Metro stop : Edgard Quinet or Raspail. Main entrance : Boulevard Edgar Quinet – Opening Hours : March to November : 8.30 to 6pm (Sunday : 9am) November to March : 8 to 5.30pm (Sunday : 9am) profil-paris-avec-oiseaux

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1Aug

The “other” Latin Quarter

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: Non classé Paris Neighborhoods Tours
10 Comments
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THE SOUTH EAST OF THE LATIN QUARTER : the Latin Quarter OFF THE BEATEN TRACK…where Parisians love to go, where visitors rarely go…

“We did the hidden Latin Quarter tour. Cannot praise Ann Jeanne enough. Passionate with great knowledge. Very easy to talk to. Even though we had been to Paris many times we learnt so much. Would highly recommend these tours. Thank you for your time Ann Jeanne”  – Warren Greg Tania Dave

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If you like wandering off the beaten track and explore quaint neighborhoods, you’ll probably enjoy this neighborhood that has a very special place in my heart and you will see what visitors in Paris often miss.  

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Hadley and Ernest Hemingway in 1922 – It’s where they both used to live and go shopping –

The South East of the Latin Quarter that many travel websites and travel guides don’t mention. Though : 17th century facades, one of the most favourite market of the Left bank Parisians, high quality food and shops, remains of the Roman time, amazing doors…and among Hemingway’s most favorite Paris’neighborhoods. We’ll walk his favorite streets, and will see his home and the cafe he used to enjoy the most in this area

In the Snows of Kilimanjaro (E. Hemingway), Harry, the character wrote regarding this South East part of the Latin Quarter : “…There never was another part of Paris that he loved like that, the sprawling trees, the old white plastered houses painted brown below, the long treen of the autobus in that round square, the sudden drop down the hill of the rue Cardinal Lemoine to the River …”

This Latin Quarter :  often missed by visitors, though a great history and a very Parisian charm30072017-P7300180-4

It’s an area preserved, with a feel of the old times with its narrow paved streets, its markets, its old fountain and many more special places. And it has a special place in my heart, a place that I would enjoy to share with you : this neighborhood is the neighborhood/village where my grandmother was living and used to go shopping from the 30s to the 80s, where my mother has been raised and where my parents got married.30072017-P7300162-4

Location :

Located on the left bank of the river Seine, it’s the South-East part of the Latin Quarter, a part largely untouched by the Haussman huge renovation. Between the Pantheon and the Boulevard Port Royal. The South half part of the red zone on the map belowparis-5th-latin-quarter

One of the oldest part of Paris : 

This neighborhood has an amazing history and it’s also one of the oldest part of Paris. It was first built during the Roman time about 2000 years ago and the area still conserves Roman ruins. During the Middle Age, it was a very lively village. This part of Paris was annexed to Paris in 1724.  Nowadays it’s one of the most beloved part of ParisDSC_2036

30072017-P7300162-1Paths dating back to Roman time (paths from about 2000 years ago) walk the streets with old painted signs reminder of past times, and building facades dating back to the 17th centuryDSC_2111

Previously a Medieval Market street : During the Private tour I’ll designed for you, we’ll browse a market street (Mouffetard street) whose origin is probably 1350AD, possibly earlier, a wonderful market street with quality food places (vegetables, fruits, cheese, pastries, wine cellars, fresh breads and much more).30072017-P7300161-6

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This was among Hemingway’s most favorite districts when he was living in Paris

We’ll stroll the pretty side streets with 17th century facades, old doors, an old fountain, 5 century old church, restaurants with outdoor tables, and sometimes musicians playing in the street. We’ll stop for coffee at a classic old and peaceful square… (Why not where Hemingway’ cafe was ?)…And we will see some of Hemingway‘s favorite haunts including the place where he has been living several years with Adley.

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  • A break at the Lutetia Arenas , one of the most important remains of Lutetia (Paris was known then as Lutetia) from Gallo-Roman time. These arenas restored are dating back to the 1st century AD and were a Roman amphitheater. The exact place were gladiators were fighting with lions about 2000 years ago. And in the 20th century it was one of  my mother and uncle’s favorite ‘s playgrounds ! Nowadays, it’s still a favorite playground for neighborhood kids. A visit in the Lutetia Arena can be included in the private tour0_4200_84_2716_two_Pantheon_Woodson_009Arènes_de_Lutèce,_Paris_15_August_2013_007
  • A visit to a 13th Cistercian building : The College des Bernardins (click on the link for more detail about this building). A visit of The College des Bernardins can be included in our private tour22032017-IMG_6189
  • a visit to a 17th century royal garden : Le  Jardin des Plantes (click on the link for more detail about this building), which is the first French botanical garden, and a visit of the tropical greenhouses located in this garden . This garden was one of the place where my grand mother loved to take me when I was a child. A walk in the Jardin des Plantes and a visit of the Greenhouses can be included in your private tour. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
  • A visit and a mint tea at the gorgeous white Grande Mosquée de paris with it’s impressive minaret
  • a visit to the rooftop of the Institut du Monde Arabe to enjoy a breathtaking view over the City Island (center of Paris where Notre Dame is located) can be included in your private tour

Please be aware that the Latin Quarter and Saint Germain des Prés are distinct neighborhoods ! Please, be aware that many English websites, even the most renown websites and reviewers, make a confusion between the Latin Quarter and Saint Germain des Prés; Saint Germain des Prés is a wonderful neighborhood (probably among my favorite neighborhoods, the neighborhood where I’d love to live if my current neighborhood didn’t exist… and if I had much more money too !) but Saint Germain des Prés is not the Latin Quarter. 2 different neighborhoods, 2 different atmospheres and feels. and 2 very different histories…

(MORE PHOTOS OF THE SOUTH-EAST OF THE LATIN QUARTER AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE )

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A few words about Ann Jeanne Private walks

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Share my Paris, the Paris I love. I welcome you, I accompany you and we walk at your pace. Half a day or a whole day with a native including a break in a very Parisian cafe. It’s a cross cultural experience in Paris and a way to see Paris in a Parisian perspective.

Ann Jeanne in Paris’ private tours are designed for one or two persons for a friendly and personal experience of Paris. I was born and raised in Paris. And Paris is city where I live.

More details about Ann Jeanne Paris tours Don’t hesitate to contact me

And  : Some details about the booking and pricing :

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More photos of the South-East part of the Latin Quarter

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1Jul

DALIDA, a French icon

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: Movies-Videos-Books Non classé People
3 Comments
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07ba53b055c4d55b28e23b21b1435DALIDA , A DIVA and A FASHION ICON (1933 – 1987)

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Dalida was a famous singer from the 60s to the 80s and an icon. Still now. Her success was huge and Dalida has had and still has great great fans in France (and also abroad). One of the main squares in Montmartre has been named after her.  For many, Dalida is a myth, a legend, a diva. She received more than 70 gold records. She sold more than 170 million albums worldwide. However her private life has often been tragic. 

Quote

“I know what my life is. My husband it’s my public. The songs are my children”

MAJOR EXHIBITION at GALLIERA : April 27 to August 13 2017

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Galliera Palace devotes a major exhibition to Dalida to mark the 30th anniversary of her death. Her wardrobe is exposed at the Palais from  April 27 to August 13  2017. Dalida loved fashion from Christain Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Lacroix, Azzaro and many more. She was sophisticated, glamourous. 17062017-P6170247-2

Palais Galliera 10 avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie – Paris 16 – from April to August 13th 2017. For more details about the Palais Galliera, please read my article too : Galliera, fashion and elegance

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MY VIDEO OF DALIDA EXHIBITION AT GALLIERA : Please watch this video of the exhibition in Galliera (a video by Ann Jeanne in Paris) :

A FILM : “DALIDA” (released in January 2017)

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In 2017, Lisa Azuelos, (daughter of famous French singer, Marie Laforêt), directed the film Dalida, starring Riccardo Scamarcio, Vincent Perez, Niels Schneider, Jean-Paul Rouve, Patrick Timsit and Sveva Alviti who portrayed Dalida.

The trailer : 

Below, a video about the film

DALIDA IN MONTMARTRE (PARIS)

Dalida has been living for 25 years in Montmartre, 11 bis rue d’Orchampt – from 1962 to 1987.She bought a townhouse in the 1900 style in Montmartre at the beginning of the 80s, nearby the Sacré Coeur. It has always be a quiet refuge for Dalida for the rest of her life.

Rue d'Orchampt2

One of the main squares in Montmartre has been named after her  “Place Dalida” with a bronze statue of her bust (sculptor Alain Alsan)

Place Dalida pancarte

Place Dalida avec statue

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Dalida in Montmartre, nearby her home

Dalida rests near her home in the upper part of the cemetery of Montmartre with the trees she loved.

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A few WORDS about DALIDA’s STORY 

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EGYPT

Dalida was born Yolanda Gigliotti on the 17th of January 1933 in Cairo suburbs in a bourgeois emigrant family. Her italian grand- parents had emigrated to Egypt in the beginning of the 20th century.

She had 2 brothers, Orlando (her elder brother) and Bruno and she grew up in a musical environment : her father was  first violonist for the Cairo Opera. Dalida’s mother tongue was Italian. But she learned Egyptian Arabic and French in Cairo. She had a happy childhood, though serious eye problems affected her from an early age and had to undergo several operations.Dalida1954

She was destined by her family for a career as a secretary, but Dalida dreamed of becoming and actress. She was fascinated by Hollywood world . In 1951 she secretly entered a local beauty contest. In 1954, Yolanda entered another beauty contest, “Miss Egypt contest” and she was crowned Miss Egypt at the age of 19. Then, she started working as a model, then as an actress in Cairo. Then she began to dream of launching a career in Paris.

PARIS :

Mort de Lucien en 1970

With Lucien Morisse, her first husband

In 1954, she started a new life in Paris where she became Dalida. She started taking singing lessons with a music teacher and after a few months her teacher sent her off to audition for a cabaret on the Champs Elysées where she worked during several months.

She then was invited by the owner of Olympia (one of the most famous Parisian music-Hall) onto a show. Her performance impressed two influential men in the French record industry, Lucien Morisse and Eddy Barclay. Lucien Morisse became Dalida ‘s manager, then her husband (A difficult relationship : Lucien Morisse was married but finally divorced . They got married in Paris in 1961).

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Dalida and Lucien Morisse, her first husband and her manager

BAMBINO’s YEARS

Her second single, “Bambino” really launched Dalida to fame. Bambino was played practically non-stop on one of the most renown French radio (Europe 1) and reached the top of the French charts. She then performed at the Olympia beside Charles Aznavour.  In 1957, she received her first gold disc. Bambino had sold over 300 000 copies

Her second very successful hit was “Gondolier” (in 1957). She then started a great tour. In 1959, she went on another tour in Italy. Her fame soon spread throughout the rest of Europe. In 1961, she performed for an entire month at the prestigious Olympia music-hall attracting over 2000 music fans each night. She then carried out with a tour which took her to Hong Kong and Vietnam (where she was already a huge star)

Her  younger brother, Bruno (known as Orlando) became her manager. And her cousin Rosy became her secretary.

Dalida and Luigi tenco

Dalida and Luigi Tenco

LUIGI TENCO

In 1966, she was introduced to a young talented songwriter. They fell passionately in love. They soon got married. Dalida decided that Luigi should appear with her on stage in Italy during a song contest and that they would each perform their own version of the song “Ciao Amore Ciao”. Dalida was already a huge star in Italy while Luigi Tenco was not known yet. Neither Dalida nor Luigi were awarded a prize. Luigi Tenco then retired to his hotel room and committed suicide in his room. Dalida was devastated at Luigi’s death and a few months later she  attempted to end her life.

Below : Dalida singing with Luigi Tenco in 1967 at San Remo (Italy)

AFTER LUIGI

In the late 60’s, after Luigi Tenco’s death, Dalida reinvented herself : she started to read a lot : philosophy, psychology and started to practice yoga and meditation. She often went to India then went into analysis. But she also carried on singing and went on a serie of concerts in France, in Italy, then all over the world

In 1970, her huge hit was “Darla dirladada”. Then with the song “Avec le temps”,  she totally changed her repertoire with very meaningful poetic lyrics. She performed at the Olympia for 3 weeks where she was greeted very successfully

In September 1970, her former husband, Lucien Morisse committed suicide. 48b1b05dcc2564c689832f2ada0b9669

Duet with ALAIN DELON

In 1972, she recorded “Paroles Paroles” with her old friend Alain Delon It reached the top of the French charts and was n°1 in Japan.

Alain Delon et Dalida enregistrant la chanson 'Paroles, Paroles' en 1973 . (Photo by Jean-Pierre BONNOTTE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Alain Delon et Dalida recording the song  ‘Paroles, Paroles’ en 1973 . (Photo by Jean-Pierre BONNOTTE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

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Dalida and Alain Delon, rue d’Orchampt where Dalida used to live

HER LOVE STORY WITH RICHARD CHANFRAY

Dalida avec son compagnon Richard Anfray (dit le comte de Saint-Germain) à Saint-Tropez en 1978.

Dallied and Richard Chanfray

Her encounter with Richard Chanfray in 1972  (who wanted to be known as the Count of Saint Germain) changed her life.  And she appeared to be a glamourous star. It has been her longest love story (9 years) 

MF - dalida-1èmaxresdefaultIn 1973, she sang “Il venait d’avoir 18 ans”.  This song reached immediately the top of the charts in 9 countries. 3.5 million copies sold in Germany.My favorite song of Dalida is definitely, without any doubt : “Il venait d’avoir 18 ans”

In 1974 : “Gigi L’Amoroso” which became among the most famous hit of Dalida, n°1 in 12 countries. Then she went on tours in Japan,  Quebec, then Germany . In 1975, she was awarded the prestigious Prix de l’Académie du Disque français”. Then another huge success “J’attendrai”. She was performing very frequently on French TV and she returned several times to Egypt.

She recorded  the traditional Egyptian song Salma Ya Salama which was released in France and the Middle East. She recorded this song in 7 languages.  It was a phenomenal success.

diapositiva_169.jpgThe 80’s

She recorded “Generation 78”, a medley very influenced by the 70’s disco wave. She has been adapting her musical style to the latest trends. In 1979, She recorded “Monday Tuesday”Dalida-ses-plus-grands-succes

 

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Dalida performing at the “Palais des Sports” (Paris)

Dalida transformed her appearance. She danced sourrounded by dancers. In 1980, he performed a spectacular Broadway-style show in Paris at the Palais des Sports with Lester Wilson as her choreographer, (L. Wilson was the choreographer of John Travolta in Saturday night fever)r.   She sold out at the Palais des Sports for 18 gigantic shows with 30 musicians and 12 dancers. She was the first woman to perform in front of 5000 people in Paris. She then went on a national tour which lasted 10 months.

DALIDA "ASLAN PHOTOGRAPHE" FRANCE RETRO "DALIDA SEUL" "SCENE ATTITUDE" "CHANTANT ATTITUDE" "IMAGE NUMERISEE" "PLATEAU T.V."

Dalida at the Palais des Sports in 1980

In 1981 she split from Richard Chanfray.

On her premiere at the Olympia where she performed in 1981, she received a diamond disc for having sold over 80 million albums over her career.  Dalida et François Mitterrand en 1975 - SipaBelow : “Monday, tuesday”, a great hit

She then set off on another world tour for 12 months. When back to France, she recorded “Mourir sur scène”. Her popularity was as great as ever. In 1983, two years after they split up, she learnt that the former lover Richard Chanfray had committed suicide. Devastated … In 1984, she set off on tour again, The following years, she was force to interrupt her career to undergo 2 major eye operations. In 1986, She play a leading role in the film “Le Sixième jour” (director : Youssef Chahine)Le-sixieme-jour---AfficheIn 1987, she decided to put an end to her life and let a message :  “Forgive me life has become unbearable for me…”Wallpaper 30 ans déjà

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More informations about Dalida

SONGS (Some of her most famous songs) :

  • Bambino (1956)MF - 2e3079aed6f789f2afcb87f47ce0a331
  • Gondolier (1957)
  • Come prima (1958)
  • CiaoAmore Ciao (1967)
  • Darla dirladada (1970)
  • Avec le temps (1971)
  • Pour ne pas vivre seule (1972)
  • Parle plus bas (1972)
  • Paroles, Paroles (1973)
  • Je suis malade (1973)
  • Il venait d’avoir 18 ans (1974)
  • Gigi l’amoroso (1974)
  • J’attendrai (1976)
  • Besame Mucho (1976)
  • Salma Ya Salama (1977)
  • Génération 78 (1978)
  • Laissez-moi danser (1979)
  • Monday,Tuesday (1979)
  • Comme disait Mistinguett (1979)
  • Gigi in Paradisco (1980)
  • Mourir sur scène (1983)

 

 

 

 

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Experience Paris,with Ann Jeanne in Paris 

Paris through the eyes of a native

Get a real connection with Paris
“Ann Jeanne in Paris” tours are different from  traditional guided tours. They are private walking tours with you only,or you and the person you choose.  No lectures : it’s an encounter, a meeting, a cross-cultural experience. The tours are friendly, welcoming and we walk at your pace. I give you all my attention, I accompany you, I discuss with you and share my Paris with you.

Tags:
18Jun

Palais Galliera, fashion and elegance

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: Places
5 Comments
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17062017-P6170216-1Palais Galliera, a fashion museumCarte Paris repérage

The Galliera palace is also known as the City of Paris fashion museum (Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris). It is a museum dedicated to fashion and its history

Please take a short visit around Galliera before entering the building !

A 36 secondes VIDEO

It is located on the right bank of the river Seine,  in the 16th arrondissement of Paris just across the street from the Palais de Tokyo and not faraway from the Eiffel Tower

The Duchess de Galliera

Some History : The Palais galliera was built in the 19th century.

In 1876, the Duchesse de Galliera inherited her late husband’s fortune, including a large parcel of land in the 16th arrondissement one of the nicest neighbourhoods in Paris. She gave the land to the city of Paris in 1879 and built a museum at her expense to hold her  works of arts. It was then used by the city of Paris for temporary exhibitions. 17062017-P6170248-2

 

17062017-P6170247-2Since 1977, the museum has been devoted to fashion It is often referred to,  as the Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris (City of Paris fashion Museum)

A Fashion Museum :17062017-IMG_8476

The Palais Galliera  now houses the Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. The collections are among the richest in the world and reflect the fashion trends and habits of France from the 18th century to the present day (100 000 pieces of clothing and accessories). It only presents temporary exhibitions. Exhibitions are generally held 2-3 times a year and last 4-6 months on average. There is no permanent exhibition as many of the items are fragile and cannot be exposed to light for long periods of time. Between every exhibition, the museum is closed to the public.

By 2019, opening of  “The Gabrielle Chanel rooms”

Chanel in 1936 by cecil Beaton in the Ritz

Chanel in 1936 by cecil Beaton in the Ritz

In 2019, with the support of Chanel, Palais Galliera will open a permanent gallery making it France’s first permanent fashion museum. Chanel will finance the construction of the new space, which will be called “The Gabrielle Chanel rooms” (Salles Gabrielle Chanel).  Il will be located in the basement floor of the Palais Galliera and will be open all year round. The Gabrielle Chanel rooms will also have a bookshop. The ground floor will continue to display temporary exhibitions.

The building : Neo-Classical style 17062017-P6170217-2

The design was inspired by a palace that the Duchess Galliera owned in Genoa. The façade is made of Cut stones in the Italian Renaissance style.

The Eiffel Tower seen from Galliera

The Eiffel Tower seen from Galliera

The Garden :

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The square Galliera

The Square Galliera is located behind the Museum. It was created in the 19th century. The entrance is on Avenue Président Wilson opposite the Palais de Tokyo. The fountain in front of the museum dates from 1916

The Current exhibition (from April 27th to August 13th 2017) :  “Dalida, une garde-robe de la ville à la scène”

Although you might not know her,  Dalida was a huge star in France in the 70s and 80s A singer who passed into legend. The exhibition takes a look at her wardrobe, and costumes that she wore during her career. This is the subject of a large donation to the Palais Galliera by her brother.

(An article about “Dalida, une garde-robe de la ville à la scène” will be soon published. Work in Progress)

Practical informations :

  • Palais Galliera website :  www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr/en
  • Address : 10 rue Pierre 1er de Serbie Paris 16 – Metro : Iena or Alma Marceau (line 9) or Boissière (line 6)
  • Opening times : Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm  –   (closed on Monday and Public holidays)
  • Late openings on Thursdays and Fridays until 9 pm

My suggestions

  • Choose to visit preferably a morning
  • Book your ticket on line before your visit
  • If coming on a Wednesday or a Saturday morning, combine your visit with the President Wilson open market and  the Esplanade du Trocadéro (Eiffel Tower) and a drink at a nice cafe (lots of nice cafes in the area). Here is how you could organise your morning :
    1. Place du Trocadéro : enjoy a look at the Eiffel Tower and get the opportunity to take a few pictures on an early morning. – Metro Trocadero (line 6)
    2.  Galliera Museum around 10.30 am
    3. Take a cafe at the “Le Grand Corona” 3 place de l’Alma – Paris 16 (or at another cafe among all the nice cafes in the neighborhood.
    4. President Wilson open market (after your visit to Galliera Palace) and with a short visit at the Esplanade du Trocadero to have a look at the Eiffel Tower and maybe to take some nice pictures on an early morning.   before your visit, have a look and take some photos of the Eiffel Tower from the Esplanade du Trocadero (Metro Trocadero)

Other informations : 

President Wilson market : 17062017-P6170273-8

  • President Wilson market :
  • An open market with high quality products in a wonderful setting
  • Opening days and time : Wednesday 7am-14pm and Saturday 7am to 15pm
  • Address : Avenue du Président Wilson – Paris 16 – between Debrousse street and Iena square – Metro Stop : Iena (line 9)

Experience Paris,with Ann Jeanne in Paris, native Parisian :
“Ann Jeanne in Paris” tours is very different from  traditional guided tours. My walking tours are private walking tours with you only,or you and the person you choose.  No lectures : it’s an encounter, a meeting, a cross-cultural experience. The tours are friendly, welcoming and we walk at your pace. I give you all my attention, I accompany you, I discuss with you and share my Paris with you.

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Bienvenue à Paris – Welcome to Paris !

Some more photos :

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The Eiffel Tower seen from Galliera

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Tags:
24Mar

Le Louvre

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: Places Tours
3 Comments
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Le Louvre : a wonderful building, once a fortress, then a royal residence and now a museum, with an impressive art collection 

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Mona-Lisa-Leonardo-da-Vinci-Louvre-Paris-1Coming to Paris without visiting Le Louvre ?

Before designing  « A soft discovering of Le Louvre” tour,  I’ve been trying to think of how I would feel as a visitor to Paris spending a short time in Paris…

I would love to see this great Museum but I would choose maybe to leave Paris without visiting Le Louvre…

  • So many places to see and to visit and  only a few days in Paris… and Le Louvre is such a huge building, often crowded, with miles and miles of Galleries and numerous rooms and artworks…
  • How would I manage to spend a few hours only in Le louvre and  see these famous masterpieces without walking miles and miles , without getting lost  and without feeling totally exhausted and frustrated at the end of visit,
  • Thus, I would probably go instead to Orsay Museum and  postpone the visit of Le Louvre until my next visit to Paris… …And I would probably feel frustrated when leaving Paris…

This is why I designed this tour for you : 

a “Soft discovering of Le Louvre” 

Video : Here are the highlights along the tour :

 no stress, no waiting line, without getting lost and including the greatest masterpieces

I accompany you (only you) , give you all my attention and walk at your pace
Hope it will answer your wishes

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Le Louvre in a few key figures

  • The museum most visited in the all world : 15 000 visitors per day, 50 visitors per minute (!) and 20 000 visitors watch the Joconda per day 
  • More than 9 miles of corridors
  • More than 2000 officers operating in Le Louvre
  • An area of more that 49 acres and an area of more than 750 000 square feet opened to the public

  • Winged Victory of Samothrace 190 BC

    Art works from 6th c BC to 19th c

  • 403 rooms
  • More than 8 million visitors
  • More than 10 000 steps
  • 410 windows
  • 3000 locks
  • 48 firefighters
  • More than 37 000 pieces of art on permanent exhibit and more than 460 000 pieces in total.
  • If you’d watch every artwork displayed during 10 seconds each, you’d have to spend 3 days and 2 nights to see them all
  • 3 entrances to the 3 parts of Le Louvre (Richelieu, Sully and Denon) under the Pyramide
  • Open everyday (except on Tuesdays), open till 9:45 pm Wed & Fridays, all other days 9-6 pm; admission 15€
  • Eight departments: Eastern Antiquities, Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Islamic Art, Sculptures, Decorative Arts, Paintings, and Prints and Drawings.

In this article, you’ll see that Le Louvre is not only a Museum but it’s also a wonderful building with a complex and rich History. So many reason which makes it worth a visit ! Before being a Museum, the building was first a fortress then it was rebuilt several times to become a Royal Palace.

Some History

One color for each historic step

Plan Louvre au fur et à mesure de l'Histoire

First, a Fortress : The building was first erected as a fortress in 1192 by King Philippe Auguste to protect the city from Barbarian attacks. It was a thick cylindrical dungeon surrounded by towered walls. During the “Soft discovering of Le Louvre”, we’ll see the remains of this fortress

Then a Royal Palace : In the 14th century, the fortress ceased to be used for defensive purposes. It was enlarged and embellished by Charles V (king of France 1364-1380) and became a royal palaceLouvre-Charles-V

Then a Renaissance Palace : At the beginning of the 16th century, the palace enlarged by Charles V was razed and François 1st King of France (1494-1547)) ordered the construction of a new Renaissance structure of the same size. louvre-francois1er

Construction of a little Castle (= The Tuileries) nearby Le Louvre : In  1547, Catherine de Medicis (wife of Henri IV, Kiing of France) ordered the construction of a little castle nearby the west of Le Louvre, called the Tuileries.  Then Henri IV, decided to create a grandiose royal residence by joining the Louvre and the Palais des Tuileries by a series of buildings. Among these buildings : the Grande Galerie built along the Seine.The Tuileries Palace connected by the Grande Galerie to the Renaissance Louvre on Merian's 1615 map of Paris

Construction of the “Pavillon de l’Horloge” (“clock Pavillon”) : In the 17th century, in 1624, Louis XIII and his minister Richelieu added the Pavillon de l’Horloge

Le Louvre at the 19th century with the Tuileries Palace in the foreground

Under Louis XIV and his minister Colbert : The Cour Carrée, a great sure court was constructed and the Royal apartments were sumptuously decorated (= the Apollon Gallery ). After Colbert’s death, the court moved to Versailles and the French Kings lost interest in Le Louvre

After the revolution of 1789 : Napoleon I started the construction of a wing along the rue de Rivoli. Napoleon I, later kings and Napoleon III lived in the Tuileries and the Louvre was used for offices and as a museum.

In 1793, Le Louvre became a museum. It was the first state museum. It opened to the public with an
exhibit of more than 500 painting and decorative arts. Many of this art works had been confiscated from the royal family and French nobility.

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From the mid-19th century onward : i Napoleon III finished the construction of the Aile Richelieu along the rue de  Rivoli.

A new perspective : Arc du Carrouse l-Tuileries gardens, Place de la Concorde-  Champs Elysées – Arc de Thriomphe. During the uprising of the Paris Commune in 1871, the Palais des Tuileries was burned. This opened the perspective we enjoy now.

In the late 80s  : a glass pyramid in the central courtyard is built (Chinese-American architect Ieoh Ming Pei) which serves as the museum’s main entrance.

In 1993, the Richelieu wing (=the building along the rue de Rivoli) which formerly housed the Ministry of Finance opened to the public

Soft discovering of Le Louvre” : Along our way 

and of course, we’ll see the Gioconda and the Winged Victory too  !

The Venus de Milo – 100 BC

The Great Sphynx of Tanis 2600 BC

 

The Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon and the Coronation of Empress Joséphine

Liberty leading the People ( by Eugène Delacroix – 1830

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The seated scribe 2600 – 2350 BC

Some tips : 

  • When you visit Paris, Le Louvre is a must-see, but most of the time there is a lot of people. Choose rather to go in the morning or at a night opening time (Wednesdays or Fridays)
  • Purchase your tickets in advance. It will save time. But you’ll still have to wait sometime because of the security check.
  • Pickpockets : I‘ve never had this bad experience at Le Louvre, but it may be a place where it’s more likely to happen can happen, whether inside the Louvre or outside in the courtyard. Keep you bag closed, and ignore people asking you for a donation or a signature for a petition.

 

Practical details : 

  • Website : www.louvre.fr
  • Opening time : Le Louvre is open everyday (except Tuesdays) from 9am to 6 pm. Night opening until 9.45pm on Wednesdays and Fr
    idays)
  • Getting to Le Louvre :
    • Metro stop : Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre
    • Batobus 

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22022017-IMG_4688A”Soft discovering of Le Louvre” and around

with Ann Jeanne in Paris

If you’re coming to Paris for a few days stay , don’t miss Le Louvre. Experience a L1008109-1“Soft discovering of Le Louvre” with a Parisian,  Ann Jeanne  of “Ann Jeanne in Paris” :  

 no stress, no waiting line, without getting lost ,  I accompany you (only you) , give you all my attention and walk at your pace

  • Spend a few hours in Le Louvre and enjoy the highlights of this huge and great museum with Ann Jeanne in Paris

You will see :

the Venus de Milo,

Mona Lisa (la Gioconda), the Winged Victory,

The Coronation of Napoleon,  The Wedding Feast at Cana, The Great Sphinx of Tanis, 

The Scribe, the Marly horses, the Apollon Gallery, the Medieval Louvre, the Odalisque, Liberty leading the People

The raft of the Medusa, the Caryatides room, the Oath of the Horatii, Mademoiselle Caroline Rivière, 

…

Experience Paris,with Ann Jeanne in Paris, native Parisian :
“Ann Jeanne in Paris” is very different from a tour operator. My private walking tours have nothing to see with a traditional guided tour. Only you, or you and the person with you.

It’s much more a meeting, a cross cultural experience. Because I was born raised and have been studying and then working in Paris, because it’s my hometown, I’d be delighted to show you my Paris, and make you experience Paris through my eyes.

I’ll welcome you, I’ll give you all my attention, will give you tips to make the most of your stay in Paris. I’ll walk at you pace and can personalize the tour according to your wishes and preferences.

Some more photos

Because Le Louvre is not only a museum but a wonderful building :

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Apollon Gallery

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When you visit the Louvre, you can see the remains of the Medieval Louvre : 

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More Art Works : 

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…and the Mona Lisa, with so many people around… And it can be even more people than on the photo. During my “soft discovering of Le Louvre tour”. I take you there at the best time and take the best way to get to the Mona Lisa when there is only a very few people !!

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Tags:
11Mar

Marie Curie, the most famous female scientist of all time

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: People
4 Comments
Marie Skłodowska-Curie © CreativeCommons

Marie Skłodowska-Curie © CreativeCommons

Marie Skłodowska-Curie © CreativeCommons

The most famous female scientist of all time

Marie Curie was a French-Polish physicist, chemist: pioneer in radioactivity.

She spent most of her live in France.

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Albert Einstein

“Not only did she do outstanding work in her lifetime, and not only did she help humanity greatly by her work, but she invested all her work with the highest moral quality. All of this she accomplished with great strength, objectivity, and judgment. It is very rare to find all of these qualities in one individual.” ALBERT EINSTEIN Theoretical Physicist 

Marie Curie : a pioneer 

  • She has been the first woman in France who obtained a doctoratemarie_curie
  • She had been the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize
  • She was  the first woman  professor at the University of Paris-Sorbonne.
  • She was the first person ever, to be awarded two Nobel Prizes in two fields  : awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 1903 and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1911.
  • She is the only person who has ever won Nobel Prizes in both physics and chemistry.
  • Finally in 1995, she was the first woman who entered the Pantheon in recognition of her scientific work and merits.

Marie Curie, aged 16.

French citizen, but she never lost her sense of Polish identity

She was born Maria Sktodowska-Curie (1867-1934) in Warsaw, Poland, where she lived until she was 22.

She excelled at school, was a top student in her secondary school, but couldn’t attend the men-only University of Warsaw. She instead continued her education in Warsaw’”floating university’, a set of underground informal classes held in secret.

Later, she was naturalized French . While a French citizen, she never lost her sense of Polish identity. She taught her daughters the Polish language and took them on visits to Poland. She named the first chemical element that she discovered “Polonium” after her native country.

Marie Curie’s birthplace and museum :http://himetop.wikidot.com/marie-curie-s-birthplace-and-museum

In 1891, at the age of 24, she made her way to Paris quote - Nothing in life

Both Curie and her sister Bronislawa were  interested in scientific research and dreamed of going abroad to earn an official degree,

In 1891, at the age of 24, she finally made her way to Paris followed her older sister, Bronislawa to study in Paris. She enrolled at the Sorbonne.  The course was, of course, taught in French, which Marie had to reach top speed in very quickly.

She had only a little money and  this was a time of some hardship for the young scientist. She didn’t have much to eat and during Winters, she had to study in her unheated apartment, chilled to the bone.

She completed her master’s degree in physics in 1893 at the Sorbonne. She finished as top student in her master’s physics degree course.  Then she earned another degree in mathematics the following year in 1894, aged 27.

 

Pierre and Marie Curie : She married Pierre Curie, her colleague in the field of 

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After her degrees in Physics and Mathematics, she received a commission to do a study on different types of steel and their magnetic properties. She needed a lab to work in and a colleague introduced her to French physicist Pierre Curie. A romance developed between the brilliant pair and they became a scientific dynamic duo. They married on July 26 1895

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Statue of Pierre and Marie Curie, located in Marie Curie’s garden, nearby the laboratory where she has been working after Pierre Curie’s death

They worked together and discovered two new chemical elements: radium and polonium

“My husband and I were so closely united by our affection and our common work that we passed nearly all of our time together.”

The Curies worked together investigating radioactivity. They were completely devoted to one another.

In 1898, the Curies announced the discovery of a new chemical element: the Polonium. They NAMED THE ELEMENT POLONIUM AFTER Marie4S NATIVE COUNTRY OF Poland. At the end of the year, they announced the discovery of another, the Radium. In 1902, the Curies announced that they had produced a decigram of pure radium.

They were jointly awarded Nobel Prize in Physics for research on radiation in 1903. They shared the prize with Henri Becquerel, the original discovery of radioactivity.

Pierre and Marie Curie in their laboratoryThen, they developed an international reputation for their scientific efforts and they used their prize money to continue their research.

Pierre Curie’s death : 

Pierre Curie’s life was cut short in 1906 when he was knocked down and killed by a carriage.

Despite her tremendous grief, Marie took over his teaching post, becoming the first woman to teach at the Sorbonne. She continued the work that they had begun together.

Nude Barre quote

 

Marie Curie’s work : 

L0001758 Portrait of Marie Curie and her daughters, 1908 Credit: Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images images@wellcome.ac.uk http://wellcomeimages.org Portrait of Marie Curie, and her two daughters, Eve and Irene, in 1908 Madame Curie Curie, Eve Published: 1939 Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons Attribution only licence CC BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Portrait of Marie Curie and her daughters, 1908 – Credit: Wellcome Library, London.

Marie Curie’s research was crucial in the development of x-rays in surgery.

During the WWI, Curie helped to equip ambulances with x)ray equipment, She herself drove the ambulances to the front lines.

The use of the X-Rays during the war saved the lives of many wounded men.

Despite her success Marie continued to face great opposition for male scientists in France, and she never received significant financial benefits from her work.

On the photo : Portrait of Marie Curie and her daughters, Irene and Eve, 1908 – Credit: Wellcome Library,

 

A lasting contribution to the world

  • She and her husband created a theory of radioactivity (a term made by her and Pierre)Discovery of radium - Not an Exact Science Show
  • She found different ways for separating radioactive isotopes and discovered two new elements, radium and polonium. She named the first new chemical element that she discovered in 1898, “Polonium” after her home country, Poland.
  • She carried out the first research into the treatment of tumors with radiation. She paved the way for nuclear physics and cancer therapy.
  • Under her own direction, the studies were first used into the treatment of cancers. These treatments used the radioactive isotopes.  
  • She was a mentor for many women who pursued a scientific career particularly in France.

Marie Curie travelled to the United States :18022017-IMG_4505

“She not only conquered great secrets of science but the hearts of the people the world over.”NEW YORK TIMES, JULY 5, 1934

She travelled to the United states twice, in 1921 and in 1929 to raise funds to buy radium and to establish a radium research institute in Warsaw.

In May 1921, Marie Curie, accompanied by her two daughters Irène and Eve, to the United Sates where she was received in triumph. For 6 weeks, she gave lectures,n visited universities and colleges for women… On the 20th of May, the President G. Harding officially gave Marie Curie one gram of radium. The price of this precious radioactive material : 100 000 dollars… ( it had been collected by a national fundraising campaign). The gram of radium was used for the research at the Curie Laboratory and to treat patients at the curie Foundation. On the photo : Marie Curie with the American President, Mr Harding at the head of the procession descending the stairs of the  White House after the ceremony on 20 May 1921. 

Below : a leaden mahogany given to Marie Curie by the American President in May 1921 with the replicas to the 10 tubes that contained the gram of radium. 

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The box containing the gram of Radium given by the American President

Marie Curie, aged 59,  was invited at the 1927 Solvay Conference : a meeting of the world’s greatest minds in Chemistry and Physics Marie was one of the small number of elite scientists invited to one of the most famous scientific conferences of all-time – the 1927 Solvay Conference on Electrons and Photons. Marie Curie, aged 59, at the 1927 Solvay Conference on Electrons and Photons.

On the photo : marie-curie-solvay-conference

  • In the front row are Max Planck, Marie Curie, Hendrik Lorentz and Albert Einstein.
  • In the row behind are Martin Knudsen, Lawrence Bragg, Hendrik Kramers, Paul Dirac and Arthur Compton. All except Knudsen and Kramers are Nobel Prize winners. 

 

Marie Curie’s death:

By the late 1920s her health was beginning to deteriorate. She died aged 66, on 4 july 1934 of aplastic anemia, a blood disease that is often caused by too much exposure to radiation. It is likely that the radioactivity she had been exposed to during her career caused the disease. On the photo : Marie Curie watching her garden from her laboratory (Rue Pierre et Marie Curie)MuseeCurie-jMarie-Curie-balcon-01

Pierre and  Marie Curie’s daughters

Irène Joliot Curie

 The Curies’ eldest daughter Irene was herself a scientist and winner of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1935. She shared the honour with her husband Frederic Joliot for their work on their synthesis of new radioactive elements.

The two Nobel Laureates Marie Curie and her daughter Irène Joliot-Curie in the laboratory – 1925.

Eve Curie-Labouisse

Eve Curie-Labouisse (1904-2007) is the youngest daughter of Pierre and Marie Curie. She was the only one in her family who did not choose a scientific career. She chose literary and artistic studies. After her mother’s death in 1834, she wrote a biography of Marie Curie, titled “Madame Curie.” It has been translated in 35 languages and became a worldwide bestseller. In 1954, she married an American diplomat who later became Executive Director of UNICED.  Eve Curie-Labouisse died in 2007 in New York at 102 years old. The Curie Museum in Paris was renovated in 2012 thanks to her legacy.

A “Nobel prized” family : 5 Nobel Prizes

Marie Curie‘s husband, Pierre Curie, her daughter Irène Joliot-Curie and her son-in-law, Frédéric Joliot-Curie, also won the Nobel Prize.

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Marie Curie’s addresses in Paris

Where she lived:09032017-IMG_5814

 

 

 

The Curie institute, which are important medical research centres. It’s where Pierre and

Marie Curie have been working. In 1914, Marie Curie became the Director of the laboratory of physics and chemistry located in the Radium’s Institute.

 

Institut Curie - 10 rue Vauquelin - Paris 5

Institut Curie – 10 rue Vauquelin – Paris 5

Marie Curie’s laboratory 15027433_1769175463351215_2336640108945817826_n

 

Numerous posthumous honors:

18022017-IMG_4560The Pantheon : The couple originally were buried in the Paris suburb of Sceaux (department 92) In 1995 their remains were moved in interred in the Pantheon in Paris alongside France’s greatest citizens (Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Rousseau…) Marie Curie was the first woman interred there based on her own merits.

The Pantheon: is a building in the Latin quarter in Paris which was originally built as a church.

“To the fatherland’s great men, in gratitude.” Prior to April 21, 1995, the famous inscription on the Pantheon’s ornamental front really had to be taken literally. Indeed, the crypt, where some of the nation’s most distinguished personalities lay buried, did not include a single woman, that is to say a woman honoured on her own merits.

Hospital de la Salpétrière : a memorial in Saint Louis courtyard – Boulevard de l’Hôpital – Paris 13

ECPI – Pierre and Marie Curie’s laboratory memorial tablet : A bronze memorial tablet on an external wall of the École supérieure de physique et de chimie industrielles – L’Ecole de Physique et Chimie – 10, rue Vauquelin, Paris 509032017-IMG_5826 in Paris (along Rue Pierre Brossolette – Paris 5) marks the exact spot of the laboratory where Pierre Curie and Marie Curie discovered Radium and worked together from 1898 to 1902. The tablet was discovered in 1933.  EPCI :

Pierre et Marie Curie Museum (open since 1992) and the Radium institute:

09032017-IMG_5861Marie Curie decided to establish a scientific institution worthy of Pierre’s memory. Helped by her scientist friends, she persuaded the French government and the private Pasteur Foundation to fund a Radium institute. Marie would head a radioactivity laboratory, and an eminent physician would lead its medical research laboratory.

A statue of them both, the laboratory where Marie Curie has been working can be visited and the garden Marie Curie has planted.

It’s located in the ground floor of the Curie House of the Radium’s intitute built in 1914. The building sheltered the Curie laboratory devoted to the study of the radioactivity and directed by Marie Curie until her death in 1934 –

http://himetop.wikidot.com/curie-museum

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Inside the Curie Museum – Rue Pierre et Marie Curie – Paris 5

A metro stop called Pierre et Marie Curie : on the Line 7 of the Paris’ Metro but located in the suburb of Paris

UMPC : Pierre et Marie Curie University –  4 place Jussieu Paris 5 https://www.sorbonne.fr/etablissement/les-universites/universite-pierre-et-marie-curie-sciences-et-medecine-upmc-paris-6/

Institut Curie – 26, rue d’Ulm – Paris 5

Institut Curie - 10 rue Vauquelin - Paris 5

Institut Curie – 10 rue Vauquelin – Paris 5

It’s one of the leading medical biological and biophysical research centres in the world. It’s a private non-profit foundation for research into cancer. The institute runs the Hospital Claudius Régaud, a cancer treatment hospital.

It was born from the will of a woman, Marie Curie and the importance of a cause, the fight against cancer. It has been created in 1909. Its main mission are the research , the diagnosis and the treatment of cancer.

http://www.institut-curie.org/?_ga=1.31192636.2095294535.1478114292

 

Today, several educational and research institutions and medical centers bear the Curie name, including the Institute Curie and the Pierre and Marie Curie University both in Paris

 

Square Marie Curie: a green space in Paris 13

Movies:

 2016 – Maria Sklodowska-Curie: French and Polish-language film directed by France’s Marie Noëlle.. A film shot in Paris, Brussels, Munich and Lodz, Krakow and Leba in Poland. It’s an intimate portrait of Marie Curie : « … a tale of her sorrows and joys, moments of triumph and defeat not only in the academic sphere but above all in her private and family life…. the so-far-unknown side of the protagonist.  Trailer: https://youtu.be/xEtesjGtchk

1997 – Les Palmes de M. Schutz. A French film about Pierre and Marie Curie. It was adapted from a play of the same name. In the film, Marie Curie was played by Isabelle Huppert https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/154828/Les-Palmes-de-M-Schutz/overview

1943 – The black-and-white classic Madame Curie starring Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon. Trailer : https://youtu.be/PrURyPLBV44

A number of television documentaries have been made, including the BBC’s 2013 documentary The Genius of Marie Curie: The Woman Who Lit Up the World.

 

Books : A number of biographies are devoted to her.

In 1938 her daughter, Eve Curie, published Madame Curie.

In 1987 Françoise Giroud wrote Marie Curie: A Life.

In 2005 Barbara Goldsmith wrote Obsessive Genius: The Inner World of Marie Curie

In 2011 Lauren Redniss published Radioactive: Marie and Pierre Curie, a Tale of Love and Fallout

 

Pratical details :

Pierre et Marie Curie Museum18022017-IMG_4484

HORAIRES D’OUVERTURE / OPENING TIMES

Open from wednesday to saturday, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.

CLOSURE DAYS :

–  Closed during public holidays : April 17th, May 1st, May 8th, May 25th, July 14th, November 1st, November 11th.

– Closed in August

–   Closed during Christmas Holidays : from December, 24th, 2017 to January, 9th, 2018.

Accès/Directions

L’entrée du Musée Curie se situe au E 1, rue Pierre et Marie Curie, dans le 5e arrondissement de Paris.

RER B : Luxembourg.

Métro : Place Monge (ligne 7) ou Cardinal Lemoine (ligne 10).

Bus : 21, 27, 38, 47, 82, 84, 85 et 89.

Parking : 18/19, rue Soufflot.

> Plan d’accès/How to find us

 

 

PANTHEON :18022017-IMG_4565-2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Experience Paris, with Ann Jeanne in Paris, native Parisian :

  • Sharel1008109 the Paris of a native and feel like a Parisian 
  • Discover Paris off the beaten path and  get a real feel of an authentic Paris
  • See Paris in another perspective and know more about Paris and Parisians FEEL WELCOME !
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  • I’d be delighted to welcome you and share  “my” Paris with you. 
  • The tours are private tours (with you only or you and the person you choose).The tours are friendly, and relaxed and I give you all my attention,  
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Tags:
10Dec

Magical winter in Paris (videos at the bottom of the article)

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: Non classé Useful Informations
4 Comments
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At the Printemps department store

PARIS IN THE WINTER (December-February)

I love Paris in the winter, when it drizzles… (Cole Porter)

Paris is lovely in Winter, sometimes chilly, but it’s a festive season with something magical.

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Many reasons to visit Paris in the Winter : 

  • More availability of flights and lodging, with lower prices. smaller crowds and shorter lines !
  • Winter light is gorgeous
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At the Galeries Lafayette department store

  • Weather in December :  The end of December can be cold in Paris but temperatures are rarely excessively low, in average between 3°C (37 ° F) and 8°C (46°F)  . Temperature can be under 0°C ( 32°F) but rarely. 

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  • What to wear in winter in Paris ? : It’s better to be dress for the cold : a winter coat, a scarf and gloves. An umbrella might be useful

Enjoy  winter in Paris :

There is always something going on in the city of light. You’ll discover a different side to Paris

  • Visiting museums and exhibitions : Paris has plenty of them. For instance : 
    • Jacquemart André Museum To know more about Jacquemart André MuseumP1090861
    • The Centre Pompidou : the modern art museum also known as Beaubourg. And it’s worth visiting it for the views from the terrace.28dcb9355e40fdc0b78507705664e157
    • Here are some of the exhibitions in 2016-2017 :bazille
  • Icons of modern art (= the Chtchoukine collection) : The Russian collector Chtchoukine’s paintings transform the Fondation Louis Vuitton into a cathedral of modern art. Until Monday February 20 2017 – du 22/10/2016 au 20/02/2017 – 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi – 75116, Paris
  • “Painting the impossible” (Peindre l’impossible) : Hodler, Monet, Munch come together for the first time at Musée Marmottan-Monet,  portraying the feelings evoked by nature.
  • Frederic Bazille (1841 – 1870), “The Youth of Impressionism” (“La jeunesse de l’impressionnisme”) at the musée d’Orsay du 15/11/2016 au 05/03/2017 – www.musee-orsay.fr/en/events/exhibitions –  open from 9.30am to 6pm daily, except Mondays.    To know more about the Musée d’Orsay 

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  • Enjoying a cultural visit in peace and quiet. Many museums and galleries open late at night at least once a week.                For instance : 

Orsay museum late night on Thursdays until 9.45pm – Musée Jacquemart André Late-night opening on Mondays until 8.30 p.m. during exhibitions. –  Le Louvre  Wednesday, Friday until 9:45 p.m. – Le Centre Pompidou wednesday to monday until 9pm – Musée Marmottan Monet Thursday until 9 p.m. –  Musée Galliera : Late openings on Thursdays until 9 pm. …etc)

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Orsay Museum

  • Visiting churches and cathedrals or attending a concert
    • A concert : at the Sainte Chapelle, at Saint Julien le Pauvre church, at Saint louis en l’Ile church…

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      Saint Louis en l’ïle church

    • A mass : for instance :  Notre Dame de Paris, La Madeleine or  the Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre organize religious services on 24 and 25 December

Cafés :

Many cafés in Paris and the perfect moment to soak up the Parisian atmosphere

  • Reading in a traditional Parisian café
  • Sitting outside at a cafe and drinking wine (they put out the massive heat lamps). No matter the weather, many Parisians sip their café crème on an outside terrace.

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    Archives street in Le Marais neighborhood

  • Tea rooms and pastries
    • Pastries Pierre Hermé     To know more about Pierre HerméPierre Hermé Macarons
      • La « galette des rois : (flaky marzipan cakes) in January for the Epiphany. Just gorgeous. Don’t miss it if you visit Paris at Winter time. A must. To know more about the “Galette des Rois”

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          The Galette des Rois
      • A hot chocolate at Angelina, one of Paris’famous tea salons.      To know more about Angelina tea room

Ice-skating :

A number of venues are specially open around the city for the Christmas period.

(no outdoor rink below the Hotel de Ville this year (2017)

  • A spectacular indoor rink under the iron and glass vault of the Grand Palais, (December 14 until January 4). Everyday from the 14th of December 2016 to the 2d of January 2017. You can try it out at night from 8pm to 2am on some days. A light show and a DJ make this moment joyful. The Grand Palais is a wonderful building next to the Champs Elysées

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    The rink in the Grand Palais

  • The rink in the Eiffel Tower : at the 1st floor (57 meters above the ground) – with a great view over the city

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    The rink in the Eiffel Tower

  • The rink at the Trocadero : A 200 m2 skating rink next to the Eiffel Tower. On the 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower, skates are free for visitors. You can rent the … for 5 euros.

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    The ice rink at the Trocadero

Enjoy the Christmas decorations :

Wherever you are in Paris, there are lots of Christmas decorations.

  • Enjoy an evening stroll around the lit streets : Christmas illuminations are all around town. Fairy lights, glittering snowflakes and garlands. Here are some places with great Christmas lights : Place Vendôme, Champs Elysées, Avenue Montaigne (nearby the Champs Elysée), Faubourg Saint Honoré street, Saint Germain des Prés…Just to name a few
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The Galeries Lafayette (on the right)

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Rue de la Paix nearby la Place Vendome

  • Stroll down the Champs Elysées. With Christmas illuminations in the trees, wooden chalets; Dazzling display of lights on the trees that line the long boulevard. Champs-Elysées Christmas illuminations in the trees, Stroll through the winter wonderland strip of lights and decorated storefronts along the Champs Elysées.pb260033-1
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The Champs Elysée at night

Christmas window displays :

Enjoying decorations with artworks and gorgeous light worlds.

  • Parisian department stores : Christmas and winter-holiday lights and imaginative scenes.
    • Window scenes at Galeries Lafayette or Le Printemps. It’s common to see children crowded around the windows with their parents. Christmas window displays
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      A window at the Galeries Lafayette

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      A window of Le Printemps department store

       

       

       

       

       

Enjoy the beautiful Art Deco dome at the Galeries Lafayette department store with its Christmas tree (different every year. This year it’s white, last year it was golden)

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The Dome of the Galeries Lafayette

 The Christmas markets :

The Christmas Market are up in several Paris neighborhoods

  • Notre Dame Christmas market : It takes place on square Viviani near Notre Dame. A real atmosphere more intimate than the market on the Champs Elysée, with gourmet products, handmade crafts…and animations like singers too. From 12 December  to 23 December 2016– 10am-7pm – Square René Viviani – Paris 1
  • The market “Village de Noël” at the Champs Elysées. Christmas market in wooden chalets s 200 market stands with French gastronomie and crafts. From 11 November 2016 to 2 January 2017  10am-6pm
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    The Christmas market at the Champs Elysées

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  • Saint Germain des pres Christmas market :: many merchants and animations – From 13 November 2016 to 8 January 2017  – 10am-7pm  Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés de Paris – Metro Saint germain des Prés – Paris 6
  • And others such as the Montmartre Christmas Market, the Trocadero Christmas market, Montparnasse Christmas market (nearby the Montparnasse tower – 50 stalls – 10th to 31st of December)
    …etc
  • Unfortunately : no more Christmas market around Saint Sulpice church.. I’ve just checked out tonight…
  • Link to the list of the Christmas Markets by the Paris tourist office : http://en.parisinfo.com/discovering-paris/major-events/christmas-in-paris/christmas-markets-in-paris/christmas-markets-in-paris

Carousels and Ferris Wheel  :

Merry-go-rounds are set up in almost every arrondissement. They are part of the charming atmosphere of Paris especially at Christmas time. Or take a whirl around the nearby Ferris wheel at Place de la Concorde for a bird’s-eye view of the festivities. . To enjoy a panoramic view of the city

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Hot chestnuts

  • They are sold in the street : an old Paris tradition. And you may hear ” Chauds les marrons chauds ! , Chaud les marrons chauds !!” (= ‘Hot chestnuts, hot !)060021_la_marchande_de_marrons_chauds_du_jardin_du_luxembourg

Spectacles

For instance : 42nd Street at Theatre du Chatelet  : a broadway show. It’s in English The inside of the theatre is amazing with an old decor and a Parisian charm.

Shopping

Winter is a season to shop :

  • Winter sales, (= soldes).
    • 2370405-dates-des-soldes-2017-les-dates-des-soldes-d-ete-et-d-hiver-par-departement Twice a year, everything in Paris goeson sale. The winter soldes are in Mid-January. In Winter it always starts the second Wednesday of January and finishes at the mid February. So this year (2017) it will start the 6th of January and will end on the 16th of February. 
    • Prices drop more drastically as the days pass on (but so does the selection…).  If you want to shop, this is the time to come to Paris.
  • Le Marais : Vintage shops in the Marais.
  • And many other areas… Actually, almost everywhere is a nice place to go shopping !!

Get a panorama of the city : 

For instance : 

  • At the top of Montmartre hill : No matter what the weather’s like, you’ll get a panorama of the city from the top of Montmartre
  • At the top of the Centre Pompidou (= Beaubourg ) : you’ll get a great view over Paris from the top terrace

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And why not a tour with Ann Jeanne in Paris ? !!

Because Paris is about its building and its history, but it’s not all about its building and it’s history…. 

Share the Paris of a native, to experience Paris as a true Parisian, See Paris through the eyes of a native to get a real authentic experience of the city of light. I’ll give you tips, advice to live you stay at its best, I’ll show you places you may not have discovered otherwise, I show you and share with you “my Paris”, I tell you about Paris way of life, Paris’ etiquette, the Paris of the Parisian.

Learn more about Ann Jeanne in Paris private walking tours 

contact meAnne à Montsouris - Format original-2637

I was born and raised in Paris, I have been studying in a secondary school in Montparnasse then at La Sorbonne University (in the Latin quarter), working in Paris, I’ve been living (and still am) with my family in Paris, as a child, as a daughter and a grand daughter, as a teenager as a student, as a wife, as a mother. I have raised my son, met my friends and spent time with them.  I have been to clubs, to cafés, to museums and exhibitions, gone to parties, admired the architecture, been to lots of places, walked the streets for miles and days (!) photographed numerous places, spent ages in cafés (I am a cafe lover, a must for a Parisian !)

And it’s a real pleasure to meet you and share my love for Paris with you.

My goal : make you feel very welcome and happy in Paris

My motto could be :

Don’t visit Paris , 

but breath it ! live it !

as a true Parisian

Contact me                                                                              Ann Jeanne in Paris Private walking tours

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Rond Point des Champs Elysée Metro stop

Some  tips? : I’ll tell you where to go to get the best crêpes, where  the first street of Paris (Lutèce) ever was built, where is the older tree, I show you some of the most elegant streets of Paris, where you can find beautiful scarfs, where you’ll find the best pastries, I’ll help you choose some cheeses, I’ll show you some of the Midnight in Paris spots, I’ll tell you where to go for the best classical concert, I’ll show you some of my favourite places in Paris… and so many more…. if you wish so !!

My advice, my opinion for you stay in December:

The Champs Elysée Christmas market is not the most “elegant” and atmospheric Christmas market. Hope you won’t mind my saying this… I mean this is not where you’ll feel the most chic and stylish atmosphere. In my opinion, walking up and down the Champs Elysées at Christmas time is worth it for the lights and illuminations, but I’d prefer going somewhere else to enjoy a Christmas market in Paris. Maybe Saint Germain des Prés or Notre Dame. And I know perfectly well that I’m not the only Parisian to feel the same…

I would avoid going to a proper restaurant at Christmas eve or at New Year Eve… So crowded and so much overpriced… Just awful… and incredibly expensive almost everywhere…

Lots, lots lots of Parisian people go to the Champs Elysées at midnight for the New Year Eve.  You may enjoy it if you feel like being with lots of people. But not at all if you feel like experiencing something more intimate !!

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A window display at the Galeries Lafayette

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Marriott hotel at the Champs Elysée

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Video : A Christmas night at the Champs Elysée

 VIDEO : A Christmas window display at Le Printemps department store

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21Oct

Paris night cruise

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: Non classé Useful Informations
2 Comments
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pa160025-1A Paris night cruise

A cruise on the Seine by day or by night  is a great way to discover Paris

But  a cruise at night is particularly charming. Probably a must-do during your stay in Paris.

The monuments are illuminated along the Seine. A way to see Paris differently.

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  • There are several companies that provide similar tours along the river Seine
  • Most of the cruises start nearby the Eiffel Tower  (though the Vedettes du Pont Neuf start from the Cité Island not far from Notre Dame). They generally  start and end at the same point

I generally choose either the Vedettes du Pont Neuf or the Batobus,

which in my opinion, are the most easy and simple ways to discover Paris along the Seine.


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The Vedettes du Pont Neuf :

I often choose the Vedettes du Pont Neuf :

  • because it is almost the only company who starts from the center of Paris.
  • the boats are not too big and the cruise is not too long.

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    Vedettes du Pont Neuf’s itinerary

  • The boats pass along many beautiful monuments of Paris such as  Le Louvre, the Cathedral of Notre dame, the Eiffel Tower, Alexandre III bridge, the Pont Neuf, The Musée d’orsay, …and more.  Without any stop.
  • The cruise is commented.

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The Batobus :

  • They are hop-on/hop-off boats 
  • They make a circuit with separate stops near major tourist destinations.
  • Though it’s not intended for a sighteseeing cruise, but in my opinion it’s similar to it.Good points :
  • You can choose your point of departure : Saint germain des prés, Notre Dame, Jardin des plantes, Hôtel de Ville,  Louvre,
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    Batobus ‘ itinerary

    Champs Elysées, Eiffel Tower or Musée d’orsayYou can leave at each stop whever you want `

  • You leave the Batobus then take it again later during the same day (if you’ve booked a one day ticket) (Unlimited transportation for an entire day).
  • Bad point : The tour lasts longer (than the Vedette du Pont Neuf tour)  as it stops several times and the itinerary is longer than the Vedettes du Pont Neuf’s itinerary . So, if you want to do the entire tour, it will take about 2 hours, instead of 1 hour with the Vedettes du Pont Neuf.

Note that there are not a lot of commentaries, but there is still some.

Experience a Paris night cruise watching my video !  

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Alexandre III Bridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Experience Paris, with Ann Jeanne in Paris, native Parisian :

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Ann Jeanne at Montsouris neighborhood

You’d like visit Paris, but you don’t feel having a tour with a group ?

You ‘d like to feel welcome in Paris, whether you’re coming alone or not

You’d like to get a real feel of an authentic Paris, the Paris of the Parisians and get full of tips from a native ?

You’d like to see Paris in another perspective and to know more about Paris and Parisians’s life and culture ?

FEEL WELCOME !

  • I’d be delighted to welcome you and share “my” Paris with you. And Paris will be “your” city too 
  • The tours are private (with you only or you and the person you choose), at your pace and customized according to your wishes and interests
  • For more details : “Ann Jeanne in Paris” tours, Booking and Pricing
    All the tours can be customized
    Feel free to contact me

Practical details 

  • Vedettes du Pont Neuf :   vedettesdupontneuf.com
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A Vedette du Pont Neuf

  • Departure : about every ½ hour
  • from 10.30am to around 10pm (check the departures schedule on their website as they are different according to the period of the year)
  • The tickets can be booked on line, but generally it’s easy to buy the ticket at the counter. They are available for a year
  • The price : 14 euros

Address :Vedettes du Pont Neuf – Square du Vert Galant – 75001 Paris – France

Tel: +33 (0) 1 46 33 98 38     E -mail: info@vedettesdupontneuf.com

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The Vedettes du Pont Neuf’s departure

 

Price :

  • 17 euros for One day
  • 19 euros for 2 following days

My request  : Have you taken a Seine cruise during a trip to Paris ? If so, please tell my about your Seine river cruise experience. Let me know what company you chose and  your feedback . Thank you !

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Le Louvre

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Notre Dame

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