I Prefer Paris

Le Steles de la Creation at Place Madeleine

Surrounding the Madeleine Church are these bold, sometimes colorful sculptures. They are part of a new exhibit Le Steles de la Creation, which will be a biennale (a show every two years). There is also an indoor exhibit in the lower level of the church and altogether there are 50 works by 45 artists. Check it out and then go have coffee and pastry for me at Fauchon across the street. 

Le Steles de la Creation
Till August 29
Place Madeleine, 8th arr.
Metro: Madeleine


Metaphores by Haude Bernabe 2009




H. Picardie


I think A Fish Called Wanda needs some water


Germination 013A by Philippe Desloubieres


L'eau Vive by Derbré





New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook. First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte’s professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 3 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Palais Royal Week: Part 2

Another thing I love about the Palais Royal is the two symmetrically perfect alley ways of trees. I took these photos on a rainy day and I find there is a certain romanticism to them. I also love the contrasting shadow the trees make against the white gravel. Does anybody remember the fabulous French movie Diva from 1981? There is a memorable scene that takes place in a garden where  the young french man is courting the opera singer who is holding a white parasol, while lilting piano music is playing in the background.  Even though that scene was shot in the Tuleries, I believe, it reminds me so much of the Palais Royal.

Palais Royal
Metro: Palais Royal-Musee de Louvre










New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook. First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte’s professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 3 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Palais Royal Week: Part 1

As you know, the Palais Royal is one of my favorite places in Paris. It's a perfect blend of romance, beauty, style, and chic. The magnificent, manicured gardens, the refreshing  fountain lined with green iron chairs- a cool respite in the summer months, the chicest fashion and accessory boutiques in Paris,the presence of Le Grand Vefour Restaurant, the whimsical metro kiosk designed by Jean Michel Othoniel of colored Venetian glass globes and window displays with the most outlandish costumes are the reasons why I love it so.

The Palais Royal is in the midst of a major renovation in the courtyard before you get to the gardens. Even the temporary construction walls surrounding the renovation have a sense of style and color to them.

Palais Royal
Metro: Palais Royal-Musee de Louvre

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook. First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte’s professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 3 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Hydrangeas on the Ile de Cite

Today is a bonus post (I usually post Monday to Thursday). I was walking on the Quai aux Fleurs and couldn't resist taking photos of these glorious and gorgeous hydrangeas, which are one of my favorite flowers. Did you know there is a flower and plant market -Marche aux Fleurs-on the Ile de la Cite on the Place Louis Lepine? On Sundays it becomes the Marche aux Oiseaux- the bird market.

Marche aux Fleurs
Place Louis Lepine
Il de la Cite
Metro: Cite

I also found these incredible roses a few minutes later on my walk.

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

My Most Unique & Unusual Eiffel Tower Photos

After the Eiffel Tower Contest last week, I realized I had some of my own unique and unusual photos.

These were taken in December of 2007 from the windows of the Cite de La Architecture Museum on the Trocadero on a very wet, stormy afternoon.

The last photo was taken last weekend in similar weather with my new camera.

Should I have won the contest? Which do you like the best?

 

 

 

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Mur de Berlin: Artistes Pour La Liberte

 
Attention, Danger- Takis
Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Sculptures of the Palais Royal association under the tutelage of The Ministry of Culture and Communication, is presenting 31 sculptures by world renowned artists. Most of the provocative sculptures from the private collection Artists for Freedom are actual 3.3 X 4 ft. concrete slabs from the Berlin Wall and artists include Richard Long, Sol Lewitt, Arman, Eduardo Chillida, Daniel Buren, and Robert Longo.

You can experience stimulating art and after, take a serene stroll under the lush, green alley of trees in the Palais Royal.

Mur de Berlin: Artistes Pour La Liberte
Free
Everyday 7AM to 10PM, Till June 1
Metro: Palais Royal
www.berlin1989.com


Fragment Rouge-Bernard Pages

Zone de Haute Tension-Peter Klasen

Grisha Bruskin

La Liberte Echainee-Luciano Castelli


Le Monstre Constructeur- David Mach

 
A Concrete Memory- Gerard Fromanger                Nonstop-Erik Boulatav

 
Le Mur Condamne a Mort-Rolph Knie             Autodestruction-9 Nov.1989-Armand

 
Alley of Trees in the Rain

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Metro Vitrines at Sevres-Babylone Metro

While boarding the metro a few weeks ago after photographing the baby windows at Le Bon Marche, I noticed these whimsical vitrines on the metro platform. They are to promote bio- diversity and the respect of nature.

Platform of #10 line at Sevres-Babylone Metro

Eye Prefer Paris Eiffel Tower Contest
 I am looking for the most unusual and unique personal photo of the Eiffel Tower. The winner will receive a copy of Eiffel's Tower by Jill Jonnes. Contest deadline is next Wednesday, May 13 and I will announce the winner on Thursday, May 14. So get out your best photos and please email me them to me at r.nahem@gmail.com. Please size horizontal photos 6" and vertical photos also 6" and don't send more than 3 photos in one email.

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

75 rue Vieille de Temple

As you know, I am always on the prowl to find an undiscovered courtyard, a hidden garden, or intriguing passage. 

Last week I hit the jackpot at 75 rue Vieille du Temple. As a workman was painting a fresh coat of royal blue on the door of this 17th century hotel particulier that I have passed hundreds of times but have never viewed beyond the imposing doors, I quickly scampered inside.

First my eyes feasted on the entrance courtyard covered with cobblestones, more bright blue lacquered doors, at least 15 ft. high windows, and square blue planters brimming with spring plants. Beyond the initial courtyard was an closed iron gate and inside was a garden with meticulously manicured shrubs in the greenest green and ivy trimmed stone walls.

The romance of Paris in springtime came alive.

75 rue Vieille du Temple, 3d arr.
Metro: St. Paul or Hotel de Ville

Eye Prefer Paris Eiffel Tower Contest
 I am looking for the most unusual and unique personal photo of the Eiffel Tower. The winner will receive a copy of Eiffel's Tower by Jill Jonnes. Contest deadline is next Wednesday, May 13 and I will announce the winner on Thursday, May 14. So get out your best photos and please email me them to me at r.nahem@gmail.com. Please size horizontal photos 6" and vertical photos also 6" and don't send more than 3 photos in one email.

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Spring 2009 Flowers & Gardens Around Town

It was cold, rainy, damp, and icky last Saturday and the only saving grace of the miserable weather day besides my lovely tour clients was the fabulous photos I shot of the gardens at the Musee de La Chasse  (Museum of Hunting). The gray mist made the yellow flowers and the green swirls of the manicured shrubs pop.

On a brighter day right by my apartment in the Marais, the wisteria trees lavished their beautiful flowers all over the courtyard of the Maison de Europeenne de la Photographie, while their branches twisted and snaked their way around.

Over the bridge to the Ile St. Louis, I spotted this lone red flower patch in a sea of ivy against a handsome steel gray colored door.

I am thrilled about the fantastic review of my Eye Prefer Paris Tours on the stylish and very chic website www.julib.com, for which I am a regular contributor. Click here to read

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Square Georges Cain

One of the things I love most about living in the Marais is the many lovely small squares and parks. They are soothing oases of calm and serenity not too far away from the hubbub of the city.

Georges Cain Square is one of my favorites. I passed there the other day and these breathtaking tulips stopped me in my tracks. I don't have much time to smell the roses at the moment but I always have time to take photos of outstanding tulips.

The square is named after Georges Cain, a painter and writer who was a long time curator (1897-1914) to the Carnavalet Museum . Built in 1923 but not opened till 1931, it is also an archaeological depository with stunning stone relics from the past.

The centerpiece is a handsome, bronze statue named Dawn, created by Laurent Magaier in the 17th century, who also created sculptures for Versailles. In the summer she is surrounded by a sea of  orange,long stemmed roses.

You can sit on a bench and enjoy a picnic lunch or if you need a quiet spot to surf the net or check your emails, there's free WIFI.

Square Georges Cain
rue Paynenne, 3d arr.
Metro: St. Paul

 

Statue of Dawn

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com