Architecture walk in Paris

On Friday afternoon we signed up for a guided visit of early 20th century architecture in Paris. We saw examples of the asymmetry, curved lines, and organic motifs of Art Nouveau (1890-1914):

 We then turned to Art Deco (1920-1940), which is characterized by straight lines, symmetry, bold colors, and geometric shapes.

 We also visited the Maison La Roche by Le Corbusier

 I spent the day thinking about my daughter-in-law, Rachel, who is an architect. I wish she were here to visit with us.

Tomorrow - more from Le Corbusier

Canal Saint Martin

The Saint Martin Canal was originally built in the early 1800s on the orders of Napoleon to bring drinking water to Paris. Later, the canal was used to transport materials and grains to the center of Paris. Nowadays, it's a low-key tourist destination, offering Parisians and visitors a place to stroll and bicycle in a neighborhood that is in the process of revitalization.

On Saturday, I met a new friend, Lucy, in the Canal Saint Martin neighborhood for lunch. We met at Chez Prune, a trendy address near the canal. Smokers huddled on the terrace in front of the bistro. It felt more like December than April in Paris.

We had lunch indoors, and then left for shopping and exploring in the neighborhood. First stop: Antoine et Lili, a nearby boutique whose unique colors and designs evoke California in the 1960s.

After leaving the bright colors of the boutique, we walked along the canal with its many locks and pedestrian bridges. 

 

 Later, we picked up some bicyles (Velib') and rode along the canal to the bassin de la Villette.

Lucy, a writer from Knoxville, Tennessee, is visiting Paris for five weeks.  I wish she could see this area in the summer when it is transformed into a giant playground as part of Paris Plages.

Château de Chantilly

It's been a long cold winter and we haven't taken many photo excursions outside the city. The sun finally made an appearance yesterday, and despite unseasonably cold temperatures we decided to visit the Château of Chantilly about an hour north of Paris.

The château, almost completely destroyed during the French revolution, was rebuilt from the ground up in the late 1800s by its last owner, Henri of Orleans, the Duke of Aumale.  The Duke was a military man and art collector. He created the Condé Museum to house the château's magnificent collection of paintings, furnishings, books, manuscripts and art treasures.  The site also houses the Living Museum of the Horse (Musée du cheval)

 

 

 

Happy 35th Birthday Eric

March 26th, 1978 is my son Eric's birthday. Wow. Where did the time go?

Oysters for lunch

This morning we went to the Saturday morning farmer's market near our apartment and came back with a couple of dozen oysters for lunch. Yummm!

Eiffel Tower on a rainy day

Today is the first day of spring and it feels like winter will never end this year. Nevertheless, even storm clouds can be pretty.

Paris in the snow

It rarely snows in Paris - and even more rarely in the month of March. 

 

We braved the cold and went to the Tuileries gardens yesterday.

  

 I spent a lot of time chasing after people with red umbrellas.