I Prefer Paris

Courtyard Week 2: rue St. Antoine

I decided for my last Courtyard Week 2 posting I would give you a glimpse into my glamorous, star-studded, jet-set life. Oops! I'm confusing myself with George Clooney, who everybody says I look exactly like. Oops! There I go again comparing myself to god-like movie stars. OK, back down to earth now.

Different from most of the other courtyards I've shown you,the one in my building is an interior courtyard that can't be entered from the street. It's a bit modest compared to some of the grand ones I've shown you, but it's mine nevertheless. My desk/kitchen table with my computer overlooks the garden, so it is where a lot of inspiration comes from. I took some photos last August when it was almost in full bloom and some about two weeks ago covered in snow.

I have not put my address on the bottom of this post for fear I will be stalked like George. Or maybe I should, since having a stalker means you have attained a certain star status. Do I have any takers?

 

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, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). 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: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 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

Courtyard Week 2: 62 rue Charlot

What struck my eye about this courtyard in the Northern Marais were the grand stairways with chipped painted stairs,intricate ironwork,and unfinished painted walls behind them. I also liked the interesting perspective the refection from the mirrors gave.The apartment building was probably a hotel particulier(private home or mansion) constructed in the mid-1600s and most likely the stairways are original. 

62 rue Charlot, 3d arr.

Metro: Filles-Calvaire

 

 

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, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). 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: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 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

Courtyard Week 2: 15 rue du Cherche Midi

Due to the overwhelming accolades from Courtyard Week 1 last August, I am happy to bring you you Courtyard Week 2. Since last August I have tirelessly trolled the Paris streets ducking, sneaking, and fast talking my way into various courtyards.

After leaving Poilane boulangerie last month for my interview with Parisian of the Month Apollonia Poilane, I crossed the street and noticed the door ajar at 15 rue du Cherche Midi. Inside was one of the most elegant and gorgeous courtyards I have seen so far.  I couldn't believe how lush the foliage was considering it was December and a very cold one at that. I love the centerpiece of the garden,a moss covered sphinx/gargoyle-like statue. Does anybody know what kind of statue that is or what it is called?

15 rue du Cherche Midi, 6th arr.

Metro: Sevres-Babylone or Saint Sulpice

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, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). 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: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 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

Institut Suedois Paris/ Swedish Institute of Paris

Down the block from me located in a gorgeous 16th century hotel particulier/private mansion is the Institut Suedois Paris/ Swedish Institute of Paris. It always has eclectic and unusual shows of contemporary Swedish artists, sculptors, and photographers.

On the opposite side of the street in Square Georges Cain, is  a quirky installation of 12 chairs embedded into the tall trees of the garden by artist Tora Windahl and is part of the Institut.

Another exhibit is the enchanting show of colored and decorated wooden trees, Foret Foraine created by artists Eric Brossier et Linda Hede along with a group of children. Every Saturday and Sunday children, accompanied by an adult, are invited to participate in re-painting the trees.

11 rue Payenne,3d arr.
Metro: St. Paul
Open 12PM-6PM, Tuesday to Sunday
http://www.si.se/Paris/Francais/Institut-suedois-a-Paris/Agenda/

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, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). 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: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 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

Fall Foliage in the Marais

When I lived in New York I would have to go to either Central Park or upstate New York to see the fall foliage. Luckily in Paris I just had to walk down the street near my apartment in the Marais to see the glorious autumn colors. Riotous reds, vibrant yellows, and faded greens permeated the old stone walls on many of the 17th century hotel particuliers last week on a most perfect sunny, crisp day with temperatures hovering in the mid-50s. 

 

Checkout the insiders guide to Paris on page 76 I wrote for the prestigious online lifestyle and travel magazine The Address  http://www.theaddress.info/no4/the-address4-sp.pdf

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, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). 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: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 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

Autumn in the Luxembourg Gardens

After seeing the Louis Comfort Tiffany exhibit, some friends and I strolled through the Luxembourg Gardens on a beautiful, crisp autumn day. The leaves had turned and surprisingly there were still colorful flowers surrounding the statues on the western side of the park. Someone cleverly dressed a statue in fall fauna and a small red rosebud.

 

Interesting statue of Chopin 

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: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 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

Eyes Prefer Paris

I was walking across the Pont Marie bridge last week on my way to the Ile St. Louis when I saw these large, penetrating eyes staring at me on the banks of the Seine. 

The eyes and the other photos are an art installation by French photographer JR called Women are Heroes. The installation is the third part of a series all done with a 28mm camera and are black and white portraits of women from Africa, Brazil, Cambodia, and Cambodia. JR chose over 70 women from 4 continents who lived with daily violence, poverty, war and discrimination. There is also a book available of the searing portraits and a current indoor exhibition.

Women are Heroes

Outdoor exhibition- All around the Ile St. Louis- Till November 2
Pont Louis-Philippe, Pont Marie, Quai de Bourbon, n°1  to n°5, le Quai d’Orléans, Quai d’Anjou, from  n°3 to the end, 1/5, Quai des Célestins (Maison des Quais), facing the Seine.

Indoor exhibition
Pavillon de l'Arsenal
21 Blvd. Morland, 4th arr.
Metro: Sully Morland, Bastille

http://www.womenareheroes-paris.net/

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

Lanterns and Architectural Details on rue des Ecoles

I was walking on the rue des Ecoles last week and discovered some delightful lanterns and address posts at two hotels.

I also re-photographed this fountain in Square Paul Langevin that I photographed in January. I love how the red flowers have grown in.

Rue des Ecoles
5th arr.
Metro: Maubert-Mutualité

 

 

 

 

 

 

Square Paul Langevin in Summer

 

Square Paul Langevin in Winter

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

Courtyard Week: 41 rue Jussieu & 28 bis rue Cardinal Lemoine

I wanted to show a courtyard in another part of the city besides the Marais. I ventured to the Ile St. Louis, pressing buzzer upon buzzer to gain entry to a courtyard but none of the doors opened. I ended up in the 5th arr. where I found two delightful courtyards to end my series.

The first was in a Haussmann Belle Epoque building constructed in the 1890s. I love the black iron entrance door with the curlicues (I almost saved it as a Door of the Month) and the limestone Corinthian columns in the lobby.I then walked through another even more fabulous ornate black iron and glass door to the courtyard where the centerpiece is a towering tree surrounded by a bed of red, white, and lavender impatiens and another bed of lovely impatiens in full bloom in each corner. The buildings around the courtyard are a soothing pink and beige stone and each have a handsome iron and glass portico canopy above the wood frame doors. 

 

 

 

 

The next courtyard was a around the corner and was once housing for students from the College du Cardinal Lemoine from the 16th century to the 18th century. Romantic is the first adjective I thought of with its rough cobblestone walls,rusted old lanterns and abundant greenery.The surprise of the ceramic urns angling out of the walls was so clever.

I hope you enjoyed courtyard week and I had a ball finding and photographing them.I would love your feedback to see if you would like me to do Courtyard Week 2.

49 rue Jussieu, 5th arr.
28 bis rue Cardinal Lemoine, 5th arr.
Metro: Cardinal Lemoine

 

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

Courtyard Week: Hotel Charpentier de Fourcy

Hotel Charpentier de Fourcy is an impressive former private mansion that I surprise my clients with on my Marais tours. From the street the entrance has two lacquered royal blue doors with a sign spelling MIJE. When I first walked by it I never knew what was beyond the doors with the intimidating sign in big block letters. One day the door was open and I decided to satisfy my long time curiosity.  I was delighted by the beauty and charm of the courtyard with its incredible beamed ceiling in the entrance hall, the well with the hanging geranium plant, white iron cafe tables and chairs, and pretty plants and trees. What I was most impressed with was the outdoor wooden bridges connecting two of the buildings. I can only imagine a medieval damsel in distress calling for her prince to rescue on one of these bridges.

Commissioned by Gilles Charpentier, the son of the king's advisor, and built in 1677, Hotel Charpentier de Fourcy was built as a private mansion.It was converted into MIJE hostel in 1978. MIJE is an non-profit organization that has three hostels in former aristocratic residences in the Marais all within in a block of each other. The rooms are clean and very well kept, with extremely reasonable rates, starting at 49 euros for a single and 30 euros a person for 4 or more in a shared room including breakfast. The Fourcy branch has a restaurant that serves a three course dinner for 10.50 euros. All rooms have showers but no towels, and toilets are down the hall. There is no age limit except for children under 6. 

MIJE
6 rue de Fourcy, 4th arr.
Metro: St. Paul
+33 1 42 74 23 45
http://www.mije.com/index_individuels_uk.asp

 

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