Rue du Jour- Part I

The only reason I ever go to rue du Jour, next to Les Halles, is to visit my favorite men’s shop Agnes B. I went a few weeks ago to take a peek at the spring collection and as I turned the corner after coming out of the newly renovated St. Eustache church, I finally discovered all the rich architectural jewels crammed into this short block.

The first building I came across was the police and fire station at #23. I walked past the towering, highly lacquered green doors and in the courtyard I found the most interesting structure: a building with Venetian style plaster arches and stairways. The firemen and the police I passed were cordial but practically scratching their heads in dumfound curiosity as to why I was taking photos of their humble home. I guess they weren’t as impressed with their architectural dandy as I was. The only information I could find out about the station was that it was built in 1897. If anybody has a clue to why it was built like this or know any information about the history of the station, please put it in the comments section. The courtyard also had a fountain with an amusing fish sculpture above who made fish eyes at me.




Needless to say, I did make into Agnes B. and found many wearable goodies that had my name on them but decided to wait for the July sales.

Tomorrow I will cover the rest of the wonders I found on rue du Jour.

Rue du Jour, 1st arr.
Metro: Les Halles

Note: I’m sure you all know by now that Yves St. Laurent, the world’s greatest designer, died on Sunday. Truly a loss, all of France and most of the world is in mourning for one of the 20th century’s most creative talents.

Read Suzy Menkes moving tribute and other articles.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/02/europe/menkes.php
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/02/style/01cndlaurent.php
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/02/news/Obit-Yves-Saint-Laurent-Quotes.php

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

Comments

[G@ttoGiallo]

I like your discoveries, rue du Jour.
Touring tourists has been one of my first jobs when I arrived in Paris as a student, from Italy...
Sure you can subscribe to PPG, I'm very honoured!
Ciao

[Rosemary Flannery]

Probably the reason for your Venetian-style firehouse is that at the turn of the century (19th to 20th) there was a revivalist movement in architecture. The trend was to re-look other styles throughout the centuries. This is why Art Nouveau is so important - it didn't look like anything which had come before. Bravo sur ton blog, cher ami! bisous, Rosemary