I am in the Place des Vosges almost every other day and I have passed this courtyard at #9 many times without ever venturing in. A few months ago I was invited to an event by Adrian Leeds at that address and discovered a maze of different courtyards, statues, cobblestone alleyways,and horse stables. I felt like I had stepped back in time to a day of horse-drawn carriages, royalty, privilege, and wealth. #9 was originally the Hotel de Chaulnes and currently houses the Academy of Architecture and one of the top restaurants in Paris, l'Ambroisie.
The Places des Vosges is the oldest square in Paris, built between 1605 and 1612 by King Henry IV. It was originally called the Place Royale because it was built for royalty (with separate buildings for the king and queen), although technically no royals ever lived there it was mostly aristocrats who resided there. It was the first instance of city planning with all the buildings being uniform and made from red brick with stone vaulted arcades. Some noted former residents include Victor Hugo, Madame Sevigne, Marion Delorme, and Cardinal Richelieu.
9 Place des Vosges, 3d arr. & 4th arr.Metro: St. Paul, Chemin Vert, or Bastille
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
The Courtyard Week is getting better every day :)
Posted by: Yuriy | January 13, 2010 at 04:03 PM
I can't thank you enough for giving me so much pleasure at looking at your beautiful photos of Paris -- and its courtyards. You have a perfect eye and much appreciated sensibility to be able to record my beloved Paris. Thank you so very much.
Posted by: Grace | January 13, 2010 at 05:51 PM
Thanks, Richard! Nice piece!
Posted by: Adrian | January 13, 2010 at 05:53 PM
Your photographs are gorgeous!
Posted by: Debbe | January 13, 2010 at 05:54 PM
always loved the place des voges! beautiful pix.
Posted by: Sherry | January 13, 2010 at 05:54 PM
What a find! I love the rooftops-they look untouched from the 1600s.
Posted by: Jean P in MN | January 13, 2010 at 06:38 PM