Walking with my friend Thirza Vallois in the 7th arr. on a quiet Sunday last week, we discovered a most beautiful courtyard. A car was backing out from behind a set of ominous blue lacquered doors and after the car drove away, the doors were left open. Well faster than you can say Oo-la-la!, we entered the courtyard. A stone wall with tangled ivy, a fountain filled with red geraniums, and fragrant white roses were just a few of the visual delights we experienced. Of course, we were gently shown the exit as the man said he had to close the doors again. What a special spontaneous treat and best of all you get to see the photographic fruits of our momentary diversion. I was not able to find any history of the building but judging by its architectural style, it looks like it was a hotel particulier built in the late 1600s or 1700s.
27 rue de Grenelle, 7th arr.
Metro: Rue du Bac or Sevres-Babylone
Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 17 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my courtyards, doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
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 Charlotteís 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, and Friday
Minimum of 2 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.
Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. 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
Serendipity!! This is really a lovely courtyard---what a nice "welcome home" that would be!
Posted by: Cheryl | May 10, 2011 at 05:53 PM
Love the pictures of the courtyards (and the 2 Chevaux!!!).
Posted by: thirza | May 12, 2011 at 09:27 PM