I haven’t done a Courtyard Week in almost a year and lately I have found some new courtyard worthy locations. I have now perfected my “Courtyard Sprint”: Whenever I see someone opening or coming out of a courtyard door from afar, I madly dash, taking long strides to reach the door before it closes. I then have to quickly calm myself so I don’t look like a lunatic trying to bust into their building and then I pretend that I either live in the building or look like I belong there. I am going to petition the 2016 Olympics to include the category of “Courtyard Sprint” and will compete to win the gold.
A few weeks ago I had a tour client who wanted to see the building at 26 rue Saintonge in the northern Marais, which is where the family from the book and film Sarah’s Key lived before they were deported to the concentration camps. It looked like a typical former hotel particulier (private home or mansion) from the 1600s made of limestone with a large royal blue entrance door. I later found out it was built in 1626. We stared at the door for a few minutes and presto! Someone opened the door and let us into the courtyard.
It was calm and practically deserted. The vines were growing wildly and there was healthy green ivy still growing but some it had already gone bare I believe because of the dry July and August we have had. The center plant garden was lush and thriving and the building and courtyard were well maintained.
We stood there not talking for a few minutes soaking in the eerie silence and contemplating the tragic acts that fictionally took place here but also knowing they may have very well have been true in one form or another in the direct vicinity.
26 rue Saintonge, 75003
Metro: Filles-Calvaire
New Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of a new set of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 20 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my 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 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 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
I read the book with great awe and would NEVER have thought to feed my curious mind with pictures of the house where Sarah.... (well, I won't tell the story!) !!!! You DO have a nerve, Richard, to enter private grounds like you do...! But thanks to your quick footed dash we know so much more now. Thank you; this is probably your most fantastic post so far. Bonne semaine :)
Posted by: Kiki | September 17, 2012 at 02:19 PM
Beautiful courtyard and buildings now, and what must Paris have been like when it was built? Can't remember, was this the location used in the film or the address in the book? Doesn't really matter, keep on being bold.
Posted by: Jean(ne) in MN | September 17, 2012 at 03:26 PM
I've stood outside that door, but no one opened if for me! Lucky, lucky you! It's beautiful..next time I may linger just a litle longer!
Posted by: Cheryl | September 18, 2012 at 04:13 PM
This is a marvelous capture of the feeling of a courtyard that you have shared with your fans. Thank you so much. I know that sprint well...trying to look dignified and casual and being a Peeping Tom at the same time! I've been lucky to have been invited in by a person who belongs there on several occasions, but haven't tried to photograph of of them. Excellent! Hooray for you!
Posted by: vicki | September 20, 2012 at 09:36 PM