I Prefer Paris

Paris Rooftop Views: Galeries Lafayette and Printemps

Continuing with my Paris Rooftop Views series, today I am focusing on Les Grands Magasins, the great department stores of Paris, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. Located on the Boulevard Haussmann in the ninth arrondissement, both stores have rooftops that are open to the public. Both also have restaurants on the rooftops. 

The south, east, and west views offer a panorama of Hausmann’s Paris with views as far reaching as the Grand Palais, the Eiffel Tower, and La Defense, but close by you can see the glorious architectural details of the Opera Garnier, Place de la Madeleine, and stacks of orange chimney pots. 

I am thrilled to be in Travel & Leisure Magazine. I did a food tour on the rue des Martyrs for some travel journalists in August. CLICK HERE to read. 

If you missed Vincent's opening last month, here's an invitation to join him and collaborate in creating your own art piece for 200€. 

Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris. 

I am excited to launch a new series of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris. 

The limited-edition series of Eye Prefer Paris Door Collection Postcards are available three different ways.

18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65- Free shipping 

9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

Each postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock, that enhances the vibrancy of each image. Eye Prefer Paris Postcards come in classic postcard size (6”x 4.25”), perfect for collecting, framing, or sending to that special someone. 

Each order is specially hand wrapped with love from Paris and mailed in an elegant, French blue envelope. Postcards take about 4- 7 days to arrive in the U.S. 

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection make a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family, and I can write a handwritten note for you and include it in the envelope. 

CLICK HERE to order 18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65- Free shipping 

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

Green Doors

Blue Doors

Metal Doors

 

 

Paris Rooftop Views: La Samaritaine, Hotel Le Fouquets, and Institut du Monde Arabe

Since you left so many positive comments and glowing reviews of my first Paris Rooftop Views blog from last month, I am bringing you a new series today. 

Today I present a potpourri. First are the views from the fabulous suites at the Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet's Paris, just off the Champs Elysées, that I had the privilege of viewing last month on a tour of the gorgeous hotel suites. The views were from the top floors of the hotel which faced north on to the Champs Elysees and beyond and west with views of the Arc de Triomphe. I also got some cool shots from the oval windows decorating the suites. 

The second series is from the top floor of the newly reopened, La Samaritaine department store which had views of the glorious flying buttresses and architecture of the 15^th century gothic church. 

Last but not least, are the views from a more obscure place. Institut du Monde Arabe is a museum dedicated to the culture and art of the various Arab nations and is situated on the Seine River in the fifth arrondissement by the Pont de Sully. The open rooftop on the ninth floor has terrific views, facing north and west, of Notre Dame, the Seine, and the rooftops of the Ile Saint Louis. 

Two photos above-Saint Germain- l’Auexerrois

Paris Rooftop Views: Tour Saint Jacques

I am christening a new photo series today, Rooftop Views. I have specifically chosen rooftop sites around Paris to take photos from. The first in the series is from Tour Saint Jacques, which is on the rue de Rivoli just by Chatelet. 

The Saint Jacques Church was built at the end of the 12^th century, funded in part by the butcher’s guild, and named Saint-Jacques de Boucherie/the church of the butchers. The old tower was replaced and rebuilt in 1522 and during the French Revolution the church was dismantled, and the stone was auctioned off. However, there was a clause in the deed of sale that the belltower couldn’t be destroyed. In 1862 the tower was declared an historical monument and in 2001, the city of Paris in partnership with the conservation of Historic Monuments undertook the restoration. It was finally completed in 2009 and reopened to the public in 2013. 

You must book tickets online and they only let about 15 people at a time because the area surrounding the top of the tower is minuscule. There was a genial guide who shared the history of the tower at the base, and he talked for about 15 minutes before the group was allowed inside the tower. There are 300 spiral steps going up and I bravely took them on last Sunday, a warm, humid day with the temperature at about 82 F. I certainly got my cardio workout that day, but it was worth it because the 360-degree, unobstructed views were spectacular, as my camera clicked away. My I-phone takes such good quality photos, that my regular camera has been collecting dust and feeling lonely. I dusted it off and attached the tele-photo lens, so I could get some sharper photos, so here are the results. 

I would love to get your feedback. More in this series coming soon. If you have any suggestions of more obscure places in Paris that have extended views of the city, please email me @ [email protected] or leave a comment. 

Here’s the link to purchase tickets. 

https://www.desmotsetdesarts.com/visites-guidees/visites-guidees-paris/visite-de-la-tour-saint-jacques