I Prefer Paris

Paris Window Boxes-2021

It’s my annual edition of the Paris window boxes. For 2021, I concentrated mostly on the window boxes in my neighborhood, Le Marais. Do you have some favorites? 

Eye Prefer Paris 16^th Anniversary 

I want to thank the following people for generously donating to Eye Prefer Paris so I can continue my subscription service. Your donations exceeded my initial request of $540 and I will apply the extra funds towards a second year. I also want to thank you for your kind notes you included in the donation. 

Nancy S., Judith R., Chris K., Kathy G., Carol P., Judy H., Barbara E., Susan S., Liz S., John K., Monique VD., Angela LV., John H,. Edward N., Jan L., Richard B., Kathy M., Dr. J., Joanie S., Leann R., Mary Lynn C., Diane S., Barbara L., Carmen C., Debbie H., Bonnie F., Judy S., Cheryl M., Virginia G., Jerry F., Russ R., Cheryl T., Pete K., Jeanie T., Carolyn A., Michael H., Allan VF., Diane K., Annie P.,Brunie F., Susie F., Peggy and Jim B, and Linda S. 

My apologies if I have forgotten anyone. 

Floralien in Ghent, Belgium

In 2017 I visited Ghent, Belgium, and I loved the charms of this small city of romantic water canals and handsome architecture. I am still on the mailing list for the Visit Gent, the official tourist office and in February they sent an announcement for Floralien, a flower show and exhibition held every four years. Floralien began in 1809, starting off with only 137 plants and displayed in a 500 square foot venue. Fast forward to 2022, and Floralien is a major event taking place in a sprawling convention center in a pretty park near the main train station, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. 

I thought it would be a fun event to attend and Visit Gent was kind enough to provide a press pass to Floralien, a one-night hotel stay, and dinner at a local restaurant. 

The theme for Floralien for 2022 is "My Paradise, My Worldly Garden" and explores the need for urban dwellers to have more green spaces in the city centers, as they are shrinking in most cities around the world. The show is also focused on trends, durability, research and innovation in gardens and gardening. "My Paradise, My Worldly Garden" also coincides with the celebration of the Ghent Altarpiece/ The Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers, an historic masterpiece of painted, religious panels from 1432. 

I arrived late morning to Floralien and was given an all-access pass. It was the second day and a Friday, so it wasn’t too crowded. The first section of the exhibition there were individual displays from various landscape artists and designers, which were dramatic and astonishing. I was floored by the incredible talent, artistry, and attention to detail of each one. Walking through the rest of Floralien, there were sumptuous, tabletop floral arrangements, and walkways festooned with mounds of luscious seasonal flowers including azaleas, roses, and hydrangeas in the most brilliant colors. Many of the displays throughout the show referenced The Mystic Lamb. 

After the sensation and thrill of Floralien, I took an easy tram ride to the historic center of the city. Since I had done most of the tourist attractions on my last trip in 2017, I was free to stroll the city streets and discover cool shops, off the beaten path, narrow lanes with ancient architecture, and rediscovering the canals. 

One of the more interesting shops was Paarl, where the owner, Paarl, hand makes and designs individual handbags and no two are ever the same. She mixes leather with other exotic materials including marble, stone, and concrete panels, which are super light and thin. 

Believe it or not I refrained from eating Belgian chocolates until almost the end of my stay in Ghent (trust me, it wasn’t easy) when I visited Yuzu Chocolade. The owner, Nicolas Vanaise, who came from a sixth-generation chocolate making family, was an archeologist, but left the field in the early 2000s, to open a shop where he personally makes the chocolates himself. The focus is just as much on the visual as it is the taste, and each one was like a mini-art piece. Between the gorgeous colors and the unusual and appealing and exotic flavors, it was impossible to choose, so I narrowed it down to 6 pieces. The owner’s wife is an avid collector of Japanese and Asian ceramics, and a good part of the shop was dedicated to her beautiful collection lining the shelves. 

That evening I had an outstanding dinner, one of those memorable food experiences from beginning to end. Kruidtuin is a small, contemporary restaurant with a young, dedicated staff, passionate about food. The five-course, pre-fixe dinner is a set menu at a reasonable cost of 63€. A loaf of freshly baked, sourdough bread laced with fennel and caraway seeds was served warm, and set the standard for the rest of the meal. Each plate had distinct flavors, using seasonal ingredients, including tender white asparagus, rhubarb, cauliflower, and mackerel. The most unusual dish was the dessert of asparagus flavored ice cream. 

Floralien 2022

Until May 8, Open daily from 8am to 6pm

https://floralien.be/en/welcome/

Paarl Handbags

https://paarl.be/

Yuzu Chocolates

https://www.yuzubynicolasvanaiseandc.com/nl/

Kruidtuin Restaurant

https://www.kruidtuingent.be/#home

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Square Edouard-Valliant and Garden of Hopital Tenon

At the end of March, I had to go for a medical test at Hopital Tenon, in the 20^th arrondissement, near Place Gambetta. As I exited the hospital after my test, I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful, manicured garden in the courtyard. Spring 2022 had made its debut just a few days before, and the pink magnolia trees (please correct me if I wrongly named these trees) were releasing their mighty blooms as well as other trees and plants.

I am not very familiar with 20^th arrondissement so I thought I would explore the neighborhood a bit. Just across from the hospital was Square Edouard-Valliant, a lovely park and garden square. Edouard-Valliant (1840-1915) was a city councilman of the district. Inside the park is a bandstand and statues of Leon Gambetta (1838-1882), a lawyer and a politician who formulated the French Third Republic in 1870.

Square Edouard-Valliant

48 Av. Gambetta, 75020

Metro and Bus: Gambetta

Square Edouard-Valliant

Statue of Leon Gambetta 

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

 

 

Palais Royal Shadow Photos

I was at the gardens of the Palais Royal two weeks ago, checking out the glorious blooming of the pink flowers busting out of the magnolia trees. It was a sunny day and afterwards I was walking through the arcades and noticed some intriguing shadows cast on the mosaic tile floors. I would love your feedback on these and if you have some favorites.  

1,001 Orchids

Last week I went to see the spectacular 1,001 Orchids Show at the Jardin de Plantes. The eighth edition of the show is organized by four French orchid producers – Ryanne Orchidée, Vacherot & Lecoufle, Orchidium and Cour des Orchidées. 92,000 specimens of orchids are from the five conitnents- Africa, Asia, Americas, Oceania (including New-Caledonia) and Europe including 160 species from France and 1000 "wild" species.

Outside the exhibition is a tent selling rare orchid plants.

Until March 21, 2022

Jardin des Plantes

https://www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr/en/node/3683

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

 

Night Photos of Rome

I made a quick trip to Rome last November for a few days to visit a friend who had just moved there.

One night I strolled to the Piazza Navona, followed by the Colosseum, and a bridge across the Arno River, falling in love again with the splendor and glory of Rome.  

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

Views of the Seine

Browsing through my photos on IPhoto looking for a particular image, I stumbled upon a series of photos I took in early November.

I was on my Seine morning power walk and instead of focusing on taking photos of boats I decided to point my camera into a different direction, focusing on the bridges and people who were either jogging or bicycling. The light was particularly beautiful that morning where the sun was peeking through the gray haze, practically fighting to have its way. The quality of the photos resembles a romantic Corot or Turner painting in their color tone and composition. Do you agree

I would love to have your feedback.

All of these images are for sale and I would be happy to make a print for you. Prices, sizes, and shipping details are below.

• 10 X 13 inches Price $65 
• 11 X 14 inches Price $95 
• 16 X 20 inches Price $125 
• 20x30 inches Price $175
• Shipping in the U. S. by U.S. Mail is $14 per order 
• Photos are printed Fuji Archival paper 

Please email me at r.nahem@gmail.com if you would like to order.

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

Boats on the Seine- Series 3

As I continue to take my daily power walk on the Seine, I have captured a new series of boats on the Seine in the autumn light surrounded by the tree foliage. One of my readers asked me to identify the locations of these photos. I start my walk at the Pont Marie and walk west up to Pont Neuf, passing Notre Dame and La Concegerie. 

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

Night Photos on Quai d”Orsay and Quai de Voltaire

In late September a tour client and her friends invited me to their hotel down the street from the d’Orsay Museum for an after-dinner drink. I left about 9:45 pm to return home. It was a lovely, balmy night and instead of taking the metro home, I decided it was too lovely outside to go underground. I strolled along the Quai d”Orsay and Quai de Voltaire, admiring the beautifully lit, grand buildings, and boats gliding on the Seine. I walked all the way to the Louvre, snapping photos along the way, until I finally caved and took the metro home three stops.

Do you have any preferences regarding the color or black and white? 

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

 

FIAC- Hors Les Murs 2021

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s super Calder! Actually, it’s a gigantic red dragon, standing in the Place Vendome. The striking sheet metal sculpture, The Flying Dragon from 1975, was one of Calder’s last major pieces before he died in 1976. It was fun to capture it at on all sides with its sharp angles and intense red, which were an interesting contrast to the symmetry and monochromatic color tone of Place Vendome. 

The Flying Dragon is one of a series of artworks presented for FIAC, the premiere art fair of Paris, in a program named Hors Les Murs. The works of various contemporary artists are on display, dispersed through the Tuileries. You can download a map of the artworks in the Tuileries with the QR code on the signs at the entrance on either the Carousel du Louvre or Place de Concorde. Student volunteers from the Ecole du Louvre are on site in the Tuileries to answer questions and share information about the artists and their pieces. 

https://www.fiac.com/en-gb/programmation/fiac-hors-les-murs/jardin-des-tuileries.html

FIAC 

October 21 to 24

There’s also online viewing rooms until October 25 

https://www.fiac.com/en-gb.html

Aaron Curry-Heavy Negative

Aaron Curry- Magic Vs. Headache

Michael Kienzer -Falter 

John Torreano-MegA Gem

 

Bettina Pousttchi-Vertical Highways

Lilan Bourgeat-Double Banc

Jems Koko Bi-Empty

Euridice Zaituna Kala-Rangement, de Rangement 

Marinella Senatore-Alliance des Corps

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 

Red Doors

Green Doors

Blue Doors

Metal Doors

Wood Doors

Door Knockers

Autumn in Giverny- Part 2

Here’s series two of the photos of glorious Giverny in autumn. Thanks for your comments and feedback from Autumn in Giverny- Part 1. CLICK HERE to view Part 1 if you missed it.