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Anons Paris on wordpress, sunday market...

just started using wordpress to blog on Paris on WordPress the other day at anonsparis.wordpress.com !

Also. paid a visit to a Sunday market for veggie, cheese, fresh flowers, delicious fruit...

Satie - le Fantôme

Apart from Paris nd wider lie-de- France, Normandy is spcertaily fast becoming a second favourite pregion in France. this video comes from The birth home of famous Frwnch composer, Erik Satie. A self playing piano ... How oh so ghostly :-)

Foretaste of Summer on the Seine

It's not quite summer yet, but glimpses of real sunshine, longer days are making the banks of the Seine increasingly attractive as spots to picnic, sun bathe and perform other summery activities.

Brooke Fraser live in Paris

Returned from a beautiful night out where the highlight was a Brooke Fraser concert at Nouveau Casino in the 11eme. The song here is perhaps my favourite from her new album "Flags". Entitled "Sailboats", it's an intimate, haunting, eerie, gorgeous piece of art....Superb.

Spring, Spring , Spring! (images below from rue Mazarine)

Spring in Paris - and there are signs of beauty in natureand people.

A word of caution to the married though - Paris does indeed mock of married people in the sense of Shakespeare's poem "Spring'. There is an excess of gorgeous people to found on the streets of this equally stunning city. Woe to all who are married during this oncoming season where both the beauty of the city's people and nature are on such wonderful display!





Spring
William Shakespeare

When daisies pied, and violets blue,
And lady-smocks all silver-white,
And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue
Do paint the meadows with delight,
The cuckoo then, on every tree,
Mocks married men, for thus sings he:
'Cuckoo!
Cuckoo, cuckoo!' O word of fear,
Unpleasing to a married ear.

When shepherds pipe on oaten straws,
And merry larks are ploughmen's clocks,
When turtles tread, and rooks, and daws,
And maidens bleach their summer smocks,
The cuckoo then, on every tree,
Mocks married men, for thus sings he:
'Cuckoo!
Cuckoo, cuckoo!' O word of fear,
Unpleasing to a married ear

..from yet another out of Paris expedition.

Loved this little town in Normandy - traveled here for a short break. The birth place of Erik Satie, gorgeous corner of France, reviving, refreshing, fantastic.

Eglise Saint Gervais

Visited this remarkable building - one of the oldest in Paris.

Basilique Saint-Denis

A visit of the "Basilique Saint-Denis' was also squeezed in at some point over the past week: and these are some images of that visit. It's quite a stunning space to visit - a museum of an age long past where religion and monarchy very much defined what it meant to be "French'. Today the basilica hosts the bodies of France's former Kings and Queens, itself having been a sort of spiritual centre of the French nation. The neighbourhood around the basilica tells of a new France - perhaps the France of the future. Where Christianity, respect for monarchy and hierarchy were what lied at the heart of a bygone France - the largely immigrant population around the basilica foretells of a markedly different world to that which these dead kings and queens built a or envisaged. Depending on which side of the political spectrum you come from, the basilica is either a sad reminder of a romantic time long past, a reminder of how different France has become or simply a tribute to the progress France has made in distributing wealth to not only itself but to immigrants from all parts of the world, thanks to the continued evolution of the French state.

St Etienne-du-Mont

Now, these images are a bit hazy, but for 'record keeping's' sake - for the record - I'll just post these images from St. Etienne du Mont, also visited earlier over the course of the past week. It's famous for containing what are believed to be the relics of Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. St Genevieve also happens, by the way, to be one of my favourite figures in the Catholic-lore. She was apparently a young girl with immense faith, whose earnest acts of fasting and prayer supposedly saved Paris from an attack by the Huns. Subsequent historians have offered less mystical explanations - such as Atila's preoccupation with other more pressing challenges. but whatever the case, she's an interesting figure in the history of Paris. And one of my favourite saints! :-)

Atelier Brancusi

The past week or so has been a flurry activity - but not too busy to squeeze in time to explore this vast, beautiful city. These are images from a studio of sculptor, Brancusi's, work. Its all about straight, clean geometric lines - and he also clearly had aprofound love for kisses, the head, facial features and kisses. It's a sweet place to visit. Brancusi holds the pride of place as one of modern sculpture's pioneers.

Glimpses of Spring in Paris!

It's a beautiful Saturday morning. Well, in retrospect, the weather's been wonderful over the course of the entire week. Each day has clocked early spring temperatures, a dose of sunshine - and Parisians have steadilt made their ways to the banks of the Seine to catch a bit of sunshine - which this blogger did yesterday afternoon. Lovely!...

Paris Fashion Week - Ready to Wear Fall/Winter 2011/12

Fashion week is back in the city, showcasing ready to wear collections for the Fall/Winter of 2011/12. Apart from the Galliano situation - there are several other reasons to celebrate this round of Paris Fashion week - chief among them Lady Gaga's weird and wonderful presence!

The countdown for Men's 2011/12 fall/winter fashion collections (between the 22nd to 26th June) now begins!

Le Soleil!

Mild sun rays kissed the Seine today, giving slight glimpses of Spring, which is around the corner.

Oh... about the studies in Paris...:-)

Phenomenal day in Paris - left home for lectures at 730 am in the morning, only to return home at 2200! If there is one thing that the French education system provides, it's excellent training in rigour and hard work! For those up to the challenge of studying in a challenging - but rewarding context - click here for info on studying in France!

(for what it's worth - studying in Paris is an excellent choice, and is absolutely perfect to live a dynamic, fulfilling, well-rounded student lifestyle in this blogger's opinion!)

Pierre Corneille - Rouen Weekend Excursion

Although he spent his last years and days in Paris, as a respected playwright, Pierre Corneille's birth place In Rouen and studio (where he composed Le Cid among others!) is a fascinating place to visit when and if out of Paris.

Restaurant Le Risale

Just returned from a great dinner, that went down very well thanks to fantastic company :-) - and a great venue. Turkish Restaurant, Le Risale. The lamb dishes are to die for, as is the rest of the menu. The ambience is as deliciously warm and welcoming as the menu - this is a restaurant to return to again and again.

Click here for restaurant menu, directions and more about this great restaurant!

Musée de la Vie romantique

The Museum gives a glimpse into the 19th Century, in the workspace of Dutch born artist, Ary Scheffer. It also acts as a befitting tribute to the artistry of the time, and the introduction of stunning painting techniques during the Romantic period. Several pieces of memorabilia are also housed here - in the form of intricate, exquisitely made jewellery and all manner of trinkets and artifacts from the period. The house was also a meeting place for several historical figures of the time whose indelible influence on the aura and form of this house are unmistakable.

Address: 16 rue Chaptal - 75009 Paris

Paris-Sorbonne

Capoeira in Paris!

Visit www.capoeira-paris.net

Versailles

Versailles from George on Vimeo.

Opulent, magnificent, over-the-top, Versailles lives up to, and surpasses, all of its associated stereotypes. Definitely not a place to explore in one day - it makes for a great place to visit again and again. Here, the visit took place on a slightly moody day - temperature wise (and in other ways too) but one gets the sense that this is a fantastic place to visit during the spring too. In warmer times, fountains get turned on to music and the beautiful, sprawling gardens become more alive and open to days spent at this really magnificent tribute to a bygone French era ... Versailles is a must see while around Paris.

Out of Paris: Rouen

Rouen from George on Vimeo.

Valuable as a weekend getaway packed with several historical landmarks and great works of artistry - Rouen is very much well worth a visit.

Brooke Fraser - Live in Paris, 2nd April 2010

Brooke Fraser, the New Zealand artist, is Coming to Paris on the 2nd April. I just bought myself tickets, and am absolutely beside myself about this..
BUY TICKETS HERE!

Derrière : Home-restaurant and Paris' best kept secret?

I just received a great review of a restaurant that opened in Paris two years ago, seats a limited number of diners per night and is meant to feel like a "home away from home". Apparently, upon arrival, you have to be buzzed in,much like someone arriving at a private home. This beautiful place, I hear, is also beautifully tucked at the back of Andy Wahloo, a 'hip' bar/meeting place, giving it a sense of intimacy without being too removed from the life of the city.

The number to call to make reservations is + 33 1 44 61 91 95 and the homey eatery itself is located at 69, rue Gravilliers 750053. Prices for a good meal could range between 30 and 50 Euros, I hear. But, will need to find out in person soon!

Out of Paris expedition (3): Harfleur, North Western France

Harfleur, North Western France from George on Vimeo.

For the greater part of six centuries, this old town - that now has a population of under 10000 people - was a key trading port in North Western France. It also was a pivotal town in France's running tensions with England, given its geographical position. Several buildings from the 16th century stlll (pretty much) stand along the several small cobbled streets, some of which date back to medieval times when the port was a place for sailors to enjoy some sort of home life. There is also a remarkable 14th century church, St-Martin, that still stands although it has lost most of its stained glass windows.

History buffs would also associate the town with the legendary battle of Agincourt, to which Harfleur was central...

Out of Paris Expeditions (2): Etratat, Normandie

It's a lovely little town on the Atlantic coast, North East of France, absolutely loved the time spent here!...

Old Art Book heaven in the heart of Paris

I happened to stumble across a treasure trove of a store that sells old, out of print art books - and look forward to going back to page through hundreds of books on Paris. It's an exciting 'find' and a rich source of fantastic work that you will not find anywhere else in the most part...

The website is http://www.courantdartmontparnasse.com and this sweet, small store can be found at 79 rue Vaugirard 75006.

An evening at Chatelet Theatre

Just enjoyed a great evening out at the "theatre' at Chatelet where a series of concerts (free) runs on weekends, with the last of the series being on the 19th. The only way to enjoy the music produced at this place is by going there, recordings only do a little bit of justice. It truly is a great venue and even greater quality when experienced up front. This was certainly tIme well spent! Loved it!
Check the website out: www.chatelet-theatre.com

Favourite cobbled passage way: Place Henri Mondor

It's possible to miss this little passage way just off Saint Germain Boulevard, on Place Henri Mondor - but it's a mini treasure trove: a fantastic pub, chocolatier and other small things to discover.

It's tucked on an entrance between a cafe - Indiana and a "Tati" jewellery store. I ' kind of like it"

Delicious French Dinner, Fantastic Service: L'Encriere

Just returned from a great dinner with friends at a great restaurant that serves traditional food in a cosy setting - with round tables for larger groups. This is a perfect place to go out for a French dinner - the food is great, and the service is excellent. Definitely worth a visit!

Address:
55 Rue Traversiere,
75012
Paris
Tel 01 44 68 08 16
Metro: Ledru Rollin/Gare De Lyon
Link on Cityvox: http://www.cityvox.fr/restaurants_paris/l-encrier_14172/Profil-Lieu

French expeditions out of Paris (1): Normandy

It was lovely to have a bit of a weekend getaway to Normandy: an absolutely gorgeous part of the country! Below are just a few of the images of lovely Normandy - the Atlantic ocean's breathtaking coastline at Etretat; A Norman style building from 1736 in the old village of Harfleur, close to LeHavre and a much older cobbled-street from Rouen.

More images from this out-of-Paris expedition to follow!...

Sunshine on the Seine

Today was extraordinarily sunny. A welcome break to the winter, given that spring is only expected about 6 to 8 weeks from now. Some Parisians gratefully acknowledged the gift that today's sun was and took time to soak in the sun by the Seine....

St. Nicolas du Chardonnet

Stumbled across an old church that I found impressive. Subsequently, I've found out that it is a controversial place - and that the signpost warning you to dress respectfully is not a mere suggestion. St Nicolas du Chardonnet is a bastion of a "traditionalist' right wing movement that occupied this church building in the 70s.

That said, the church is an impressive work of love and art and a clearly still very much in-use within a society that has always been sceptical of religion and clings jealously to the separation of church and state, and France's self-realisation as a secular state.

Here are some images that I took from my mobile phone (one can sense it that this is not a very welcoming place for such 'unholy' activity as picture taking):

Images from a morning walk over the Seine

So, today's weather is nowhere near tropical but mild and warm enough to take a walk. So I did just that this morning. Over beautiful, beautiful 'la Seine' at the "Pont des Arts" bridge that is perhaps most notable for the several love padlocks attached to its fences that also act as sidebars for the bridge. That combined with sweet benches and the river make it a romantic place to take a morning walk...

Paris: A Rooftop View

...Finally made it to the Arab World Institute - "L'institut Monde Arabe" (IMA) that boasts the work of architect Jean Nouvel - along with Gilbert Lezenes and Pierre Soria). The institute hosts an impressive library, two restaurants and a bookshop among other things to "develop knowledge of the Arab world, and to promote its culture and civilisation in `france and the rest of Europe."

But, apart from that it also offers a great rooftop view of parts of Paris that you won't find elsewhere. The images below try to capture the Seine and Paris as viewed from the 9th floor rooftop terrace of IMA. Gorgeous!...



1, rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard
Place Mohamed V
75236 Paris cedex 05
Open from Tuesday to sunday
www.imarabe.org

metro: Jussieu, Cardinal Lemoine or Sully Morland

Sunshine in Paris

Today, the sun - for a few moments shyly kissed Paris. The weather's still mild but it was a relief to have a bit of sunshine. It wasn't quite 'blazing", and maybe difficult to notice from this image, but this litlle bit of sunshine was nonetheless delicately sweet...

La Sorbonne:-)

Images of the main building of the university of my closest confidant and friend in Paris, "La Sorbonne'..

Video Club

Located in the 5th arr. from a world before iTunes, Netflix, YouTube and pirate websites....

An accidental favourite: Of "Kong" and "Sex and the City"

Trendy, sophisticated but warm, welcoming and cosy (well, apart from the slightly unfriendly menu price list), Kong is a beautiful place to wind down. Went out to this place with a dear friend, and loved it at first sight! :-) Click here





SUbsequently, it has emerged that Kong is actually quite famous. It features in the very last double episode of "Sex and The City" , the TV Series. More specifically, it is where Carrie meets her boyfriend's ex! Well, if anything, that's a good piece of trivia to retain . (see the clip below for a glimpse of Sex and the City scene featuring Kong!)

But, Sex and the City aside, Kong is a great venue in its own right. APart from it's spectacular view of Pont Neuf bridge (also a favourite of this blogger), the welcoming atmosphere that is nonetheless distinctly chic and stylish makes this a great 'find"!




Address: 1 Rue du Pont Neuf
75001 Paris, France
01 40 39 09 00
Subway: Châtelet

Winter Sundays in Paris

A short collection of images from Sunday afternoon and evening, and all that made it sweet:: A successfully prepared roast served with delicious sides of a paella-like dish and scrumptious roast potatoes ; Heavenly cupcakes and tea from Berko Cupcakes; Beautiful city views of Paris as day turns to night, from the rooftop of Centre Georges Pompidou: and a final goodbye to the weekend washed down with glasses of wine with good friends while overlooking the beautiful bridge of Pont Neuf viewed from the trendy eatery Kong (1 Rue du Pont Neuf). And for moments of solace and quiet, well, there are literally chapels and small churches all over the city.

Sunday afternoons in Paris during winter are definitely lovely opportunities to live more deliciously at home, and to explore the several beautiful spots that the city has to offer. J'adore Paris! :-)!

Protests Against Hosni Mubarak, Paris

The chants were decisively personal - against Hosni Mubarak and his autocratic style of government. In the vicinity of the Egyptian Embassy in Paris, calls for him to step down were communicated clearly and left little room for doubt as to what protestors were calling for: - a change at the head of Egypt's government:

Here are a few images taken from my mobile phone, not all of them are quite clear - but they give a sense of the very broad support that Egyptians at home enjoy among their compatriots in Paris and several other supporters of their cause.

Chants in Arabic, mostly speaking directly against Hosni Mubarak...


More angst at the Egyptian Embassy, Paris...



Random Images of the Protest...

Fashion Week!

...in a world far away from exams, term papers, research reports - it is Paris Fashion Week! And, not one to disappoint, one designer that I have always been curious about - John Galliano did not disappoint - he unveiled one of the weirdly wnderful creations he is famous for, this year in the form of a wandering vagabond. I remember looking at some of his work at a very young age trying to figure out how his creative processes lead to such eccentric outcomes. This year only served to increase my curiosity abour Gallliano ...click here.

last glimpses of Monet

Saint-Christophe

Église Saint-Christophe de Créteil from George on Vimeo.

Sainte-Christophe, an intimate, beautiful church built in the 12th and 13th Centuries. One of the oldest pieces of architecture in the region around Paris...loved it!:-)

"Fave" Classic books on Paris

One of the advantages of traveling is catching up on reading - and especially on subjects you love but don;t get round to do so while in the 'rat race". So, I took the time away to read old books on Paris and these were my favourite classic titles:

Thomas Okey - The Story of Paris: insightful book set in early 20th Century Paris.



Paris: with Pen and Pencil, David W Bartlett: amazing depiction of a very old ("when Louis Napoleon was president of the Republic" and when Napolen III was emperor of France), by a Londoner. Fantastic sketches of the city!



The Paris Sketch book by William Makepeace Thackeray - another fantastic collection of sketches and an interesting insight into 19th Century Europe and France. Loved this!




This one was not quite exactly and solely about Paris, per se but inextricably linked to the city: Matilda Betham-Edwards' "East of Paris"




And the reading list for coming weeks will include:
"Paris as it was and as it is" by Francis W Blangdon
"A street in PAris and its inhabitant" by Honore de Balzac
"The Three Cities Trilogy: Paris" by Emile Zola

A warm welcome back to Paris - Chez Gladines Restaurant

After an absence from Paris, and getting to take in some sun in a much warmer part of the world, it's good to be back in Paris. And what better way to return to PAris' wintry climate than a hearty, warm meal at really good prices? Chez Gladines a t30 Rue des Cinq Diamants in the 13th arrondissement. The place is always well patronized - code for "it is always packed - so be prepared to wait if you go out in a large group". The prices are arguably the lowest you will find anywhere - and all transactions here are strictly cash (no bank cards accepted). Indeed, at the amounts that they charge for meals, large wads of cash are not necessary.

Bearing all of these factors in mind, I went out for a 26 euro dinner for two people, including wine - which was the most filling, heart and body warming meal I've had in a while. And a fantastic, down-to-earth way to return to the city!

Catching up on the Classics: Books on Paris (1)

This week my university studies have taken me far from Paris - all the way to West Africa.

And while the programme is demanding and the schedule is a bit tight - we had a respectably long flight here and have honorable slots of personal time - so what better to do than (of course apart from skype-ing family) read books that I've always wanted to read.

Of late I've had an itch to read 'classic books' - well, it's not quite an involuntary impulse to read old books but rather than that I finally gained access to Amazon.com's list of classic books published before 1923 that are now free of copyright and can be dowlnaded onto a kindle or ipad for free.

Naturally, I went wild on amazon and downloaded every classic that I've always wanted to read and never quite got round to getting hold off.

Among them is a stash of classics on Paris that I've been asolutely unable to stop reading - and a favourite thus far has been Thomas Okey's "The Story of Paris". Writtein the early 20th Century, the book is a fascinating insight into an old Paris that does not exist in the same state as it was a hundred years ago - it paints a picture of a city that emodies all of the historical positive and negative stereotypes that many of us would hold of the city> My personal favourite of his stereotypes is really that of being a s city of light in the sense of intellectual enlightenement. And here he writes one of hundreds of statements that prove just how deeply smitten with love for Paris Okey really was. He write how "There is something in the crisp, luiminous air of Paris that quickens the intelligence and stimulates the senses." If that isn't a love struck Paris-o-holic then I am not sure what is and even more, whether this luminous, wit quickening air is still as potent as it was a hundred years ago, is open to debate!

What I know is that this book, free on amazon if you own a kindle or an e-reader supported by Amazon is a great time travel experience back to an old version of that beautiful dame, Paris.

iPad + Apple Store,Opera Garnier = Customer Satisfaction

The Apple Store at Opera Garnier has to have some of the best service you will find anywhere in Paris. Well, in my limited experience. My views may not be representative of every customer that has ever sought the services of the Apple store here. Nonetheless, today I finally got round to purchasing an IPad - which is very well worth the investment I must add!

And, similar to a previous time that I had to go into the Apple store with a problem with my notebook - the staff went an extra 10 miles to be helpful, the service was impeccably fantastic and well, the product that you walk out with only compounds the joys of being loyal to Apple as I am :-)

Not only did I walk out of the store with a very handy tablet for my studies - the experience of buying the iPad was second to none.

Yes, the store looks busy at first glance but the service personnel is forthcoming, helpful and courteous. As the year kicks off, it's great to have a piece of Apple hardware, if only to enjoy the great service and experience at Apple's store around the Opera Garnier.

Eiffel Tower Sunset Video @ World's Greatest Attractions

Visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France at Sunset

"BoBo" Batignolles: A new favourite Parisian neighbourhood

"Batignolles" is a lively, energetic neighbourhood of Paris that this blogger is increasingly fond of as a place to go out for dinner, Sunday afternoon expeditions and the like.

In the past, the neighbourhood ( a formerly separate village, annexed uder Napoleon III in the 19th century. Batignolles was also home to some of France's famous impressionist painters includng Edouard Manet, whose depiction of the Batignolles is shown above.

The neighbourhood is increasingly associated with stylish 'BoBo' Parisians - those with both tendenices toward being Bohemian and Bourgeois.

Below I've included a few images of the church of Sainte-Marie des Batignolles at the core of the neighbourhood:

Sainte-Marie des Batignolles from George on Vimeo.

Hemingway's 1920s Paris!

Prior to coming to Paris, one of the books that I was most eager to get my hands on was Hemingway's " a moveable feast" - I had even thought of naming the blog " A moveable Feast" before I was lovingly told that the reference would be difficult to understand and meaningless. Not that Anon's Paris makes significantly more sense - but I digress. "A moveable feast' was one of those memoirs of a young person who lived in Paris for a while, fell in love with the place - so much that it ended up making a lasting impression upon his (Hemingway's) life. I imagined (rather presumptuously putting myself in the same league of Ernest Hemingway!) that I would definitely relate to author's memoirs of living in this city.

So, I was very pleasantly surprised to pick up a new edition of "A moveable feast' that incorporates parts of the manuscript initially edited out, while modifying some of the remaining sections.

Thus far, Hemingway's writing and description of an old Paris are captivating and vivid. As a case in point - walking on place St Michel will never be quite the same experience after reading Hemingway's description of a Paris that at once sounds extremely different from the one emerging at the dawn of the second century of the 21st century - while sounding largely familiar. Where Hemingway saw cafes, "boulangeries", bars - one can pretty much see the same today. Yet, his description of the decor, conditions and 'ambience' of 1920s bars sounds radically different from the contemporary age of well designed flushed toilets, electric air conditioning and anti-smoking regulations.

The book, so far, wins at powerfully painting images of a familiar but distant place, while presenting Hemingway's lucidly written memories of living in Paris during the 1920s.

(Glad to finally have a copy - picked up at Shakespeare and Company.)

Jean Jacques Henner Museum

Jean Jacques Henner Museum from George on Vimeo.

These are images from the Jean Jacques Henner Museum, possibly my favourite so far. It's a tribute to one of the city's greatest artists - who was respected as such at the beginning of the 20th century. It is clear why he built up such a reputation after a visit to his old residence that is way off the beaten tourist path. Jean Jacques Henner's skill with the paint brush is remarkably displayed in this multi-storeyed, recently restored tribute to a astonishingly talented artist.

La Conciergerie

La Conciergerie, Paris from George on Vimeo.

These are images from the "conciegerie" , the (in) famous site where Marie Antoinette and several other French faced the "Revolutionary Tribunal" - and their tragic fates where decided. In more recent times, it has become the set of many period pieces and movies. These aspects combined make a visit to the museum a glum depressing reminder of the now ennobled savagery of the Revolutionary tribunal - and evidence of how far France has moved from its past and continues to create a new image of itself and its future.

Free Entrance to Paris Museums - First Sunday of the Month

Found this useful list of places that grant free entrance today, given that it is the first Sunday of the month!

i.Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine - Cité Chaillot - Place du Trocadéro (Paris 16e)
ii.Cité nationale de l'histoire et de l'immigration - Palais de la Porte Dorée (Billet jumelé Aquarium + Cité Nationale) (Paris 12e)
iii.Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (Paris 3e)
iv. Musée de l'Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris - Musée AP-HP (Paris 5e)
v. Musée d'Orsay (Paris 7e)
vi. Musée du Louvre (Paris 1er)
vii. Musée du Quai Branly (Paris 7e)
viii. Musée Gustave Moreau (Paris 9e)
ix. Musée national d'art moderne - Centre Pompidou (Accès panorama gratuit le 1er dimanche du mois) (Paris 4e)
x. Musée national de l'Orangerie (Paris 1er)
xi. Musée national des Arts asiatiques - Panthéon bouddhique gratuit (Paris 16e)
xii.Musée national du Moyen Âge (Paris 5e)
xiii. Musée national Ernest Hébert (fermé pour travaux) (Paris 6e)
xiv. Musée national Eugène Delacroix (Paris 6e)
xv. Musée national Jean-Jacques Henner (Paris 17e)
xvi.Musée Picasso (fermé jusqu'en 2012) (Paris 3e)
xvii. Musée Rodin (Paris 7e)

Holiday Cinematic Expedition: Harry Potter, JK Rowling interview

Finally got round to watching "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" (Pt 1). Great cinematic experience, as a matter of course!

Interesting to know is that JK Rowling is a former Parisienne - well, she spent a year here as a student reading toward a French and Classics degree.

In late 2010, the former Parisienne- for- a-year sat down with Oprah Winfrey for a conversation on Harry Potter and other things. click here

Eiffel Tower - In the wee hours of 2011

After the clock struck twelve, firework displays over -half of the Eiffel Tower was under a very unique cloud of smoke. Above are some images of the Eiffel Tower in the very first moments of 2011: