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):