Hector Guimard

I was browsing over at Peter'sParis, while tearing my hair out looking for something to post on this morning.

Peter is the master blogger on Paris architecture. He took me up to Montmartre (enfin) and showed me the highpoints - I have a tiny fear of heights (why I've never been...hmmm)

An expat resident formerly from Sweden, Peter knows Paris better than most Parisiens. Do visit. You'll be enthralled too

Today he was chatting about architect Hector Guimard, art nouveau creator of many Metro stations

Not by Guimard but certainly art nouveauesque non?
Do you know who designed Paris' kiosks?

Or this art nouveau cafe table leg?

Last time in Paris, I had lunch with Peter at Brasserie Flo..

7, cour des Petites Ecuries

(entrée par le 63, rue du Fg Saint Denis)
75010

You can't get more art nouveau than Flo

Even our huitres were art nouveauesque - just look at the organic flowing lines, harmony and continuity

Peter's steak tatare is not so art nouveau in my opinion, but then I don't eat red meat

However my macaron framboise dessert with twirly dollops of whipped cream = the ultimate of art nouveau desserts in my biased opinion

No one has yet requested to be painted in Paris at the Metro?Everyone wants to be painted at Cartiers it seems.

BONJOUR Paris Art Nouveau!

Hector Guimard Paris Map

Every month the subject of the map is a tussle. I sketched at least 2-3 ideas when a book of PARIS ART NOUVEAU fell on the floor. Please click on link

I much prefer drawing curvy lines more than straight ones.

For Art Nouveau immersion I went back to my posts on the fabulous PARIS 1900 exhibit

At Petit Palais in 2014. 

Between 1890 and 1930, HECTOR GUIMARD designed and built some 50 buildings, in addition to 141 subway entrances for the Paris Metro, as well as numerous pieces of furniture and other decorative works.

If you've visited Paris you've surely entered one of his iconic METRO STATIONS. Who can forget?

While researching I discovered a fun way to you can travel anywhere from your armchair..

Put an address into Google search. Click on the square photo labeled STREET VIEW.

Paris is a click away.

I did a little time travel.

Back to where I grew up. This morning I want to Santorini (on Google only)...Bon Voyage A reminder March Paris maps are now being sent out by EMAIL till post-Lockdown. Hang in there PBers 🙏🏻 Stay well ❤️Reston chez nous🐻💋💐

Métro ! Le Grand Paris Express

Many PBers refuse to take the Metro 🚇 in Paris. Big mistake.

It’s part of the total Paris experience and a part of Paris’ history.

La Mere de Famille

This morning Mad About Macarons Jill sent me an email expressing expasperation with a very French,
"Ouuuuf !"
This page is from the brilliant, L'ABC des onomatopees par Bruno Gibert.

 

 I remembered I've not shown you any Parisian oeufs for Paques/Easter.

 La Mere de Famille on rue Cler, is one of my favorite chocolate shops but it's closed on Sundays (at 8am).

 Still the windows were full of delightful ouuuf/oeuf/eggy creations.

 Liqueur-filled little eggs as well as chocolate-filled eggs.

 Candy eggs sitting realistically atop a stack of hay gave a barnyardy feel to the window.

Unrealistically French lapin/rabbits think nothing of laying bird's eggs if they're chocolat.

 Quite simple eggs strung together for a decorative effect like xmas lights.

 Your classic foil-wrapped assorted chocolate eggs.

 A touch of whimsey - is it a chicken or an egg? It's both and sitting in an eggcup no less.

 When I returned from my early Sunday morning stroll French Girl was up and making breakfast.Her cashmere sweater is by Hector et Lola.com

 Was she making une omelette?

Pas de tout.

She was making a classic bacon and eggs once-a-week Dimanche petit dejeuner.

A possible Jean-Babtiste Chardin painting in the making no?

Paris-Basques

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This past weekend was the 1st ever 2-day Paris-Basque event held in the 16th arr. along the Seine.

I almost didn't go but the last minutes decided why not?

Dress code: red and black

With lots of RED

Lots of dancing and singing

More dancing

And of course regional foods with a decidedly Spanish influence.

White gazpacho. I was too late for all the grilled meats unfortunately.

Local Basques cheeses.

Fried milk. So many free tastes.

They gave you whole tins of the best-ever anchovies from Salanort in Spain. i wanted to buy more. They kept giving me tins! These are smooth as silk and honey. No bones.

Do you know of Paries? They have a newish shop in Paris at 9 rue Saint Placide with classic Basques sweets. Kanougas are their wonderful caramels in 5 flavors.

Of course mini Basque gateaux. Or you could buy full-size cakes.

Their fabulous ice creams are a don't-miss but the line was too long. Do visit them in Paris.

A big plus visiting these fetes all over Paris - you see parts of town you might never get to ordinarily.

The architecture in the 16th is very Belle Epoch. I looked up and noticed the architect was none other than Hector Guimard for this atelier of sculptor Jean-Babtiste Carpeaux. Look at that row of windows at the top and imagine the light.

Belle Epoch restaurants like Le Methusalem too.

Looks very fun.

One thing about going to regional fetes - you find out about other fetes if you take note of the T-shirts.

Was Paris-Basques fun?

You bet. I hope it becomes an annual tradition in Paris.