Saturday, September 12, 2020

La Rentree, Les Paris Letters

 
Paris streets are filled with moms and dads taking kids back to l’ecole -> its La Rentrée.
Its La Rentrée/Return for me too. My ipad broke this time forever (RIP). I plunged headlong into a new ipad5 and steep learning curve. So happy to be back PBers!❤️
Meanwhile Bear 🐻 has been hanging out on Le Pont Neuf for the latest Paris letter and map. Admittedly we haven’t hung out there much but there’s tons of French history. The   bridge inaugurated in 1609, was a special project of Henri IV, who wanted to improve urban spaces for Parisians. It was the ‘Eiffel Tower’ of its day.  
You can catch a bateaux mouches downstairs, visit the swanky French mint, Monnaie de Paris and eat lunch on charming Place Dauphine, another Henri IV urban project.
Le Pont Neuf is the first all-stone, widest, longest bridge to connect the left and right banks. No buildings were allowed to upstruct views of the new Louvre.
These Neptune lampadaires/lampposts came later thanks to Les Halles architect, Victor Baltard. They light up the half-moon balconies where people sat to enjoy the Seine. Picnicking has a long tradition in Paris.
Bear 🐻 ate a nice lamb ragout at Basque, Ma Salle à Manger in Place Dauphine.
Bear 🐻 got a place of honor on the map.
For the letter I was inspired to find many artists painted🎨 the Pont Neuf in every kind of weather. Monet picked a rainy day. Albert Marquet painted it at night lit up spectacularly. Even Turner painted it from another bridge.
And of course Christo, after 8 years of petitions, wrapped it for 15 days. Et voila.
Both map and letter 💌 are in the post📮. Or you could subscribe on Etsy and get your own Pont Neuf till you get back to 🇫🇷 France. We’re thinking of you dear West Coast PBers ❤️🙏

20 comments:

  1. Your map pic is GREAT.You are so good..I can't get my head around maps..truly..
    Bravo on being back in action!:)

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    1. Thanks! Its so good to be back, even with a fried brain...la la la la la ;))

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  2. YAY! On your rentrée...you were missed! Wonderful map and letter❣️

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  3. Great job���� Beautiful post-so much history made your letter even more special.

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  4. Dorrance9:02 PM

    Love that Bear is a painter on your Paris Map...just like you!...he is a very talented ourson. Wonderful map & letter. Mazel tov on the new iPad!

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  5. Bonelle9:03 PM

    So happy that you’re back! Le rentrée for you and for Paris moms. Pont Neuf is a fabulous idea for the Paris Letter and Paris Map. So much history and beauty.

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  6. Carolyn9:18 PM

    LOVE the artists painting the Pont Neuf! One of your best IMHO!,

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    1. Thanks
      It was definitely challenging. Very!

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  7. Carole, the smoke is terrible where I live near Portland Or and anywhere I could drive for 12 hours. So hoping for rain, expected Tuesday. But I’m healthy and not in danger. So many have lost everything. Your post was such a delight today! I loved the history and art examples of Pont Neuf. Not seeing many masks in Paris? We have high acceptance of masks here, thankfully!

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    1. thanks for letting me know Cindy
      Everyone in Paris is wearing masks..except in cafes and grumpy old men. Its mandatory.
      Praying 🙏 for rain too for you

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    2. On the metro the fine is 135€. I thought they said 305€!

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  8. Maxine1:10 PM

    GREAT PB. Thank you! Your photo of swans reminds me that I'd forgotten to include them in the Paris 'aviary.'

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    1. Yes Paris has swans on the Seine..a pleasant surprise

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  9. I miss Paris, but hopefully we'll be able to return in a year from now.
    In the meantime, I am enjoying your Paris maps and all the
    little goodies you enclose.

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  10. Thank you for this glance at beauty

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  11. GwenEllyn3:01 PM

    Is the covering/wrap of Pont Neuf from 1985? Also, are you familiar with the book "How Paris Became Paris"? It's a great read of how one thing, like the Pont Neuf created a domino effect of other things we take for granted are just a part of Paris - like haute culture and cuisine, 'the City of Lights', etc.Always nice to get your drawings and photos wandering through Paris. :)

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    1. Yes 1985. I will do a Christo post tomorrow.
      And yes I Love “How Paris Became Paris”
      My Paris bible

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  12. I am so amazed.
    Thank you.

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  13. I agree -- the artists painting is fabulous! Oh Carol, it's all fabulous. Biggest smiles. Some lovely things arrived from M. Blick the other day including the Canson you recommended. Can't wait to try it out. And the David Dewey too. Thanks!

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    1. Ha and I was Just wondering tonite if you got yr art stuff! :))

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