Paris Yesterday

 

Yesterday (Tuesday) in Paris was glorious.

I was on the bus headed to la Poste, crossing ‘my bridge Pont Sully’. Its nice. You move to Paris and suddenly you have your own bridge. One of the unexpected joys.

The current Pont Sully was constructed in 1876, as part of Haussmann's renovation of Paris. They set it at an angle of 45 degrees to the river banks, which means that it gives a lovely view over the quais of Ile Saint Louis.

It opened on 25 August 1877 and was named in honour of Maximilien de Béthune, duke of Sully (1560–1641) and minister to Henry IV. 

Some backstory on the Duke de Sully, Maximilien de Bethune(I live on quai de Bethune. I write his name daily). Sully was very unpopular because he was a favorite of Henri IV and was seen as selfish, obstinate, and rude. He was hated by most Catholics because he was a Protestant, and by most Protestants because he was faithful to the king. He amassed a large personal fortune, and his jealousy of all other ministers and favorites was extravagant. Nevertheless, he was an excellent man of business, inexorable in punishing malversation and dishonesty on the part of others, and opposed to ruinous court expenditures that was the bane of almost all European monarchies in his day. He was gifted with executive ability, with confidence and resolution, with fondness for work, and above all with deep devotion to his master. He was implicitly trusted by Henry IV and proved himself the most able assistant of the king in dispelling the chaos into which the religious and civil wars had plunged France. After Henry IV, Sully was a major driving force behind the happy transformation in France between 1598 and 1610, in which agriculture and commerce benefitted, and peace and internal order were reestablished. Thank you Wikipedia. 

FYI most streets in France are named after a place or famous person. And you’ll find the same  named streets as you travel throughout France. When I’m addressing your Paris letter 💌 envelopes, I often wonder does this person who lives on Hillview Avenue have a view of a hill? Probably not...

Just in case you’re wondering, Duke de Sully’s Chateau-sur-Seine was painted by famous landscape artist, by Camille Corot.

What’s more in 1987 it was commemorated with a stamp. So much French history! So many stamps/timbres...

Here’s a town with no commemorative stamp nor as auspicious. I found out yesterday my dad was born in Akeley (population now 394) in Northern Minnesota. It used to be 2000 in 1908 in its boomtown logging days.

Its just possible that folkloric Logger, Paul Bunyan may have originated from Akeley. Akeley is second on the list. Log rolling, shoe sales man, competitive skater, movie theater owner were some of my dad’s professions before he met my mother at resort Marietta Springs, CA, proposed in 3 days, and later moved East.

Back to yesterday in Paris and the faux Spring we’re having at the moment. 

I was looking for muguet des bois/lilies of the valley at our local flower shop, but it’s too early. 

Its never to early for Parisians to stroll and bike along the berges/banks of the Seine. Read Elaine Sciolino’s The Seine that Created Paris and you’ll learn the Seine’s banks are now a UNESCO designated National monument since 1991.

Yesterday this Parisian did not realize we were having a faux Spring of 60+ degrees. Today, no question, this Parisian was lapping up the good weather. 🤞🙏 I hope all PBers will be lapping up Paris sooner rather than later. Have a great day XXX ❤️🐻💋