Figures du fou, du Moyen Âge aux Romantiques, musée du Louvre

 

Foolishly I went Sunday afternoon to the Louvre 

When it is crowded like a madhouse.

Galerie Roger-Viollet, La Seine, Le Grand Colbert

 

On weekends, just like every tourist who crosses my bridge, Pont de Sully, 

I stop & take pictures of Parisians relaxing along the Seine. It’s addictive, especially in Summer 

Elaine Sciolino’s, The Seine, the River that made Paris

 

I visited Paris many times before moving here, but the Seine was not on my to-do list. 

I’d rush around from one museum, restaurant, monument to another, checking them off as I went. 

Not till I moved next to the Seine 6 years ago did I come to see what an integral part it plays in Parisians’ lives. Its the lifeblood of the city. 

Parisians sit in cafes and watch the world go by. And they sit along the Seine and do the same thing. 

Is it because its so accessible? Walking over a bridge on the Seine takes a few minutes unlike crossing the Thames of London. 

The banks/les Berges along the Seine are a designated historic monument and car-free. Life is teaming along the Seine year-round but especially in Spring, Summer,Fall. As goal-oriented tourists often we miss out. Are we like Emily in Paris, who can’t slow down, stop working or talking and just chill? 

That’s why you need to read Elaine Sciolino’s book, The Seine The river that made Paris  now out in paperback. Better yet, let Elaine tell her stories out loud on the audio version. She has so many wondrous stories to tell. 

Among them how Paris fireman pumped water from the Seine to put out burning Notre Dame. 

There used to be swim clubs 🏊‍♀️ along the Seine. Now there are Salsa clubs. Why didn't I move here 30 years ago? I created a map and bookplate for Elaine’s book tour last year, but its taken me awhile to figure out what my own relationship is to the Seine. I’m still working on it.

 I do know, after 6 years of living together, I never take a route home that isn’t beside the Seinr, crossing over 1 or 2 bridges on the way. You will definitely enjoy The Seine. Happy dreams of Paris PBers ❤️🥂🐻

Eblouissante Venise - 18th C Arts of Venice - Grand Palais, Fête de la pêche 🐟 et de la Nature

In you're planning on gondoliering in Venice or for around the house elegance pick up a pair of colorful velvet Friulians made by CAPULETTE in the GRANDE PALAIS gift shop (70€) during new exhibit, EBLOUISSANTE VENISE (Magnificent Venice and the arts of Europe in the 18th century. (On till 21 January 2019).

This is a gréât exhibit to see if you're going to Venice, have just been or dream of going.

It will get you in the spirit of things completely.

Amazing paintings by Tiepolo, Guardi,  Canaletto.

And many by one of my favorites, Pietro Longhi.

There's even a resident lion of Venice ensconced. No roaring allowed.

To scale models of Venetian palazzos. When in Venice it can be almost too much to take in.

This exhibit is a way to prep or relive your Venice experience

What THEY wore. The lush fabrications for men and women.

18th century-style paper ballgowns provided by ISABELLE DE BORCHGRAVE hang from the ceiling as you go up to the second floor exhibits

All the decorative arts are represented

Music will be provided during evenings.

Vivaldi awaits in the wings.

My favorite Venetian artist CANALETTO was well represented.

Thanks to Elaine Sciolino, I went next day to the annual Fête de la pêche 🐟 et de la Nature held on l'Ile de la Jatte in Lavalloise-Perret. Kids are taught or anyone for that matter how to fish 🐟 

Boy Fishing

I sketched onsite dreaming of Canaletto...

Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. 

If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast letters 💌 maps & watercolors in your mailbox 📮 look in my Etsy shop. 

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime"