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Can you possibly get more bleu, blanc et rouge🇫🇷?
Thursday was Armistice day, the start of a 4-day bridge/pont holiday
In September we saw a version of this exhibit at the Musée International de la Parfumerie (MIP) in Grasse , so I was eager to see the Paris version that just opened Tuesday(free).
I was not disappointed. Its far more extensive and detailed.
Bibliotech Forney is noted for its extensive collection of historic French graphics.Who hasn’t played with their mum’s dressing table collection of secret treasures? I broke a little china swan from my mother’s dressing table. I buried it in the yard but was still found out and punished. Later I realized it was from the 5 and 10😬 Period dressing tables are included in the exhibit with accompanying dresses of the period. I wish there had been more period photos and videos. like this one from Roger Viollet. And don’t forget the Eiffel Tower was very much part of the Belle Epoch. One thing for sure. The descriptive labels at Forney Library in English are superb, legible and informative. This is a rarity in Paris museum exhibits sadly 😬 20’s posters for cosmetic face powders are simply stunning. Lovers of history and beauty will be enthralled with Anne de Thoisy Dallem's personal collection of 2,500 powder boxes, compacts and cases. These adorable ceramic covers for powder boxes are like English tea cosys… Its easy to see why Josephine Baker was such a hottie back in the day in this 20’s video. Interesting how cosmetic accessories like powder puffs and compacts and lipstick cases were a part of the act of flirtation in everyday life. Hey Holly Golightly got $50 to go to the powder room…but that’s another story. Altogether a fascinating exhibition, like all of Forney’s exhibits. It is on till 29 January, 2022 👏👏👏 Paris, as always in November, is beginning to think about Noël/ Christmas. I’m Carol Gillott, an artist living in Paris. Every month I send out beautifully illustrated letters that capture the true Parisian experience. Sign up to receive whimsical treasures in your mail. 🤸♂️🤸♂️🤸♂️🐻 Bonne Jeudi❤️
Do you love ❤️ the Eiffel Tower? Who doesn’t? But how much do you know about it or Gustave Eiffel. Join the club. The past 3 weeks have been a total immersion. I still don’t know if Gustave Eiffel was a dog 🐕 or cat 🐈⬛ person. Do you?
One thing is certain. He was a bridge person. He built hundreds of bridges the world over (who knew?) mainly railroad bridges like the Garabit Viaduct,
The Passerelle Eiffel in Bordeaux and over the Douro in Porto.
Jill Jonnes, author of Eiffel’s Tower refers to the Tower as “a vertical bridge”. It makes perfect sense in this context. I never saw this until I knew more of Eiffel’s life-long obsession.
Can you draw ✏️ a map of a thing or a person? Why not. I did😊
This ‘map’ is a compilation of some little-known facts about the tower and Eiffel.
Initially there were tremendous fights against the tower’s creation. Champs des Mars residents threatened to sue (their property values would go down - the opposite happened). A protest letter from Paris’ 300 most influential writers, musicians and artists like Guy de Maupassent, Charles Gounod, Charles Garnier. Endless Insults were hurled; “A dizzyingly, ridiculous tower dominating Paris.", “This high and skinny pyramid of iron ladders, this giant, ungainly skeleton.” My favorite,”This truly tragic street lamp.”
In the end Eiffel stood firm (no pun intended) and was undeterred.
At the opening there were 4 restaurants on the first floor serving Russian, French, Flamand and Dutch cuisine to 500 guests each.
De Maupassant ate there daily, claiming it was the only place in Paris he couldn’t see the monstrosity.
Did you know Eiffel was assisted by his eldest daughter, Claire for some 40 years. She married his top engineer and they eventually took over Eiffel’s construction company.
So many fascinating tales to the Eiffel Tower’s history. Did you know the tower had a 20 year contract and was to be torn down in 1909 and sold for scrap? Eiffel set to work prodigiously making the tower a practical necessity for multi scientific purposes - for weather prediction, use in radiography, as a beacon and later during the war for signaling. Today it serves as a radio and TV transmitter as well. The new Gustave Eiffel ‘map’ is on Etsy. If you are a letter subscriber, your Eiffel map 💌is in la poste📮 Bonne Weekend PBers❤️😊🐻
Yesterday I set out to find a good, warm duvet maybe at Ikea(nada) or BHV. You might think just one day after the chocolate salon I’d be off sweets for a while..hmmI didn’t find a duvet (do you know where to find a good one?). Instead I ended up with a slice of Panetonne in my hand from new tea salon, Pasticceria Cova at 1, rue du Pont Neuf.
All those pretty pink boxes 🎁in the windows. Who could resist? Move over Ladurée. Born in 1817, Pasticceria Cova is one of Milan's oldest pasticceria and caffès
I made a big study of all the windows/leché vitrine. Luxe patisseries are simply mad for Halloween. Its a more high-end holiday in Europe me thinks.
No candy corn or Good n’ Plenty’s over here.
I decided to venture inside. Why not?
The gelato counter looked exquisite. Another time.
Lovely pastries and parfaits
The apricot jam looked so tempting. Just the name…marmelatta di alibicocche. They didn’t seem to mind me wandering around Shooting everything insight😊 I finally settled for a slice of cake. The chandeliers are stunning. I’m definitely coming back for breakies. I hope you do too. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast! If you like this post please support it by buying my Paris letters and watercolors. Or pass this on to someone who might enjoy it. Happy Halloween and Happy Weekend dear PBers!
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