Cafe-Sitting - the great Parisian Sport

Cafe sitting, is the great Parisian sport. 

The rule: anyone can play.

But there's a little technique to cafe-sitting.  

1. choose a cafe that speaks to you

2. remain faithful to it, cafe fidelity is important

3. dont rush your choice; criteria should include interesting intersection and people watching, sunny side of the street, comfy seats, noise level and the waiters if they are aloof on the first day they will be on the 3rd, move on.

5. honing this technique to an art form: Nursing your cafe expresso to last for at minimum one hour (done more easily if you're involved in an animated conversation)

et voila time to play!

 

Street Hallucinations in Paris

Ive just spend most of my day, not working as I should be, but browsing 'My Little Paris' blog that I really really shouldn't have!! Because now I'm obsessed and have just added 20 new things to see and do to my already crammed Paris itinerary!

FULL of the BEST Paris facts and finds we have come across to date, we particularly love the Cultural section with articles on the latest happenings around paris in the world of creative arts! 

So I thought I'd share what I discovered - because in a world dominated by technology, mobile phone, computers, ipads and what else...we all could do with some more child-like creativity and frivolity in our lives....to remember that a simple walk in the park, in the city, a bike ride or stroll can open our minds and imaginations if we let it, to unusual and magical images!!

Street Hallucinations: Local artist in Paris, Sandrine, turns ordinary street objects in the streets of Paris into quirky artworks of things and images only her magical eye can see. We love her because her philosophy is simple and sweet "When you are a kid, you spend hours laying down in the grass seeing/visualizing amazing things in the clouds. Well, I have decided this should never stop"...

Have a look at her blog and galleries - click here 

You can send Sandrine photo graphs of your ordinary shots and wait to see what she sees!!

That's all :) ps I know what Im gonna do tomorrow...go outside and play!!


Bonne nuit xx

Sub City Paris

Bonsoir toute le monde! Please watch this beautiful little clip!! It's called 'Sub City Paris' - a film about emerging from subway stations of Paris... all those familiar spots, 'sortie' signs, sunsets and stairwells...and oh the sentimental music...*sigh!! We just had to share it :) 

Sub City Paris from Redglass Pictures on Vimeo.

Paris White Night - Nuit Blanche

If your going to be in Paris on the 2nd of October then your very lucky and I'm very jealous. You will be able to experience 'Paris White Night' (Nuit Blanche).

Living up to it's name 'The City of Lights' Paris will be transformed and illuminated into a midnight magic festival with unique artworks throughout the city, elaborate light installations, activities, performances; all lining the streets. While art galleries and museums, monuments, parks, pools - all throw open their doors for the midnight extravaganza as thousands of revellers celebrate.

From sunset on Oct 2 until 7am. Its going to be one hell of an all-nighter!!

Events will take place in 3 main areas - the West near Trocadero, the Centre around the Isl St Louis and the city and the East around the neighbourhood Belleville.


If your in Paris at this time and needing a place last minute Bed and Breakfast's  throughout the city are available. Choosing either to stay close to all the festivities (a recommendation as the metro lines during this magic night will be hectic to say the least so we suggest walking home).

We will help you find the perfect B&B for this thrilling event! info@petitepr.com.au

For more information about this event: we have found the following web details:
http://goparis.about.com/od/events/p/Nuit_Blanche.htm

An ode to Odeon

I love Paris' dark sculpted doorways and passages. Quaint crooked facades and quaint crooked cobble stoned rues leading to lovely courtyards or laneways sealed from the rumbling streets of the city. Simple discoveries seem extraordinary. In particular this is rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, within the walls of the Cour Du Commerce Saint Andre. Location: Odéon - in the 6^eme on the left bank of Paris.

When I discovered this romantic laneway in O'deon my day plan flew out the window as I become utterly mesmerised with the magical ambiance I found myself in. I completely lost track of time. That’s the magic of Paris, I stumble across a beautiful area, I fall in love and I get stuck there. It's a very small lane way no more than 500m in length (im guessing) but it took me about 2 hours to get to the end...

Admiring the beautiful peeling buildings with their little balcons I wonder who dwells inside and what life is like here. Is it as romantic and idyllic as it seems?

I marvel at the teeny tiny footpath on either side.

Lucky it's no longer an access route for cars. Pedestrians only.

Brimming with bistro's, cafes and restaurants on either side, i take a moment to enjoy the quiet calm with a warm coffee an admire the fine details

I found Café Procope here. One of the oldest resturants in Paris which opened in 1686. It actually originally started as a café – the first coffee house in fact.

I imagine gentlemen of fashion drinking coffee. The exotic beverage of the day, served up in porcelain tea cups. And the escorted ladies who were known to dwell here also.

The meeting place of the intellectual establishment, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Voltaire – who drank 40 cups of coffee a day.

Today Procope is renovated into an elegant restaurant. Pompeian red walls, crystal chandeliers, eighteenth century oval portraits of famous people that have been patrons, and a tinkly piano.

Half way down the lane is a little hidden courtyard Jardin just off the rue l'ancienne comedie. Its magnificent.

I spend quite some time in this green painted pretty boutique. One of many. Its a children's toy and collectibles store. Gorgeous rare childrens toys, books, and items of interest. Rummage through boxes for the best bits - old papers, letters, pictures and books.

Brightly signage brings life to the grey buildings

I find a bistro clearly catered to the tourist

But instead i opt for the super inviting, cosy little place that concludes the little parade. Authentic french, no english menus, no english speaking. Perfect!!

Note to self: must return one evening with a bottle of vin and a lover. Im sure when lit up rue l'ancienne Comedie at Odeon is a romance novel backdrop waiting to happen.