~ Artists Paint Paris ~

Many artists have used sites in and around Paris as the subject of their art.

Edgar Degas   "Cafe Concert"  1876

Charles Marville   "Rue Glatigny "  photograph 1865
Marville was selected to photograph Paris before the Hausmann Transformation.

Vincent Van Gogh    "Juillet 14"   1886

Henri Toulouse-Latrec    "At the Moulin Rouge"

crica 1893

Gustave Caillebotte  "Toits sous la niege"  1878

Auguste Renoir   "Pont Neuf"

Gustave Caillebotte   "Rainy Day Paris"

1877

Contemporary Artist in Montmartre

Stanislas Lepine  "Pont de la Tournelle"    1881

 Auguste Renoir "Pont des Arts"     1867

Vincent Van Gogh   "Pont du Carousel & Louvre"  1886

Paul de Castro   "Winter in Paris"  2012

Hugo Schimmel   "Boulevard du Clichy"

1907

Camille Pissarro  "Rue Saint-Honore"    1897

Pierre-Auguste Renoir    "Place de la Trinite"

Camille Pissarro     "La Place du Theatre Francais"   1897

Jean Beraud     "Les Halles"    1879

Jean Beraud    "On the Boulevard"   1931

Claude Monet     "Boulevard des Capucines"

 Felix Buhot " Coin datelier, 71 Bd. de Clichy

circa 1887

 Jules Breton  "Returning from the Fields"

Setting is Pas-de Calais north of Paris   1871

 Ernest Meissonier    "1807, Friedland"   defeat of Napolean

Henri Lerolle    "The Organ Rehearsal"   

Set in the choir loft of Saint Francois-Xavier in Paris

circa 1885

Paul Gaugin  " rue Carcel"   1881

Claude Monet  " Gare St. Lazare"    1878

Having done this research, Jean Beraud and Camille Pissarro are my favorites.......au revoir.

~Les Bouquinistes~

The bouquinistes are the green booths that cling to the walls along the Seine on both sides of the Ile de la Cite. These prime spots are much coveted, many are passed down from generation to generation.  There is no set schedule for when they will be open.  The license that allows them to operate only specifies that they must be open so many hours a week.

Every booth is different.  Some sell only old books.  Some are full of souvenirs.  All are interesting and provide a perfect way to browse while walking along the river.

I like looking through some of the old (not so old) maps.

 The Cathedral of Notre Dame is in the background.  On weekends, the quais are quite crowded.

Prints and postcards are plentiful.  There is something for everyone.

Original art can be found too.

What is really interesting is watching them open up in the morning and pack up at closing (which is anytime they want).

This view is typical~not all bouquinistes open at the same time.

 Near the Pont Neuf

 These old magazine covers were very interesting and pricey.

These look like illustrations torn from a book on fashion and sold singly.

These are reproductions of old Belle Epoque posters.

Since these booksellers are located right in the heart of Paris, there's no way that they can be missed.

~Architecture~

Of all the things I love about Paris, the architecture is at the very top of the list.  As you walk through each arrondissement, the story of Paris' history is told through it's buildings.

Medieval, Rococo, Renaissance, Neo-Classical, Second Empire eclecticism, Art Nouveau, Contemporary and Modern are just a few of the architectural styles found in Paris.  The city, a center of art and architecture, changed and evolved with the times. It is remarkable that so much of the past and variety of styles have survived. 

Remains of the Gallo-Roman period are rare; vestiges of Roman public baths can be see at the Musée de Cluny.  The Lutèce Arena was the home of Roman circus games. 

Arene Lutece in the 5th arr.

Medieval area of St. Germain

Donjon of the Chateau de Vincennes, built in the 13th cent.

The Gothic period signaled the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance. The Renaissance brought the influence of Italian art; channeled columns, coffered ceilings, ionic & doric capitals and sculptures recalling mythological figures.

Upper chapel of Sainte Chapelle considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture.

Hotel d'Hoeret in the Marias, 4th arr.

Flamboyant Renaissance

The Neo-Classical era followed to the end of the 18th c.  Paris saw a proliferation of columns, arcades, cupolas and mansard roofs.  

Avenue des Colonnes  2nd arr.

In the middle of the 19th century, Paris had the same structure as it did in the Middle Ages.  In 1853, Napoleon III appointed Baron Hausmann to carry out his ambitious plan to modernize Paris.  His goals were to improve the sanitary conditions, reduce the population density and to make the city more accessible and secure.

To this end, Hausmann widened the streets into straight grand boulevards running North-South and East-West creating more accessibilty. Where these boulevards crossed, large squares were created. Baron Hausmann's urban renovation resulted in a definitive building code.  Roofs were required to have at least a 45 degree incline; this resulted in the classic Second Empire appearance which includes mansard roofs, top-floor  garrets and alignment of building facades. Quarry stone was required for construction. 

  At the same time, large grand buildings were created.  Each of the newly created arrondissements (12 to 20) was given a town hall.  A hospital (Hotel Dieu) and prison were built on the Ile de la Cité.  The resplendent Opéra Garnier was built.

  Two rail stations were constructed, the water system was improved by creating aqueducts to bring water into the newly built reservoirs, a sewer system was created.  Paris had few green spaces at the time.  Inspired by a visit to London, Napoleon hired an engineer to create vast green spaces and public parks.  Squares were built and trees were planted along avenues. The Bois de Vincennes was built giving the east side of the city space comparable to the Bois du Boulogne on the west.

  Though not overwhelmingly popular at the time, the Hausmann transformations greatly improved the quality of life in the capital. Baron Hausmann is now known as the first great urban planner and his legacy is the magnificent city of Paris.

The "Belle Epoque" was an extension of the classical style but with more grandeur and flourish.  The Opéra Garnier is the finest example.  During this time metal was used in architectural design.  

From the "belle epoque" came a new form, Art Nouveau;  this richly decorative style was inspired by Nature.  The Metro entrances designed by Hector Guimard are a fine example of Art Nouveau style and metal construction.  Only 2 of the original entrances remain today.

 29 Avenue Rapp

Abbesses Metro Entrance

Art Deco is an eclectic style that began in the 1920s. Art Deco's linear symmetry was a distinct departure from the asymmetrical curvilinear style of Art Nouveau.

Entrance to an apartment building in the 3rd arr.

Theatre des Champs-Elysee (photo from Wikimedia commons)

The middle of the 20th century saw the rise of Modern architecture; simple design, less ornamentation and usage of industrial materials~ concrete, steel and glass.

A Modern apartment building near the Place de la Bastille.

 A Modern hotel in Les Halles district

Radical contemporary Pompidou Center

It is the diversity of  its architecture, the blending of antiquity and elegance, that allow Paris to hold, deservedly, the title of "the most beautiful city in the world".