Friday, 8 February 2013

Paris by day...



Place des Victoires in the 2nd arrondissement.
Note that in the language of equestrian monuments,
 the position of the horse's legs is supposed to reveal how the cavalier died.
Two front legs up : the cavalier died on the battlefield (here not true as Louis XIV died naturally) ;
Front right leg up : the cavalier was murdered ;
Front left leg up : the cavalier died of his wounds ;
No legs up : the cavalier died naturally.




The famous Opéra house, where the legendary phantom is still busy haunting!

Two beautiful buildings adjacent to one another in the Haussmann style, near Place des Victoires!
In Paris, the first and second floors were considered to be the "noble floors"
 with higher ceilings and balconies!




The Vivienne Gallery built in 1823!
Abandoned after the second Empire, it has been revived by
the fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier!


One of my favourite kitchen supply shop in Paris : Dulherin ...!





The oldest pastry shop in Paris : Stohrer!
Opened in 1730 by the pastry chef of the King of Poland whose daughter, Princess Maria Leszczynska
got married to Louis XV!



Many pastries made all over France were created here (this bit is the savoury section - my personal favourite!)




32 comments:

  1. Hello Ivan:
    Such wonderful images of Paris to wake up to this morning. And we had no idea about the stance of the horse in equestrian statues being of such significance.

    Here in C19 Budapest it is the same with the 1st. and 2nd. storeys [emelet] considered to be the more superior with similarly high ceilings and more decoration.

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    1. Hello Jane and Lance,
      Thank you, I live with an 'encyclopaedia' who is very good at filling in my 'why' questions!!
      I haven't visited Budapest yet, but have friends who say how beautiful the architecture is there. Hope you are both enjoying your weekend!
      Ivan

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  2. I had no idea that statues told stories like that. Interesting.

    Do you use copper pots Ivan?

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    1. Hello Chania,
      Thank you - yes, I have a set of antique copper pots that I bought for a song in an auction years ago. I had them re-tinned and the man offered to buy them from me for 10 times what I paid for them! I love using them but mostly for special occasions!!
      Hope you enjoyed your friends Party last night!
      Ivan

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  3. So many good things here, Ivan, I hardly know where to start! That pastry shop - how I would love to have a taste of some of their baked goods. And that kitchen supplies shop...I could spend a happy few hours (and quite a few euros too, I imagine!) in there. Lovely photos, thanks for sharing them with us.

    Gillian x

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    1. Hello Gillian,
      Oh! the pastries, terrines and tarts are so, so good there, we used lived 30 meters away... (you have to go one day!). The kitchen shop also I go once a year (there are five others nearby but this is the most authentic - no prices on anything (a good thing so as to not stray from my list!! - it is not over priced either!)).
      Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
      Ivan

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  4. Oh Ivan I am so excited to be "tucked in your suitcase"! What beautiful scenery! I can tell you are traveling through Paris with a smile on your face!

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    1. Hello,
      Thank you and you are most welcome! I am smiling as you say and to a point of making the family laugh while I was shopping in the cook shop!!!
      Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
      Ivan

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  5. Even though it's Marc's birthday party, did you buy something for yourself (or me) at Dehillerin? Love those savory 'pastries,' too! Last night I made your cod and kale, but I used fresh water spinach from Chinatown in place of the kale. It's a new favorite dish! Harriet

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    1. Hello Harriet,
      Did I buy something for myself... you know me too well!! (I had a list - if you want anything mail me on this e-mail!). We also did seed shopping yesterday. Happy you liked the cod. Hope you are having a good weekend.
      Ivan x
      (M says hello!)

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  6. OMG! A veritable feast for the eyes! I could do major dollar damage in Dulherin, that for sure. Looks like you are having good weather for your trip. Enjoy!

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    1. Hello Harriet,
      Thank you - happy you enjoyed the photos, the cook shop is really wonderful (I have been twice already!). It is cloudy and a bit sunny which is fine (not too cold!). Hope you are having a nice weekend.
      Ivan

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  7. Somebody is in HEAVEN!! And I can see why! Lovely photos of a wonderful city. Thanks so much for sharing, Ivan. And.....watch those savouries!! lol

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    1. Hello Jim,
      In a word... YES! Thank you, happy to share. The savouries... I am watching but they keep disappearing!!
      Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
      Ivan

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  8. Ivan, how fabulous!!!

    I did not know about the equestrian monument's leg position significance. That's something I'll remember and look for.

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    1. Hello Terry,
      I learnt of these facts when I arrived twenty odd years back and you do look at the statues with a new eye. I though you may enjoy the statues (not as good as the real thing!).
      Hope you are all doing well.
      Ivan

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  9. wonderful, glorious photos. And all those lovely copper pots remind me that I have a couple in need of retinning. Maybe I can use that as an excuse for a trip to Paris?

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    1. Hello Emm,
      Thank you, that is a good excuse for taking a trip in my book!! In Normandy there is a village 'Villedieu les Poeles' which is a good place to visit for copper!!
      Best wishes,
      Ivan

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  10. not only beautiful photos, great food, and a history lesson, thanks Ivan!!!

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    1. Hello Joanne,
      Thank you and my pleasure! There is always so much to see here, good for feeding the soul.
      Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
      Best wishes,
      Ivan

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  11. Dear Ivan,
    That's interesting about the statues. I never knew that. Its a bit like the way crusaders legs are portrayed on their tombs.
    I see you are visiting all the places that AGA and I like to go to.
    Will you visit the Musée d'Orsay too?
    I would argue that De Hillerin is THE best kitchen supply shop in Paris. It is like stepping back in time when one visits. AGA and I make a beeline for it whenever we are in Paris and indeed we will be going there next month - and they sell the best copper cleaner ever!
    I am glad you are having a nice time.
    Bye for now
    Kirk

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    1. Hello Kirk,
      Thank you - I didn't know about the crusaders, so good trade off!! Musée d'Orsay is my favourite museum but it is not on the list this trip. We used to live just around the corner from Dehillerin and it is the best kitchen supply shop in my book also!! Stuck in a bygone age, which is so endearing (happy you know of it!).
      All the best and hope you are both enjoying your weekend.
      Ivan

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  12. Ivan,
    A most beautiful and enchanting post. Now if I could only get one of those pastries to go with my morning coffee !!! - gary

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    1. Hello Gary,
      Thank you, the pastries... they are rather addictive and the coffee is good also!
      Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
      Ivan

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  13. Beautiful photos Ivan! I was fascinated to learn about the meaning behind the position of the horse's feet on a statue. And those pastries! So many of your posts make my mouth water! Keep having fun on this special occasion!

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    1. Hello Louise,
      Thank you so much, we have been enjoying all the sights and especially the food - it has been a lovely break for us! Lucky we are walking a lot to stop the guilt!! Hope you are both having a happy weekend!
      Ivan

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  14. The Vivienne Gallery looks wonderful. I have not been lucky enough to visit when I worked in Paris. Thanks for bringing me beautiful "souvenirs". Enjoy.x

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    1. Hello,
      Happy to bring you some memories back, so you can share them with your family! Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
      Best wishes,
      Ivan

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  15. Ivan,lovely pics, beautiful Paris and I had no idea about the language of equestrian monuments. Good to know. Thanks and I am glad you are having a great time!!!
    :)

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    1. Hello Andrea,
      Thank you, happy you like the extra info! Yes, making the most of time away and family time. So much to do and see here! Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
      Ivan

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  16. Thanks for the bits about the cavalry statues, and the patisserie, I love learning interesting tidbits like that :)
    Hope you're having a fantastic time!

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    1. Hello Sara Louise,
      Thank you, it adds to our tour guiding when showing friends around! Yes, we are really enjoying ourselves, not enough hours in the day though!! Happy to see you had a good birthday weekend and surprise trip to Ireland (lucky you - so sweet of hubby!)
      Hope you are having a relaxing weekend!!
      Ivan

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