Tag Archives: France

The Bouquinistes of Paris

Stroll along the Seine River in Paris on days of tolerant weather, near to the Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame cathedrals by Point Neuf, and you’ll see many vintage dark green book stands set atop the centuries old riverbank walls.

Each little stand holds many books mixed with magazines, graphic novels, posters, postcards, music, and much in ephermera mostly vintage in French language. You’ll find much treasure within, of wonderous literature and art of historical variety in these antiquatiarian stalls.

These are The Bouquinistes of Paris, a long-standing tradition of used indie booksellers in operation dating back to the 16th century.

Each stand regulated with the city of Paris, limited to four “boxes” with strict size and placement regulations. There are over 200 stands, holding hundreds of thousands of mostly vintage French language books of every subject. You’ll find much in modern day creative works as well.

Personally, The Bouquinistes of Paris is among my favorite features of this great city. I love book and magazine stands, and sadly I feel these are vanishing in the big cities I frequent. To see the many here in the most beautiful of city walkways, preserving history much like the surrounding architecture, sculptures, museums Paris is known for, is refreshing.

I bought two thin small books , and an old photograph, something I would like to share in a separate found treasures post for another day.

I shall certainly return and set aside more time to browse. You should too!

Pictures:

– Orion T

Montmartre’s District of the Dead

Behold, in the northwest central region of the great City of Lights that is greater known as Paris (France), is the Cemetery of Montmartre.

This is the third largest cemetery in Paris, nearly two centuries old. It was created out of necessity from an abandoned gypsum quarry. past used to house bodies during the French Revolution. Since then, here buried are many locally known artists, composers, writers, and other well-respected folk likely to have their remains held in Parisian decor and prestige.

One can easily view the Cemetery of Montmartre above the Rue (Street) Caulaincourt bridge (where the pictures above and below came from). I had no plans or even knew of this cemetery. I just happened to pass by it on a very long later afternoon walk through the city, taken by surprise. There is a public entrance for a closer look. Sadly, I was a little late in my walk to enter through. Perhaps next time I visit this City of Lights..

– Orion T

Eternally wonderful pie

Happy Pi Day to all, of which we celebrate pie with the Pi, a mathematical equation that starts with 3.14 and never shuts up with its infinite number parade. With great pie there is similarity, as you may enjoy the moment of what’s there, but its wonderfulness shall forever go on past your partaking.

That in mind, you should often treat yourself to a good slice of pie. My favorite and top suggested is always some hot and fresh apple pie a la mode (slice with ice cream). What’s yours?!

The above picture is of last year from central Aix En Province in south France, at the La Pizza restaurant. I’ve been told it’s common for the French to serve with the top crust served below, and the ice cream to the side. J’ai apprécié chaque bouchée!

– Orion T

And yes, I am very late in will be much more sharing of my adventures in France. I have my reasons, but promise that in good time, my musings will be worthwhile and plentiful in sharing. This is a good day to start on them!

Inside the Palace of Versailles…

Nice.

Using Google Maps and the magic of Street View mode, anyone could take a virtual through the entire Palace of Versailles in France. All in stunning detail, 360 degree spinning in any direction, with easy point and click exploration mobility. See below..

This is very cool for the Google and Versailles officials working together to make this happen. Of course, this could never come close to personally being there. However, there are many in this world who will may never have the chance, money, time to ever witness this marvel in person. At least with this, one could appreciate the beauty of the total sum of its architecture, art, history from any computer.

There are probably others. I will have to look into this another time, to explore and discover. If anyone knows or could find a list (not finding much on this at the moment), please comment below.