Doors, Doors and More Paris Doors!
Bonjour mes amis,
The picture says it all…the infamous passport has arrived. Many thanks for your prayers and well wishes. I’m quite sure they helped to bring a smile to Emily’s face. Merci beaucoup!
I’m not quite sure why we have gotten so lucky with the weather here in mid-July, but it has been near perfect. We’ve spent as much time as possible outside just roaming around and enjoying it.
We left for the Champs Elysées just before lunch to eat at the Café George Cinq where a friend named Benjamin works. He was the proprietor of Le Bouquet St. Paul for about 3 years, and we became good friends. Alas, he was off yesterday so we’ll return another day, but while we were there we enjoyed the quieter ambiance and a long stroll. Check out the sparsely populated sidewalks. 
In Paris, when a building is under renovation, it is covered with a beautiful facade to hide the construction. One entire block yesterday was covered with a promotional facade for Dior which I’m sure cost thousands of euros. It was amazing and even had some three-dimensional qualities. I naively thought it was a new Dior store and asked our waiter if we could go inside. (Ha!) He smiled politely and said, “Non.” That’s when we realized that it was a trompe l’oeil, a trick of the eye!
We captured some beautiful doors which we’ve passed a hundred times without really noticing. It’s so amazing what focus can deliver.
I was disappointed to find that the beautiful flower beds which have always marked the Franklin Roosevelt intersection appear to have been replaced with these very contemporary water fountains. Not a fan.
We walked all the way down the Champs toward La Place de la Concorde where they are setting up for the big parade on the 14th of July. The president’s palace is very nearby and we believe this was his entourage. 
I spent time on the internet and discovered there is a plethora of information about the doors of Paris. I would not have selected this topic because my friend Richard Nahem (Eye Prefer Paris) posts about doors a lot. I didn’t want to rain on his parade, so to speak; however, since so many of you voted for it, I stayed true to your wishes.
One of the very famous doors of Paris is actually on St. Antoine, our busy street. It is l’Ecole Francs Bourgeois, a school with over 2000 students, both elementary and high. For those who love history, here’s a recap from Wikipedia:
These last two photos above are the doors to the non—denominational church just past the school. I love the figures of people that adorn so many of the doors, and I always wonder who those people were! Here’s another example.
Our stroll led us up to La Place de la Bastille past a very famous restaurant which appears now to be closed. How sad! It dates from 1864 and was the best Alsatian food in Paris. Oops, just checked the website and it says they are “temporarily closed.” We’ll see.
On Beaumarchais which means beautiful thoroughfare I probably photographed 25 doors which I won’t unload on you all at one time. Here’s a few which were spectacular. If I’m sending too many, let me know.
The lovers of the day were chosen by Bernie, such a cute idea!
And finally, how about a “swinging” good dinner. Never know what you’ll find in Paris!
Love reading your comments!
A bientôt
L & B
July 9, 2021 @ 10:53 am
I had to laugh out loud at the bear “lovers” Made me think that was really you and Bernie exhausted after all your walking!
LOVE the doors! Never too many!
July 9, 2021 @ 11:23 am
The doors are fascinating! Who knew? The “fake facade” was fascinating, too. How great that you are being blessed with such good weather. And the passport! Keep up this string of great fortune.
July 9, 2021 @ 11:44 am
So happy for Emily and everyone will now have a wonderful time in Paris.
Loving the doors!
The lovers of the day were so cute and cuddly 😘
July 9, 2021 @ 11:44 am
I’m so pleased that the passport arrived! That takes a huge worry off of Natalie and your shoulders. The doors you have shared are exquisite! I appreciate the history as well. Tell Bernie I loved his choice of the couples photo.
July 9, 2021 @ 11:53 am
Cute Paris lovers!!! Quite a smile for this morning…
July 9, 2021 @ 12:39 pm
Loving all of the doors you have posted; especially the dark blue one! So beautiful! Thanks for sharing Paris with all of us!
July 9, 2021 @ 1:02 pm
Loving the doors—so different. Good photography also, as usual.
July 9, 2021 @ 1:27 pm
I too love the doors and fake facade! I also like Peter’s blog and you cannot have enough Paris door pictures! I also LOVE his recipe for the chocolate chestnut pureee cake!
July 9, 2021 @ 2:47 pm
I think you mean Richard’s blog. We ran into him this morning!
July 9, 2021 @ 1:35 pm
I’m sure Emily is so thrilled to know she’ll be seeing Paris as only you and Bernie can do!
Never too many doors. Charles had such fun photographing doors of Dublin and Provence. Wish we had done Paris. Keep ‘em coming. Absolutely love the teddy bears! And the swing chairs- only in Paris.
July 9, 2021 @ 2:19 pm
Lots of doors- can’t imagine trying to select the winner later! Hmmm, I’m thinking “no” for the swings, ha! I would prob just fall straight back! SO relieved about passport- many thanks to all for your concerns, prayers and well-wishes!! The Dior facade is AMAZING; will we be close by to see? I know it’s just a facade but wow LOL. Going back to the doors…can’t just call up Lowe’s or Builders 1st to get a door. Guess it’s an art to find who makes (and designs?) these custom doors. And how long to get them?!
July 9, 2021 @ 2:49 pm
Yes, you will get to see the Dior facade, I’m sure. And the doors are 000’s of years old from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries.
July 9, 2021 @ 2:31 pm
Good job Mr. Dior.
You wondered who the people were in the figures — at least one was a Texas A&M Aggie(3rd red door down behind the spiked metal fence) if you look at the lettering on each side. I see the door guards at the foot of many of your doors now that you point them out. Some very ornate.
Put the ‘dinner’ bears in you couples competition at the end of the trip.
July 9, 2021 @ 4:35 pm
Love, love, love these photos!! Thank you so much for sharing! And glad the great Passport Debacle of the Summer of 2021 has come to a successful resolution!!!
July 9, 2021 @ 5:03 pm
I love all of the door pictures! I’m also glad the passport came through in time! I’m glad you’re enjoying good weather. Things are pretty humid in Huntsville right now, but we have been blessed with three days of rain.
July 9, 2021 @ 5:12 pm
The bear lovers! 🧡🧡 plus amazingly diverse doors plus PASSPORT!! 🙌🏻❤️❤️
July 9, 2021 @ 6:42 pm
So glad the passport arrived! What a worry off everyone’s minds. I have always loved the false façades, but the Dior one is truly over the top! Amazing! Looking forward to being there soon.
July 9, 2021 @ 6:51 pm
You leave very soon. Hope your travel day is as good as ours was. Can’t wait to hear about the new apartment! You must be a tad anxious but also very excited. Send photos!
July 10, 2021 @ 3:03 am
My favorite was number 6 down the list (black with gold). Also the bear lovers were cute.
We had a good rain today(Friday) so you don’t have to worry about your flowers and plants for now.
July 10, 2021 @ 5:03 am
On my first trip to Paris I was totally in awe of windows. I love the doors too. I love how they put an attractive screen on construction sites, usually reflecting what the building will look like when finished. I recall in 2015 there was a lot of work underway in Place Vendome with lovely screens hiding it all.
July 11, 2021 @ 3:11 am
“Screen” is a perfect word for it!
July 10, 2021 @ 7:52 am
Indeed, the doors are VERY old but wonder if some are still made with such detail today?!
July 10, 2021 @ 12:25 pm
Je ne sais pas. I don’t know.
July 10, 2021 @ 9:52 pm
In my post, I meant Richard, not Peter!! Sorry!!! Peter is my husband, who also has a great flourless chocolate cake recipe!! Haha
July 10, 2021 @ 11:12 pm
Always entertaining and informative. Thank you very much Linda!
July 11, 2021 @ 2:25 am
Loved the Lover Bears!!! So excited the passport got there for the trip! Love all of your pictures!!!