Still New Discoveries in Paris
Bonjour mes amis,
After 19 years of coming to Paris, it’s always a pleasure to discover some new places, and that’s what we did yesterday along Boulevard Montmartre. (It is not in Montmartre) It is often referred to as one of the Grand Boulevards created by Haussmann at the direction of Napoleon III. This effort of redesigning the city took many years, much disruption, and was both a military and esthetic endeavor. It is what made the Paris of today which I’ve written about many times.
We went to the Hard Rock Cafe with Natalie & Carson last week and noted that we should come back to this area. It’s one of the oldest in Paris and in the second arrondissement. It’s a very busy blue collar area with lots of traffic!
We were drawn to the old passages (same word in French and English) which are one of the treasures of Paris. They are scattered throughout in mainly the first and second arrondissements and are interior shopping arcades built around the end of the 18th century. “Town planners created a labyrinth of commercial passages with beautiful stained glass ceilings, mosaic tile and iron latticework all bathed in natural light” (Source: world in Paris.com) They were the new bourgeois’ favorite place to stroll.
The Marais where we are staying has preserved many of the streets of old Paris which were very narrow, dark, dirty, crime-ridden, filled with prostitution, and hard to navigate. The area managed to skirt much of the Haussmann renovation. That’s precisely why we love it here so much. One of those oldest streets is Beautreillis where Jim Morrison lived. The street art is great. 
Hope you enjoyed our day as much as we did. Continuing to relish in pleasant blue skis and temps close to 80.
À bientôt
L & B
June 6, 2023 @ 10:34 am
How fun for you and Bernie, as well as the rest of us to be introduced to new areas in Paris. I truly enjoyed the tour of the many passages.
June 6, 2023 @ 12:18 pm
What’s a bouillon?
June 6, 2023 @ 12:26 pm
Great blog Buddy, new discoveries are always so much fun!!!!!!!!!
June 6, 2023 @ 12:50 pm
What a delightful, interesting stroll. You two never fail to disappoint your followers.
June 6, 2023 @ 1:45 pm
What a lovely leisurely day! We’ve enjoyed exploring that area and have stuck our heads into many of those passages. I can’t make out what the last word on that saying is on the wall. I’ll ask my French friend.
June 6, 2023 @ 5:29 pm
https://twitter.com/MichaelWarbur17/status/1666027889484021762?t=uhqC_VjCn0vYVvQaYzzDeQ&s=19
June 6, 2023 @ 6:44 pm
Wow, that is absolutely amazing! I will try to copy and paste this into my blog. Thanks!!
June 6, 2023 @ 6:57 pm
Loved Chris Parton’s link to the D-Day information. How very wonderful! Love your blog today, and happy for you and Bernie to have a slow easy day to wander and explore new venues. I have enjoyed it immensely! Loved following Natalie and Carson’s adventures with you and Bernie. Enjoy life there!
June 6, 2023 @ 8:16 pm
I always enjoy secret places. Looks like you found several today. Your son’s link which showed someone rubbing Omaha Beach sand into the soldier’s name carved into the cross was interesting. I’ve rubbed flour into boyfriend/girlfriend names carved into stone to highlight the names — it works. Jim Morrison liked Paris so much he died there. The Doors are one of my Pandora stations — makes me run fast (in an old man sort of way). You took us to his grave last year. Thanks for the adventure.
June 6, 2023 @ 8:22 pm
Great wanderings!!
June 8, 2023 @ 12:37 am
Ton prochain: as used in the Bible, your neighbor. Listen to your neighbor.
June 8, 2023 @ 6:16 am
I’ve had others respond to the request for translation and they are all different. Merci
June 9, 2023 @ 3:21 pm
I love that part of town. There is something about the passages that you can not find anyplace else. Did you eat at Chartier? If not, I highly recommend. At least this one, the original. Prices are good, food is ok, but the ambiance is amazing. The ceiling, the light coming in the glass, the brass hat racks, the communal tables. If you can get in without having to stand in line, well worth the visit.
Also in that area, if you were to turn left after exiting Chartier, is the original la Mère de Famille candy shop. I know they are all over Paris these days, but I love the original one.
June 17, 2023 @ 3:00 pm
Usually I’m very delayed in reading ur blog, but this one is a favorite! Many places that were never on a group itinerary on my 2 trips to Paris. Love to U and Bernie for giving me a singular experience over 19 years‼️