A Special Exposition of the Paris Pages:

Paris Scenes - Lotte Larsen's Paris

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• 1. Market along rue de Buci, July 1994.
  On the left bank, in the St. Germain de Pres District, 6th e. Métro: Odéon. Patricia Wells calls this "the most expensive market in Paris." Consult her book, A Food Lover's Guide to Paris in the Bibliography: regarding Food and Restuarants for more information on the wonderful world of outdoor neighborhood markets in Paris. Many have long histories; unfortunately as supermarkets become more common in Paris the markets are facing stiff competition.

• 2. Place des Vosges, July 1994.
  On the Right Bank in the Marais district, 3rd e. Métro: Chemin Vert, St. Paul or Bastille. Constructed by Henri IV between 1605-1612, this is the oldest square in Paris and surely one of the most beautiful. Surrounded on all sides by 36 identical mansions(called h&ocire;tels), with facades of red brick and yellow stone, the park is always popular. Mothers bring their children to play in the sandboxes and lovers stroll among the trees or gaze at the fountains in each of the four corners. Many famous writers lived nearby, including Victor Hugo and Madame de Sevigne. Consult Paris Walks and other books in the Bibliography section: Walking Tours for more history about the park.

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• 3. Parc des Buttes Chaumont, July 1994.
  On the Right Bank, in the 19th e, Métro: Buttes Chaumont. Within this 60 acre park, built in the 1860s on the site of a former quarry and landfill, you'll find miles of pleasant walks, a small lake, a suspension bridge, a waterfall, and lots of green grass to sit on. A neoclassical temple (built in the 1860s revival period) stands on the hill at the right.

• 4. Cakes in the window of Fauchon, July 1994.
  On the Right Bank, in the Place de la Madeleine, Fauchon is considered to be one of great luxury food stores in Paris with a stock of over 20,000 items. A sumptious deli provides take-out possibilities. French bakery windows always provide a feast for the eyes.

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• 5. Musée Carnavalet, courtyard, July 1994.
  Once the home of Madame de Sevigne, an important letter writer whose 1500 letters documented 17th century French life, the museum houses objects which document the history of Paris. It also contains a fine collection of French Revolution memorabilia.

• 6. Musée d'Orsay, ground floor, July 1994.
  19th century painting and sculpture are housed in this renovated train station. Several of Monet's paintings featuring his home and gardens at Giverny, as well as the works of other impressionists can be seen at the Musée d'Orsay.

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• 7. Street theater, acrobats amuse children near Basilique du Sacré Coeur, July 1994.

• 8. Street theater: performer mimes Michael Jackson's dance, costume and singing style near the Fontaine des Innocents, near Les Halles, July 1994.

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• 9. Street theater: mime executes a pose near Hôtel de Ville, July 1994.

• 10. Richard Meyer examines artwork and talks to an artist at the Place du Tertre, July 1994.
  Tertre means "hillock" or "mound;" the square is considered to be highest point of elevation in Paris at 430 feet. In the backgound can be seen the dome of the Basilique du Sacré Coeur. The area became associated with artists and bohemians in the 19th century, but nowadays in filled primarily with outdoor restuarants, tourists, and artist wanabees.

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• 11. Ernest Hemingway's 1922 residence at 74 Rue de Cardinal Lemoine is marked with a plaque, July 1994.
  The plaque commemorates the 4th floor flat (the plaque is at ground floor level; this window is not Hemingway's window) that Hemingway rented in 1922 in the Latin Quarter. Located around the corner from Place de la Contrescarpe, Hemingway mentions his "two room flat that had no hot water or inside toilet," his nearby writing studio at 39 Rue Descartes, and the area around Rue Mouffetard in his reminiscences of Paris entitled A Moveable Feast.

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Creation 11/95