Visited La Fayette to view their Christmas Tree suspended from the shops magnificent central glass dome. The glass was done by master stained glass designer Jacques Gruber at the turn of the C20th in a Neo-byzantine style, but our ultimate destination was to visit some Paris Passages.
Passage Jouffroy kept us busy for at least two hours. It houses Musée Grévin with its famous waxwork models, the Hôtel Chopin - an original and reasonably priced place to spend the night, and lots of very quirky shops.
Gourmets can enjoy eating in the unmissable tea rooms of Valentin, but we found a memorable Thai restaurant which served us all a beautifully presented and delicious lunch.
In the elegant passageway Galerie Vivienne we came across a bridal couple dancing
Special thanks to our lovely DiL for taking us to the passageways and sharing her knowledge, and a big thank you to our eldest son for treating us to a memorable meal
Hello Rosemary, Cleveland is not Paris, but it has three beautiful arcades. The most magnificent, the Old Arcade, gleams with its elaborately modeled brass. When I worked in downtown Cleveland, I visited the three often because in addition to old book and coin shops, they had many places to eat. One optician had an intriguing display of glass eyes behind its gilt-lettered window. The Passages of Paris as you show are beautiful and filled with interesting stores, but also take a look at Cleveland's Old Arcade:
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Arcade
--Jim
Hello Jim - I shall certainly be taking a look at Cleveland's Old Arcade shortly, and have just noticed that since Blogger updated recently your wiki link is now readily accessible from this comment.
DeleteI have just looked Jim - it really is a magnificent arcade, and I can well understand just why you enjoyed visiting it so much.
DeleteThe passages are indeed beautiful and elegant, and very enjoyable to see. Having never really got past the list of 'must see' tourist spots, I had no idea there were so many beautiful arcades for the exploring in Paris. The two parasols particularly appeal to me, as does the gorgeous dome at Lafayette.
ReplyDeleteDear Patricia - Paris is definitely a city that you can return to time and time again and still find new places to visit and explore. I have been going there since I was a teenager, and yet visited four completely new locations to me on this last visit.
DeleteNow why can't shopping malls be built like this.
ReplyDeleteI must agree with you that the shopping malls today look absolutely nothing like these regarding style and elegance
DeleteI love those passages very much, they are so beautiful. I once made such a tour through some of them too. Your photos are excellent to look at and dream away. That dancing couple looks like a fairy tale.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that these reminded you of your own tour through some of the passageways Marianne.
DeleteBom dia, a fotorreportagem com belas fotos é maravilhosa, mostra com detalhes e cores o lindo local para apreciar e fazer compras.
ReplyDeleteBom domingo e semana,
AG
Muito obrigado por sua visita e seu muito amável comentário
DeleteDear Rosemary, I had no idea that such wonderful places existed in Paris. It just shows that one should not always "wing it on their own". The passages couverts will be a must visit on our next trip to Paris. Your photos are stunning.
ReplyDeleteThe couple dancing look like professional dancers...their postures give them away.
Dear Gina - I think that you are correct about the couple - were being photographed as they danced and I had the feeling that they were possibly doing it for a magazine. I have seen other couples dressed in wedding outfits dancing in Paris before, it seemed a bit too much of a coincidence.
DeleteHow beautiful, I'm sure I could wile away a few hours there too.
ReplyDeleteYes, and probably spend a few euros too.
DeleteThese arcades are just so elegant aren't they.
ReplyDeleteLovely places to wander Elaine especially if it happens to be grey or wet whilst visiting
DeleteWhat magical places! Simply gorgeous *sigh*
ReplyDeleteParis has such a lot to offer the visitor
Deletethey look rather inviting after seeing your lovely photos. the Christmas tree hanging from the ceiling is something I've not seen before, looks great.
ReplyDeletea dancing couple, how sweet and no one around.
Thanks Margaret so pleased that you enjoyed seeing the photos
DeleteThat looks wonderful. I didn't know about them.
ReplyDeleteThey are well worth a visit if you ever have time
DeleteStunning photographs - I would love to know what camera you use. I have a Nikon D90 but I don't get results like this! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
Thank you Margaret for your kind comment.
DeleteI only use a small point and shoot as I like to have my camera with me at all times.
It is a Sony DSC-WX350 - they are not expensive, you can pick one up for less than £200
Paris is the city of wonders , always something new to discover even when you have lived there for years, I just love that city.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Jane - I must have visited Paris at least 30 times over the years, but always find somewhere new to discover.
DeleteHello from Idaho. I've never shop at place even close to that. I believe for me it would be an amazing experience.
ReplyDeleteI came in from Biebkriebels and hope you fine the time to stop in for a cup of coffee.
Hello Dora - thank you for your visit - I hope that one day you may have the opportunity to visit Paris.
DeleteRosemary,
ReplyDeleteSo many of out our malls are failing, but these passages have stood the test of time. I have shopped in a couple of them. How exciting to run into the dancing bride and groom....beautiful. janey
Thank you Janey - so glad that you have discovered a couple of these lovely passageways in Paris
DeleteFascinating! I, too, didn't know there were so many arcades still intact in Paris and I am most happy to hear they aren't all only for high-end products and customers. I love the card with 'la parisienne en vélo'! Your DiL, I assume.
ReplyDeleteMy DiL has visited many of the arcades in Paris - she and her friends go to different parts of Paris with a local guide at least once a month.
DeleteYou always manage to take us to some very unusual and beautiful places on your trips to Paris. It was lovely to see. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah
DeleteThese historic passageways look so charming and interesting - so much more so than any modern shopping mall I've been to. They look bright and clean. I don't like shopping, but I do think I would enjoy wandering around these places because of their character. The bridal couple add a rather surreal aspect to them, as well.
ReplyDeleteShopping is not for me either Wendy, but part of the fascination with these passageways was strange assortment of things to buy, and all of the interesting people seen.
DeleteYou've really done a fabulous job capturing the beauty of Montmarte and surroundings. I LOVE that top photo in particular, Rosemary. Stunning! I hop your trip has been everything you hoped it would be.
ReplyDeleteThank you Michael - we are fortunate to be able to pop over to Paris regularly as it is where my son and his family live.
DeleteEnjoyed that tour. You have a real artist's eye for capturing colour and patterns and filtering out the rest, which most folk fail to do in photography. Biggest compliment I can give is that I wish I'd taken them :o)
ReplyDeleteCan't beat a city with a few hills in it for the views.
Thank you very much Bob - you have just made my day.
DeleteThere's so much to see in Paris. Wonderful photos of the details and big pictures of these passages couverts.
ReplyDeleteJust a small selection of these wonderful passageways Lorrie which we loved exploring.
DeleteOh, Rosemary what fantastic photos, and also a lot of information. I have rather haphazardly explored arcades there too but had no idea that there were so many, and so interesting. I never have been to Musee Grevin, someone told me once it wasn't worth going to but it looks so entrancing from the outside that I am sure now that they must have been wrong. (I wonder why I listened) Have now looked up Hotel Chopin and that too looks like a place I would like. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteDear Jenny - Hotel Chopin looked like a place of character and in such a great location too for so many interesting places. If I did not stay with my son, I would certainly consider staying there, and it seemed to be very reasonable for the center of Paris.
DeleteWow, absolutely beautiful! We have a Lafayette in Berlin too - but far less glamourous. Last week-end I met some friends from Paris here - now I wrote your recommendation of the Hotel Chopin into the little pink book containing quite a lot of your tips - always in the category of "Tried and Tested" (Remember 'Good Housekeeping'?)
ReplyDeleteDear Britta - I haven't actually stayed at the Hotel Chopin, so it has not been tried or tested, but it looks nice, seems reasonably priced and is in a great location.
DeleteI so enjoyed accompanying you, Rosemary, to such classy passageways which look more like of Paris. I like the things which captured your heart and eyes and I also like the multiple reflections on the show windows. When time is limited in overseas travel, shopping arcades tend to be after the must-see sightseeing sights, but now I understand the historical meaning of Paris’ passageways. The pale white Sacré Coeur is so beautiful. My daughter loved to stroll around Paris so much.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Dear Yoko - Paris is full of never ending delights for the visitor to see and appreciate. I have been travelling there since I was a teenager, and still I find new things to enjoy.
DeleteYou surprise each time with your great images. This market building is lovely.
ReplyDeleteWow. I would have been dazzled by all the shops and probably would have bought TOO much. Ha!
ReplyDelete