Good-Bye New York/Bonjour Paris

It was almost hard to fly out of New York last night - it had been one of those glorious you-know-summer-is-on-its-way days and everything that wasn't already in bloom in Riverside Park was promising to bloom the instant you turned around.  I knew it wasn't going to be like that in Paris, since my friend Helene had already sent a message that read, "Pack pullovers - it's winter here!"

In fact, this morning, as the taxi from the airport drove along the Boulevard Saint-Germain-des-Pres, there were women in pullovers.  And not just pullovers, woolen scarves, too.  It wasn't quite winter and it wasn't quite spring, either, but never mind, it was Paris and, as always, it was exciting to be coming into the city:  No matter how often I return to Paris, I still get first-time flutters. 

I've got a certain ritual for settling in, but it went by the boards this afternoon because, as soon as I walked out of my apartment, here's what I saw

Before you get nervous, this is art, not accident.  It's one of several works in all media installed around Saint-Germain-des-Pres as part of the 8th annual Parcours Saint-Germain, which pairs artists with luxury boutiques and mythic Saint-Germain-des-Pres spots, like Le Cafe de Flore and the Place Furstenberg.  This year's theme is Once Upon a Time and the upside-down Citroen Traction (our son's favorite car - I don't think he'd like to see it in this condition) is an installation by Claude Leveque. 

Across the street, at the corner of the Church of Saint-Germain, there's an odd doll-like sculpture that's attracting lines of people who want to be photographed with it and, around the corner, at the Place Furstenberg, one of Paris's most photographed squares, the open space is now inhabited by a fantasy family

The works stay up through June 19 and, if you're here and in the neighborhood, it would be impossible for you to miss seeing at least some of the installations.  If you won't be coming, take a look at the website, it's really well done.

When I got back from my walk-around and checked my mail, I saw that there was an exhibition that I would have loved to have seen, but which closed yesterday.  Called Gourmandise, it was a show of jewelry designed by Aude Lechere and "inspired by the world of Poilane."  The show was held at the Ibu Gallery in the magical Palais Royale Gardens and, judging by the invitation, it's just as well I couldn't go because for sure I'd have wanted this, a gold ring to match Poilane's perfect butter cookies, Les Punitions (or Punishments)

Don't you wonder what the jewelry that matched Poilane's huge round loaves of breads looked like?

Good news!  I just found out that Gourmandise will be at Ibu Gallery until July 31. (edited June 11, 2008)

Comments

[High Heels & Frijoles]

Thank you for the runway photo...it gave ME the flutters, just imagining the arrival in Paris. I can't wait to read about your trip.

[Maria]

What interesting art work. I am glad you made it to Paris ok. Have fun and bundle up:) Hopefully it will be summer there soon!

[Eileen]

I'm leaving for the south of France this weekend and it seems on the cool side there also from what I've been reading. Your photo of the up-side-down car brings back memories of walking down rue du Bac and seeing a small car turned on its roof. The owner seemed to be having car trouble so he and the passenger just lifted it up and turned it over to inspect it.

[frenchtart]

i wonder if they gave out free edible samples at the exhibition? that would have been fun!

i used to work nearby on the rue des saints-peres; seeing the place furstenburg brings back memories...