MarkHenryS

Highlights · Jazz/rock/classical scene · Shopping on rue Saint-Honoré · New restaurant reviews for 2017 So, here we are - this is absolutely the last blog in the sequence. After 40 weeks, my project of the 20 Mairies of the 20 arrondissements of Paris is now complete, including updates from visits in 2013, 2014, 2017 (work-in-progress) & 2018 (in plan). For me, it has been a veritable voyage of discovery. I hope perhaps, it has been for you, my readers, whether you know Paris very well, or not. My thanks must go to all my models who I captured in some unlikely poses often in some unlikely places and thanks to my many French friends and ex-pats who live in Paris, for their excellent advice and guidance. But, thanks to you too, my readers, and commenters! ... read more

Highlights · New restaurant reviews for 2017 · More extensive photos of that shopping experience in Gallerie Vivienne In this chapter, I include a few miscellaneous photos from various parts of the 2nd arrondissement. Rue Reamur sports some stunning domes and cupolas on some quite ordinary buildings. There are some more pictures of the Bourse and some more around Place des Petits Pères, including the frontage of Chez Georges, rated highly by Alexander Lobrano, but sadly not yet visited by me. As for Gallerie Vivienne, you just have to pop in: here sumptuous architecture, delicate mosaics and grand statues have been wonderfully preserved, and the shops and restaurants are seriously chic and expensive. Jean-Paul Gaultier opened his first boutique here and it remains his flagship, and fashionistas will want to check out the cool designs of ... read more

Highlights · Some reviews of great restaurants · Re-opening of the Picasso Museum · Re-opening of the Carreau du Temple In the last chapter, we looked at the town hall and its environs. As promised, this week I talk about the local restaurants that Julia and I have visited. The list is mostly drawn from our excellent introduction to Paris cuisine – ‘Hungry for Paris’, by Alexander Lobrano, ISBN 978-0-8129-7683-0, published by Random House. We haven't been let down, yet. Well done, Alex. And, of course, I have included some more pictures of the Mairie of the 3rd, especially as it and the square du Temple were responsible for initiating this whole project. Restaurants Ambassade d'Auvergne, 22 rue Grenier-Saint-Lazare - this cosy, welcoming old auberge is indeed an embassy of Auvergnat cooking - (the bit in ... read more

Highlights · Photos of the swirling river · More views of the spectacular Place des Vosges · Very pretty gardens of Hôtel-de-Sens · Ile St. Louis – get away from the crowds · Authentic restaurant reviews, in this difficult very touristy area, (ok, so one is Indian!) Since the River Seine bisects the 4th and separates the islands from the Right Bank, in this section, I focus on the river and the bridges in the 4th and the views from it. In 2014, I hooked up with my old class-mate from the language school Institut Catholique (recommended), Justin, in Place des Vosges before retiring to a nearby hostelry for a catch up. This square was looking magnificent, and also on my trip in April 2017. Nearby, just across the bridge back on the mainland is the ... read more

Highlights · A Roman amphitheatre · The grand mosque of Paris · Some new 2018 restaurant reviews This week I focus on the little forgotten corners of the 5th arrondissement, and as the UK Brexit vote approaches, some fun references to the main parties and viewpoints. So, for that classic bistro style French lunch - try Les Pipos just off the place Panthéon. The marrow bones and toast make a delicious starter and the fresh oysters from Brittany are a must on Thursdays. Or, if that's not your scene and you want something a bit more British in style (feeling homesick, are we?), there's always the look-a-like London pub, 'The Bombardier', serving real ale and Guinness, of course. What's more it's right on the place Pantheon itself! Over towards the 6th and near the Jardins du ... read more