MY PARIS: Blog

Paris has been one beautiful trip. We stayed in a small apartment in a private Hotel on the 5th floor with its own kitchenette, and windows opening on both sides, in the Marais. Les Progress Bar became our hangout, we often had dinner there, or sat on the street watching Paris go by, like a Fellini movie. Saw amazing old arcades in Galerie Montmartre, went to the Cimetiere des Chiens (cemetery for pets) and said a prayer for our Monty.
Saw the famous graves of Jim Morrison of the Doors, Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust, Maria Callas, Chopin and Collette at Cimetire Du Lachaise (see photos on my other blog). Saw installation MONUMENTA at the Grand Palaise and also the wonderful dark exhibition of ODILON REDON in the gallery behind it. I have always loved Odilon Redon, and to see his early etchings right through to full color paintings and interior furnishings was amazing.
The Jean Louis Forain Exhibition at the Petit Palaise was beautiful. He was a forerunner to Lautrec.
Staying in the Marais, the 'gay' district, was wonderful. The life in the streets at all hours, on every corner a bar or cafe filled with beautiful Parisians socializing. I can't begin to explain how unique to Paris this is. Block after block of shops and galleries, and on weekends at night, it's just exhilarating to bar-hop, or try to get a good seat in a cafe, to watch the continual parade of life before you.