Paris

The centre of France

Passy district of Paris, France

Our trip started with just under a week in Paris. I have travelled to the Passy district of Paris regularly to photograph the Pont Bir- Hakeim and the surrounding area that includes the Tour Eiffel which stands just across the Seine. So for our apartment to be in the Passy area was a big plus.

The are was an excellent place to stay. We were staying on the Rue de l’Annonciation.  Lots of great stores and shops. When it rained one day, I was getting soaked. The Passy Plaza on Rue de Passy was a good find as a Monoprix store is located there and there were jackets within my budget!

It was a short walk to one of the two Metro stops so getting into the centre of Paris was easy.

At the end of our stay we took a cab to the Gare du Lyon and traveled by train to Provence.



Paris
View of the Eiffel Tower from Passy area of Paris

Walking into our apartment and having view of the Eiffel Tower was a big surprise. Everytime we looked out the window it was just as exciting as the first time! The apartment was very smartly decorated and the building beautiful. A little point of history is that the buildinjg sits on a site that included the former Hôtel de Valentinois, and mansion owned by a close friend of Benjamin Franklin - who stayed there during his diplomatic mission to secure French support for the American Revolution.

Passy district of Paris, France

Passy is located on a hilll, above the Seine River in the 16th arrondissement. It was at one time an independent village known for its hot mineral springs. It was annexed into Paris in 1860. It became a sought-after location for the wealthy.

But I loved the quiet residential feel of the area. Quite streets with restaurants and stores.  On most days it was like I was almost the only traveller staying in the area!    

Passy District of Paris, Pont de Bir Hakeim

Pont de Bir-Hakeim - connects the 15th and 16th arrondissements and passes over the Île aux Cygnes IIsle of the Swans). There are two levels to the bridge. Cars and people cross the bridge at street level, and the Metro Line 6 uses an upper level. The bridge was built in 1905  o replace the former foot bridge built in 1878 for the Exposition Universelle.   

The Passy district has beautiful Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture. 


  

Passy Covered Market, Passy District, Paris

Passy Covered Market

There are many stores in the area, however, the Passy Covered Market, located at Place de Passy, really defines the area as a neighbourhood.For me it seemed to be a daily trip to this market.

But in addition, La Grande Epicerie de Paris is a grand food supermarket full of food and wines.  Too bad we were travelling by train from Paris to Provence so we could not stock on gourmet good for the balance of the trip. 

Remoulins, Occitanie

Le Samaritain

On my first visit to Paris I remember going to the original Le Samaritain Department store and being impressed with the Art Deco look and their excellent pen department.  Although I did not buy a pen there, I did get a bottle in fountain pen in.  The motto of the original store: You'll find everything at Samaritaine.  Well not now.

In 2001 LVMH acquired a 55% interest in Samaritaine.  In 2005 the store closed for safety reasons as the it did not meet required safety standards.  After it closed discussions to place on redevelopment. In 2010 LVMH acquired 100% of the shares in Samaritain and in 2021 the store re-opens. But not with something for everyone. This is a high fashion palace.  The architecture of the old building with its steel and art deco details is beautiful and well worth a visit.  

les philosophes

Grand Mosque

This has been on my destinationlist for some time. Metro Line 6, Line 1 and Line 7 and I was there! It is located in the 5th arrondissement on the Left Bank. It is one of the largest mosques in France. Completed in 1926, it is the oldest mosque in Paris. The mosque is built in the Moorish Revival style. The minaret is 33 metres (108 ft) high.

I enjoyed my morning visiting the Mosque. The colours were bold. The Greens, associated with paradise nature and spiritual renewal is all throughout the gardens and walkways. The blue tiles speak to divine perfection, nobility and protection.

Except for the prayer areas, you are pretty much free to work around the complex.