Cafe Le Progrès Marais has one of those typical Parisian terraces; chairs are tightly packed in rows to allow as many customers as possible, and you have to squeeze in to sit behind one of the small tables. Situated at a busy six-street intersection of the Rue de Bretagne, it is a great spot to feel the vibes of Le Marais.
Your prose is as exquisite as your photos of Le Marias; flowers, architecture, cobblestones, vegetables to eat from the page, and stories of people making their way through this journey of life. I wonder if the woman would have consented to having her portrait taken? She sounds remarkable but your words paint a portrait. Exceptional post today! Continue to enjoy your perusal of the great city! 🕊️🎶🎵
And another sketch of a life that finds you wherever you travel.
A magnet for humanity to unveil their personal histories, experiences and knowledge. It’s your gift.
From your description she has surely earned her choices at this stage of her life. She enjoys her pleasures with a smile on her thin lips as she relives fond memories. May we all be so blessed.
You’ve woven a lovely vignette of the intriguing city of Paris, the ambience and allure of this beautiful place that calls one back time and again.
Another perfect page diluted on sipping moments. The place, the season, the flavours and the scents, the faces defying time.
Some will always have it...
However, “ça fait longtemps que je n'y étais pas venu…”
To repeat the steps, to embrace the days. The boroughs, the bridges, the padlocks. The charm, the arches. The symbols. The geometry and the meridian, a line with a flower name. The past and the present inside walls. The river, the banks. Boats and lights. Corners of unknown artists drawing souvenirs. The music from one keyboard on the chest. A little table, a coffee. A delayed meeting. And yes, the Autumn and a garden…
Et puis il y a moi…la bohème, sous le ciel de Paris.
Thanks much, Alex ! For your nice pictures, and this very pleasant description of the atmosphere of this very lively Parisian district…
Many people live there and as in all the very old districts of Paris - where there are very few administrative buildings or businesses - there are many terraces (cafes, bars, restaurants..) where the regulars (often neighbors) meet in a welcoming atmosphere, before or after their work !
On the Red Children’s Market…
Originally (16th century), this market was a hospice, called “L’hospice des Enfants-Dieu”, which welcomed and took care of orphans.
The clothes of these orphans being red
-in reference to the symbol of Christian charity- they will then be called the “Red Children”.
But I like your way of interpreting and appropriating the story of these "red children"... Paris is an old and historic city where we can imagine lots of things...
Today, the « Enfants-Rouges market » is the oldest covered market in Paris and it is indeed worth a visit for the diversity of its products, it is a friendly and comfortable place !
So incredibly lovely ❤
Romantic scenes. I can almost feel and hear the sounds and chatter. Old charms and these little spots are always just beautiful. 🌹🍷🧀🥐🍒🫒🥨
Thank you Alexander. A wonderful experience .
That old lady, hopefully, is living a 'Graceful Surrender' (-:
I have lived close enough to venture out to Paris but never have done so.
We used to call it 'Lickety-split' trips . . . by train. My brother did it on his bike.
The lovely happenings and captivating encounters on terraces seem sometimes fascinating.
Your description renders this very well and now the lady is sympathetic.
Is le Marais a rather recent neighborhood in Paris, with the Pompidou art center at one end ?
It’s a classic, old, typical Parisian neighborhood. The Centre Pompidou is, naturally, recent but built on the original site of Les Halles
I mixed up Les Halles and Le Marais!!! Mixing up souvenirs. Now that I can see your photos, I find them 😍🤩 , so colorful and beautiful!
Your prose is as exquisite as your photos of Le Marias; flowers, architecture, cobblestones, vegetables to eat from the page, and stories of people making their way through this journey of life. I wonder if the woman would have consented to having her portrait taken? She sounds remarkable but your words paint a portrait. Exceptional post today! Continue to enjoy your perusal of the great city! 🕊️🎶🎵
What a charming and compelling story.
And another sketch of a life that finds you wherever you travel.
A magnet for humanity to unveil their personal histories, experiences and knowledge. It’s your gift.
From your description she has surely earned her choices at this stage of her life. She enjoys her pleasures with a smile on her thin lips as she relives fond memories. May we all be so blessed.
You’ve woven a lovely vignette of the intriguing city of Paris, the ambience and allure of this beautiful place that calls one back time and again.
A storytelling master. 🙏⚜️
Another perfect page diluted on sipping moments. The place, the season, the flavours and the scents, the faces defying time.
Some will always have it...
However, “ça fait longtemps que je n'y étais pas venu…”
To repeat the steps, to embrace the days. The boroughs, the bridges, the padlocks. The charm, the arches. The symbols. The geometry and the meridian, a line with a flower name. The past and the present inside walls. The river, the banks. Boats and lights. Corners of unknown artists drawing souvenirs. The music from one keyboard on the chest. A little table, a coffee. A delayed meeting. And yes, the Autumn and a garden…
Et puis il y a moi…la bohème, sous le ciel de Paris.
This made me smile for so many different reasons. The woman reminded me of my 100-year-old great-aunt to mention just one.
Great storytelling. Love how you captured the spirit of this neighborhood in words and pictures. Just wonderful. Thank you.
Thanks much, Alex ! For your nice pictures, and this very pleasant description of the atmosphere of this very lively Parisian district…
Many people live there and as in all the very old districts of Paris - where there are very few administrative buildings or businesses - there are many terraces (cafes, bars, restaurants..) where the regulars (often neighbors) meet in a welcoming atmosphere, before or after their work !
On the Red Children’s Market…
Originally (16th century), this market was a hospice, called “L’hospice des Enfants-Dieu”, which welcomed and took care of orphans.
The clothes of these orphans being red
-in reference to the symbol of Christian charity- they will then be called the “Red Children”.
But I like your way of interpreting and appropriating the story of these "red children"... Paris is an old and historic city where we can imagine lots of things...
Today, the « Enfants-Rouges market » is the oldest covered market in Paris and it is indeed worth a visit for the diversity of its products, it is a friendly and comfortable place !
🙋♀️
What a delightful story! :)
"He went to Paris looking for answers to questions that bothered him so." Jimmy Buffett
You are both storytellers who have and are living your life to the fullest. I hope the answers make you smile.