Rosa-Luxemburg Garden, Paris: green corridor transformation. The Rosa-Luxemburg Garden in the 18th arrondissement of Paris is an example of the urban renewal of a transformed abandoned space – a green corridor transformation. It is an active railroad space transformed from wasteland to a semi-open green corridor. The abandoned warehouse of 9,500 square metres has become aContinue reading “Rosa-Luxemburg Garden, Paris: green corridor transformation”
Category Archives: Opal Hush
Paul Auster: four years in Paris and high-wire reflections
Paul Auster: four years in Paris and high-wire reflections. American author Paul Auster lived in Paris for four years from 1970 to 1974. He wrote an article about it in an introduction to French aerial artiste Philippe Petit’s 1985 book On the High Wire which was reprinted in The Paris Review on 3 June 2019. Although most noted forContinue reading “Paul Auster: four years in Paris and high-wire reflections”
French quiche to commemorate the British coronation of King Charles III
French quiche to commemorate the British coronation of King Charles III. King Charles III of the United Kingdom will be coronated on Saturday 6 May 2023. The official coronation dish is the vegetarian Coronation Quiche – a traditional recipe of shortcrust pastry with a cream and egg filling of spinach, broad beans, and tarragon. TheContinue reading “French quiche to commemorate the British coronation of King Charles III”
Around Boulevard Edgar Quinet, 14th arrondissement – May 2022
Around Boulevard Edgar Quinet, 14th arrondissement – May 2022.
Boulangerie, crêperie, fromagerie … just add ie
Boulangerie, crêperie, fromagerie … just add ie. Many shops in France take the ending “ie” just as in English they take the ending “y” – bakery is boulangerie, laundry is laverie – but not every artisanal store in France has a direct “y” translation. La bijouterie = the jewellery store La blanchisserie = the laundry La boiserie =Continue reading “Boulangerie, crêperie, fromagerie … just add ie”
Abandoned Paris train tracks – now walking tracks
Abandoned Paris train tracks – now walking tracks. To cater for visitors attending the first Paris World Fair in 1867, a circular rail route was established for train travel around the capital. Rail was already introduced in France since 1828, beginning with mining companies to transport coal, and from Paris to major cities from 1855. Continue reading “Abandoned Paris train tracks – now walking tracks”
2023 Spring zing in Paris
2023 Spring zing in Paris.
The French Iron Lady – iron innovations revealed in the Notre Dame Cathedral
The French Iron Lady – iron innovations revealed in the Notre Dame Cathedral. The renovations to the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after the April 2019 fire has revealed the architect’s innovative use of iron. It was ahead of its time – high tech and ultra modern – for Gothic architecture! This is a surprisingContinue reading “The French Iron Lady – iron innovations revealed in the Notre Dame Cathedral”
The Banquet of Bread – portraits of artisanal bakers in Paris
The Banquet of Bread – portraits of artisanal bakers in Paris. Bread is the ‘staff of life’ – or as some say, the ‘stuff of life’ – everywhere in the world. Bread and its bakers sustain life – le pain et ses boulangers soutiennent la vie. There are many references to bread in James Joyce’s novels onContinue reading “The Banquet of Bread – portraits of artisanal bakers in Paris “
Notre Dame Cathedral might re-open to visitors in December 2024
Notre Dame Cathedral might re-open to visitors in December 2024. Notre Dame Cathedral might re-open to visitors in December 2024 due to the ‘good pace’ of the renovations. This will be after the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and six and a half years after renovations first commenced, and almost four years after the fireContinue reading “Notre Dame Cathedral might re-open to visitors in December 2024”