Author Archives: Parisian Fields

About Parisian Fields

Parisian Fields is the blog of two Toronto writers who love Paris. When we can't be there, we can write about it. We're interested in everything from its history and architecture to its graffiti and street furniture. We welcome comments, suggestions, corrections, and musings from all readers.

Early one morning

Posted on December 29, 2019

We do not, as a rule, take early-morning walks in Paris. If we do not have a morning appointment, we tend to dawdle over breakfast, reading and chatting and enjoying the view from the windows. Quick showers are not an … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris gardens, Paris history, Paris parks, Paris quartiers, Paris streets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

It never hurts to ask

Posted on December 1, 2019

The Institut de France on the Left Bank of the Seine, near the Pont des Arts, is a familiar sight. We’ve walked past many times, and never thought we’d have occasion to enter it ourselves. But one never knows where … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris history | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Art Nouveau and Aerodynamics in Auteuil

Posted on November 3, 2019

The southern reaches of the 16th arrondissement might be considered the Wild West of Paris. Auteuil was largely countryside when Haussmann was at work on central Paris, and his ideas about tidy facades that lined up neatly never stood much … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris architecture, Paris history, Paris quartiers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Postcards: Little windows into a vanished Paris

Posted on October 6, 2019

Many of our blogs begin with a postcard. That is not a coincidence. When we are rummaging through the bins of 1- and 2-euro cards at flea markets, we are drawn to images that make us stop and wonder, “What … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris bridges, Paris maps, Paris postcards, Paris travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

The ugliest building in Paris

Posted on September 8, 2019

In the last blog, I mentioned Gabriel Davioud, who is credited with designing some of the classic street furniture of Paris. I wanted to know more about him. That proved to be a challenge. The ordinarily helpful Gallica offered 25 … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris architecture, Paris expositions, Paris history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Are you sitting down?

Posted on August 11, 2019

A few years ago, I bought a folding shopping bag from Monoprix, which I have used regularly ever since. The pattern on it is intended to represent Paris: the Eiffel Tower, the French flag, a person with shopping parcels, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Avoiding the crowds in Versailles

Posted on July 14, 2019

It may seem impertinent to write about Versailles on Bastille Day, the ultimate Republican holiday, but I am not talking about that Versailles – the royal chateau, now overrun with tourists. I want to talk about the other Versailles – … Continue reading →

Posted in Charles Barbier, Paris history, Paris markets | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments