Author Archives: Parisian Fields

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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.

The man who gave Paris 50 fountains

On our first visit to Paris together, Norman took a picture of me standing beside a Wallace fountain. I liked the dark green caryatids and the elegant dome. Later, on a visit to the Pavillon de l’Eau, we learned that … Continue reading

Posted in Paris churches, Paris history, Paris hospitals | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Postcards of a Working River

We don’t often think of Paris as a port city. But the city handles about 20 million tonnes of cargo a year, and with more than 7 million people travelling on the river each year, Paris is the leading river … Continue reading

Posted in Paris bridges, Paris history, Paris markets, Paris postcards, Seine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Baltard’s Children

It is common among Parisians and lovers of Paris to bewail the loss of the nineteenth-century market buildings at Les Halles. Those pavilions of iron, wood and glass designed by Victor Baltard stood in the heart of the city from … Continue reading

Posted in Paris architecture, Paris history, Paris markets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

An Unbuilt Bridge and the Allure of Paris

The bridges crossing the Seine are a major part of Paris’s beauty. Could a bridge that was never built also be an asset? Consider the magazine headline below. What does it tell us about Paris and tourism when in July … Continue reading

Posted in Paris bridges, Paris metro | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

The further adventures of the Nurse Who Wore Pearls

A friend recently asked us how we plan what to write about in our blog. The answer, in Norman’s words, is this: “Planning is what you resort to when chance breaks down.” And somehow, chance seldom seems to break down. … Continue reading

Posted in Paris postcards, World War I | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

I’ll meet you on the passerelle Debilly

The passerelle Debilly is often overshadowed by its flamboyant neighbour, the Eiffel Tower. But then, the Eiffel Tower has been upstaging everything in the neighbourhood since it opened in 1889. Consider one of the first photos I ever took of … Continue reading

Posted in Paris bridges | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The forgotten fashionista

There are not a lot of private houses in Paris. Let alone private houses with a direct view of the river and the Eiffel Tower. So 34, avenue New York, home of the Mona Bismarck American Center for Art and … Continue reading

Posted in Paris art, Paris museums | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

The Jardin Mabille and the origins of the can-can

Paris has long been famous for dance, and not just the glamour of the ballet. The city was renowned for its bals (places and events for dancing). At one end of the social scale were the elaborate invitation-only affairs in … Continue reading

Posted in Paris dance, Paris history, Paris popular culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

A parachute in the Parc Monceau

On Christmas Day, before it was time to go to dinner with friends, we wandered into the Parc Monceau. We have walked in the quiet park many times before, but had not noticed the little plaque near the path running along … Continue reading

Posted in Paris history, Paris parks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

The chariot on the Champs-Elysées

For many people in Paris, owning a car is neither necessary nor desirable. Transit service is good and parking is difficult. But that means that when your groceries include, say, containers of milk or orange juice, bottles of wine or … Continue reading

Posted in Paris food, Paris markets, Paris shops | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments