Tag Archives: Paris metro

A geranium in winter

Finally, after almost four years, we were back in Paris. We stayed in an apartment belonging to a friend of Norman’s, and were greeted with the sight of red geraniums in the window boxes. We were there for Christmas and … Continue reading

Posted in Paris metro, Paris shops | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Designer of the invisible

When you arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, one of the first things you will see is the work of a man who died on September 10 of this year: Adrian Frutiger, type designer. You won’t give it a … Continue reading

Posted in Paris history, Paris metro, Paris travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

The blessings of a Navigo card

I spend a fair bit of time on transit. Getting to work three days a week involves a 10-minute bus ride followed by a 20-minute subway trip. Downtown appointments mean a 30-minute streetcar ride. The Toronto Transit Commission buses are … Continue reading

Posted in Paris metro, Paris travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

The once and future Paris transport museum

The huge Maison de la RATP on the quai de la Rapée has a sweeping view of the Seine and an impressive central atrium in which are positioned a few examples of historic trams and omnibuses. What it does not … Continue reading

Posted in Paris metro, Paris museums | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 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

Dateline Paris 1900: The Astounding Moving Electrical Sidewalk

In 1900, if you were lucky enough to have a ticket such as this one—and almost fifty million people did—you were in for an astounding treat. Paris and France went all out to make the Paris Universal Exposition the biggest … Continue reading

Posted in Paris expositions, Paris metro, Paris popular culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments