Tag Archives: Paris postcards

Napoleon slept here

I don’t remember where I bought the postcard, although the price on the back shows that I lashed out a whopping 5 euros on it. It shows an undistinguished shopfront covered in advertising. It must have been the caption that … Continue reading

Posted in Paris history, Paris markets, Paris streets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Postcards: Little windows into a vanished Paris

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, Seine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

The bouquinistes and the photographer of shadows

To quote from last week’s blog by Norman: “The sense of continuity is part of the fascination of learning more and more about Paris.” But it’s not just about the continuity of major monuments and landmark buildings. It’s also the … Continue reading

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Postcards from a Snowy Paris

Although it snows occasionally in Paris, it seems to be rare enough that only a small amount wreaks havoc. The city just isn’t prepared for snow. Parisian winters are normally mild, but there have been some very cold ones that … Continue reading

Posted in Paris history, Paris parks, Paris postcards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Tall tales and some Paris-Marseille rivalry

Tall tales abound in every culture. When Philippa and I set out to explore our new neighbourhood in May, we never suspected that we would learn more about tall tales in France. On the nearby Rond-Point des Champs Elysées, a … Continue reading

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French advertising postcards (I’ll drink to that)

With our flat only steps away from the Garden of the Champs Elysées near Avenue Gabriel, it was inevitable that we would meet. How could I resist colour so wonderfully lurid in a science-fiction/absinthe sort of way? My eyes didn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Paris film, Paris food, Paris popular culture, Paris postcards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A palace of commerce and a 1904 rendez-vous

“Dimanche soir – reçu lettre ce matin. Compte sur toi pour mercredi. Embrasse tous. Jean.” Sunday night – received letter this morning. [I] count on you [to come] on Wednesday. Love to all, Jean. The date on the postmark is … Continue reading

Posted in Paris history, Paris postcards, Paris quartiers, Paris shops, Paris streets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Finding Paris in old postcards

“Pssst. Dirty postcards, monsieur?” Is that your image of Paris postcards? Les cartes coquines (naughty or saucy postcards) are still for sale if you know where to look, but there is much more to old Paris postcards. Many of them … Continue reading

Posted in Paris history, Paris nostalgia, Paris popular culture, Paris postcards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments