Today we have continued our architectural tour of Paris in the 3rd and 4th arondissements. We have found Angels in stone and in wrought iron, Angels with lions and Angels with lyres, on walls and porticoes and on Notre Dame, feeding squirrels and holding shields. We have walked streets and lanes and discovered byways and parks we would never have found but for our angel hunt. Join us on our adventure. We have walked miles!
Notre Dame Cathedral from the rose bed.
These and another pair can be found on the pediment of the Hotel Soubrise. The little pile of wood that one Angel sits on, a fascine, is for making parapets. They date from 1708.
These two from 1914 are raising the coat of arms of Saintonge. The pair across the arch represent Bretagne. They are each a boy and girl pair which seems quite unusual.
These two lovely little boy Angels date from 1660 and were sculpted by Thomas Regnaudin, whose work can also be found in the fountains of Versailles.
Here is a sweet little figure feeding a squirrel and next a chubby little chap with curly hair representing Love.
On the way around we passed a spectacular macaron shop and, truly, we did pass and didn’t go in!
Going through such little streets we came across lots of artisan shops – among them a music shop, a repairs shop and a prestidigitation store.
Lastly, near our hotel we found a basement allotment!
The following, while not conventionally beautiful, touched us both with the terrible story it tells and the appositeness in the political wind blowing through some parts of Western democracy.
commonprose
November 16, 2016 at 10:20 pm
Who knew there are so many angels in Paris? We saw macarons by the hundreds in St. Emilion this summer, but didn’t really know what they were. We confused them with macaroons, which we don’t much care for. We won’t walk past another such shop without stopping in.
Lisa Campbell
November 15, 2016 at 12:37 am
I am a long-time but silent follower from the states who loves, loves, loves your site. I’ve been to Europe but wonder what a prestidigitation site is?
mybeautfulthings
November 15, 2016 at 7:17 am
Thank you so much for your lovely comments. It’s a place where magicians hang out! I was very lucky as a very little girl to meet my ‘Magic Uncle’ He was a real magician who had been admitted to The Magic Circle and was, I think, my Mum’s Uncle. Sadly I don’t remember any of his tricks but found that word quite delicious and was so delighted to see it, in French, yesterday. If I can, I’ll add another photo from the wall showing hands shuffling cards.
It’s really lovely to meet you!
Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread
November 14, 2016 at 11:50 pm
Europe certainly knows how to do pastries, and they do it well. 🙂
mybeautfulthings
November 15, 2016 at 2:24 pm
Indeed! We passed by that shop but not one today selling Raspberry Tarts! 🙂
Sand Salt Moon
November 14, 2016 at 9:54 pm
Wow, I was there end of Sept. / beginning of Oct. 2010! Love your photos
mybeautfulthings
November 15, 2016 at 2:32 pm
Such a beautiful city isn’t it? Thank you for calling in and taking the time to comment. 🙂
arlene
November 14, 2016 at 9:36 pm
Thanks for sharing all these lovely photos Sally. Really enjoyed looking at them all.