Back to the Marais

Metro'd to Saint Paul - our well-worn stomping ground in the 4th arrondissement - for a wander around the Marais and to revisit some favourite spots.

Started with a visit to L'exposition Icônes at Galerie Joseph in rue des Minimes.  The exposition features photographs of nouvelle vague actors, directors, cameramen ... the likes of Jean Luc Goddard, Jean Paul Belmondo, Jeanne Moreau, Claude Chabrol, Jean Seberg, Catherine Deneauve, Anna Karina, Romy Schneider ... taken by photographers Georges Pierre and Raymond Cauchetier while on the set of films.  The exposition gives an insight into the candid nature of the relationship between the photographer - who is there to capture a record of the film in still shots - and the subject of his photos.  The photos date from the late 1950s through the 1960s, many in black and white, and we loved them.  They highlighted the simplicity of the filming - crew and actors on a rooftop or a beach with a camera and not much else, or the cameraman being pushed in a wheelchair to track the action.  And they looked to be having such fun!

Next stop, Merci concept store with a brief sit-down for house-made citronnade and cake, and a drop by the Kitsuné store to see what's new.

Then on to L'exposition Johnny at a second venue run by Galerie Joseph in rue du Turenne.  This exposition celebrates the showmanship of Johnny Hallyday, a French music icon - referred to as the French Elvis - who died in December 2017 after a career spanning 57 years.  The exposition features photos, guitars, concert outfits, cars, videos, film posters (yes, he acted too!).  We went to see Johnny in concert in 2009 in Nancy, France on his Tour 66 - he was 66 years old and still belting out his rock numbers!  We have great memories of the crowd singing Le Bon Temps du Rock and Roll, a French cover of the Bob Seger hit (who can forget Tom Cruise in Risky Business!).  There were a number of Johnny fans at the exposition today - mostly women in their 60s and older, some sporting Johnny Hallyday t-shirts (and if you've been to Paris you will know how unlikely it is to see a woman of 60 in a rock t-shirt!)  Two of those older women were having the best time, photographing each other posing next to the sports cars.  They then moved on to Johnny's motorcycle ... one reached into her bag, pulled out a chiffon scarf and wrapped it around her head and shoulders, took hold of the handle-bars and posed as if she was riding into the wind!  Too French!

A wander down rue Vieille du Temple, detour to the Hotel de Ville to pick up a program for this weekend's Journées du Patrimoine and then metro home.

The 4th arrondissement is where I first fell in love with Paris and it holds a special place in our hearts.  One visit is not enough ... more to follow ...