Pavillon de l'Arsenal

Today we visited Pavillon de l'Arsenal, the centre for information, documentation and exhibition for urban planning and architecture of Paris.  It has a fabulous permanent exhibition illustrating the architectural evolution of Paris.  There is an interactive Google earth map projected on the floor, small video screens built into the wall displays playing interviews with architects over the years, photos of the construction of historic monuments and contemporary buildings, ancient maps of Paris and maps based on urban development plans.  We learned that Ile Saint-Louis (where our apartment is located) was owned by Christophe Marie and was first subdivided in 1609.  Our street, rue Saint-Louis en l'Ile, was built prior to 1620.

At the moment there is also an exhibition "Paris la Nuit"...a collection of drawings, photographs and videos charting nocturnal Paris through the ages...from prostitution in the 1800s to the "salles d'intoxication" to Jewish refugees sheltering underground during German bombings during the second world war to the Nuit Blanche light installations of recent years.

Both exhibitions are totally absorbing...and free!  We discovered contemporary buildings and structures in Paris that we will keep on our "must see" list for future visits to Paris...unless we can fit them in tomorrow!

Early afternoon we re-visited one of Brent's favourite record stores...Betino's.  There was quite a party going on...Betino said he was celebrating l'été indien (the Indian summer).  The last few days have been humid and overcast, which gives an illusion of summer after the cold, wet weather a couple of weeks ago.  Betino remembered us and greeted us with smiles and wishes to enjoy Paris (as if we wouldn't!).  Brent found a bundle of treasures and he and Betino discussed who from what band produced which mix...and then au revoir until next year.

On the way home we wandered through the Marais to Place des Vosges...