Yesterday in comments we had a little exchange about the theater above. It used to be called le théâtre Sarah-Bernhardt. After having a couple of other names over the decades, it was renamed le théâtre de la Ville in 1990. I think. Now you know what it looks like. I've never been inside.
Here's a view of the Pont des Arts putting it more in context. That's the Louvre, or part of it, in the background.
And here's a more complete view of the Square du Vert-Galant, which is on the western end of the Île de la Cité. Le Vert-Galant is what king Henri IV was called. The expression means something like "a real ladies' man" — Henri had 73 official mistresses and at least 22 children by several mothers.
This is another view of the Samaritaine department store building at the north end of the Pont-Neuf bridge. Back in the 1970s and '80s it had a rooftop terrace where you could take a table, have a drink or even a light meal, and enjoy fantastic views over all of Paris. Unfortunately, the Samaritaine went out of business a few years ago. I'm not sure what current plans are for the building.
Several of the bridges over the Seine carry this kind of N in a wreath. The N stands for Napoleon. This one is the Pont au Change, I believe. That's Paris city hall, l'hôtel de ville, in the background.
Ahhhh, I've never known the name of that bridge! Ha! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSamaritaine...I like the building. Looks like it will reopen in 2021: https://www.sortiraparis.com/interests/shopping-fashion/articles/104751-when-will-the-samaritaine-reopen-everything-is-said-to-be-ready-for-the-grand-op/lang/en
ReplyDeleteHenri IV had a lot of mistresses, wow.
As we say in French, he was a chaud lapin!
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DeleteD., thanks for that article. I'll read it tomorrow morning.
CHM, the expression "...like a bunny" comes to mind.
The name, le Cheval Blanc, of the hotel in the Samaritaine is probably in reference of the horse of Henri IV. Every Ffenchman knows the question, Quelle est la couleur du cheval blanc d'Henri IV? (What is the color of Henry IV's white horse?) It was probably creme. The equestrian statue of Henri IV sits on the Pont Neuf à un jet de poerre de la Samaritaine.
DeleteThe Samaritaine originally meant a pump at the Pont Neuf which supplied the Louvre with water. A biblical reference to Jesus and the Samaritan womwan.
Un chaud lapin...I love it. Ha! 22 kids too. It's expensive to be a chaud lapin.
ReplyDeleteAt least one, César de Vendôme, was gay.
DeleteInteresting...looked around and found an article saying that "Hôtel de Vendôme in Paris was popularly known as the Hôtel de Sodome." That gave me a good chuckle...
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