When does the extraordinary become mundane? These photos were all taken on a short walk down Rue du Faubourg-Poissonière, an ordinary street in the tenth arrondissement. Forty buildings in the street are listed by Wikipedia as remarkable, historic or ‘places of memory’. None of these ten are amongst them.
As I paused to take one of these photos a slightly drunk man in argumentative mood swayed past me muttering something (in French) about ‘tourists getting everywhere these days’. When he turned to look back directly at me I replied. Non, j’habite à Paris. Je ne suis pas touriste. Taken aback, the grumbler promptly sobered up, asked politely what I was photographing and peered with interest at the carved details and decorative ironwork I pointed out. Ah, vous êtes architecte! Well, not exactly, but a landscape architect interested in buildings….. That was good enough, my peculiar interest was now legitimate and we parted on friendly terms. I didn’t try to explain about Thursday Doors!
Click on any door to view the gallery.
June 9, 2016 at 8:06 pm
Not ordinary at all 🙂
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June 9, 2016 at 8:57 pm
Ooh that royal blue one on the bottom row…wow.
I’ve only heard the stories of how Parisians can be rude around tourists, I’m hoping one day when I finally make it there to find that this is a myth 😉
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June 9, 2016 at 9:00 pm
Generally I think it is a myth, providing the tourists are not too noisy or demanding, but Parisians happily admit to being keen on grumbling!
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June 9, 2016 at 10:26 pm
Funny to imagine how the conversation would’ve gone if you’d tried to explain a blog challenge to him 😉 Your story reminds me of my years in France – and of why I have so few photos of Paris.
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June 10, 2016 at 7:23 am
I’ve had a few surprising conversations when taking photos of odd things – including plants growing in paving cracks. They’ve all turned out positive in the end!
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June 10, 2016 at 1:38 am
Ah, I’m always so self-conscious when I’m out taking pictures. Especially of places where people live. 😛
The detail is fantastic in some of these! Beautiful work. 🙂
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June 10, 2016 at 7:19 am
If being self-conscious means being aware of other people’s feelings too I’m sure that’s good. In many parts of Paris tourists are so much part of daily life that I feel invisible when I get out a camera. This street was in an area where tourists are few and far between so I was trying to be discrete!
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June 10, 2016 at 1:24 pm
I was in Paris decades ago but I still remember it well. Such a beautiful city! I do remember being one of (very) many tourists!
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June 10, 2016 at 1:53 pm
The main tourist destinations do tend to be very busy but you don’t have to go far to find quiet corners.
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June 10, 2016 at 8:44 am
Hehe, what a funny encounter thanks for sharing! Love the doors too. ❤
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June 10, 2016 at 9:29 am
That’s the abbreviated version!
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June 11, 2016 at 2:58 am
LOL! Oh the French! I have only had one French person be rude to me while in Paris being a typical tourist. I speak a little French which surprised her, and she did crack the tiniest smile when we parted ways. 🙂
The doors are lovely and so ornate. I do love the architecture in France! I hope to return and take more images of doors and much more one day!
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June 13, 2016 at 2:55 am
In some ways, the first set of three doors is the most impressive. They’re so sturdy and attractive. I’ll be in France in a few weeks, but not in Paris or any big city. There will be doors, though.
janet
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June 13, 2016 at 8:23 am
Since joining your blog followers I’ve become fascinated with doors. These ones do not disappoint.
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June 13, 2016 at 11:47 am
A lovely collection.
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June 13, 2016 at 11:51 am
I’m glad you liked them.
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