Le Métro - Concorde

The Concorde Métro station is known for its mosaic decor, spelling out the Déclaration des Droits de l'Homme et du Citoyen (Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen), a fundamental document of the French Revolution. 

Le Métro - Tuileries

The theme Le Métro continues this week, with a look inside some of Paris' 300 Métro stations. Many of these stations are known for their unique decor.

The platform at Tuileries is decorated with a retrospective of important cultural and historical events from around the globe by decade. Above, the 1960's, commemorating the first moon landing. Below, the 1980's, commemorating the AIDS Crisis, the introduction of the Swatch and the construction of La Grande Arche de la Défense.

Le Métro - Esplanade de La Défense

 

  

The logo for Le Métro moderne. This one is at Esplanade de la Défense.  La Défense is a major business district on the outskirts of Paris.  

Le Métro - Lamarck-Caulaincourt

Another variation on the Métro sign. This station is called Lamarck-Caulaincourt and was featured in the movie Amélie. (You can see it here.) The bar you see in the background is called Bar-Tabac Le Lamarck and is a lovely spot to stop and rest over a café au lait. 

Le Métro - Abbesses

This week's theme is Le Métro. The Paris Métro or Métropolitain is the rapid transit system in Paris and is one of the most striking symbols of the city. All over Paris you see signs for Le Métro (there are some 300 stations in all), some Art Nouveau, some modern, each one unique and artistic.

This photo is of the exit of the Abbesses Métro station, one of the remaining stations designed in the Art Nouveau style by Hector Guimard. These beautifully designed exits and entrances always make me feel as if I am stepping into another time. 

Manger et Boire - Infusion de Menthe

In Paris herbal tea is served not in a cup - that's for coffee - but in a small decorative glass, with plenty of sugar. This one was from our local brasserie, Brasserie Les Arts et Métiers, in the Marais.

Manger et Boire - Le Petit Dejeuner

This was our breakfast one morning: croissants, baguette (avec confiture de fraises), café crème and jus d'orange. Isn't it lovely?