La Butte aux Cailles - I can't wait to go back on a sunny day!



While there are many reasons why I wouldn't make a good tour guide, here are just a few that come immediately to mind:

1. Knowing that Nancy wanted to explore La Butte aux Cailles, a village in the 13th arrondissement, while she was in town, I suggested that we go there rather than the Espace Dali in Montmartre on Monday. As the sky was free of clouds when we made plans early in the morning, I thought it would be the perfect day to be outdoors. Shortly after we emerged from the Place d'Italie metro at 10:30 am, Mother Nature played a nasty trick on me by relentlessly pouring bucket after bucket of water on our heads. I didn't have an umbrella. Nancy did.

2. Scurrying from Les Abeilles, a boutique selling 40 different types of honey, beeswax candles and other products made by bees, to L'Oisive-Thé, a tea salon where women gather to knit and chat over steaming cups of tea, Nancy peered through the windows and remarked that she would try to return later in the week. All of the interesting boutiques that we had wanted to visit were closed. Of course, they were. It was Monday morning in Paris! Naturally, the Espace Dali that Nancy had proposed to visit was open.


3. Taking refuge in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Butte-aux-Cailles, I spent about ten minutes fiddling around with my camera trying to get some atmospheric shots of the candles in front of the altar while Nancy, a talented photographer, patiently waited for me to finish. Not able to remember what was supposed to be so special about the church, I whipped out my iPhone to look at Patrimap, one of my favorite free apps for information about Paris. After reading a short bit about the history of the church, I reached the part I wanted:

Mosaics are everywhere (walls, tabernacles, altars, communion tables, floors), incorporating elements ranging in size from tiny glass tesserae to huge moulded glass cabochons.

Turning to Nancy, I asked, "Did you see any mosaics? I didn't." Looking around, she pointed to the altar and replied, "They're everywhere." And they really were. Had I not been so focused on the candles, I would have seen them. Dear God, please grant me the gift of sight!


Fortunately, I think that our lunch at Le Temps des Cerises, a co-operative restaurant run by a group of people who take turns doing different jobs, was a success. At least I didn't make the mistake of recommending the rognons de veau (calf kidneys) to Nancy. Watching the rain trickle down the windows and hoping for a respite from the torrential downpour, we gazed out the window like the two women in the above photo.

After visiting Little Alsace, a cluster of 40 timber framed houses that were built for workers on rue Daviel in 1913, not even the rain and faulty umbrellas purchased in haste could spoil the beauty of the wisteria adorning the homes on another quaint street, villa Daviel. Perhaps there is hope for me after all. Tour, anyone? I can't wait to return to La Butte aux Cailles on a sunny day!


Comments

  1. It seems you found hope in La Butte--rue de L'Esperance. I like your tour, it's so off the beaten path and to find all the glorious wisteria-even in the rain it must have smelled of honey.

    What do you think of the graffiti? I'm not fond of it, even if it is artistic or clever.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmm, I consider the ugly scribbled letters in the first photo to be "graffiti." As for the clever trompe l'oeil scene of the girl looking through the shutters and the whimsical image of the guy supporting the street sign, I think those are fine examples of "street art."

      I think the street art in Paris is delightful and an important part of the city's character. I especially like how it spiffs up buildings that are about to be torn down. Wish I saw more of that here.

      Mary Kay, looks like you had a lovely afternoon, despite the rain. And that wisteria is gorgeous!

      Delete
    2. Yes, I can see your distinction but I generally don't make one.

      Delete
  2. Between the wisteria and the honey, I'm sold. It sounds like such a lovely neighborhood!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is my mom's favorite street in Paris. Every time she's in town we go here for either crepes at the little creperie or frog's legs at Le Samson ( acute restaurant run by two brothers). This is a great little nook in the city. Go when it's sunny, it's like a postcard of Paris..even with the street art! : )

    ReplyDelete
  4. Le Temps sounds really interesting!! I'll have to add it my list of places to try. I am so EXCITED for the weather to get nicer so that I can start exploring more parks and not be cold or wet!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for sharing! I'd love to visit Paris.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the idea of a tea house with ladies knitting...I know where to go when I'm next in Paris!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. We will go in July!...this is one of the few places in Paris I have never visited.

    Love Denise

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds like you had a fun time despite the rain and things being shut! That church sounds beautiful. It's on the list for my next foray to Paris, not sure when it will be though ...
    Hope you enjoyed the blog hop and thank you so much for taking part. It seems to have gone very well with everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  9. :) goes on my 'must see' list - sooooo much to visit, sooooo little time!

    ReplyDelete
  10. We had a wonderful day wandering and the rain did not dampen our enthusiasm. It is a lovely undiscovered area of Paris that will not disappoint if you visit. Do however, save it for a sunny day and when shops are open. Not likely that I will make it back there this trip but will do so next time.
    Thanks for spending time with me here MK.(and for the unexpected mention of my love for photography) Your photo of the wisteria is lovely.
    nancyb

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment