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The town square or as it is known here "La Place" is the heart & soul of every small town in France. My village is no exception. In the photo below the townspeople are pictured gathered in its square sometime around the turn of the century.
In many ways not much has changed. The second view appears to have been taken somewhat later by the looks of the growth of the chestnut trees. Each of these early photos were taken as a carte postal or post card.
I dug up the photo below, which I took when we first came here over twenty years ago. I loved when the old clock tower was covered in vines. Originally the town hall, this prominent building had already been replaced in that function by the time we had arrived. To the side the same grand old chestnuts are just visible.
Last year before I left I took a few more photos of "la place", as word had come that it would be undergoing a renovation & modernization over the winter months. Sadly the beautiful old chestnut trees were diseased & had to come down.
It broke my heart to think of losing these trees. They had provided a shaded place for villagers to gather for over a century. They had sheltered passersby & residents alike. Standing silently as conversations were whispered, over the years they had overheard children's play, village gossip, lover's secrets, the joys & sorrows of generations.
I have to admit that no mater how prepared I had been, when I first entered the village & saw for the first time the "new" square, I wanted to weep.
It looked so stark, with its new white paving stones & benches & the tiny oak trees that had been planted to replace the chestnuts.
I was not the only one who had felt a pang of sorrow & displeasure. Many of the villagers were not happy. They especially did not like the new stone benches, no matter how sculptural & old worldly they might look. They are hard, cold in the winter & hot in the summer. Not only that but they have no backs & are most uncomfortable to sit on.
The outcry was so strong that one of the old benches was resurrected & brought back. And as I have noticed, it is the only one that anyone ever sits on.
As for the trees & the shade, we will just have to be patient & wait. Hopefully it will not take another hundred years.
Day 2
On my second day in Paris I enjoyed being a total tourist.
I started off my day with a visit to this elegant pâtisserie,
where one finds, I am told, the best macaroons in Paris.
A few of these jewel like confections in every imaginable flavor made for a perfect little treat for later in the day.
Lunch time in the Tuileries was happily busy & crowded. It can be hard to find an empty chair but the wait is worth it for a typical Parisian picnic in the park.
After a visit to the Jeu De Paume & the Musée de l' Oranerie, which proved to be both beautiful & a cool respite from the heat.....
......I found that the crowds had dispersed & that there were chairs to be had to wile away the afternoon.
I made my way to Le Marais & bought a falafel here where they most certainly have the best of its kind in Paris.
I walked to la Place des Vosges where, although I am a big fan of the iPad, I was surprised to see this. Large screens are place in front of buildings, which are under renovation & advertisers pay large sums to put their mark on the exterior. I guess I would have to say at least that it was discreetly done with the photo of the building underneath.
I ate my falafel in the park, my second picnic of the day. There was a lovely & lively atmosphere. It seems everyone comes out in the early evening, children playing, tourists & residents alike sitting on benches or lounging in the grass.
When I am alone, I rather prefer to eat this way, although there are many lovely little bistros & restaurants to choose from.
I did treat myself to some of the most delicious handmade sorbet I have ever tasted, which was delightfully refreshing.
Afterwards, I simply wandered the streets marveling at the beauty of this magnificent city.
I passed some of the grand monuments as the light was fading & the sun setting.
It was another beautiful day in Paris.
