paris | A French Collection

The Grand Mosque of Paris

Courtyard between the street and the entrance to the café and hammam

The Grand Mosque of Paris

After years of visits to Paris and wanting to visit the Grande Mosquée de Paris (Grand Mosque of Paris), I was delighted to make my way there last summer. It was a particularly hot day and after wandering around the Jardin des Plantes (opposite the Grand Mosque) and exploring the large garden maze, I found it a refreshing place to escape the heat. Found in the 5th arrondissement, this significant landmark built in 1926 to honour Muslim soldiers from French colonies who fought in WWI, also served a vital role during World War II as a refuge for Jews, with its rector providing certificates of Muslim identity to help them escape Nazi persecution.

Designed in Moorish style, it features intricate tile work, a beautiful courtyard with sculpted arcades, and a 33 metre minaret, mostly all hidden behind its high walls. The Grand Mosque expands into prayer rooms, gardens, hammam, library, a North African restaurant and other facilities behind its tall walls.

The Oldest Public Clock in Paris: The Conciergerie Clock Tower

In the middle of the city of Paris, on the Île de la Cité, stands the Conciergerie. The Conciergerie, positioned on the very edge of the Seine River, and with its dramatic four towers, also houses the oldest public clock in Paris. The clock is housed, funnily enough, in the Clock Tower. If you'd like to read about the history of the Conciergerie click here for blog post Marie Antoinette’s Last Prison: A Guide to the Conciergerie, Paris.

The Clock Tower was built by King Jean II (Jean le Bon) between 1350 and 1353, on the corner of what is now the Quai de l'Horloge and the Boulevard du Palais. It rises 47 metres tall and was originally built as a lookout for the Royal Palace. Later In 1370, King Charles V commissioned a clock to be installed in the tower. The clock was designed by Henri de Vic and was the first public clock in Paris.

Marie Antoinette’s Last Prison: A Guide to the Conciergerie, Paris

Marie Antoinette's Last Prison: A Guide to the Conciergerie, Paris

Ever wondered what the history is of the Conciergerie that stands boldly on the water's edge of the Seine on Île de la Cité? Was Marie Antoinette actually imprisoned in the Conciergerie? Today the Conciergerie operates as a museum and is listed as a national monument, but it's been used for many different purposes over the centuries. It's a popular visitor attraction in Paris where you can explore the medieval halls of the former royal palace and the prisons used during the French Revolution. And yes, the Conciergerie was Marie Antoinette's last prison before her death.

The Conciergerie can be described as a relic of the Palace of the Cité, the royal residence in the Middle Ages. It has kept its original name as it was the headquarters for the Conciergerie of the Palace, chief of police and justice of Paris. In the XIV century, Charles V left his residence for the Louvre and transformed the Conciergerie into a State prison.

Square Gabriel-Pierné, Paris – A Pink Fairytale Park in Spring

Square Gabriel-Pierné, Paris - A Pink Fairytale Park in Spring

Paris is an amazing city for the millions of tourists that flock to the City of Light to explore, dine and shop. But what about the locals who live, work, study and call the city their own? What makes the city amazing and so enjoyable to live in for them? I've asked many people who live in Paris what they love most, and it's the abundance of large gardens and small parks or squares that they love. Especially at springtime when the cherry trees blossom.

With so many Parisians living in apartments, gardens and parks are an essential part of their life, in fact they are rather like having a garden with all the benefits without the maintenance. Parisians embrace picnicking in parks, reading on quiet benches, watching their children on playground equipment, enjoying social gatherings or just simply taking in the fresh air and green surroundings. And this is regardless of the weather.

Place du Quebec, Paris

Place du Quebec and L'Embacle Fountain

Place du Quebec is a small square in Paris in the heart of Saint Germain des Prés. Place du Quebec is at the bustling junction of rue de Rennes, rue Bonaparte and Boulevarde Saint Germain which, despite its size, is actually one of the busiest crossroads in Paris.

Place du Quebec is probably my most walked across squares/places in Paris because of where I stay when in Paris. My often stayed at hotel is just a few hundred metres from Place du Quebec, on rue du Four, and when not staying at this hotel, it is the arrondissement I hang out the most in anyway.

Place du Quebec is only a two minute walk from the pretty Place de Furstemberg, a one minute walk from Café Bonaparte where I frequently eat late at night, directly opposite Église Saint Germain des Prés and diagonally opposite the iconic café Les Deux Magots. So, you can see how central it is to many of the famous places to visit in the 6th arrondissement of Paris.

Pont des Arts, Paris

Pont des Arts

Pont des Arts is a beautiful pedestrian bridge in Paris that spans the Seine River and joins the 1st and 6th arrondissements.

Linking the Institut de France and the Louvre

Pont des Arts (Bridge of Arts) links the Institut de France with the Cour Carrée (central square) of the Palais du Louvre. Did you know the whole area has been associated with art and culture since the First French Empire when the Palais du Lourve was also known as the Palais des Arts?

Pont des Arts commissioned by Napoléon I

Inaugurated in 1804 under the reign of Napoléon I, the Pont des Arts was the first steel structure crossing the Seine. Built as a pedestrian bridge with nine arches it was an engineering feat in its time.

20 Queen Statues in the Luxembourg Garden

20 Queen Statues in the Luxembourg Garden, Paris - The series of Queens and Illustrious Women

Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Garden) is one of the most magical places in Paris and has something for everyone to enjoy. Have you seen the series of statues that encircle the Grand Bassin (the boating pond) in front of the Palais du Luxembourg? These 20 sculptures that are arranged on either side of the large flowerbeds are of French queens, saints and illustrious women who have marked the history of France.

The series of 20 intricate and delicately sculptured statues is called Serie des Reines et Femmes Illustres and they honour the historical women who through their lives and works left their mark on France. You can see some of the statues in the above photo erected around the Grand Bassin.

Luxembourg Garden Queen Statues

With the exception of one sculpture acquired in 1874 (Marguerite d'Anjou), these sculptures were commissioned between 1843 and 1846 at the initiative of the Ministry of the Interior responsible for Fine Arts and the Grand Referendum of the Chamber of peers. Come with me as we tour the Luxembourg Garden queen statues with photos, a brief history of each queen and what to look for in each statue. See if you spot the same details, and what I love on each sculpture, as we wander the garden together.

Canal Saint-Martin

Discover Canal Saint-Martin

Do you remember Amélie skipping stones at the locks in Jean-Pierre Jeunet's 2001 film Amélie? This scene was shot at the legendary Canal Saint-Martin. Crossing the 10th and 11th arrondissements, the canal is often bypassed by tourists. This haven of peace and quiet is a favourite place for walkers who enjoy watching the barges navigate the series of locks and road bridges.

From the Villette, the boats travel down the 4.5 kilometre long canal Saint-Martin to the Seine. Nine locks help the boats to reach the Seine 25 metres lower down.