For the first time in awhile the clouds have parted and full warmth can be found in the sun. Paris has always struck me as a bit of a cruel lover with her weather. After a long, hard winter, we were teased with signs of spring. Quickly enough, however, the frost returned, wool coats brought back out of the closet. For no other city would we put up with such shenanigans. Paris is beautiful even when it’s gray; you swear allegiance to her even as you shiver. But by mid-May, enough is enough.
So out for a walk in all this glory. It’s market day near Place de la Nation and another happy surprise awaited. Nation is not one of those places people think much about when they conjure images of Paris. True, it’s not exactly a happening part of town – you certainly wouldn’t come out of your way to see it – but I like the wide roundabout, the residential neighborhoods surrounding, no tourists for miles around. Two tall statues welcome you from the Cours de Vincennes.
Only these striking statues of Saint Louis have been under renovation for quite some time now – taken off the tops of their columns, the columns hidden behind scaffolding.
Today as I walked by, however, I saw this situation finally finding its remedy. Saint Louis dangled in the sky, the gallant green (from age) figure being airlifted to its high resting place. I hold out hope we can finally move on to the business of enjoying Paris in all her (summer) glory. These things have been missing too long – the sun, these statues – but now they have returned.
Looks like a lovely little green-space! Spring has been a tease here too. A few hot evenings eating on the terrace and then cold, cold and more cold. I am REALLY ready for summer.
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I know! This cold has definitely not helped my mood. I am *so* ready for summer. Call me naive or a misguided optimist, but I’m going to say that THIS TIME we’re finally headed towards warm weather π
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It was so much fun finally meeting you this evening! Hopefully we’ll be able to put this glorious weather to a good use over a proper blogger-chick meet-up!
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Yes! Loved meeting you, too! Spring better be sticking around and heading right on into summer. Blogger-chick meet up is definitely in order!
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Amen to your relief at warmer weather. I’m glad the statues are back. π Looking at scaffolding ad-nauseam is no fun.
I’m going to have to check out Nation sometime. It’s at the end of the line I take a lot, Line 2, and I have been meaning to travel the circle on the MΓ©tro from JaurΓ¨s to Etoile, then on Line 6 to Nation and back up on Line 2. I heard it is kind of a fun, if long journey. I could hop off at Nation and check it out. (Now I have “do something” echoing in my head, too, lol.)
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Hey Karin. Yeah, there’s not much “to do” at Nation, but it’s worth a look if you’ve never seen it. There are tons of cafes around there, too. L’Eglantine is nice/reliable/tasty and Chez Prosper is always packed, if that’s your sort of thing.
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Thanks, Sion, for your comment over at Writer Abroad. And I’m glad to discover your website, which I’ve been enjoying.
I, too, look forward to chatting together during the Vermont residency. See you in June!
All best, Philip
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Hi Philip! Thanks so much for coming to check out my humble blog. Really helps me process the experience of living abroad. Looking forward to seeing you in Vermont!
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Hi Sion – I see that this post was picked up by The Paris Blog, and given the title ‘The Nation Dame Returns’. Perhaps that refers to you, because it can’t refer to a statue of…Saint Louis!
I actually rather like Nation, mainly because I have always lived on this side of Paris. There are quite a lot of historical sites in the area, but also plenty of sites rich with personal histories too!
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Hi Adam,
I thought the same thing! As you know, though, I don’t name the posts over at the Paris blog. Do you think it’s worth telling Laurie to change it? Of course, I don’t mind being the Dame of Nation if we think it could be spun that way π
Yeah, I’m a short walk from Nation so I happen to like it quite a lot. As with many ignored spots in Paris, it’s actually rife with rich stories!
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