Random Things #14

It's time for the last Random Things post of Year 4.  

We learned recently that our habit of strolling leisurely around Paris has a name.  In French, la flânerie means a leisurely or aimless stroll through a city.

So, here are some random things from our flâneries in Paris.

During a flânerie in Spring, we discovered an arch in the Tuileries garden.  We learned that arch is a remnant of the Tuileries Palace for which the garden is named.  The palace stood for 300 years on the edge of the garden.  In 1871, it was destroyed by fire and later demolished.   

One day during Autumn, we spotted a huge potted plant on a sidewalk in Paris.  Look at what was growing on the plant.  

While wandering aimlessly around Paris, we have found Paris's narrowest building and narrowest street. 

Check out this electric assist tricycle serving as UPS delivery vehicle.

The building pictured below appears to have a serious problem with overgrown vines.  In fact, the building is part of Paris's museum dedicated to art and culture of indigenous peoples around the world.  The wall symbolizes universalism with more the 350 plant varieties from around the world.

At first glance, Jean-Claude thought something had burst below the pavement.  In fact, the scene is a work of art with a fountain underneath.  The art is a tribute of the province of Quebec.  It symbolizes a frozen river in early Spring when the ice buckles and rushing water is released.

Fontaine de l'Embâcle by Charles Daudelin (1984) (in the Place du Québec)   

While walking along a boulevard in Paris, we spotted a pile of debris from an apartment renovation.  Marie-Chantal remarked, "If this pile were in a modern art museum like the Pompidou Center, it would be considered art." 

In the Antiques district, we spotted an interesting chair.  Check it out.

The Phantom of the Opera might be the longest running musical play on Broadway at 30 years, but it is still a youngster compared to the long-running Guignol here in Paris.  The show has been entertaining children for more than 200 years.  Who doesn't like watching a marionette show in the park? 

Not far from our apartment is one of Louis Vuitton's many stores in Paris.  Recently, the exterior was decorated with a sunburst.  

It's time for the last pop quiz of Year 4.  

Pop Quiz:  All over France, many streets are paved with cobblestones (pavés in French).  Most of the streets share the same pattern, like the street pictured below.   Can you explain the reason for the pattern?

Thanks for viewing more random things with us.