Pont des Arts is the best known pedestrian bridge in Paris. It may be the only pedestrian bridge, but since I haven't walked the Seine all the way to the perimeters of the city, I can't be sure.
Renoir's painting of pont des Arts, 1867
This was Sabrina's favorite bridge in the 1990s version of the movie of the same name.
It was Paris' first iron bridge, erected in 1803.
This fellow dressed up to show off his antler handlebars, and now that I think of it, I'm guessing he wanted a tip. But I was too busy photographing the Pont Neuf to be conscious of it. Oops. He has to make a living, and I didn't do my part.
Here's the view of the Pont Neuf and the Île de la Cité from Pont des Arts, looking east.
Paris Time
13 comments:
Don't we love our bridges! YOUR bridge, Pont Neuf, especially! Maybe you'll have a chance to see and tip this guy another time. Kinda like you kept bumping into that same woman. He really does have a novelty and maybe can make a living off of it (while on his breaks)?
Mmm, bridges. I need to get back to Florence. I love the feel of its bridges, seen so long ago (1974!). Yes, maybe I'll see Mr. Antler Handlebars again. Did I tell you about the guy in Times Square -- the naked guitar man (he actually wears tighty whities) -- who makes 40k annually just hanging out in Times Square posing with tourists?
I remember something about that guy but didn't know he made that much moolah! Wow! Just think how much creativity is worth these days, esp. if it makes you do a double-take :)
Makes me wonder what I'd do if I had to hit the streets. I don't play an instrument. Can't act. Don't generally make people laugh. Would I be a beggar?? Gosh, so many clever people in the world.
I absolutely love good street musicians and always make a point of paying them for their efforts. I often wonder if in a past life (or one to come?) I was a street muscian? And what instrument did/would I play? Maybe a flute...or an alto sax! Guess I need to start practicing.
Mmm, I can just hear you now, maybe in the depths of the metro where the sound reverberates.
And I'd be so damn good they couldn't help but pay me :)
Couldn't help themselves.
What a change in about 135 years Ruth and the surroundings still look beautiful to me. I have never seen this Renoire before, thanks again Ruth.
One blind street musician used to entertain travelers in a train with his magic flute. I could not take his picture so far, bought him a coffee last time. Always appears in the same Salem Erode section on my way to Coimbatore. This time I was ready for him and he appeared on the dot, same train same time. I took his picture. I gave him some money and mentos, he touched it and asked me what is it. i said it is mint which i always carry in my camera bag, I opened it for him, he had never tasted a mint before, he was happy. I'll mail you his picture Ruth.
Ginnie, would you kindly tell me if 'moolah' is an English word ? I thought its a local Indian slang for money, have you ever travelled in India, been reading all your commnets on Ruth's blog
Welcome back, Rauf, I've just returned myself from a long Independence Day weekend.
I really love the magic flute story. Lovely to reconnect with the same man and interact with him.
I can't wait to hear what Ginnie says about "moolah"! I did not know it was used in your part of the world. I wonder about the root. Now I wish I had an Oxford English Dictionary where I could trace the etymology. At dictionary.com it says "origin unkonwn."
Ruth, Bombay is India's financial or commercial capital, now called Mumbai. The word moolah is used there mostly and spread to rest of the country. I would love to know its origin.
The bridge on the cover of the classic childrens book "Madeline`s Rescue"
In 2012 le pont des Arts was chained up with locks the whole way across. The floors of Shakespear & Co. creaked reassuringly.
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