A Little French Indulgence

A splendid 15 days of vacation in Brittany and Paris has sadly ended. So, apologies as I indulge in a little "show and tell".

First up is the result of a fairly expensive dinner at Le Procope, the oldest cafe in Paris, founded in 1686.  It boasts such famous clientele as  Voltaire, Frédéric Chopin, Maximilien Robespierre, Napoleon Bonaparte, Victor Hugo, Benjamin Franklin, Honoré de Balzac, and Jean-Jacques Rosseau.  However, the place is as much a museum as a restaurant, and the staff were happy for people to wander and take photos.  It really did feel like stepping back in time.

Amongst the items are what is claimed to be a hat from a young Napoleon which he apparently left as payment for his meal.

What may be a little more believable is that they have the desk that Voltaire used for writing.  Regardless of what one may think of the food and service (which I thought was good on both counts), it was worth the money for what was quite an experience.

On an outing to the area of Paris known as La Défense, which is better known for its large square arch that is in alignment with the Arc de Triomphe and its modern architecture, I happened across the statue below.

It is called "La Défense de Paris", by Louis-Ernest Barrias.  Barrias won a competition in 1879 to produce a sculpture to commemorate Paris' defence against the Prussians in 1870-71, beating the likes of Rodin.

Paris is represented by a woman wearing a National Guard uniform and acting as the proud standard bearer.  The soldier and the young woman (other side of the statue) at Paris' feet embody the heroic resistance of the population during that winter.

You can see the arch in the background.

This statue gave its name to this area of Paris, and is the only 19th century piece of art on the esplanade.

Thank you for your indulgence.