Comments on: Rue Laffitte

By: Michael Jones Seven Sisters London England

Michael Jones Seven Sisters London England — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I can’t remember the last time I went down the rue Laffitte, but it was either with La Polonaise in toe or avec mon ami Monsieur Harrison, but the objective was most probably one of the crazy walks that I take people on now and again. But I think the best thing about this particular sight is to turn the corner, and feel that you are experiencing exactly what Miller saw. Looking over Kreg’s quote though from Tropic, I was amazed at the reference to the church of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, because having read the book a few times now I had never noticed it before. But I think the joy of reading a good book is being able to go back to it in various ways that you could and would never had imagined, and that is definitely one of the best things about this sight. Well, for anyone that’s also interested in the cultural history of the street, according to my notes at No 6 Ambroise Vollard had a gallery there. At No 16 was Durand-Ruel’s gallery who promoted the Impressionists, and at No 23 was the Hotel de France where Franz List lived and where he introduced Chopin to George Sand. And it was in the church of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette that Monet and George Bizet were chistened in 1840.

By: Kreg Wallace

Kreg Wallace — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Michael,

Thanks for sharing your notes on rue Laffitte. The density of cultural history to be found on each little street is something that never ceases to fascinate me about Paris, As Miller wrote, “To know Paris is to know a great deal … The streets sing, the stones talk. The houses drip history, glory, romance.”

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I personally truly dislike the Sacré Coeur which I find to be a hideous kitsch wedding cake of a building. True Parisians detest the building too as it represents the victory of the state and religion over the people following the events of the Commune.

Whenever I’m walking along Rue Laffitte, I’m personally more taken by the office building at number 21 which I find to be a true architectural success story.

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hi Kreg,

Yes, that is my blog. Thanks for the comments. Reading it again, I think I was possibly a bit harsh here! Anyway, despite not really being a fan of Henry Miller, I am passionate about everything connected to Paris, and your site has lots of well researched and noted information – as well as some quotes that I ‘borrowed’! In recognition of this, I’ve now added a link back to your site from my post.