My favorite street in Paris is Rue Bièvre, on the Left Bank, in the Latin Quarter. The street is short and it winds, giving an air of mystery and intimacy. Walking from Boulevard Saint-Germain direction, you come out to the Seine River, with Notre Dame Cathedral sitting right in front of you, a huge presence in the river, looking over the town of Paris. A canal from the Bièvre River used to run along where the street is now, and the river was the source of water for many dye and weaving houses. President François Mitterand lived on Rue Bièvre - he had good taste, too.
[New art exhibit going up at Aurum in downtown Athens, Ga for the month of February. I am sharing the space with the fabulous textile artist Suzanne Gernandt of North Carolina. Reception: Thursday, Feb 6, 6-8 pm
Illustration: Tailleur . Rue Bièvre . Paris . 5th - hand painted silk twill - by Rene Shoemaker - 2014
In our building in Paris the top turn of the wooden stairway was so beautifully worn, so beautifully hand made, so varnished by so many feet over so many years, that I was struck by the glistening patina every time I walked the 4 floors to our apartment.
When we left Paris, we began driving southeast in the car we had outfitted with a mattress and cooking supplies. I was so happy to be on the road again after the month in the city - breathing fresh air, seeing space, blue skies and fields. Spent the night at Troyes, in the Aube Department. That night we had sheep bahhing us to sleep. We definitely were not in the city anymore!