Archive for April 20th, 2022

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April 20, 2022

The Mercado de la Boqueria of Barcelona!

Of course, we love markets and have visited even if lately it has become too crowded enough said. I need to update this older post on the Mercado de la Boqueria or Boqueria market of Barcelona.  The Boqueria market is located at Ramblas 91 and you get there easy on Metro Liceu line 3. Open from Mondays to Saturdays from 8h to 20h30.

La Boqueria or Mercado de la Boqueria is a landmark in the city of Barcelona. On the site where the market is located today was the old Convent of Saint Joseph, founded in 1586. And the market can be call the Market of Saint Joseph by locals as well. The first mention of the Boqueria market dates back to 1217 when tables were set up near the ancient city gate called Boqueria to sell meat. From December 1470, a pig market is held at this place which is then located outside the city.  It was not until 1826 that the Boqueria market was legally recognized and a convention held in 1835 decided to build an official square. A year later, a building is planned in the center of this square and construction of it begins on March 19, 1840. The market is officially opened the same year, but the plans will be modified many times until 1846. The official inauguration is finally made in 1853. In 1911 the new fish market is born and, in 1914, the roof metallic that can still be seen today is put in place.

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The Boqueria market has an area of 2,583 m² with about 300 stands offering a wide variety of local and exotic products, both for the specific ingredients and for the restaurant owners of the city. It is the biggest market in Catalunia and the most selection of products as well as the most visited by tourists , Each time there are more foreign choices in the market managed by new immigrants from Japan, Italy, Greece, or the Arab countries.

The official Boqueria market : http://www.boqueria.barcelona/home

The Barcelona tourist office on the Boqueria Market : https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/page/469/boqueria-market.html

There you go folks, like I said a landmark in Barcelona that should be visited for the local flavor and a bit of delicious local foods such at Pinotxo Bar, my favorite for years there. Hope you enjoy the Boqueria Market as I do

And rememer, happy travel, good health,and many cheers to all!!!

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April 20, 2022

More curiosities of eternal Paris!!

We cannot be too far away from Paris ,even if not the same as when I came here first in 1972 ! Even if the desire to see the mouvable feast that is France will keep me away from it ,Paris memories will be remembered from wherever I will be… I like to touch on something that have come several times, first on business and then with the family several times. I found some older new pictures in my vault and like to share the memories in my blog with you all. Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The area of the Canal Saint Martin way back by the Villette (see posts), and on rue de Crimée 19éme arrondissement of Paris was one of my hangout areas way back as was consulting/advising on business propositions to new hotels/bars there on a group of British investors. Therefore, needed to be there several times ,and like the area to bring the family afterward. The highlight of these trips took me to the Hostal St Christopher’s now St Christopher’s Inn Paris-Canal and their beloved Belushi’s Bar !!! As well as the Rotonde Stalingrand!!

Briefly, this was a very affordable hostal with many folks not just young but families and older folks in a lively auberge ambiance, The hostal started in England and investors did one there, Of course, never stayed but visited all over and was very nice. Its been a while for me back there but I see that is still there after so many years, so it must have been a good investment ! The St Christopher’s Inn Paris-Canal at 64-72 Quai de la Seine contains a bar and club, with discounts on drinks and « what visitors assure us is ‘good-value, yummy food’. Our guests have said this hostel has a ‘good atmosphere downstairs and always has heaps of people around’, ‘perfect for people that want to have some fun ». Voted Hostelworld’s most popular Hostel in Paris 2014, 2013 and 2012! With a waterfront terrace on the canal, and a 15 minute walk from the Zenith concert hall.  Guests can eat at Belushi’s and La Criée La Villette located a 5-minute walk from the property. The building replaces one of the two warehouses of the Magasins Généraux du Bassin de la Villette, destroyed by fire in 1990. It is thus a contemporary reflection of its twin located just on the other side of the drawbridge on rue de Crimée , The Inn is located at the corner of the Quai de la Seine and rue de Crimée, at the end of the Bassin de la Villette.

The official St Christopher’s Inn Paris Canal: https://www.st-christophers.co.uk/paris/canal-hostel/

Paris la criee et okay cafe canal st martin nov11

Once there you could not avoid the Belushi’s Bar,  a chain with many in various cities in Europe. In Paris at 159 rue de Crimée, inside St Christopher’s hostel. Metro Crimée line 7 or Laumiére line 5. They now have another one at Gare du Nord! At Crimée it has five big screen TVs for all the action and great burgers, an American style diner in Paris. Long Happy Hours, a huge range of burgers, great music, live music every week! You can take advantage of the happy hour every day from 16h to 21h which offers you unique prices on drinks and food. Being one of the best sports bars in Paris, they broadcast all the biggest sporting events live.

The official Belushi’s bar Paris Canal : https://www.belushis.com/bars/paris/canal#

Paris hostal st christophe bar belushi's nov11

The La Rotonde Stalingrad, at Place de la Bataille de Stalingrad 6-8. The Brunch is offered as a buffet and begins with the choice between a glass of fresh orange juice or a glass of champagne, you cannot missed this one if not yet there, It is the haunt of lovers of gustatory pleasures, art, and emerging DJs. You can have a bite to eat at the Trattoria, visit the current exhibition at the gallery, sip a cocktail at the bar or even dance at the mini-club. La Trattoria by Gustu is the project of a Corsican gourmet, Christophe Poligani, Le Refuge by Gustu is the cocktail and wine bar, For more than four years, the mini-club has been welcoming the cream of the electronic scene, The gallery is a space dedicated to culture which hosts exhibitions, screenings, pop-up stores and all types of events related to Parisian art in general. And it has the largest terrace in Paris ! I have a pic when renovations started!  A bit of history of what was here tell us that the building was built in 1784 just before the French revolution, This was the Le Grand Marché de Stalingrad that over time has become a gourmet & design space, a haven for gourmets eager to travel and Mediterranean flavors.

The official La Rotonde Stalingrad: https://larotondestalingrad.com/

Paris la rotunda resto renov nov11

This is Paris at its new meeting spot, and folks looking for the la vie en rose à la Française! Paris is eternal, the most beautiful city in the world. You would do well coming by here and enjoy this up and coming area still a bit off the beaten path of my Paris. You have a wonderful combination of St Christopher’s Inn, Belushi’s bar and La Rotonde Stalingrad ! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

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April 20, 2022

The Opéra Bastille of Paris!!

This was one of my hot spots in Paris and came here for the night action first, Heard about the Opéra Bastille but been a futuristic building not my cup of tea, However, as everything in Paris is so catchy once in the area needed to see it, I have written bits on it in previous posts, and its about time I tell you about it on a post of its own with my older pics from my vault! Therefore, here is the Opéra Bastille of Paris !!

The Opéra Bastille main entrance to the Opéra faces the Place de la Bastille, and the July Column placed in its center.

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The Opéra Bastille is a modern opera house located on the Place de la Bastille. With its 2 703 seats, the Grand Salle is one of the most important in the world in terms of capacity. The main hall of the opera is 20 meters high, 32 meters deep and 40 meters wide. The luminous ceiling is made of glass. The orchestra pit can hold up to 130 musicians. It can also be covered. Its stage, one of the most modern in the world, is 45 meters high, 30 meters wide and 25 meters deep. It has 9 lifts/risers to create several levels. It sits on 3 main risers, which allow it to descend to the lower backstage stage located on the 6th basement. Two backstage platforms are arranged behind the stage:
The main stage is located on the same level as the stage (1st floor FR), The lower stage is located on the 6th floor (6th basement FR) These two levels are connected by a large hoist, and by the scenic stage which can go up and down between the 1st floor and the 6th floor. On each level, a system of rails and motorized trolleys allows the decorations to be moved.  The opera has two annex halls: A 500-seat amphitheater located below the main hall, and A 237-seat studio located in the annex building.

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The Opéra Bastille was inaugurated on July 13, 1989 for the festivities of the bicentenary of the storming of the Bastille, with a show directed by Bob Wilson, La Nuit avant le jour. More than 30 heads of state or government, including United States President George H.W. Bush, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi attend the performance.

A bit of history I like, brief :

First steps from the activity of operas in Paris: On December 14, 1645, Cardinal Mazarin represented in the room of the Petit-Bourbon of the Palais du Louvre, for the entertainment of the young Louis XIV, La finta pazza by Francesco Sacrati. Forerunner of the Opéra-Ballet, this is the first opera given in Paris. The hall is demolished on October 11, 1660 to make way for the colonnade of the Louvre.

The land available, with an area of 2.5 hectares had before the construction of the Opéra Bastille, 3 buildings: The Bastille train station, A building housing a restaurant in the Tour d’Argent, already present at the time of the demolition of the Bastille fortress, The Paramount cinema (overlooking the Place de la Bastille and adjoining the Tour d’Argent). Of the three constructions, only the second has been preserved. It now houses an opera studio and a restaurant, Les Grandes Marches.

Since the end of the 20C, the Opéra National de Paris activity has been organized between the two theaters of the Opéra Garnier (inaugurated in 1875-see post) and the Opéra Bastille (inaugurated in 1990). The Opéra National de Paris is a member of the United Operas of France (ROF), RESEO (European Network for the Awareness of Opera and Dance) and Opera Europa.

The Opéra de Paris on the Opéra Bastille: https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/visits/opera-bastille

The Paris tourist office on the Opéra Bastille: https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71427/Op%C3%A9ra-national-de-Paris-Op%C3%A9ra-Bastille

There you go folks, in brief there you have it, a wonderful place to come to when visiting Paris. I admit been once to the Opéra Bastille. And of course, is Paris, plenty to see close by it in the wonderful Bastille area. Hope you enjoy the post as I, and visit the Opéra Bastille of Paris!

And remember, happy travels, good health ,and many cheers to all!!!

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