In different posts, as well on my previous blog as on this one, I have referred to Hector Guimard (1867-1942), especially well-known for the typical Paris metro entrances. Here are a few examples from some of my previous posts. (Please see how Guimard has in a perfect Art Nouveau style managed to write a “M” for “Métro”... do you see it?)
Guimard was of course also an architect who created a number of buildings in Paris. In a post of September 2007 on my previous blog, I made a complete tour of his buildings that we can still find in the 16th arrondissement, where most of the remaining ones are concentrated ... and where he lived and worked. You have a map in that post.
One of his most famous creations is the “Castel Béranger”, built in 1898, just before he created the metro design (1900). These are the illustrations of “Castel Béranger” I presented in the above referred post.
He had his working place here. When I passed in front of the building the other day, I saw an open window. His working studio was under renovation and I managed to take a photo or two before the painters reacted... I like to imagine that this may be where he designed the metro entrances. I took some additional photos, where we can e.g. see the open window and the little door leading to his work place.
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40 comments:
Wow! I am beginning to know so much of Paris through your space!
You are an authority on culture, truly!
Cheers!
Because he is a great fan of Guimard, «Louis» really enjoyed this, Peter.
Another interesting post!
Did Virginia tell you that I am going to be in Paris in April? Perhaps our paths may cross....
Parc Monceau? I remember that Metro stop well. I'm sure there are others. Glad you caught the photos through the open window while you could. Now you're not only pushing doors but doing a little window snooping? :)
V
PS Take good care of our Harriet. Maybe you will finally get to dine at her favorite spot. Perhaps one day you and I will get there when it's open!!!
Peter, tu as peut-être été paparazzi dans une autre vie? ;-)
De la neige à Paris ce matin? 3 ou 4 cm ici!
fan total des entrées de métro d'Hector Guimard. Dommage qu'il n'en reste presque plus, elle avait un superbe design
Fantastic Peter - well done! We should always take these opportunities when they arise!
I know someone who would be interested in this post, who I will be featuring on my blog soon. I'll let him know!
Mais là tu as fait voyeur à notre plus grand plasir! Qu'ont dit les peintres quand ils t'ont vu?
C'est vrai qu'elles sont superbes ces entrées de métro.
Dis-moi mais tu prends des risques pour alimenter ce blog !!
Incredible !!! Mais je pensais que c'était l'appartement de ton fils que tu étais en train de repeindre et je trouvais que cela faisait pas longtemps pourtant.
Probably... Probablement ou possiblement, ou peut-être ou sans doute ou hypothétiquement...
[Alors ceci montre donc que tu peux publier un post succint. Je prends note
Je n'aimerais pas habiter un RdC, et ce message me conforte dans cette idée]
Rien à voir avec ce post, mais j'ai vu sur le blog d'Olivier que tu avais jeté ton vieux pola... c'est fort dommage ces petites bestioles font des merveilles !
If only he had designed the Mcdonald's shops. Being the same like Chairman Mao's tunics is boring.
Voilà encore un Homme qui aura marquée la Capitale de son emprunte talentueuse.
Nice that you look into open windows!
Desperately seeking a post subject this morning...
Merci Peter for Hector G.!
Come make corrections at your convenience...
Carolg
de quoi s'en griller une
Interesting that Guimard stood on a ladder to design métro entrances.
C'est au fait qu'on puisse mettre un nom sur une oeuvre sans en connaitre l'auteur qu'on reconnait l'exception de l'artiste. Et c'est exactement ce qu'il est possible de faire en regardant les photos de tes précédents posts.
Qu'auraient été la station de vélib devant chez lui si on lui avait confié le projet. T'imagines ? Moi, oui, avec un V entrelacé pris dans des volutes....
En Vert comme Ecologie. (Je me moque là)....Sourire.
Même les vélibs ont un petit air modern style !
I love the way you find these moments and seize them. Very cool post & most informative about an important part of the day-to-day architecture in Paris. I'm glad you were able to get the sneaky photos! Good for you. :)
Toujours de belles ballades photographiques dans les rues de Paris
That's the most beautiful M in the world! I can't imagine Paris without its wonderful Guimard metro entrances. The "Castel Béranger" is now on my "Places to see before I die" list ;-)
Whenever I look at your marvelous photos with the terrifically researched information I often wonder about the history of different cities. Some large cities like Paris are beautiful beyond compare while others never managed to develop in the same way. Interesting isn't it?
These are the most beautiful subway entrances in the world! Strangely we have one modeled after Guimard's, which I find really stupid... Who cares about a copy!?
Peter, I'm very glad to know my blog has helped you choosing the next trip! :-)
V Rakesh:
I learn as I write! :-)
Louis la Vache:
Guimard would be happy to have you as a friend! :-)
Harriet:
I really hope we can meet! :-)
Virginia:
I believe it's open evenings only; we tried lunch! So, I hope to meet Harriet there for dinner! ... and maybe another time you as well :-)
Alice:
Pas de neige ici, mais pluie! Temps triste! :-)
Olivier:
Restent 15! :-)
Adam:
Looking forward to what you indicate! :-)
hpy:
Rien... mais j'ai vu leurs mines! :-)
Bleeding Orange:
Des risques mesurés! :-)
Abraham:
Did anybody design the MacDonalds? :-)
Claude:
En effet! :-)
SusuPetal:
Really? :-)
Cergie:
Avec l'age (je parle de moi), le rdc devient probablement, éventuellement, possiblement... nécessaire! :-)
ParisBreakfasts:
I have now seen the splendid post you have made! :-)
Bergson:
:-)
Starman:
:-)) Maybe you should do a second reading? :-)
Catherine:
Velib "à la Guimard"; ça aurait été intéressant à voir! Bonne idée! :-)
Alain:
... mais ils sont gris! :-)
Karin:
I appreciate your kind comments! :-)
Lasiate:
J'essaye! :-)
Claudia:
The most beatiful "M" in the world! Hector would be happy to hear that! :-)
Kate:
Interesting remark! Finally, it was not at all obvious that Paris should become the capital! :-)
JM:
I understand that the entrance to the Picoas station was a gift by the Paris metro! :-)
This balcony in the bottom collage, upper left, is where I'd like to stand right now with my glass of wine. And that shade of green on all the iron work and window trims is one of the joys of life, if you ask me.
Ruth:
Yes, this green really means art nouveau, Guimard, Paris... ! :-)
haha, taking a peak into its history and seeing this place under renovation. cool! ^0^
btw, i'm liking the M, so art noveau, even a simple letter was well thought off!
Guimard surely deserved this kind of post. I'm a fan!!
Fascinating and utterly beautiful.
Arabesque:
Yes, the "M" is really nice, and not everybody has noticed it! :-)
Trotter:
He deserved several posts! :-)
Jilly:
Yes! :-)
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