Toujours Classique

It's always darkest before the dawn, right? Before arriving in Paris par avion, one is offered some of the most inedible food possible; rolls that could pass for leather softballs, faux "butter" (actually hydrogenized oils). But it is ok to arrive in Paris with a hunger, because some of the world's best delights await you there....

I arrived late, and did not leave the airport until after 11am. I was expected in the Moselle region of France, near the German border, for dinner at the ancestral village of my father's family, so there was little time. I opted to "make a quick pass" by the Fleas at Clignancourt, then stop in Paris if possible for a visit to my favorite Mis en Demeure.

Yeah right, it is not possible to spend just 2 hours at the flea....I was there for four. Making a quick run through my favorite aisles was easy, but there is no such thing as rushing it when you get into a conversation with the vendors.

My first stop was to see Patrick at Zerline; still going strong. He had one of his famous chandeliers:
You can see much of his merchandise and look on the website, but trust me, there is nothing like seeing his galleries. I loved these candlesticks; 18eme Italian:
Around the markets, commerce was still strong though off the highs; people don't come and drop$50,000 like they used to; still, this is a distillation of the best antiques of France, though you pay through the nose for them, they are worth it~
The French continue to love whimsy, even better if it is grand format:

There was not a single grain sack item to be seen. Not a one. But the classics are everywhere:
References to the Classic and Antique have been found at these markets forever; they never go out of style:
Handsome mirrors, cotton & linen in shades of white, marble and a little gilding....
Timeless looks, symmetry....as you always find at the flea~
botanicals, geometric displays!
Portraits and statues~
clock faces, classic forms, beautiful woods, seashells; all remain popular here~
as I tried to leave, I was still snapping pics from the street:
this was the most "cutting edge" booth I saw, lots of classic whites but wall to wall botanicals in the back, a take on the school/educational posters, whatever you call those~
In the end, I did buy some items, which I will show you soon. By 3:30 I was on the road, along with the rest of Paris; car on fire on the peripherique, the usual French chaos with a 2 Chevaux en panne in front of the toll booth~
I have been shopping the last three days and am very very pleased with my purchases; off to la Poste and Casino (grocery store) now but I'll tell you more this evening....