The Road Goes Ever On

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Bastille Market, 2026

When we were in the 11th, in 2014 and 2019, Bastille was our go-to market. (Pix here.) It is still attractively large and diverse, and very popular on Sunday mornings, though not as nearby for us as it once was. Despite a navigational error, we still got there in time to walk the whole market plus enjoy some snacks.

The navigational error at least afforded us some insight
into why the area is called Sevres-Babylon

All quiet at the cheval stand...despite horse meat being halal...

Also hot dogs and pizza in the cuisine authentique...

Vicki taking a picture of me in the long line at one of
the 4 oyster bars in the market

Thus; the #1s in the green basket were humongous

There were 3 serveuses and this one guy shucking at the
rate of about, I kid you not, 10-12 per minute; I can do
one in a couple/three minutes, but then have to stop to
clean wounds, stanch the flow of blood, apply bandages,
etc.

Fascinating; I think the secret is to be bold and to wear protective gear

Lunch, for me; I have never gotten sick with oysters
(unlike mussels)

Porcine spare parts (head to toe)

Your cardiologist would not approve (salt cod)

Little ice cream cone-like pastries

Purchase of the day...a beautiful cutting board from Corsica, heavy
as iron; perfect for a Costco poulet roti

All the street toilettes now have a urinaire...it's a tiny
space, however...oblique shots are best, avoiding the ricochet...

X=0, Y=0

Monday, April 20, 2026

Vanves Flea Market

Among the things that make Paris so interesting are its variety of markets. Food markets, flea markets, brocante markets, antique markets, artisan markets, book and art markets. All of them outdoor walking markets, people selling to people, in what is otherwise as cosmopolitan and technologically-advanced a place as any. Our go-to flea market, since 2014, has been Vanves, in the 14th, just a couple miles from our apartment. Some previous visits are:

https://roadeveron.blogspot.com/2023/05/vanves-flea-market-2023.html
https://roadeveron.blogspot.com/2021/09/marche-aux-puces-vanves.html

https://roadeveron.blogspot.com/2014/06/le-marche-aux-puces-de-vanves.html

This year the market seemed to me much expanded, into the neighborhood, affording much-needed cafes (and attendant amenities). We didn't buy anything, but much enjoyed three hours' looking over the wares and the people selling, buying, and looking over the wares. A fascinating and good-natured place. Some scenes...

Six or so blocks of such, with off-shoots

Tables and tables of such

Mechanized ash tray

Most unusual and in pretty good shape...a table covered in mirror and
accompanying mirror stand

Possibly belongs in the Musee des Arts et Metiers

Weights and tools

A Wimshurst Machine...definitely belongs in the Musee...
look it up

Always within range of the Disney tractor beam

Small enough to hold in the palm of your hand...
a Singer, too

Musee des Arts et Metiers, 2026

Something Vicki read led her to want to visit the Musee des Arts et Metiers...arts and measures...although I'd suggest it's mostly history of science and technology from the Enlightenment on. I'd visited it in 2021, solo, and appreciated it as someone who had studied and taught a bit of the history and philosophy of science might. Friday nights are free, and, we thought, why not? My 2021 visit was a bit more comprehensive, but the pix below complement it reasonably well.

Holy Batmobile, Batman!...it's Adel's 1893 flying machine...got off
the ground but briefly before crashing...but entrenched the term avion
in the language