Raquel Puig - Doorways of Paris

Contents Table of Contents There are things known and things unknown, and in between are the doors. JIM MORRISON In April of 2016, on an evening like so many others, Vincent and I went for a stroll around our Paris neighborhood, near Jardin de Luxembourg. Halfway through, he stopped in front of a building and said, Look, such a gorgeous door. Indeed it was. A few weeks later, it was me who was the one pointing at a new door, telling him, Look, this door looks like the one you showed me. Something had clicked.

I cant really say why, but I started taking pictures of doors here and there as a humble way to capture the beauty of Paris. Vincent suggested I open an Instagram account, first of all so I wouldnt lose the photos (no matter how far-sighted I am, he sees farther), but mostly because he thought it would be a lovely way to share the timeless gallery of doors that had begun to fascinate me. Since that day, Ive walked countless Parisian streets in all twenty of the citys arrondissements, discovering hidden gems and lovely landscapes that I never imagined existed. The doors have become like my own private city guidesguides who know everything, have seen everything, and whisper of what is yet to come. And along the way, Ive encountered random wonderful people whove told me stories about their neighborhoods, the history their doors have seen, and the future they hope to see. The door on the cover of this book might not be the most magnificent one in Paris, or the most photographed one, but it is our door.

Its the one Vincent showed me that spring day, the one that made me want to explore each arrondissement in search of another beautiful door, and the one that made me realize that cities can be seen in endless fascinating ways. Its the door that confirmed why I am more and more in love with this manand the city that watched him grow up. I hope you enjoy strolling through these pages as much as I enjoyed strolling the streets of Paris to take the photographs. For Vincent. From Paris. With love.

RAQUEL PUIG 28 BIS RUE DE RICHELIEU 110 RUE DE RIVOLI 5 RUE VILLDO 96 RUE SAINT-DENIS 1 RUE THRSE The 1st arrondissement, in the heart of Paris, is one of the smallest and least populated areas of the city, home to such landmarks as the Louvre, the Tuileries, and the Palais-Royal, as well as offices and government buildings. So the doorways tend, of course, toward the old, ornate, and/or grand. 45 RUE SAINT-ROCH 3 & 5 PLACE ANDR-MALRAUX 16 RUE DU LOUVRE The fanciful combination of polished and painted metalwork and opulent floral-themed stonework at 16 rue du Louvre is an art nouveau treasure that was built in 191012 as part of the La Samaritaine complex. Make sure to take a look when visiting the nearby Louvre. 22 RUE DU COLONEL-DRIANT 39 RUE DES PETITS-CHAMPS 296 RUE SAINT-HONOR (GLISE SAINT-ROCH) 92 RUE SAINT-DENIS (GLISE SAINT-LEU) 2 PLACE DES PYRAMIDES (HTEL REGINA) 5 AVENUE DE LOPRA 20 QUAI DE LA MGISSERIE 1012 QUAI DE LA MGISSERIE Arches, arches everywhere, from the sacred to the commercial. 38 RUE TIQUETONNE The 2nd is home not only to the Opra and the Bourse, but also to many of the citys remaining covered passageways, including Galerie Vivienne. 38 RUE TIQUETONNE The 2nd is home not only to the Opra and the Bourse, but also to many of the citys remaining covered passageways, including Galerie Vivienne.

Make sure to walk through the Galeries iron doorway to experience the vaulted skylit ceilings and ornate tile floors, and by all means have a meal at Le Bougainville.