Philharmonie de Paris

Yesterday was our monthly 'ramble'. We all take it in turns to organise a walk in Paris or in the suburbs, and yesterday it was my turn. It was a very select group, as it was during the school holidays and lots of people were away. However, we had a lovely day. We walked about 13 km from the north of Paris (La Villette) down to the river Seine (Pont Marie), passing by some lovely and more unusual parts of the city, and stopping for lunch at the Bistro Pop on the Ave de la République.

This is the Philharmonie de Paris, situated at La Villette,and which opened in 2015. I have posted images of it before - it is the most beautiful building, designed by French architect, Jean Nouvel. The exterior is made up of 340,000 aluminium birds of 7 shapes and four different tones. You could stand and gaze at its shape and design for ever.

[Pam Knowler]

Wow what a fabulous building! Fav!

[julia]

What an amazing looking building ... great in b&w

[Dianne]

Impressive walk and a fabulous capture outside such an interesting building.

[Casablanca]

What a fascinating building, I hadn't heard of this one. Love it.

[Sarah Bremner]

WOW......glad I read all your story and zoomed in to see more on my phone 😊

[Carole G]

I like the sound if your walking group. Rambling in Paris - how cool is that!

[Islandgirl]

Interesting building for sure!

[Taffy]

What a striking architectural scene, humanized by your group. I've not been in Paris since this opened and it's now on my bucket list. What a fun idea to have a ramble like this! Chicago would lend itself to it quite well...

[Mickey Anderson]

This is great! Love the way you captured it!

[Margaret Brown]

What a fabulous building, so modern in its appearance a big fav

[Henri Russell]

What an interesting building. It is nice that you organize such wonderful walks.

[KWind]

What a cool building... so high tech!

[Kathy]

Lots of texture in this building and the foreground.

[Louise & Ken]

What a marvelous shared activity! I'm duly impressed with the length of your walk and that so many gather to do this together! I must say that walks where the sights are interesting make them go quickly...even 13 km! That building is beyond beautiful! I'll have to use Google to see more photos of it...it's quite extraordinary, at a distance, and I can't wait to see the details!

[Gayle]

Sounds like a delightful 'ramble' through Paris! Wow! That is truly a fabulous building! I have a question for you . . . are your friends all French and do you all speak French when you're on an outing such as this one? Just curious. :-)

[Issi Bannerman]

@gaylewood An interesting question Gayle! As it happens, these friends are all British. However, I’d say that I have as many French friends as International - especially in Paris. Most of my friends are linked to Total, my husband’s employer (and my former employer). As for language - it’s French with French friends and English with International friends. And sometimes a mixture of the two! I enjoy that aspect of life here, as I love the French language.