Sunday, November 08, 2009

Buy a Piece of Paris

Only 46 shopping days until Christmas, mes amis!  If you've been fretting over what tender je ne sais quoi to put under the tree for that special francophile on your list, I have an idea for you.

How about a piece of Paris?

On Monday, December 14, famed Parisian auction house Drouot will auction off over 300 iconic pieces of Paris.  Entitled "Paris Mon Amour," the sale will feature classic Parisian elements:  a Belle Epoque newspaper kiosque, a metro ticket-punch machine, a Second Empire vespasienne (the street urinals of yore and lore).  Old city benches (so romantic!).  Ancient photos. 

But the pièce de résistance will be the sale of a 26-foot tall section of a wrought-iron spiral staircase from the Eiffel Tower.  The 40-step staircase, one of the largest items ever on the block at Drouot, is expected to fetch between 60,000 and 80,000 euros.

As you might imagine, Paris nostalgia buffs are expected to turn out in droves for the event.

Bidding starts at 2 pm on December 14, Drouot Richelieu, 9 rue Drouot in the 9th arrondissement.  Preview is Saturday December 12 from 11 am to 6 pm.





Oh... thank you for asking.  Yes, I'd like the kiosque, not the vespasienne.





Images from wikipeda and Drouot.

9 comments:

Anne said...

Shall I ask them to wrap it?

All good wishes!!

Polly-Vous Francais said...

Gee, thanks, ma chere Anne :)

I'll just festoon it with lights in lieu of a tree. Bonus: no "stand" required!

Chris said...

I love it. The stairs would be really cool to have.

Starman said...

I've seen kiosques like those in Paris in Newfoundland and Montréal.

Polly-Vous Francais said...

Wow, Starman -- were they Belle Epoque Parisian kiosques? Or imitations? Paris has slowly been getting rid of them over the years. If they're the originals, I'm glad to know they have found a new life elsewhere.

Starman said...

They looked rather old, so I'm guessing they were the real things.

Cara Black said...

Would love the old photos...are you going to the preview?

Ann Mah said...

Hm, I bet my husband would like the kiosk. Now, to find space for it in our apartment...

Amy Alkon said...

Only wish I could be there to buy. Hope you'll go and blog some photos for those of us who must satisfy ourselves with la vie vicarieuse (and forgive, please, if that's a tad inventive!)

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