Written by This doodlewash by Philippe (@Phinomet) was inspired by a photo he took on one of his many walks in Paris, France while he was still living there a few years ago. This particular little street is Rue des Thermopyles in the 14th Arrondissement, much farther to the south of the bustling tourist district.
These little neighborhoods are the real jewels of Paris, far from the Eiffel Tower, and providing small town charm even in the largest city in France. Philippe would always send me shots like this while we were apart, so I could take walks with him, and I rediscovered this particular photo while looking through my journal recently. So happy he was inspired to paint it!
We rented an apartment in the 14th on a couple occasions and I still miss the ability to walk a couple blocks to a full grocery or walk just a couple doors down to get a freshly baked baguette (not to mention the chocolatiers on every corner!).
Paris can seem like a cacophony of people and traffic when you’re hitting the tourist spots, but if you just take the metro a bit south, you’ll find the lovely hidden Paris. The places with real charm that will make you feel like you’ve just found your new home. A quiet place, where life feels just and it should be, and nothing bad can happen. And in those quiet moments, far from life’s problems and stress, you might even find yourself falling in love.
XO <3 Love love love
Such a pretty painting of a quaint part of the city! I remember going to a restaurant in residential area…it really was charming. Paris ’86…fun times. 😀
That is so sweet and romantic that Philippe sent you these photos so you could take walks together while you were far apart!
Thanks Teresa! Glad you like it! Yeah…it was tough being apart so long, but nice to be able to still take walks together! 😊😃
I was just talking to my friend about painting light and shadow with watercolors. I love this piece for the contrast between light and shadow. To me, that’s the difficult part of using watercolors. It’s so lovely!
I have never been to Paris but this would be the parts of Paris I would love to explore, not so much the the glitzy city.
You should definitely visit the out of the way places there! So much better!! And Philippe much better than I am with shadows like this! Love what he does with them!!
This is beautiful! Love the peaceful feeling I get by looking at it. Thanks for sharing this, Charlie! 😊
Thanks Jill! Glad you like it!!
Yeah, this is really well done. I am really liking this one the best of everything I’ve seen of P’s (I never know how to spell his name and too lazy to link over from my tablet, sorry Charlie). Tell him I really love this one! 💛
Rich–really atmospheric–makes me want to be there-right NOW… 🙂
Thanks from Philippe since I can never get him to reply to posts! Hehe I want to be there now too!!
Beautiful and so inviting! Enjoyed your presentation as well, I can almost hear the strains of La Vie en Rose coming from a shaded apartment window. ;D
Hehe…Philippe is really talented! But I’m also rather biased. 😊
Delightful way to reminisce.
I’m loving doodlewash most for the memories it can recreate! 😊😉
I love the looseness <3
I know, right, Kyly?! He’s awesome! I’m hoping to draw like that someday! Hehe
Definitely looks like it holds some secrets! (K.)
It does! hehe… but I’m not telling. 😉
Good idea.