After I had my fill at FIAC, I had a vague plan of having a bite to eat at Closerie des Lilas. I quickly glanced at a map to determine which Métro station I needed, and luckily I mistook the lawn of Les Invalides for the Jardin de Luxembourg. I ended up walking down a somewhat residential block in the 7th and came across a fantastic movie theater called La Pagode on rue de Babylone. (Trés exotique, non?) I didn’t know it then, but since almost everything is closed on Sundays except cinemas, movie-going is a very popular Sunday activity. I was unknowingly joining masses of Parisians in one of the few popularly-acknowledged fun ways to pass the day. (I actually found plenty of fun, though!)

I bought a ticket for an early afternoon showing of “Vous allez recontrer un bel et sombre inconnu” (You Will Meet a Tall, Dark Stranger), the latest Woody Allen flick. Then, since I had some time to kill before the screening, I walked further down the street to see what I could find. I popped in at a Japanese restaurant, which seemed to be the only eatery open, and had a lovely, steaming cup of miso soup and some sushi. The décor was red and purple and the food was cheap and good.

Back at La Pagode, I came to the conclusion that this particular theater was most likely an independent art house theater. (What gave it away?) Not only was the exterior gorgeous – a pagoda-style building enshrouded in greenery and bamboo, with an outdoor seating area and an almost temple-like shrine – but one of the two theaters within was called the “Salon Japonais”. “Vous allez recontret…” was screening in the other theater, but on a later visit, I discovered that the interior of the Salon Japonais was absolutely exquisite with silvery, embroidered walls and ornate carved embellishments. (Those photos will follow in a later post).

I didn’t really care for the Woody Allen movie, but it was entertaining enough and it was nice watching a movie in English. (The equivalent of a “foreign film”, for sure!) After the film, I continued down rue de Babylone and discovered a quaint children’s park with a garden and a grape vine arbor. So simple, and yet so delightful! The plants looked really beautiful in the late afternoon light.

As I continued on my way, I photographed lots of doors in the 6th. They are truly works of art! I don’t think I could ever decide which color to paint mine, with which carved motifs. I’m also fascinated by the wrought iron grates that frame the windows and balconies. I could agonize for months over choosing my design! Each one looks unique, and each successive one is prettier than them all! Take a look at the doors in the next post.

Oh, yes, and then as I walked home in the twilight, I looked up and saw the Eiffel Tower just ahead of me, and then – just then – it began to twinkle and sparkle!  Oh, magic!!