“Paris Mythique” is a new photo book published by Parigramme featuring one hundred iconic black and white photos ranging from Doisneau’s “le baiser de l’hotel de ville” to Henri Cartier-Bresson’s picture of French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre on the Pont des Arts footbridge to Raymond Cauchetier’s photograph of Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo on the set of Godard’s legendary 1960 movie “Breathless.” They’re all here as well as some little known gems such as a rare 1923 photo showing Sylvia Beach and Ernest Hemingway posing in front of the original Shakespeare and Company Bookshop when it was located on rue de l’Odeon.
Walter Carone’s 1952 photo of a very fresh 18 year-old Brigitte Bardo posing on the roof-tops of Paris in her dance outfit is a real charmer. While Louis Stettner”s 1950 picture at Café Pierre could have been taken in its smokey splendor anytime in the last sixty years. There are still places that look like that in the 19th and 20th arrondissements.
Paris is at its best in black and white and this book doesn’t disappoint. With many of the photographs that have helped define this mythic city in our collective imaginations, this is a book that should please lovers of Paris in all seasons.
Paris Mythique, 100 photos de legende. 9.90E. Available on Amazon and in Paris at FNAC.