Francophile Friday: Aux Bons Amis, Paris




ink pen & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS


I can't believe it's taken me so long to illustrate a Parisian bar whose very signage is a toast to you, my magnificent readers ~ my dear friends.  Our pal Katie kindly provided me with the inspiration for today's illustration, Aux Bons Amis, which is quite hopefully the same as the one located below.  {If not, the one at rue de l'Atlas scored reasonably warm reviews anyway, and with our company thrown in, we must surely be on a winner.}  We can drape ourselves strategically around the bar like this and debate whether we should have our hair chopped off like this.  And yes, to make up for last week's feline shortage, we have a pair of them today, and a bluebird because ... well, surely one can never have too many bluebirds.  {Piano accordions, on the other hand, are another story entirely.}  And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Update 21 April 2012: Confirmed by Katie, this Aux Bons Amis is indeed the one shown below.  And she has generously allowed me to show you her photo alongside my illo for the fun of it.  Click here to see the side-by-side version.

Aux Bons Amis
1 rue de l'Atlas, 75019 Paris
Quartier: Canal St Martin- Hôpital St Louis

22 comments

  1. Call me wind because I am blown away by your post!

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  2. Perhaps, Shell, you could draw our merry coterie of amies (is there an ami among us?) in a wig-shop so that we may all try on a few (and engage in a bit of gentle mockery) before committing to the chop for that lovely hairstyle?

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  3. J'ai toujours eu un faible pour les toits de Paris et les petits bistros !
    J'aime beaucoup ta nouvelle aquarelle !
    bisous
    Danielle

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  4. This is brilliant, I love the idea of a Friends Bar where we can all hang out and praise your beautiful work!

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  5. Meeps is draped across my lap and we both thank you for putting her in the upstairs window where she can watch the comings and goings on rue de l'atlas all day long just like she does in my sunroom window! And we of course, are sitting outside at a large table sipping wine and having a grand ole time!
    V

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  6. If I didn't say it before, thank You for your artsy cards. Like this current post, wonderful ShSh works of art!

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  7. Shell, when I visit here I'm already at my good friend's place.

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  8. Wonderful illustration and this is definitely a place where we should all hang out. Bar Aux Bons Amis de Shell! And your addition of two cute cats AND a bluebird really turns my rather lack-luster photo into something special. I checked my map and this photo was indeed taken on rue de l'Atlas. Next time I'm in Paris I'll stop here for a drink instead of just taking a photo.

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  9. Oh yay—Parisian bar-hopping via Katie: Now there's something I can speak about with some authority. Actually, Shell, I'm just so happy to see you here two weeks in a row. :~} And not to take anything away from Ella and Meeps, but my guy Stubby thinks he recognizes himself here. Est-ce possible?

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  10. Love your ileo! And I like Katie's revision of the name to Bar Aux Bons Amis de Shell. Very special that it include a pair of feline friends, along with the bluebird of happiness! :-)

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  11. Hi, Keira ~ thank you for dropping by.

    Mise ~ you've said what I was thinking. I was a hair's length away from altering it to suit our most usual demographic. The wigs are a thoughtful touch. I often wish I had a few at my disposal. Perhaps I should start with a red one.

    Merci, VenetiaMicio! Bon weekend, ma chère, et bisous.

    Hi casadeberry ~ and thank you. I hope I would not need a larger beret in the wake of such a gathering but far be it from me to decline the offer. ;)

    Virginia and Meeps ~ that mental picture warms my heart!

    You're most welcome, puppy dog. I'm glad you enjoyed them.

    Petrea ~ likewise. Thank you...

    Lack-lustre, Katie? Cough, I beg to differ. :) Sorry to put you on the spot about the location - I think I'd have to make notes on every photo to have any clue afterwards as to where I'd been!

    Alexa ~ that's a skill I wouldn't mind aspiring to. And please tell Stubby, "Oui, vraiment!"

    Thank you, Ms M ~ I thought the kitties would find a little bluebird entertaining. Just to admire from a distance, bien sûr!

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  12. I just love being whisked off to Paris with you, Shell. Even better when there are two kitties, a bluebird and all your dear friends. And I love the glimpse into your inspiration with the side-by-side illo and photo.

    One more thing: I'm getting my hair cut this week. Shall I throw caution to the wind and get my hair chopped like that Pinterest style? I'm tempted!

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  13. I, for one, tried the Cosmopolitan. I found it a little sweet, so moved over to a dry Malbec. What did the barkeep get you?

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  14. Susan ~ I'm sure you'd look very fetching should you choose to brave it. It's so soft and feminine, and it's longer at the front to frame the face ... please email me a pic if you decide to go for it!

    A champagne cocktail made with Chambord, Margaret. I hope the Malbec went down a treat.

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  15. Let's all meet for a bit of bubbly and a toast to friends and kitties! How perfect to include the bluebird of happiness in this Canal St. Martin scene!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  16. Your illos have made me smile even when I didn't feel like it. I'll be returning to blogging soon. :)

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    1. I'm glad to hear that, Debs - on both counts. Take good care.

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  17. I'm late, but fortunately everyone's still here. Pour me a glass of something -- I'll have what you're having.

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    1. Always fashionably so, hiker. The Chambord's holding up beautifully. I'll open another bottle of bubbly to tickle it...

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  18. You and Katie make a great team. So nice to see them side by side. What a wonderful idea. Your kitties are so cute trying to touch paws. Must be love!

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    1. Heh, it must be love, cali! Spring is in the air...

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Merci, grazie, thank you for joining our conversation lounge. Your smile lights up the room. Even more beautifully than our crystal chandelier. x

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