le 104
During my last visit to Paris in summer of 2013, I posted a blog and some photos on one of my newest favorite neighborhoods, the 19th Arrondissement. See blog post here: The 19th Arrondissement. This time, I’m back again and am visiting the coolest art venue. LE CENTQUATRE or Le 104. This place resembles to me the Montmartre of the 21st century, in that it is an alternative, bohemian style community where artists live, work, and learn together. First, it is a space that is open to the public for all sorts of artistic performances and exhibitions including dance, theatre, visual arts, sculptures, paintings, poetry, and everything else. But in addition to hosting these events, Cent Quatre is also a residential and social space where many of the artists live and socialize together at 104’s cafés and restaurants. Finally, the space is also a learning center that hosts workshops where artists come together, share ideas, and develop their artistic expressions.
Les Grandes Tables Café at 104
This artist uses mud as his medium…
Exhibit created with sugar, just regular white granulated sugar!
Knitted covers on furniture…
Elegant interior design…
On the other side of the elegant interiors was this display. Not sure of the interpretation, but still cool to look at…
The house covered in tin foil!
Just a few minutes walk from le 104 is Canal de l’Ourcq and Bassin de la Villette. The Meetup group that I was with that afternoon went afterwards by the canal for a light picnic and my very first pétanque game. Pétanque is in the same family of the game bocce. The object of the game is quite simple, but not easy. There can be two players or two teams. One team throws a smaller ball, a target ball, onto the ground which this game is usually played on natural surface. Then players throw their balls usually made of metal as close to the target ball as possible. It gets to be competitive when the opponent throws their ball to knock yours out of the way, which is totally legal in this game.
Things got to be even more fun when we were invited by the locals who were playing a match just next to where we were to play a game of pétanque with them. After introductions and some friendly chitchat, we got down to business. It was the “Locals vs. Foreigners”. This was quite amusing as the locals got crushed 13 to 6, winner being us, the foreigners! I actually didn’t do so well. But thanks to Vick from Washington DC and to Mark from New Zealand who had previously played bocce, our team did well and came out ahead during the entire game.
You can pick up boules (balls) for your next match at Bar Ourcq located right there at the canal. The sign below says that you are welcome to use the balls but to please be sure and remember to return them.
Centquatre-Paris (Le 104)
5 rue Curial 75019
Métro: Riquet
Bassin de la Villette/ Canal de l’Ourcq
Métro: Stalingrad or Jaures
