Now there is something bitter sweet about recreating a photo that you took nearly 40 years ago.
And I am guessing some will mummer why would you want to?
After all apart from me and my companion I doubt that anyone would be interested in how a little bit of Paris has changed over four decades.
The surprise is not a lot.
I am looking out from an upstairs window of the Grand Hotel down on to the Place de l’Opéra with the Opera House off to my left.
It took a bit of time to position myself at the right angle but with the help of street google I did it.
The building opposite me is still there and the shop Lancel still holds a prominent place in the block.
I have to confess that until now I never knew that they sold “bags, small-leather goods, accessories, travel bags and luggage for Women and Men” operated at the luxury end of the market and had been going since 1876.
Back then they specialised in selling pipes and other accessories for smokers developing a whole range of products for women smokers including cigarette cases and purses moving into leather, and launching their first handbag collection in 1902.
Now given that we are in one of the fashionable bits of Paris that shouldn’t have surprised me.
The rest of the shops from 1981 have not survived.
The little tabac business had become a Currency Exchange shop and the other two have also morphed into something new.
Sill as they say I will always have Paris and of course those lampposts.
Location; Paris
Picture; Place de l’Opéra, 1981, from the collection of Andrew Simpson
After all apart from me and my companion I doubt that anyone would be interested in how a little bit of Paris has changed over four decades.
The surprise is not a lot.
I am looking out from an upstairs window of the Grand Hotel down on to the Place de l’Opéra with the Opera House off to my left.
It took a bit of time to position myself at the right angle but with the help of street google I did it.
I have to confess that until now I never knew that they sold “bags, small-leather goods, accessories, travel bags and luggage for Women and Men” operated at the luxury end of the market and had been going since 1876.
Back then they specialised in selling pipes and other accessories for smokers developing a whole range of products for women smokers including cigarette cases and purses moving into leather, and launching their first handbag collection in 1902.
The rest of the shops from 1981 have not survived.
The little tabac business had become a Currency Exchange shop and the other two have also morphed into something new.
Sill as they say I will always have Paris and of course those lampposts.
Location; Paris
Picture; Place de l’Opéra, 1981, from the collection of Andrew Simpson
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