Mount Koya, Japan

These sketches were drawn in Mount Koya. We went there to see the location of the Shingon Buddhism, a sect founded by Kodo Daishi 1200 years ago. Since then, pilgrims have come from all over Japan  to visit his shrine. They believe that he is not dead, but in a state of deep meditation, and eventually, he will wake up at some stage.

The place is just amazing : temples, monasteries and graves  are spread all through a millenary forest. 

We stayed in one of these monasteries, a great way to get a little more into the local culture.

TAKAYAMA, JAPAN

This is a sketch of one of the wooden Buddhist temples in Takayama.  

Takayama is located in the Hida region. It is well know for the religious and folkloric festivities, and for its very well kept historical centre.

The shops in the traditional old center are a delight : row houses made of wood, sake shops, handcraft shops, and of course the always amazing Japanese food.

Tsumago, Japan

Tsumago, Japan

Tsumago is a small town in the Japanese Alps. It used to be one of the stations between Tokyo and Kyoto for the Official Post Service during the Edo period.

We made one section of this trail, starting from Magome, another beautiful small town.

The main street is composed of commercial row houses, which are still alive thanks to tourism.

Pont des arts, Paris

Pont des Arts

This is the "Pont des Arts" across the Seine river. It is a metallic pedestrian bridge. It is my favorite bridge in Paris.

In summer people have picnics here, and it turns into a public square with a great view over the "Ile de la cité",  the heart of Paris.

The Louxor Cinema, 10ème arrondissement Paris

This is a 20's classic cinema. The style is "Neo-Egyptian". The "neo-something" style was a very fashionable thing to do in architecture at the beginning of the XX century. Probably the most famous example of this trend is in Los Angeles, USA, with the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

The Louxor was about to be demolished, but French people are very attached to their cultural heritage, and they are not willing to give up these kinds of treasures. After 12 years of "combat" they got their cinema fully restored, with a great cafe and terrace, which has a nice view over Sacre Coeur.

Check out this website for more information : http://www.lesamisdulouxor.fr/historique/

Grand Moulins de Pantin

Pantin is nearby Paris, and is little by little being gentrified by what French people call "Bobos" (the bourgeois bohemian).

I did this sketch from the "canal de l'Ourcq", a pretty amazing 100 km-long canal, built in the XIX century by Napoleon, in order to bring supplies and fresh water to Paris.

The main building on the other side of the canal is the "Grand Moulin de Pantin", that has been recently renovated by a French bank : BNP.

Dubai

Dubai, UAE