The Red Balloon 05:12 © Films Montsouris
The Red Balloon 05:12 © Films Montsouris

Balloonology 2: The St Raphaël mural

[solved]

In Balloonology 1 we discussed Pascal’s walk in the rain with an old man, passing a restaurant. Pascal first meets this old man in another street, distinguished among other things by a mural advertising “St. Raphaël Quinquina”. Where was it?

While looking for the “Chez Hubert” restaurant among old photos of the rue de la Tombe Issoire, I came across this one. It shows 52-57 rue de la T.I., looking south from the intersection of the Avenue du Parc de Montsouris (now called Avenue René Coty).

52-57 rue de la Tombe Issoire (© Pavillon de l’Arsenal)

I didn’t spot it right away, but there it was, in the distance: a St. Raphaël mural.

Detail of previous (© Pavillon de l'Arsenal}

A Google Street View search quickly revealed that the street Pascal and the old man were walking in is indeed the rue de la Tombe Issoire.They were standing in front of nr 71bis; the St Raphaël mural used to be on the side wall of nr 90.

View from 71 rue de la Tombe Issoire © Google Street View
© Piet Schreuders, November 2011

The “St. Raphaël wall today.

Since we learned that Pascal and the old man were filmed in two separate locations in the same area of the 14th Arrondissement, it seemed plausible that the duo’s third location – a parkside café – was not far from here.

Red Balloon book page 9 / Piet Schreuders November 2011

Just such a spot can be found on the corner of Avenue Reille and the rue Nansouty, bordering the Parc Montsouris — just a few blocks from the two previous locations.

25 avenue Reille, 75014 Paris, November 2011

What’s more, this bar-tabac (called Tabac du Parc Montsouris) is located at 25 avenue Reille. The Lamorisse family (and their film company Films Montsouris) occupied the apartment right above.
Compelling circumstantial evidence, I’d say.

 

 

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