Paris1972-Versailles2003

Here is another episode on the news of France and Paris in particular. Today was a rainy day light rain in about 14C weather was ok, and the job went smooth as end of month, the worse is yet to come closing month end and fiscal year end !

Back again for some wonderful news about glorious France, and this time sadder by the lost of Spain in the Euro16;now it will be all for France ::) Just an update France has 13 régions not 22 anymore, and they have all chosen their names; some kept the old, some has a new one, and then some have a combination of the old.

This Tuesday, June 28th at 5.30 p.m., 40 of the largest private donors who funded the restoration of the belt of light of the Opéra Garnier, will unveil the 18 bronze caryatids freshly rehabilitated. They are still hidden behind a discreet veil, to preserve the surprise. Side  of Rue Scribe, already restored caryatids are in place. the most decorated side rue Halévy will have it’s  18 caryatids (women naked carrying a lantern – over their heads)  will be unveiled. But their stone base has totally changed. Far from scandal, when placed in 1874, they should now welcome the Parisians. High of blue marble of turquois creates columns. Boat prows, symbols of the city of Paris, made of bronze, as wished by Charles Garnier, but who had not had the money to do it at the time. All handrails have also been reworked in Carrara marble. Finally a good part of the grids have been restored.  Tuesday evening, at night, once the temporary power poles, wooden, will be removed, the belt of light of the Opéra Garnier will be a glow that most had for long as before. https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/visits/palais-garnier

ON 3 July, for the first time in its history, the BHV-Marais will officially open on Sunday. This store which will celebrate in September its 160 years!!!  For several months, and yet until end of 2017, it entered a huge phase of the rue de Verrerie  to the rue  du Plâtre! The building, of 2500 m2, will be inside a court, in the heart of the Marais, between Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie and rue du Plâtre. A 1000 m2 space will be dedicated to the public for exhibitions and 1 500 m2 will remain ‘invisible ‘ to the public. It will be available to artists for their daily work.  The Italian franchise Eataly, a kind of Mall, restaurant dedicated to the transalpine fresh products. In short a trendy store concept. It is a place where you can both lunch and do shopping, in short it will be a place of life. There will be  fresh produce, Delicatessen, a wine cellar, fish, and restaurant self service. On 3,000 m2, the bobos and tourists had to find their happiness!!!  http://www.bhv.fr/en/news-en/happy-160th-birthday-le-bhv-marais/

Goodbye  the Salon de thé, and hello the chocolate cellar. The famous chocolatier Jean-Paul Hévin has just opened its new chocolate cellar store at 231 rue Saint-Honoré (Ier), in the courtyard of a building dating from the 18C, close to the place Vendôme. News from Le Figaro magazine. https://www.jeanpaulhevin.com/fr/

The House of Chanel  has chosen to relocate three of its arts and crafts in the match factory in Aubervilliers in July 2015,and now it has set its sights on the Porte D’aubervilliers to implement by 2020 its ‘Manufacture de la mode” which will  put together some fifteen workshops, so-called”art houses”of its Paraffection subsidiary.  http://chanel-news.chanel.com/fr/home.html

The Navigo pass  (transport pass in the Paris area) pricing will be revised upward. “An increase limited to 3 euros”, in the  Ile-de-France region and, as of August 1.  Navigo pass will go to 73€. This is a political settlement between the RATP, the region île de France ,and the city of Paris. http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/visiting-paris/

The Church of our Lady of the Assumption, that Van Gogh painted and is resting in the cemetery is in poor shape: fragile frame and roof, which lets the rain in are to be restored fully.  Van Gogh wrote about it  at Auvers-sur-Oise , “Auvers is fine, many old stubble, among others, which is rare, really it’s severely beautiful, is the characteristic and picturesque countryside ‘, he wrote to his brother Théo, who is buried also at the cemetery of the Church. The village conquered  him and he spent the last 70 days of his life, to immortalize landscapes and monuments; he has made not less than 60 paintings, before dying there on July 27, 1890.  Mayor Isabelle Mézières has appealed for donations via the Heritage Foundation. https://www.fondation-patrimoine.org/fr/ile-de-france-12/tous-les-projets-593/detail-eglise-d-auvers-sur-oise-peinte-par-van-gogh-43621

And can we recite some memorable movies about or with Paris over the years and its different districts where they were film:love these films ALL seen over the years. This is Paris from your living room.

The Louvre is not only one of the most famous museums in the world. It  is also a film set that has welcomed  the Da Vinci Code, by Ron Howard (2006), adapted from the Dan Brown bestseller.  Woody Allen loves Paris and in “Everyone says I Love You” (1997), the character played by the Director himself went on the Pont-Neuf with his loaf of bread under the arm, while his” Midnight in Paris “(2011) played by Owen Wilson took good time on the Quays of the île de la Cité, at the foot of the famous 36 Quai des Orfèvres.

Sofia Coppola knows something since she had transformed the Hôtel de Soubise (seat of the national archives) in replacement of the Palace of Versailles on the occasion of filming “Marie-Antoinette ” (2006).  In another genus, filmmaker Doug Liman changed the entry of the Conservatoire national des arts et Métiers in “La Mémoire dans la Peau” (2002); Ah the Latin quarter! The Sorbonne, its great schools… And therefore the films taking these buildings for scenery. In La Gifle by Claude Pinoteau (1975), the character of Lino Ventura as Professor of geography in the  prestigious Lycée Louis le Grand, Rue Saint-Jacques. The  Director will ask again its cameras in the area a few years later for La Boum (1980) where the young Vic played by Sophie Marceau studied in the institution of prestige of the district, the Lycée Henri IV.  Montmartre without thinking about  Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. In the Café des Deux Moulins ,Rue Lepic or near the grocery shop  Colignon at the top of  Montmartre , the film revealed Audrey Tautou to the general public was instrumental in popularizing the image of Montmartre abroad.  The Champs Elysées, signs of romance with the most famous example remains Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg in the cult work of new wave,  “A Bout de Souffle ” of Jean-Luc Godard (1960).  An idea taken up by Philippe de Broca in the l’Incorrigible (1975) with Geneviève Bujold and Jean-Paul Belmondo ? but also by the young Jean-Jacques Beineix in “Diva” (1981) and its tandem of actors played by Frédéric Andréi and Thuy An Luu.  The Montparnasse district is of course famous for its famous Tower but also for its brasseries known all over the world. The bistros of luxury that cinema has immortalized, in the image of the famous Closerie des Lilas which serves as a meeting place for the couple formed by Romy Schneider and Philippe Noiret in the “Le Vieux Fusil”  by Robert Enrico (1976).  More recently, it is  La Coupole, another must-see Montparnasse brasserie, which served as a filming location for the adventures of the characters played by Audrey Tautou and Guillaume Canet “Ensemble“, (2007)that’s all by Claude Berri.

Now on July 10th, the Eiffel Tower will find some calm and its usual hue. The suite will be played in theaters. The blockbuster of the summer produced by 20th Century leaves no doubt about its future. Indeed, displays of “Independence Day: Resurgence“, in theaters July 20, shows the Parisian monument ready to undergo the attack of a spaceship.

The anti terrorist plan call ‘Vigipirate’ in France  makes  it less accessible for leaving luggage in SNCF train station and more difficult nowdays in  2,3 stars  hotels who hesitate to keep the luggage of their clients when they make their room check out at noon, without necessarily leaving Paris.  In addition  renters of housing sites such as Airbnb and those who frequent the many places where it is more possible to have a small bag on you : fan-zones of the Euro, theatres, Department stores… Then what about the backpack or small suitcase?  well here comes City-Locker to the rescue offering a secure room which has the appearance of a shop in a shopping street, and in which we find 45 boxes of storage whose measurements XXL (81 cm in depth, 65 cm wide and 48 cm tall) are very welcoming. An address in the Marais, one in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one between the gare du Nord and the gare de l’Est and one newly inaugurated between Opera and Madeleine. Between €10 and €16 per day depending on the period and the occupancy rate (comparisons SNCF billed around €9.50 but it is impossible to book ahead). City Locker will let you book ahead. more info at  http://www.citylocker.fr/site/files/

And now we come closer to me at Brest,Finistére dept 29 of Bretagne/Brittany/Breizh.

A fleet of 1,000 ships flying 200 insignias  and the Hermione as a main boat. From July 13 to 19, Brest 2016 looks like an exception ,not to miss indeed. Stroke of luck on the calendar, the 7th edition of these  maritime festivals, given every four years, fits between the Euro and the Olympic Games. Entrance one day 15€ , 9€  for children 10 to 17 and free for young ers. More info here ;  https://www.brest2016.fr/en

For fall, it is been build an aerial tramway, the first cable car  city of France. It will fly over the Penfeld, between the bottom of the famous  rue de  Siam, left bank and right bank, a new district built on a former military site rehabilitated. Three-minute panoramic overview of the arsenal, at the price of a single tram ticket.  You can see the project here in French,  http://capucinsbrest.com/index.php/un-projet-de-territoire/le-telepherique.html

Brest has the last army citadel since the 17C (Vauban) and still in activity. Since the 1950’s, it houses the maritime (naval govt) and a Maritime Museum. An exhibition “Brest, port of freedom, at the time of the American Revolution”, will open Until April 2017, with  more than fifty works, including a model of the Hermione boat (took Marquis de Lafayette to help Gen Washington) ,and the sword of Lafayette to  show the commitment of France and the strategic role of the Breton port in the war of the American colonists against the British Crown, daily, admission 6€. Tel. +33  (0) 2.98.22.12.39 and webpage of museum ; http://www.musee-marine.fr/content/brest-port-de-la-liberte

Going South to another favorite city of mine we seek the celebration of Saint Martin at Tours.

Martin was born Roman in 316, at Savaria, a village in Hungary. Engaged in the legion, he travelled the empire of Germany to the banks of the Loire. Very early attracted by the Christian faith, soon converted, it is known after having torn in two his own coat, his cape (this is the origin of the word ‘Chapel’), to warm a bashful cold man.  Appointed Bishop of Tours in 371, he crisscrossed the country with monk’s disciples who help him install Christianity. Martin died in  November 8 ,397AD ,and was buried on November 11 in Tours.

The exhibition «Tours en cape» on July 2-3 , the anniversary date of the ordination of St Martin, will be presented a show of cape and sword, «Saint – Martin Tours». A village of the era will be installed on the Place  Anatole-France. In its Center, the giant statue of St Martin, 4 meters (about 13 feet)  in height, that one  that is usually on the cupola of the Basilica. It will then be covered by a giant glass dome.  Throughout the day, the village will host shows, concerts and DJ as well as the circus, dance, street arts, etc.  A guinguette will be installed to quench the audience and serve cake Saint-Martin, a creation of the pastry chefs in the city.  A popular ball dance will conclude each day.  Its conclusion, an event on the water. After his death a few kilometers from the city, the body of St Martin had in fact been transported up Tours aboard a seagoing barge on the Loire. Legend has it that flowers blossomed as the passage of the convoy, despite the November frost. To honor the memory of the saint, 10 000 white flowers will adorn the city. And on the Wilson Bridge, 1 700 sky lanterns will be available to visitors who turn them on and let them spin in the sky.  More info in French here: http://www.saintmartin-tours.fr/

http://basiliquesaintmartin.fr/

http://www.tours-tourism.co.uk/node/1390

Enjoy the beauty of France. Bon voyage et à bientôt ::)

Ok it’s Friday, time to reflect on the weekend as we do always plan plan and plan. One word for my British friends, hang in there, you are still with us in heart and soul in Europe.

Lang Lang of China is coming to the palace of Versailles, to play Chopin! July 5 at 21h at the Royal Opéra, see it; http://www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/en/spectacles/2016/lang-lang-tribute-chopin

You want to follow Hemingway on his bars around the world, well here they are : El Floridita in Havana centro nothing did more for his fancies since 15 it was here he said. He was ,also, at  Sloppy Joe’s , Key West, Ritz hotel bar  at Paris or the  Chicote in Madrid . Also, Harry’s bar at Venice, Italy, and more while in Paris ,he also, went to La Closerie des Lilas, Le Dingo (now gone where he met F. Scott Fitzgerald ) or the Le Nègre de Toulouse resto now gone too. And of course, many others, who hasn’t read the book and this famous words of always true Paris “ If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”

http://grupomercadodelareina.com/en/museo-chicote-en/

http://www.elfloridita.net/

http://www.harrysbarvenezia.com/

http://www.ritzparis.com/en-GB/fine-dining-paris/ritz-bar?tid=17

http://www.closeriedeslilas.fr/

At the House or Maison de Balzac, until October 2, 2106, Expo on Balzac and the artists, myth and reality, http://maisondebalzac.paris.fr/en/node/300

See Charles le Brun, the sun king painter, until August 29 2016 at Lens ,Louvre museum : http://www.louvrelens.fr/en/ch.-le-brun

Camoin dans sa Lumiére or lights in  the Musée Granet in Aix-en-Provence , and see the Relationship of artists like Cézanne, Matisse , etc, until October 2, 2016. http://www.museegranet-aixenprovence.fr/en/exhibitions/a-voir/camoin-in-his-own-light.html

Fête du Cinéma 2016 is back, movie festival in Paris; from June 26 to the 29 2016. Movies from 4€ sponsored by BNP Paribas bank, http://www.feteducinema.com/la-fete-du-cinema

and the films on play are here: http://www.feteducinema.com/films-a-l-affiche/all

Be ready for summer in Paris going to these wonderful terrases:

Plaza Havana au Café  148, rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin (10e). Tél.: 09 81 29 83 38. open every day from 10h to 2h (11h to midnight on Sundays). Bar with mojitos  from 18h. https://www.plaza-havana.fr/

Taîsho in the Aquarium of  Paris – Cinéaqua. 5, avenue Albert de Mun (16e). Tél.: 01 40 69 23 23.  open Wednesdays to Sundays from  15h to 1h. https://www.instagram.com/taisho_fine_dinning_bar/

Grand Train 26 ter rue Ordener (18e). Tél.: 01 48 24 34 02. Open  Wednesdays to Sundays  from 11h to 23h30. http://www.grandtrain.com/

Le Jardin Municipal  55/57, rue des Francs-Bourgeois (4e). Tél.: 06 32 00 98 26.  Every day Mondays to Thursdays from 10h30 to midnight, Fridays and Saturdays from  10h30 to 1h , and Sundays from midday to midnight. http://www.creditmunicipal.fr/art-et-patrimoine/le-jardin-municipal/le-jardin-municipal.html

Barapapa  Port de la Rapée (12e). Tél.: 06 50 89 18 08.  open every day from  11h to 2h. http://www.barapapa.com/

And some others, like the Perchoir de l’Est on top of the train station Gare de l’Est! go by the wing or aile Saint Martin. Paillotte de l’Opéra on the terrace of the Opéra Garnier  1, place Jacques Rouche (9e). The roofstop du Point Ephémére with réservations wed to sun. if weather permitting go in by  200, quai de Valmy (Xe), street side.  And the Café HeJ in the gardens of the Institut Suédois, wed to sun, go in by the grill door in the garden on 10, rue Elzévir (3e).

This weekend (sorry for the short notice) musée du Quai Branly is celebrating it’s 10 years! free admission and many activities; http://www.quaibranly.fr/en/exhibitions-and-events/at-the-museum/shows-festivals-and-events/festivals-and-events/event-details/e/week-end-anniversaire-le-best-of-36456/

In my beloved Versailles, the palace is holding a mémorial on the days of Charles De Gaulle in the palace running until November 9, 2016: more here: http://en.chateauversailles.fr/news-/events/exhibitions/a-president-in-the-kings-palace-de-gaulle-in-Trianon

The programing will come soon and will run to July 16 2016; but do not miss the Versailles Festival; http://en.chateauversailles.fr/news-/events/spectacles/versailles-festival-2016-en

And the coaches or horse carriage museum  (Galerie des Carrosses) will reopen in Versailles after many years of renovation better than ever do not miss this opportunity.

Until October 25 2016 you can see the Les Jardins Musicaux or musical gardens ,  to see the gardens in summer is wonderful, with all its hidden corners and sections done with a musical promenade. More info here in French:  http://www.versailles-tourisme.com/agenda/sortie/les-jardins-musicaux-6.html?uid_agenda_trad=2929

and a pdf file map of the gardens for printing and directions: http://www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/pj/jm_2013.pdf

In the city of Versailles the famous Lycée Hoche (high school) will host an exposition on its actions during WWI call 14-18 au Lycée Hoche-students and wounded reunited ,on until December 1st 2016: more in French here: http://www.versailles-tourisme.com/agenda/sortie/14-18-au-lycee-hoche-eleves-et-blesses-reunis.html

La voie de l’écuyer opus 2016, (way of the squire) in the Grande écuries in front of the palace of Versailles, directed by Bartabàs; more info here: http://www.bartabas.fr/en/Academie-du-spectacle-equestre/spectacles-16/La-Voie-de-l-eacute-cuyer-Opus-2016

The same Bartabàs will do every Sunday mornings the Les Matinales des écuyers new version.  Visit into the intimacy of work sessions, witness the rider’s daily training. Done every 20 minutes on Sundays from 10h to 12h; more info here: http://www.bartabas.fr/en/Academie-du-spectacle-equestre/lieux

In summer if you go by the tourist office at 2bis avenue de Paris, you can reserve a ride in horse wagon thru the Streets of Versailles! Every Sunday (except May 1) at 15h15 and every Tuesdays at 17h45, trip last about an hour and cost 23€. Contact the Versailles tourist office at  tel +33 (0) 1 39 24 88 88 or email  tourismeping@ot-versaillespong.com

For short weekend trips as I like here, we use weekendesk ; in French , here is more: http://www.weekendesk.fr/

And one of my favorites park when working in Paris  and living in Versailles was to go to the Jardin de Bagatelle in the bois de Boulogne ,exactly on the allée de Longchamp street. You can get here from Neuilly on bus 43 or 244 leaving from metro Pont de Neuilly. The park is open from March 1st to Sept 30th from 8h30 to 19h and the rest of the year from 9h to 17h. The castle in it is open from March 15 to October 31st Saturdays and Sundays afternoons.

This park was built on a spirit of the times a game of words when Marie-Antoinette yell chichel and the count of Artois (brother of the king Louis XVI) yell bagatelle. It took 900 workers working day and night in 1775. The gardener was Thomas Blaikie in the anglo chinese style, with an English garden with Under wood spots of water and shady grasses with cascades, caves, and a love pavillion. In the 19C the garden was enlarged into an orangerie and a parterre à la French style. One of its owner was  Richard Wallace (the same of the fountains Wallace) and adds pavillions of hunting and the Trianon.  It was acquired in 1904 by the city of Paris that adds a rosary ,themes gardens ,and contest on gardening specially on roses.

More in French from city of Paris  here: http://equipement.paris.fr/parc-de-bagatelle-1808 and English from the tourist office of Paris here: http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71636/Parc-de-Bagatelle

Enjoy it, and have a great weekend everyone!

Here is back to the routine and some news on my belle France ;current and past. The times are rainy here but some sun is propping up for tomorrow around 21C  or about 62F in my area and from 7C to 29C all over France.

Again on the French waves in the middle of Euro16, and trip set for tomorrow see Spain in île de Ré, near La Rochelle, France.

The speed will go down again in France. Due to the needs to lower the mortality rate on the roads many efforts are been carried out to minimize it. OF course, the culprits always have to be the speed , but You and I know there is more to that like drug and alcohol the real culprits just will get the govt less money! The affected areas include a stretch of about 20 km from the A104 road between  the A4 and the N2, where each day about 150000 vehicles on average ride by . The record shows that between 2011 and 2015 , this portion of the road took 43 accidents causing 4 deaths and 59 injuries! The idea comes from the Alpes-Maritimes, where since July 2009 a portion of 70 kms from the A8 going by the Var into Italy you cannot do more than 110 kph. Around Tours (Indre-et-Loire), the A10 was lowered from 110 to 90 kph in 2011 reducing accidents and pollution even if 79 000 vehicles pass by this road every day. In  Valence (Drôme) a portion of the A7 was lowered to 90 kph where up to 200 000 vehicles passed by it every day.  In Chamonix (Haute-Savoie, the mayor has asked for a reduction from 90 to 80 kph in around the city at the foot of Mont-Blanc , regularly swamped by traffic. Finally, in Toulouse, prefecture has voted in February that motorists slow down.  It will soon have reduction less than 110 kph on the A62 urban areas. The other axis arriving on the city such as the A61 connecting to Narbonne should follow soon. Source Le Parisien journal.

The new count on the flooding in dept 78 Yvelines (my old home !!) has already declared 54 additional town as disaster areas ;these are, Les Alluets-le-Roi, Andrésy, Aubergenville, Aulnay-sur-Mauldre, Boissy-, Bouaflé, Bougival, Les Bréviaires, Bullion, Carrieres-sur-seine, La Celle-Saint-Cloud, Cernay-la-Ville, Le Chesnay (my boys school was here !!) , Courgent, Crespières, Epone, Les Essarts-le-Roi, Favrieux, Flins, Neuve-Église, Galluis , Gommecourt, Gressey ,Guernes,  Jouars-Pontchartrain, Lévis-Saint-Nom, Limetz-Villez, Magny-les-Hameaux, Mareil-sur-Mauldre , Marly,  Le Mesnil-le-  Roi, Medan,Méricourt, Mittainville, Montesson, Neauphle-le-Vieux, Neauphlette, Orgeval , Orphin, Le Pecq ,Poissy , Porcheville, Le Port-Marly , Rosny-sur-Seine,  Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines, Saint-Cyr L’école , Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines, Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, Saint-Rémy-the Honoré, Tilly, Vaux-sur-Seine, Villepreux, Villette, Villiers-le-Mahieu, Voisins-le-Bretonneux. Source Le Parisien

Only two steps from the Grands Boulevards, the Hotel Panaché revisit the spirit of the ravishing Paris. For the day: kitchen Bistro and inexpensive prices.  And at night minigolf and glowing of the stars.   The hotel site here: http://hotelpanache.com/en/index.html

The Switzerland series are on with Wanderlust, at the terrace in the cite de la Mode for a month of celebrations, but also to electro, contemporary art, cinema, and every Sunday from 17H , literary performance with the big names of Swiss polar. Until July 10^th http://wanderswiss.com/

On June 17 and June 20, Placido Domingo fans can listen in La Traviata by Verdi at the Opéra Bastille,  The return of a myth after fifteen years of absence https://www.operadeparis.fr/saison-15-16/opera/la-traviata

The contemporary Los Angeles scene at the Mona Bismarck American Center extended a second show at the galerie Thaddaeus Ropac de Pantin. On play the “Wasteland New Art from Los Angeles”  inviting 15 young artists from the West Coast to demonstrate that the city of Los Angeles is not a cultural desert. Until July 17. http://www.monabismarck.org/programmation/wasteland?lang=fr

http://ropac.net/exhibition/new-art-from-los-angeles-curated-by-shamim-momin

At Rennes, the garden of the Confluence, which meets  the waters of the Ille and the Vilaine rivers at Rennes is regularly crowded whenever a ray of sunshine warms its lawns. The Vilaine, one of the first courses of water channeled in France (from the 16C), The quai Saint-Cyr and the quai to Auchel become meccas of the aperitif outdoor , running, petanque, and the puck on wooden plank , a traditional Breton game . On Sunday, Apigne beach is for some Rennais, including those who do not go to  St-Malo is a nice place to lay down.  Pont-Rean the site of the Boel, a gorge surrounded by cliffs of purple shale is a must see there. http://www.tourisme-rennes.com/en

City of wine or Cité du Vin in Bordeaux by the quai Chartrons at the entrance to the float of the Garonne with 18C homes alongside it and 55 meters long rounded seamless covered with scales of glass and aluminum color plates of gold which reflect on the river. 20 educational artistic themes dealing with the grape and the wine in sensory experiences and immersion, 3 tasting rooms ;auditorium for 250 persons and a gourmet restaurant “7” is done to have a universal approach and to discover the wine in time and space, and not be overbearing. 83 donors contributed a total of 83M € including the city of Bordeaux (38%) but also the European Union (15%) Bordeaux Métropole (10%), the Conseil interprofessionnel du vin de Bordeaux (7%) and several patrons (especially large growers 20%). The admission to the Cité du Vin cost 20€ and inside you have a restaurant, shop, auditorium, temp exhibitions. Such as the Zola l’assommoir or the sleepy Picasso, a Space name Kim Basinger to showcase them. You will see a table upside down,and visual animations to the public and especially children to discover the dangers of wine.  http://www.laciteduvin.com/fr

The Ford is back to France, at Le Mans 24 hrs car race that is and big time indeed ;my favorite car ::) You will see the old Hotel de France at La Chartre-sur-le-Loir.

The first was destroyed to make room for parking. The second, he is still standing. An address known far beyond the border of the Department of Sarthe, even across the channel to believe the registration plates of parked cars . The Hotel de France it is here that John Wyer landed in 1964 at the head of the stable, Ford the GT40 to join the circuit by road!.In those days the last one to leave the road tests sometimes on the D29 road towards Tours or on the long straight of the D304 road . In 1966, Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon manage finally to put an end to the invincibility of Ferrari. Ford carries out even one triple filling the podium with his GT40 V8-powered with a single wiper from a Boeing 707 to ensure excellent visibility in the rain at more than 200 km/h on average. Since this date, the firm of Maranello (Ferrari) has never won the event while Ford won again in 1967, 1968 and 1969 the world most famous endurance test.  The place has not changed much since those days. It has been modernized without betraying the atmosphere. Only the pool has replaced bathing in the river Loir. The Hotel de France has become part of the Ford epic ; 50 years later Ford is back and celebrating it in two ways.

On the one hand with a limited “Black series” throughout its performance range  (Fiesta ST, Focus ST, Focus RS and Mustang). In homage to the GT40 N2, 50 units of each model will sport a black body with the famous white stripes. On the other hand the blue oval brand returned to the category LM –GTE Pro and intends to again write history.

http://performance.Ford.com/series/road-racing/news/articles/2016/06/Ford-preparing-to-go-like-hell–at-Le-Mans-24-hours.html

http://www.Ford.fr/experience-Ford/Evenements/Le-Mans

And of course, the Euro16 European Football championship are still going on and tonite plays Spain from Nice, France, vs Turkey, they need to win this one.

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/matches/#md/2

Until next time on the French waves , that is radio and beach , we have it all here ::)

Back for another edition of Some news from France, a popular post I gather. Enjoy France and surtout Paris!!

You have this June 18 the Fête de la Musique, all over France even in my small town, but in Paris at the Esplanade des Invalides (7éme) you will be put in the Canadian hour at 19h.  For the  5e édition,of the night will have 6 artists such as Half Moon Run, Busty and the Bass, Philémon Cimon, Wesli, Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire, and Princess Century. The time to look towards North America.

http://nuitboreale.org/artistes-3/

At my Montparnasse 56 with a panoramic view on top of the Tour Montparnasse (15éme) ,work will begin that will end in 2019.  This will be a total renovation and all those architects wishing to participate can put up their bids until July 13,2016 . You can contact the choosing committee here  concourstour@demainmontparnasse.fr

ANFR (national agency of frequencies), Paris has now 1 150 ‘carriers’ of issue 4 G receiving a total of 2 103 antennas *. Bouygues Telecom, which owns the largest 4G network from Paris with 881 antennas, before Orange (649 antennas), SFR (627 antennas) and Free (243) the distribution of the antennas in the capital can be found on the site  http://www.cartoradio.fr/cartoradio/web/

The Tourist affluence in public transport in the capital, including on the occasion of the Euro16 has been accompanied by an upsurge of pickpockets. Within hours, the police arrested not less than 14 pickpockets surprised in flagrant delictof  stealing. A  Swedish supporter  taken for  €170 at the  station Denfert-Rochereau, a German who lost his wallet at the Saint-Michel station , a Mexican tourist at the gare du nord that lost his  laptop from his  backpack… The arrested, almost all minors, were placed in custody by the police of Paris.  http://www.prefecturedepolice.interieur.gouv.fr/English/Victims-what-to-do/Victims-what-to-do/Welcome-the-public

At Saint-Ouen, 350 antique dealers will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the flea market Paul Bert. The Paul-Bert market led to the heart of the flea market in Saint-Ouen at the end of World War II. This is where flea market in Saint-Ouen existed since the end of the 19C… over the remains of an ancient vine. In 1977, the garage located in its midst has also been transformed  and covered, and took the name of its founder, Alain Serpette. 10, rue des Rosiers, Saint-Ouen. Free admission, open to the public with an invitation to download on the website  http://www.paulbert-serpette.com./

The T11 express tramway will be the first line from the suburbs to suburbs in the Grand Paris area , which will connect Epinay at le Bourget in July 2017,  both tram and train, therefore, the future line will be visible as a streetcar, the Ile-de-France . It is expected that the segment be extended between Noisy-le-Sec and Sartrouville (Yvelines), passing to Argenteuil (Val-d’Oise). This project will be call the Trangentielle Nord, more in French here: http://www.tangentiellenord.fr/

The publication of a first list of 141 communes with the recognition of the State of Natural Disaster due to the recent flooding between May 28 to June 5th, will have an additional 46 communes towns in Seine-et-Marne dept 77. These towns are Beautheil, Bernay-Vilbert, bois-le – Roi, Boissy-le-Châtel, Celle-sur-Morin (La), Chalmaison, Champeaux, chaumes-en-Brie, Chevru, Condé-Sainte-Libiaire, Couilly-Pont-aux-Dames, Coupvray, Coutevroult, Crécy, Doue, Esbly, Ferté-sous-Jouarre (La), Frétoy, Guérard, Isles-lès-Villenoy, Jouarre, Lagny-sur-Marne, Lumigny-Nesles-Ormeaux, Maincy, Marolles-en-Brie, Moisenay, Montry, Mouroux, Orly-sur-Morin, Pézarches, Pommeuse, Roissy-en-Brie, Rozay-en-Brie, Saint-Augustin, Saint-Germain-sur-Morin, Saint-Martin-des-Champs, Saint-Méry, Saint-Ouen-en-Brie, Saint-Ouen-sur-Morin, Saint-Rémy-la-Vanne, Sancy-lès-Provins, Soignolles-en-Brie, Sourdun, Grafton, Villiers-sur-Morin, and Voulangis. Le Parisien newspaper report. Highlights those of my family, and Maincy is where the famous castle Vaux-le-Vicomte is but itself not damaged

Sunday the commemoration of the race Paris-Rambouillet. In 1899, she was one of the first motor races to be held in France.  80 centuries-old vehicles and their crews from France, but also England, Belgium, Germany and even from the United States will start at 8h30 at the Invalides in Paris and will join Rambouillet passing through the Valley of Chevreuse and the Abbey of the Vaux de Cernay. Sunday from  14h to 17h, the car show in the Park of the château de Rambouillet. Free admission. http://www.renaissanceauto.org/

Saint Germain en Laye (Yvelines dept 78). The National Archaeological Museum (in the castle) will open its doors to the public for free. It will be possible to  enjoy unique collections and participate in different workshops around a particular study of the bones of animals. Lectures will be ,also, organised around tours on Saturday and Sunday.  http://journees-archeologie.fr/c-2016/fiche-initiative/3077/Musee-d-archeologie-nationale

The public inquiry on the CDG Express project runs until July 12. This direct rail link between Gare de l’Est in Paris and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (terminal 2). The public hearing will be  Thursday at 20h30 at the Luxor cinema, 170, boulevard Magenta in Paris. Then Monday, at 20h30 at the Hotel Radisson Blu, rue de la Chapelle in Le Mesnil-Amelot (77). Site in French here: http://www.cdgexpress.com/presentation

Val-d’Oise dept 95, celebrates archaeology in the  7th Edition of National Archeology Day taking place this weekend. Guiry-en-Vexin, the Museum of archaeology is interested in the famous Gauls. Far from  Astérix and Obélix exposition this Friday to Sunday devoted to the emergence of trades: will allow visitors to discover their true story.  This Saturday and Sunday from  13h to 18h ,two specialists archeologist dressed in Celtic costumes will offer a demonstration on the manufacture of beads and bracelets.

Why not combine nature and history? This Saturday, from 10h30, an archaeological journey will lead the public to Genainville, Wy-dit-joli-Village and Guiry-en-Vexin (12€) under the label “country of art and history”.

Louvres, the Archea Museum also cooked up a program for this celebration.  http://www.archea-roissyportedefrance.fr/Activites-et-evenements/Evenements/Journees-nationales-de-l-archeologie-2016

This Friday, a conference-visit will present the history of the game of chess and its importance in the middle ages. This Saturday at 18h30 embracing historical humor with the projection in the open air of the series of Kaamelott 14h to 18h. This Sunday,  animations on the construction of the castles will be offered for free. http://www.pnr-vexin-francais.fr/fr/

Did you know that Paris is the world’s most thirsty city when it comes to wines? yes we drink more than any other metropolitan area in the world….Source : Vitisphere  from a study in INSEEC : https://www.inseec.education/

With a wine consomption per person over 15 years of age reaching  5,23 millions hectoliters ( 51,75 liters per person per year), Paris has the first place well ahead of Buenos Aires ,Argentina with 3,43 millions hl, 32,18 l/per/yr, The Ruhr around  Essen-Bochum-Duisbourg, Germany with 2,89 millions hl, 28,5 l/per/yr), London, UK  2,77 millions hl or 27,75 l/per/yr, and New York ,USA with 2,31 millions hl and 12,08 l/per/yr).  Arriving in 5th place  New York is nothing to surprise you as the USA is the biggest consumer of wines in the World. Only that when compare with consumption per person France continues to be the leader.

Hear all about it, as you know France, adopted a change in its regional administration areas from a previous 22 to now 13. Some kept the same name such as Bretagne, Île de France, PACA, etc etc , but the rest change. The nord pas de calais/Picardie  is now the Hauts de France and now  the old régions of Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon coming under one as Occitanie (going way back to the original name of the area and language). This will be made official in the regional Council meeting of June 24th. http://www.gouvernement.fr/en/territorial-reform-adopted-by-the-national-assembly.

Enjoy the anecdotes and stories of the Belle France !!!