Paris1972-Versailles2003

This is mid week and already at the blog, lol! this is a virus of enormous proportion , when I started in 2010 I never thought it would be this fun, and it has been. Now here it’s cloudy with 20C or about 62F bit humid cool it feels but no rains, oh here is Vannes, Morbihan, Brittany, France.

I like to dwell on some things happening in France in general and Paris in particular.

at the Centre Pompidou, you have the exhibit “René Magritte, la Trahison des images” until Jan 23rd 2017.  More here in English : https://www.centrepompidou.fr/cpv/ressource.action?param.id=FR_R-5eb6563d265bc29ee4435e693f322ec&param.idSource=FR_E-45018ba5-54f4-43be-81c6-dd37eb7844d8

The pedestrian only Paris this year (past sept 26th but will be practice every year)  has been enlarge from 11h to 18h and 45% more space intra-muros that is inside Paris proper. Many activities and shops will be showcase along the routes. More here : http://capgeo.sig.paris.fr/apps/ParisSansVoiture/

Soul Train of old !!! remember the show, now the Mona Bismarck American Center comes back to the source with a program November 12 on films and presentations such as  Shabba Doo, and  Jean-Paul Goude. More here: http://www.monabismarck.org/events/soultrain?lang=f

You can see « Faust »  in the Théâtre du Châtelet, open door with performers with rock of Robert Wilson going on until tomorrow (sorry for late reporting); more here: http://chatelet-theatre.com/fr/event/faust-i-et-ii

Anybody tried the wine apps out there? well not a techie myself but plenty to choose from and more coming up. Wine Ring is one but do not score high with the experts. Delectable and Banquet, works in tandem and they score very high.  A tad below is Vivino, and bit further down Wine Searcher . Not good at all were Snooth, Drync, Corkz, Hello Vino, and Cellar Tracker. The newest one is Omnipair that according to the experts looks promising. I will be far from all of them, but hey you can read it here too ::) More at Bloomberg here: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-09-26/the-best-wine-apps-for-choosing-buying-and-remembering-bottles

king Charles X rests since 1836 in the convent of  Kostanjevica, present day Slovenia. The last king of the Second Restauration ruling from 1824 to 1830 before taking exile.  There is a group trying to bring the rests back to his native France and to the Basilica of Saint Denis, Charles X, the last of the Bourbon kings ,but also his son  Louis de France and niece Marie-Thérèse (oldest daughter of king  Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette) to be alongside at Saint Denis royal necropolis.  Webpage in French here: http://www.leretourdecharlesx.fr/

The others that were brought back from  outside of France are those of emperor  Napoléon Ier, died in island of Saint-Hélène (south Atlantic) in  1821,to joined the  Invalides during an official ceremony in 1 840. Those of king  Louis-Philippe Ier, called the king of the French or « roi des Français » in 1 830 (under a constitutional monarchy), died in 1850 at Claremont (UK), and transferred to the chapel of Saint-Louis of Dreux in 1876.

You heard here on the CDG Express or the Charles-de-Gaulle Express. This is a straight line from Roissy CDG airport to the Gare de l’Est in Paris for 2023. It will have a price of about 24€ and get you in within 20 minutes. Now, the closest one is the RER B in about 50 minutes and 10€ but going thru some of the worse areas of outer Paris. The new CDG Express will use about 24 kms of the 32K route using as well the line K (Paris-Crépy-en-Valois line) and even the RER B in case of accidents. There is talk of a new tax to help pay for this of 1€ on the airplane tickets with work Schedule to start in 2018. The runway 2 of CDG is already doing preparatory work on it including an underground tunnel to host the CDG Express train. More in French at the  Le Parisien here : http://www.leparisien.fr/info-paris-ile-de-france-oise/transports/coup-d-accelerateur-pour-la-liaison-express-roissy-paris-26-09-2016-6152395.php

The survivor from the Colonial Exposition of 1878, the old aquarium of Trocadéro needed to closed in 1985. It opened again built underground in 2006.  This year it has 17000 fishes and 4 million liters of water to celebrate its 10th anniversary .Aquarium au jardin du Trocadéro,Admission is 19,90 € adults . Open every day from 10h to 19h. On Saturday October 1st each senior paying will give the chance to enter for free two persons between 1-59 yrs of age. More herehttp://www.cineaqua.com/index.php/en/

The concession for the Jardin d’Acclimatation has been extended for an additional 25 yrs to a group which includes 80% LVMH and 20% by Compagnie des Alpes (also handles Astérix). The gardens were opened by Napoléon III in 1860 and has 60 hectares along the Bois de Boulogne. 18 new attractions will be created including 9 free and 26 existing attractions will be renovated. The goal is to reach 2,5 million visitors per year. One of my family favorite parks in Paris for years…http://www.jardindacclimatation.fr/

The opera of the  Fantôme de l’Opéra  will now be shown in by before November at the Théâtre Mogador… This after a fire on last Sunday morning at the theater touching the main salon as well as the decorations.  More here : http://www.stage-entertainment.fr/theatre-Mogador

There will be a new exchange on the autoroute linking the A86 to the N118 at Vélizy. In this axe that will be in service by 2019 closing passing the shopping center centre commercial Vélizy 2  ,and will connected to the street rue du Général Valérie-André. Badly needed as when we lived nearby it was always traffic jams there so imagine now it’s worse. More here in French : http://fva-velizy.fr/un-nouvel-echangeur-sur-la86-en-2018-a-velizy/

How to get around Paris within 3 hrs away , well come to my department 56 Morbihan, Le Figaro says so! And more on Chartres, Reims, Orleans, Dijon ,Saint-Malo, La Grande-Motte, Cheverny,  Biarritz, Le Havre, Sophia-Antipolis(Biot), Dinard, Montgaudry, Marseille, Lyon, Pyla-sur-Mer, Strasbourg,Roquebrune-Cap-Martin,Pommard, La Rochelle, and Les Sables d’Olonne. Of course, all these in several weeks lol! Come to think as people ask what to see around Paris, well the whole of France ::)

And coming up is the Nuit Blanche or white night in France. From October 1 to the 2nd overnight that is 19h to 7h. The transformation is the theme this year and the place tops will be the berges de Seine or along the river Seine. The love theme of course will be here as there will be a walk starting from rue Lobau, just behind the Hôtel de Ville all the way to the island or ile Saint-Germain, at Issy-les-Moulineaux. Many institutions participate on this year themes such as the Musée du Quai Branly, Pavillon de l’Arsenal,  Petit Palais,  Théâtre du Châtelet, Monnaie de Paris, or the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts.

Other places to check it out and it is worth all of it, are (my favorite spots but not all of them) : FAÇADE DE LA CONCIERGERIE (see it best from quai de la Mégisserie), VOIE GEORGES-POMPIDOU (pont neuf or quai de la Mégisserie ), PARVIS DE L’HÔTEL DE VILLE, LE BHV MARAIS ,HÔTEL-DIEU (place du Parvis de Notre-Dame) ,PONT DES ARTS, PASSERELLE LÉOPOLD-SÉDAR-SENGHOR, PONT DES INVALIDES, GALERIES DES FRESQUES GARE DE LYON, PONT BIR-HAKEIM, ESPLANADE DU PALAIS DE TOKYO, 59 RUE DE RIVOLI , ÉGLISE SAINT-EUSTACHE ,ARCHIVES NATIONALES , BIBLIOTHÈQUE HISTORIQUE DE LA VILLE DE PARIS, ÉGLISE SAINT-MERRY , FONTAINE STRAVINSKY (place Igor Stravinsky) , COLLÈGE DES BERNARDINS (corner of the rue Saint-Jacques and rue de la Parcheminerie),  ÉGLISE SAINT-SÉVERIN ,PLACE SAINT-GERMAIN DES PRÉS, BASILIQUE SAINTE-CLOTILDE ,JARDIN DU PETIT PALAIS ,CHAPELLE EXPIATOIRE (29 rue Pasquier), PLACE PIGALLE , PLACE HENRI FRENAY, THÉÂTRE DUNOIS (108 rue du Chevaleret), LES DOCKS CITÉ DE LA MODE ET DU DESIGN ,PLACE DE LA FONTAINE ,SQUARE AUGUSTE RENOIR ,ÉGLISE NOTRE-DAME DE L’ASSOMPTION, and VILLA BELLEVILLE (23 rue Ramponeau). More on it here in English: http://quefaire.paris.fr/articles/428

and tourist office: http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-show-exhibition/135251/nuit-blanche-a-paris

Enjoy it all;until next time Cheers!!! And tomorrow another day off lol!!!

Well back in the routine in my lovely Morbihan Breton, and so back to the board for many activities coming up ni my belle France.

First the annual wonderful event on this year from September 17 -18 is Heritage days in France again, many buildings of historical value will be open when usually they are closed to the general public.  Not knowing the wide public’s taste, the best site to see all that is happening is in the student publication here and you can use the drop down Windows to choose the events; http://www.parisetudiant.com/etudiant/agenda/journees-du-patrimoine.html?ouv=premiere_ouverture

For instance the great department store BHV Marais will celebrate it’s 160 years with shops in the basement and exhibition on the history of the store on Saturday the 17th september from  10h to 19h ,free admission. http://www.bhv.fr/actus/160-ans-bhvmarais/

The mythical room Elysée Montmartre built in 1807 will opens its door after renovation on September 15th at blvd de Rochechouart. This is the birth of French cancan and will have 1000 seated seats and 1400 standing. http://www.elysee-montmartre.com/?q=en

And how about September 10 and 11 a Festival on sheeps and wool !!! , do we have diversity lol! at Bray sur Seine. more info  at email brebislaine@gmail.com or here : http://www.festivalbrebislaine.fr/index.php

At my beloved Versailles 2 Rue Jean Houdon you have the Royal Factory theater, only Five minutes from the palace up ave de Paris; wonderful for an alternative see in the royal town. http://royalefactory.fr/

Moving right alone to catch on the scene in France.

At the Porte Dauphiné, you see the renovated Pavillon Dauphiné, this is the old Chinese pavillion for the Universal Exposition of 1878.  It has 7 reception meetings rooms with private terraces giving to a nice garden capable of hosting 60 to 1000 persons and even double that for cocktails. Nice building indeed on the Paris skyline once again. More here from the traiteur in charge: http://www.saint-clair-le-traiteur.com/en/le-pavillon-dauphine

Less than a million tourist and occupancy down in Paris after the terrorists actions and the folks go away, do not understand why , Paris is Paris. This is as of July 2016 according to article in a Professional journal of tourist htat I followed. Nevertheless, the most coming are from UK, Spain, USA,Germany, and Italy in that order. http://pro.visitparisregion.com/chiffres-tourisme-paris-ile-de-france/frequentation-touristique-paris/Barometres-de-conjoncture/Aout-2016-Barometre-de-l-activite-touristique

Quai de Branly, a new Church this time Russian Orthodox takes shape. See the dome 5 in total already shaping up: http://www.leparisien.fr/paris-75007/a-midi-l-eglise-orthodoxe-du-quai-branly-aura-ses-cinq-bulbes-23-08-2016-6063633.php

The so call CDG Express to build a direct train line from CDG airport to the Gare de l’Est in Paris will cause a  potential raise of an euro in transports to help pay for it. This tax is to begin in 2017 unless revoked by the Council and will cover the cost of building the line by 2023 lol!!! The site on this construction in French is here: http://www.cdgexpress.com/presentation

One of my boys pleasures  was ,when living in Versailles go to the  Val-de-Seine aqua park at Verneuil-sur-Seine. It’s a wonderful park for all the family, that we found superb. From Paris to get there;  take the train at Gare Saint Lazare direction Mantes la Jolie but stop at the station in Verneuil-Vernouillet. Get out taken the secondary exit ,turn left along the lake of the park on the cycling path walking for about 35 minutes or you can take a taxi.:more here in French : http://valdeseine.iledeloisirs.fr/

Take a look at a less known castle that of Pierrefonds , the flag blason traces it back to 1309. The castle was built end of 14C by the duke Louis d’Orléans,and was demolished in the 17C. Napoléon III see in ruins and asked for its reconstruction to the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc , that made it into an ideal castle as it was in the middle ages. The flowers of lys on a blue background that we see in the flags of arms of France since the reign of king Louiw VII and the symbol of the French royals today. A wonderful property to visit, see more here: http://www.chateau-pierrefonds.fr/

After two years of work on renovation the national school of decoratives arts of Aubusson turns into the Cité internationale de la tapisserie, (international city of tapestries) and at the same time a museum and training center. The building is in a cross style of architecture with a nave of 7 meters, and strings of designs emblematic of the 16C Aubusson production, and many tapestries from the 20C signed by Lurçat, and his followers such as Le Corbusier or Braque. More in English here: http://www.cite-tapisserie.fr/en

The musée maison Victor Hugo of Paris is transforming into a house as in the times of the writer  and family until September 18. Wonderful stories, more here in English : http://www.maisonsvictorhugo.paris.fr/en/expositions/les-hugo-une-famille-dartistes

There is a huge hangar converted into an arts gallery in Paris , this is the Reserve Malakoff.  To showcase the talents of those on the other side of the river Seine, about 50 street artists have done a work named Le Grand 8, visible here until October 30th. You get there from Paris,  La Réserve, 7 rue Paul Bert, 92240 Malakoff, metro line 13 plateau de Vanves up by rue Etienne Dolet.More in French here: http://www.expo-legrand8.com/

See Hergé on Grand, the great cartoonist(real name George Remi of Belgium)  no longer with us but his wonderful work continues on . For four months at the Grand Palais rediscover the adventures of Tintin and many more.  From September 28th to January 15 2017; admission will be 13€.  More info in English here: http://www.grandpalais.fr/en/event/herge

And see Indiana Jones at the Grand Rex ! pack two days on September 17 and 18 2016. Doors open at 15H and cost for the entire day each is 45€.  And for those born in 1981 yikes! you are offered a package of 35€ including t shirt, popcorn, poster, and soft drinks. More in French here: http://www.indianajonesgrandrex.com/

And not to go all out dry, you can stop at the La Cave à Bulles to taste about 150 different beers from 4€ each including French, Belges, and others Great deal this is at 45, rue Quincampoix (4éme).  Open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10h-14h  and 16h-20h. Just what we call here the apéritif or apéro or app ::) more on the beers here do not be misled by the wines ::) http://www.bierealamain.fr/22/07/2014/la-cave-a-bulles/

The jardin de l’Observatoire (14C) has reopen its doors!!! From September 5th. open Mondays to Fridays from 16h15 to 19h, and you go in by 98 boulevard Arago. more from the city of Paris page : http://equipement.paris.fr/jardin-de-l-observatoire-de-paris-2520

More closer to my heart ,the Château de Versailles and the city of Arras (nord 62) will showcase an exposition on the life of Napoléon. It will be held at the museum or Musée des Beaux Arts of Arras between October 2017 and November 2018. In order to spread the works all over France, this initiative has already permitted about 400K visitors to the museum of Arras to see the expositions of « Roulez Carrosses »  ride the carriages and « Le château de Versailles en 100 chefs-d’œuvre » the castle of Versailles and its 100 main works. The museum at Arras is house a wonderful old abbey of  Saint Vaaste. See it plan it you read it here. http://www.musenor.com/en/Les-Musees/Arras-Musee-des-Beaux-Arts

Talks about opening gaming houses in Paris has the Casino d’Enghien-les-Bains a bit worry as it is nearby. This is the only town in the region of  Ile-de-France authorised to have a casino and profit from a spa thermale.  More on the casino here: https://www.casinosbarriere.com/fr/enghien-les-bains/infos-pratiques.html#  ;even thus you have some already for a long time ::) http://pokerccm.com/

The musée de la Nacre at Méru (Val d’Oise 60) is proposing creators of knitting work to come forth and showcase their talent for a prize.  You have  until September 30 to submit your works on a piece 20 x 20 cm, contacts : 51 rue Roger Salengro, 60110 Méru. http://musee-nacre.com/en/pratique

At Perpignan Visa pour l’image is the biggest photojournalism festival that gives credit to the profession. We will see the great reporting of Brent Stirton on the dismal luck of the elephants of Africa, Catalina Martin-Chico on the last nomads of Iran or Valerio Bispuri on the drug traffic in Argentina. This is ongoing until September 11th. More here: http://www.visapourlimage.com

At Rochefort, they are celebrating 350 years of the Arsenal. Created by king Louis XIV in 1666. I know was late on this one as it is happening now see if Rochefort tells you a story with historic recontructions , parades in costumes ,equestrian shows , baroque val dance,  picnic and many more. Jotted down for next year  ,it is wonderful. More here : http://www.350ans.ville-rochefort.fr

Until September 20th,the national tapestry of France is showcasing the “Le maître de la tapisserie” or the master of the tapestries. 50 years of his passing the Galerie des Gobelins du Mobilier National is given a big exposition on Jean Lurçat, painter, designer, ceramist, known as the renovator of the contemporary tapestry.  The expo is call in French « Au seul bruit du soleil » On until September  18.  by metro Gobelins line 13 at 42 Avenue des Gobelins. More info here ;http://www.mobiliernational.culture.gouv.fr/en/exhibitions/news

And right around my old place and even if usually closed in Summers, the new shows wll be on from September 17. Now going on the Académie équestre nationale de Versailles can be visited this weekend too  (bit late but if around and read this ..) with the show « La Voie de l’Ecuyer », created by the great one  Bartabas.  you can visit the stables and the gallery of carriages until Sunday  from 14h to 18h. More info here:  http://www.acadequestre.fr

The folks from Fooding organise the « Plats de résistance », a banquet on September 24th at the La Générale, in the 11éme  arrondissement or district of Paris. This is done with the cooperation of about 10 chefs who are active in this humanistic social event the public is invited. Some of the chefs are  Kamal Mouzawak  ,Lebanon, Jessamyn Rodriguez from New York, and  Aman Jaspal from India. The menus is offered to many present and a way to see how to live together all in our world. Reservation needs to be done here:  http://evenements.lefooding.com/2016/grand-fooding-san-pellegrino-plats-de-resistance/

Okeerokee, now enjoy your weekend. We benefit from the sales and did some shopping on furniture and bathroom we are completely remodeling and new fixtures lol! Lucky we have some good inexpensive plombers around here ::) Cheers!!!