Well, hello winter early, and the Christmas spirit again. Yes, this is December 2021!! And we are planning Paris, Madrid, and/or the Loire! Unless of course, the politicians screw it up again with the virus mutations! Anyway, we are on our way, and I have complete new sewer installation in my street and that means manouvers to get in and out of the house! Life can only be challenging! or my line, La vie est belle! Life is beautiful , la vida es chula!! Now let’s get into the some news from France shall we!
A companion cathedral builder will be your guide through the history of Notre-Dame de Paris. The project is a dream. Today, it’s made possible through immersive tours. And the offer will be offered in a few months to Parisians and tourists, even if it means entering the basement of the forecourt designed to welcome the public, open your eyes in a virtual reality headset and stroll through a church made of computer-generated images. In the files presented, that of Kléber-Rossillon had great advantages. Used to managing heritage sites and in particular the Montmartre museum in Paris, for 16 euros entry, visitors would discover the reconstructed rue Neuve Notre-Dame, leading to the old square with a sound & light show. The other part of the visit, for three types of virtual experiences between 25 and 30 euros, would have allowed virtual reality to discover the construction of the monument. Mid 2022, if the elected officials of Paris vote in this direction, “Eternelle Notre-Dame”, the name given to the visit by Amaclio Productions, will allow 50 people to carry out a total immersion every hour, helmet on the face, by following a virtual companion builder. Webpage Amaclio : https://amaclio.com/amaclio-productions/?lang=en
Webpage Kléber Rossillon : https://www.kleber-rossillon.com/nos-sites/le-musee-de-montmartre-les-jardins-renoir/
What is as essential to Parisian identity as the Eiffel Tower, the zinc roofs or the wings of the Moulin Rouge? The answer lies in a plate: gastronomy! The first restaurant in the world? This is the discovery of a man named Mathurin Roze de Chantoiseau, who, in 1765 towards what is now rue du Louvre (2éme arrondissement), served his customers coarse-salted poultry on a marble pedestal table. The first star of the kitchen? Another Parisian, Antonin Carême. Born into a poor family in the rue du Bac (6éme arrondissement), abandoned at the age of 8, he was the first to wear a chef’s hat and became the “Chef”, the word is his. Eminent personalities like the Tsar from Russia or Talleyrand, lover of good food took part with him, Oh yes the food, the better gastronomy,and the wines, France! When the kings returned in 1815 ,under the aptly named “Restauration” (monarchy), the city was already the gastronomic capital of the world, for two reasons: we eat much better there than elsewhere … and we question it! This is the French art par excellence: talking about what we have eaten, what we are eating, what we will eat … Comments without hunger, sometimes accompanied by arguments. In fact, it was on this pretty shortcoming that the Michelin Guide and its countless descendants later speculated. We give it to you in a thousand words, Grimod de la Reynière, the first “critic” (his “almanac dates from 1803), was rampant in Paris.
Now, I get lots of question on how to stay, eat , see ,and go around in Paris by friends , relatives and fellow bloggers over the years, I gladly help and my blog is part of the initiation of many, as I have three friends (one solo and one couple) coming this month to Paris from the USA. However, if I am not around, the best ,and the only one have use ever is the Le Petit Parisien L’Indispensable guide ; you won’t get lost with it, guarantee ! Get the latest copy of the guide upon landing in Paris or from home many places I get mine at the FNAC stores but you can even ordered it in Amazon. https://abonnement.leparisien.fr/hors-serie/et-paris-inventa-la-gastronomie
Opposed to the City of Paris project, the president of the region, Valérie Pécresse launched this vote online on November 10, 2021. Nearly 79,000 Internet users participated and expressed their rejection of the removal of a general traffic lane, which is supposed to come into force during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This is a score at first glance without appeal. The result of the online consultation organized by the president of the region, Valérie Pécresse (Libres!), On the future of the ring road, just came out on Wednesday. 90% of voters against the reserved lane for buses and carpooling ! Yeah you know I had to put this up here, Cheers !
See at the Marmottan-Monet Museum, in Paris, the three lives of Julie Manet, The exhibition devoted to her life sheds light on the particular, affluent sociology of one part of Impressionism. Telling the life of Julie Manet soon means getting lost in a swarm of famous names and works. Julie is the only daughter of the artist Berthe Morisot and Eugène Manet , brother of Edouard Manet , who does not seem necessary to present , This story is takes place in the upper middle class of the 16éme arrondissement of Paris, webpage : https://www.marmottan.fr/en/expositions/julie-manet/
“Painting apart from the world”, in the Cernuschi museum. The mountain, a source of inspiration for Chinese scholars, The Parisian museum presents for the first time in Europe the Chih Lo Lou collection which brings together masterpieces of Chinese art from the 15C to the 18C. Evidenced by the exhibition presented at the Cernuschi Museum, The other Parisian establishment specializing in Asian arts, which offers the opportunity to discover several works by three 17C Chinese painters, Hongren (1610-1664), Mei Qing (1624-1697 ) and Shitao (1642-1707), representing, each with their own personal touch, these dreamlike landscapes, The exhibition presented at Cernuschi, entitled “Painting apart from the world”, plunges visitors from the entrance into a soothing celadon green, conducive to contemplation. Webpage : https://www.cernuschi.paris.fr/en/exhibitions/painting-apart-world-monks-and-scholars-ming-and-qing-dynasties
At the Théâtre de la Bastille, Nicolas Bouchaud revisits Claude Lanzmann! By adapting “Un vivant qui passe”, the director and actor questions the responsibility of major international organizations and Swiss governing bodies in their blindness to the Shoah. Yes we know, an excellent work !! A bit more : He is the man who saw nothing in Auschwitz, seen nothing in Theresienstadt. Maurice Rossel became a historical figure when, in 1997, Claude Lanzmann devoted a film to him, Un vivant qui passe, on the sidelines of his great work, Shoah. Today, the actor Nicolas Bouchaud, who traces a path like no other in French theater, brings to the theater the material that is the basis of the film. In 1942, Maurice Rossel, a young Swiss doctor of 25, was hired as a delegate to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Berlin. For two years, his task was to inspect prisoner of war camps. In 1944, his hierarchy sent him, quite unofficially, to visit concentration camps ,no one used the term extermination at that time , to try to obtain information. Maurice Rossel will be the first international civil servant to enter the Theresienstadt and Auschwitz camps. But he will remain blind to what is going on !! On June 23, 1944, his visit to Theresienstadt was completely organized by the Nazis, who put on a macabre staging intended to present this extermination camp as a model ghetto. The ICRC delegate saw nothing but fire. At the end of September of that same year 1944, he went to Auschwitz, where he was received by the camp commander or supposed to be a very elegant, very distinguished, very amiable young man. This time, no staging has been orchestrated but Maurice Rossel will not see the crematoria, nor the smoke or lights that could escape from them, nor the trains. However, he will cross the road of prisoners, “walking skeletons” in whom “there were only living eyes. They were very, very intense looks. ” We still see this human error in many places of our world, fear of speaking out, in time ! Wish can be there to see it, go if you are. Webpage : https://www.theatre-bastille.com/saison-20-21/les-spectacles/un-vivant-qui-passe
Inside the Drapeau de la Fidélité or Fidelity Flag, it smells of a reassuring mixture of sugar and fried food. Few tables, small, and books, a lot, Why the Fidelity Flag? “Because I am loyal to the humanitarian capitalist flag, It is“ the sun, against communism, the star, the night! ”Mr. Quan has written five books. He develops the concept of humanitarian capitalism in a work of the same name and in A Better World, Ask if he has ever returned to Vietnam. “If I go back there, it is not to live there, it is to make the revolution!” He exclaims with a big smile free of a few teeth. Mr. Quan studied philosophy in Saigon, (HCMC) until in 1975 the Communists came to power and drove out foreigners. Then his wife, who had French nationality, had to leave the country: he left with her. For five years, he saved until he bought his first restaurant in Pierrefitte. Then he resold it, and stumbled upon this address around the corner of the 15éme arrondissement. It was 1984, when he planted the Drapeau de la Fidelité at 21 rue Copreaux, Another good story and good Vietnamese food with lots of story telling, recommended, The Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/chezquan/
Two steps from the Cité de la mode and the Wanderlust, the teams of several associations are busy at Les Amarres, a daytime reception that turns into a festive and united place of life once the evening comes, managed by the former team of Great Neighbors. opening to the public next December 9 2021. Within this 4000 m2 place which belongs to the autonomous ports of Paris , the associations Yes We Camp, Aurore and many others work actively to welcome people in a precarious situation in a beautiful and warm place, to mix the public, and create links between workers in the social and solidarity economy, the public and the general public, On December 9, Yes We Camp and Aurore are organizing the very first opening night of Les Amarres: drink at the refreshment bar solidarity, guided tours of the place, concert and DJ set on the program. And also, Christmas Market of Amarres Wednesday December 15, Les Amarres, 24 quai d’Austerlitz – 13éme Facebook Webpage :https://www.facebook.com/events/2082697145239524/
My second update so be alert is coming to the big one, Paris, In 2022, Paris will host the largest immersive escape game in France with the justice of Gotham superhero, I named Batman, in the spotlight. The game will immerse fans around the world in the unique settings and ambience of Gotham City, all in an undisclosed 3,000 m2 location. With 3 immersive escape game rooms of 350 m2 each, you can become actors in your own adventure. Walk the dark alleys as a team, solve many puzzles and interact with the actors present throughout the game. To participate you will still have to wait a few months since the room will open in 2022. The countdown has started !!
The Rosa Bonheur team is opening a new 4500 m2 barge with swimming pool at the port of Javel bas, in the 15éme arrondissement of Paris. Guinguette, swimming pool, solarium and sports areas, all moored in front of the André Citroën park, If the opening is scheduled for spring 2022 on the port of Javel bas, not sure that the Seine will be swimmable by then,, anyway check it out !! Rosa is good ! Webpage : https://www.rosabonheur.fr/rosabonheur
The best pastry chef of the year is in Paris! Maxime Frédéric chef at Cheval Blanc has just been voted best pastry chef of the year by Gault & Millau ! He went through the kitchens of Meurice before becoming pastry chef there. His talent later guided him to the Orangerie, before he did much to the George V, and then eventually moved to the kitchen of Cheval Blanc. More on the chef webpage : https://www.chevalblanc.com/en/maison/paris/restaurants-and-bars/maxime-frederic-in-paris/
Les Habits de Lumière, from December 10 to 12 2021 in Epernay (51), On the program, video-mappings, events and illuminations on Avenue de Champagne, champagne bars, gourmet workshops and many other festive events! The most sparkling of the events of this end of the year revolves around three highlights: the festive evenings on Friday evening and Saturday evening on the avenue de Champagne , the day of Saturday placed under the sign of gastronomy with Habits de Saveurs and finally, the legendary Sunday automobile parade to close these three days of festivities around the Champagne art of living. Great town great Champagne, webpage : https://habitsdelumiere.epernay.fr/en
No surprises here, I told you so, better visit or work and live outside, enjoy the best of both worlds, recommended,,,, ! Paris voted second most expensive city in the world in 2021 according to The Economist, just behind Tel Aviv in Israel. It lost the first place, which it occupied tied with Zurich and Hong Kong in 2020. To develop this ranking, the British weekly refers to the “world index of the cost of living”, drawn up from a basket of 200 products and services in 173 cities around the world. The Economist webpage : https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/11/30/tel-aviv-is-the-worlds-most-expensive-city
And I give you the spirit of the season with Christmas markets and illuminations all over France. We have our nice shares in the Morbihan dept 56 my home, (see posts), However, I have to agree , Paris is tops, I will see as have friends coming and we had planned for the Loire. In the meantime, here are my choices for year 2021!!
Breathtaking Christmas decorations and staged each year by the greatest visual artists, it is a tradition at Bercy Village, the Portuguese artist Patricia Cunha, who makes a sky of white umbrellas dance this year (until Sunday January 16) above the paving stones of the Cour Saint-Émilion. As night falls, the 1,200 umbrellas are enveloped in sparkling light, immersing visitors in a halo of sweetness and poetry. The highlight of this magical installation, an 11-meter-high Christmas tree, also decorated with white umbrellas, sits majestically at the end of the central alley. Webpage : https://www.bercyvillage.com/actualites/illuminations
The illuminations of the Champs-Élysées await you from November 21, 2021 until January 9, 2022! This year, Clara Luciani inaugurated the festivities, to make the most beautiful avenue in the world even more resplendent! Webpage : https://en.parisinfo.com/transport/73130/Avenue-des-Champs-Elysees
The Vendôme Committee offers us illuminations on Place Vendôme. The appointment is set for November 18, to see light up four large trees 10 meters high, and 160 other smaller specimens placed in front of shops Info webpage : https://comite-vendome.fr/en/contact-2/
For Christmas 2021, the City of Paris is once again setting up a Christmas village on the forecourt of the Hôtel de Ville or City/Town Hall, with a mini Christmas market and free rides from December 2021 to January 2022 webpage : https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71544/H%C3%B4tel-de-Ville-de-Paris
The Avenue Montaigne will be lit up with a thousand lights from November 17, 2021 to celebrate the Christmas holidays! Sparkling Christmas trees, magical decor and shops open every Sunday, December is going to be festive on Avenue Montaigne! This year, the Comité Montaigne unveils a new program called Christmas Montaigne . webpage : https://comitemontaigne.fr/christmas-montaigne-la-magie-au-coeur-de-paris/
The Faubourg Saint-Honoré lights up as Christmas approaches. Do not miss this bright and magical show from November 18, 2021 to January 30, 2022 with, the icing on the cake, the return of the Christmas raffle, in favor this year of the association Imagine for Margo. Webpage : https://www.wintertimeparis.com/
The Forum des Halles is launching the start of its festive illuminations and decorations with its giant tree 22 meters high. See you this November 20, 2021 for the inauguration in a festive atmosphere in the presence of the singer-songwriter and dancer, Bilal Hassani! Webpage : https://fr.westfield.com/forumdeshalles/access
There you go folks, a dandy season ahead, and another great news from my belle France, me think. There is still time to get ready, we need to do our shopping for my gifts to the boys..lol! I like to wish from the bottom of my heart, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all those celebrating and encourage others to do so. The season to be merrier is here!! Of course, we will be remembering my cherish Mom and dear Wife too, they will always be with me.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 