This is my latest from my belle France ; as we are just before official Summer June 21st and sunny hot of 28C or about 82F. However, is that time again to tell you my latest rants about some news fromFrance. An eventful post in my blog that I have enjoyed together with you for the last 12+ years , And for those non Roman CCCLXXXVIII is 388 ! ,with another dandy round of news of my belle France, of course, chosen by me; there are many others. We have done quite a bit of house work and now done relaxing to welcome Summer !! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
In Paris, a tunnel dug under the Seine river to make it clean, This structure was built to channel rainwater to the Austerlitz storage basin. At a depth of 18 meters , it will be commissioned in the spring of 2024, before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, With the Austerlitz basin, 46,000 m3 of wastewater will be stored during major storms. It will retain them and prevent their discharge into the Seine to preserve the quality of the water. Ok time to do something the world is watching,
While many Parisian motorists are unaware of it, it is possible to park your vehicle for free in hundreds of streets in the city. Information available on the City website more than 3000 free places throughout Paris. But not for long parked rue du Théâtre, under the huge towers of the Beaugrenelle district (15éme), You just need to find them,,, Indeed, every day of the week from 20h until 9h the next day, parking becomes free, There you go right for a night out in Paris ! These are free see what I mean, Parking located along the Hôtel de Marigny, perpendicular to the Avenue Gabriel, and the street along the parc and Palais de l’Elysée, and perpendicular to the Rue de La Planche, ok ok ,
The Council of Paris voted this Thursday, June 8, 2023 a wish of environmentalists to make parking more expensive for minivans etc from January 2024. If you drive an SUV in the city, the price of your parking will soon increase. Larger, heavier and considered more polluting, these large cars will be subject to higher pricing than sedans, After Lyon and Paris, Grenoble could also adopt this reform !
The saturation of metro line 9: one year from the Paris 2024 Olympics, the problem is far from being resolved. Some events will take place at the same time in the Roland-Garros and Parc des Princes sectors. In the absence of metros, Île-de-France Mobilités will offer buses so that spectators can arrive and leave sites by public transport.lol !! Today, less than half of the 43,000 spectators at the Parc des Princes come by public transport, So welcoming 100% is a problem oh yes big problem welcome to Paris !
The Caroline tunnel boring machine arrived at the Orly slopes on Tuesday June 13 2023 after digging nearly 6 km from Massy (Essonne 91). By 2027, users will be able to take this future metro to reach Massy and the Saclay plateau. The future metro, which will link the airport to Versailles-Chantiers via Massy and the Saclay plateau, will be in circulation between the 2026 and 2030 depending on the sections.
The Domaine national de Saint-Cloud is closing the floodgates. The animations and water games that were to enliven the pools, in the pure tradition of the Florentine fountain makers of the 17C, will ultimately not take place. Those scheduled for Sundays June 18 and 25 2023 are cancelled. In question: the drought and the weather forecast for the next few days, with no precipitation on the horizon. Yes dry as hell but we are getting some in my Morbihan!
The extension of metro line 14 will be ready for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games ,The inauguration of services to Saint-Denis in the north and Orly in the south is confirmed for June 2024, one month before the Olympics. From Chevilly-Larue-Rungis. From Olympiades (13éme) to Orly airport,
The Médiévales festival once again attracted a lot of people this past June 10 and 11 2023 . The 38th edition of the biggest medieval festival in France, in Provins, Seine et Marne 77 attracted just under 105,000 visitors this past weekend. The streets were loaded with people once again ! A must to see at least once in France,
The “In and on the Walls” festival is taking place this week with exhibitions, workshops and the creation of two permanent monumental frescoes. An astonishing marriage of built heritage and urban culture.on the facade of the Vera space, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines 78 ). For good reason, this monumental 25 meters work carried out on one of the many historic buildings in the city must be officially inaugurated today at 18h30. This is the first highlight of the street art festival “In and on the walls” organized every two years since 2016. Webpage : https://www.saintgermainenlaye.fr/111-5158/fiche/festival-dans-sur-les-murs.htm
One of the oldest hotels on the peninsula, in the Arcachon basin, has been renovated in the style of American surf lodges, installed near the sliding spots. Suite 14 has a cool, shaded terrace back from the beach. Regulars of the peninsula know the Hôtel des Dunes ,Cap Ferret well, this discreet little establishment, opened in 1969, next to the wild beach of the same name. Inside, the white walls are awakened by notes of petrol blue, light blue and buttery yellow. In the rooms, sixties-inspired objects, such as push-button telephones, have been placed on contemporary furniture in light wood. Suite 14 has a large bedroom, a living room equipped with a sofa and club chairs, as well as a green and shaded terrace. When you get back from the beach, you can dry your bathing suits and towels there, taking advantage of the coolness. Breakfast is presented using the Australian technique of grazing food, a kind of artistic composition with food.webpage : https://www.hoteldesdunes.com/fr/
Parisians will soon be able to swim in one of the three “swimming pools” that will be installed in the Seine river. Finally soon… in 2025, In total, 5 bathing sites are under study: two on the edges of the Rives de Seine park (Paris Centre old Paris 1-4 arrondissements), one on the Bras Marie arm (Paris Centre), one at the port of Bercy ( 12éme), opposite the BnF,(National library of France) and one on Allée du Bord-de-l’Eau in the Bois de Boulogne (16 éme), according to the City of Paris.
Commissioned by the City of Paris, the Apur group has created a precise map of the 800 Parisian sites where it is possible to cool off. free and paid, Spread throughout Paris. fountains, vaporizers, free swimming, swimming pools, but also naturally cool establishments, including churches and museums, you are bound to find a place to lay your head. In all, there are 150 establishments to discover, including 46 open to the public and air-conditioned such as museums and libraries, 36 bathing places including swimming pools, aquatic centers and outdoor pools, as well as 25 misted places including mirrors of water and foggers. See this interactive map, webpage: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/b8709aa4ef714e7d870fc39b37883ccb/page/Page-1/
The open-air film festival of Gare aux Docs is back on the rails of the Petite Ceinture Cap so towards the REcyclerie (18éme) again this year, on the rails of the Petite Ceinture, from August 16th to 27th 2023. Gare aux Docs, La Recyclerie, 83, boulevard Ornano 18éme From August 16 to 27, 2023, webpage : https://www.larecyclerie.com/podcasts/events/gare-aux-docs-cinema-sur-les-rails-9/
From June 23 to September 17,2023 more than 50 free events will take place in Paris, offering a unique experience to all audiences. The Formes Olympiques Festival aims to be a true ode to creativity and diversity, harmoniously merging art and sport. The streets, cultural and sports venues will become the scene of new creations, thus captivating everyone’s attention, meet at Paris Plages and the Formes Olympiques festival! The party will kick off with a bang on June 23 with an impressive roller-party that will bring young and old together. The closing of the festival will be just as grandiose with an exceptional event called the “concert marathon”, which will be held at the famous Charléty stadium, in the 13éme arrondissement of Paris, on September 17 2023, webpage : https://www.paris.fr/un-ete-en-formes-olympiques
The Minister of Sports, announced that 300,000 to 400,000 seats would be completely free for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony. They will be orchestrated by the young French director and actor Thomas Jolly. In the program, a hundred boats will travel the Seine with the delegations and the 10,000 athletes taking part in the event. A rehearsal of the parade will take place in July 2023, which we will be able to attend. Regarding the places, the 100,000 paying ones went like hot cakes at around 90 euros and obviously benefit from a better view of the low quays which run along the Seine between the Pont d’Austerlitz and the Pont d’Iéna. Webpage : https://www.paris2024.org/en/ceremony/
Not in France but we will be watching the World Women’s Football tournament 2023, here the TV chain M6 and France Télévisions will broadcast the matches scheduled from July 20 to August 20 2023 , The games will be held in Australia and New Zealand, webpage : https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/australia-new-zealand2023
The Rugby World Cup will be held in France from September 8 to October 28 2023 with the opening matcth between France vs New Zealand !! webpage : https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/pools
A short detour to Joigny, in Yonne,(89) for a day or a whole weekend. Only 1h30 from the capital, We never tire of the architecture of this small town, which dates from the 16th century. the House of the Tree of Jesse will undoubtedly mark you with its imposing frontage. On the facade, one can admire a tree in relief made of finely carved wood, taking root above the windows of the ground floor and spreading its sinuous branches to the base of the roof. The house itself would have been built simply to accommodate the carved decoration of the Tree of Jesse. House of the Tree of Jesse , Rue Gabriel Cortel , Joigny webpage : http://www.joigny-tourisme.com/mobile2/visiter-2/monuments-principaux-2/78-la-maison-de-larbre-de-jesse.html
Now that Summer is almost here even if fell already, let me tell you about some of my favorite medieval cities to discover in my belle France. Cordes sur Ciel, in the Tarn, (81) If you enjoy high viewpoints, hiking and climbing, then the town of Cordes-sur-Ciel is made for you. A true jewel of French heritage, this medieval city made up of adorable houses and small alleys has magnificent sculpted facades that you can admire. Do not hesitate to go to the top of the city where a magnificent panorama will be offered to you!
Albi, in the Tarn (81) In the Tarn, another medieval town is also known for the red color of its bricks and facades: Albi. With its four medieval quarters with all different styles, but also its narrow medieval streets, the remains of old shops or the historic center, it is a very pleasant place to discover. Provins, in Seine-et-Marne (77) , In the heart of Seine-et-Marne, is the town of Provins, known for its famous medieval festival, one of the largest in France. Beyond the various events that enliven it throughout the year, the town of Provins stands out for its historical monuments, its ramparts and its half-timbered houses. Do not miss either the César Tower and the Grange aux Dîmes, which make Provins an essential medieval city to discover. Carcassonne, in the Aude, (11) Although its success is not to be done, the city of Carcassonne and its city center are worth a detour as there are so many things to see. A unique, majestic and impressive medieval city that you have to see even once in your life. During your walk, don’t miss the ramparts, the Saint Nazaire basilica or the elegant cobbled streets. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, in Lot (46), Still little known a few years ago, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie today attracts many people wishing to enjoy its pretty medieval town that is simple, discreet and elegant. Nestled on the side of a cliff, overlooking the Lot, this town and its alleys will seduce even the most reluctant to come with its beautiful fortified church, its atypical houses, and its picturesque alleys. Rocamadour, in the Lot (46) , The village of Rocamadour has always attracted and aroused the admiration of all those who pass by. It must be said that this medieval city, located on the mountainside, is rather impressive. Unique in its kind, you will enjoy discovering it by strolling through its streets, or quite simply by visiting its various monuments dating from the Middle Ages. Saint-Malo, in Ille-et-Vilaine (35), We tend to imagine medieval cities right in the middle of the land, but many of them also had access to the sea, synonymous with wealth, such as Saint Malo. This city considered one of the largest medieval cities in Brittany is absolutely unmissable if you are passing through, and it is also very pleasant to stay there. Take advantage of these ramparts which make up its charm, its gates, its bastions, but also its castle for a wonderful historical stroll. Conques, in Aveyron,(12) The department of Aveyron is a beautiful place in which there are many medieval towns. Among them: the city of Conques, an important place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages which is on the road to get to Santiago de Compostela. We enjoy walking there on hot summer days, hidden from the sun by the small narrow streets, and transported by the adorable little half-timbered houses typical of the place. The abbey of Sainte-Foy, the bridge or the public fountains are all places that you can also admire.
There you go folks, another round of my some news from France coming to you freely by the road warrior travel guy . Hope you enjoy this post and do take care ,enjoy we are just about in Summer, great, sunny days ahead,
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 