Paris1972-Versailles2003

This is my latest from my belle France; And it is that time again to tell you my latest rants about some news from France. An eventful post in my blog that I have enjoyed together with you for the last 15+ years , And for those non Roman CCCXCVI is 396 !! ,I have come back to new posts and continue the saga of this series with news of my belle France ! Of course chosen by me; there are many others. Hope you enjoy the post as I.

These are figures that television channels wanted to keep secret, so staggering are they. For months, even those most eager to share their ratings turned us away. And with good reason: Médiamétrie data proves that the French are watching less and less television. Oh, of course, the small screen remains our favorite pastime by far: 45.7 million of us turn it on every day on average, including 19.1 million every evening during prime time. But we’re turning it off faster and faster. Indeed, but I watch::)

On last Saturday, December 13, 2025 ,50 young Catholics killed by the Nazi regime were beatified at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. For the first time, 2,500 people gathered in the nave to witness the largest collective beatification ever organized in France. This exceptional event was presided by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg. French and German bishops were present, placing this beatification under the banner of reconciliation. The Church is thus paying tribute to the priests, seminarians, scouts, and lay faithful, many of whom came from the Young Christian Workers (JOC) of the “Saint Paul Mission.” This form of clandestine chaplaincy was established in 1943 by Father Jean Rodhain, future founder of Catholic Relief Services, and the Archbishop of Paris, Emmanuel Suhard. Deported to Buchenwald, Mauthausen, Dachau, or Neuengamme, these young people died between 1944 and 1945 “in hatred of the faith,” according to the Vatican’s recognition of their martyrdom. Amén!

Apartment prices in the Paris region rose by 1.5% year-on-year, compared to 0.8% for houses, according to the latest SeLoger-Meilleurs Agents barometer. After two years of decline, the Île-de-France real estate market, which accounts for one in five property transactions in France, is stabilizing, and even showing a slight recovery in some departments. Across the region as a whole, apartment prices rose slightly more than house prices, with a 1.5% increase year-on-year (€6,440/m²), compared to 0.8% (€3,532/m²). Up up and up but I am staying put !

This 18C property is sure to inspire artistic souls. The home of sculptor and designer Serge Mansau, creator of over 250 perfume bottles that have shaped the history of French perfumery, is on the market for €2.79 million. For forty years, it housed the creative universe of designer Serge Mansau, the man behind bottles for Guerlain, Dior, and Cartier. Every space still bears his artistic signature. Located in Thiverval-Grignon, a small village in the heart of the Yvelines dept 78, this 550 m² (5920 sq2) house and studio, with 700 m² of outbuildings,(7535 sq2) a swimming pool, and a 1.5-hectare (about 5 acres) wooded park, exudes from floor to ceiling the boundless imagination of this multi-talented artist, who passed away in 2019. Ok so prices went up ,,,,,,,,,,,Any takers let me know,,,,,

Deployed for a year on the other branch of the RER D line, the “new generation” trainsets have been put into service on the Goussainville (Val-d’Oise 95) – Melun (Seine-et-Marne 77) line since Friday, December 12, 2025 between the Melun (Seine-et-Marne 77) and Montgeron-Crosne (Essonne 91) stations. Fourteen daily services are planned starting next Monday on this branch, then twenty from January 2026. The RER D line, the longest (194 km / 121 mi) and one of the least reliable lines in the RER network,

Faced with the noise pollution from Beauvais Airport (Oise 60), a new group, the Colibris du Beauvaisis (Hummingbirds of Beauvaisis), has joined the fight. Their objective: to broaden the opposition alongside other associations and inform the public as air traffic is set to increase. The announced development of Beauvais Airport , with a target of 45,000 aircraft movements and 9 million passengers by 2035, stems from the Bellova company taking over management of the Oise airport last year. Following in the footsteps of Adera (Association for the Defense of the Environment of Residents Near the Airport) and Sauvons le Beauvaisis (Save Beauvaisis), already involved in these issues, comes the Colibris du Beauvaisis. Another one they don’t stop !

Strict regulations accompany the commissioning of the first urban cable car in the Île-de-France region, which will connect Créteil to Villeneuve-Saint-Georges starting this Saturday, December 13 2025. The main enemy of this innovative mode of transport: strong winds. Yes plenty already stop and go, Project managers at Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM), the transport regulatory authority, therefore studied wind data from Météo France covering the last thirty-five years before approving the route of Cable 1, Official IDFM on cable 1 : https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en/le-reseau/projets/cablec1.

From June 29 to August 30, 2026, the Nation station, the last stop in Paris before reaching the eastern suburbs, will simply not be served by the RER A. It was supposed to open in 2022. Three years later, we are still waiting for the deployment of the first section of Line 15, located south of the capital. The delay is so significant that Line 18, initially slated to open last on paper, is now expected to be operational before it. We learned with great regret that it will ultimately not open before sometime in 2027, more precisely in April, according to the latest information. And unfortunately, line 15 isn’t the only one suffering from the curse of construction delays, as the same story is playing out for lines 16 and 17, whose first sections are expected to open between the end of 2027 and 2028. And we’ll have to wait until at least 2030 for these three lines to be fully accessible. Line 18, with its delightful mint-green color, will see its first section, serving the stations of Christ de Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, Polytechnique, and Massy Palaiseau, open as early as the end of next year, more precisely in October 2026! will soon be able to benefit from a direct connection with the RER B and C lines. And from the following year, it will connect Massy and Orly airport, where metro line 14 has already been operating for over a year!

The Impressionist master unfurls dazzling symphonies of color on his canvases. These stem from his quest for light, the guiding thread of the superb “Monet. Beyond the Horizon,” dedicated to him by art historian Marianne Mathieu. The colors seem to leap from the cover: golden yellow, lavender blue, sea green, water lily pink. We are transported into nature on Claude Monet’s Path Through the Irises (1914-1917), a magnificent reproduction of which graces the cloth-bound slipcase of this book deluxe edition published by Hazan. This large-format book is richly illustrated with works by the master, presented across borderless double-page spreads, offering the reader an immersive experience in his painting. The binding is designed to allow the volume to open wide, providing a particularly welcome comfort for reading and browsing. Monet. “Beyond the Horizon”, by Marianne Mathieu, Hazan, 280 pp., €120. To order Editions Hazan ; https://www.editions-hazan.fr/livre/monet-par-dela-lhorizon-edition-prestige-9782754116770/

If you love Jules Verne, you’ll love Amiens !!! Born in Nantes, Jules Verne studied in Paris, where he published his first works. Five Weeks in a Balloon (1863) was an immediate success! After staying in the Bay of Somme, where he owned a boat that fueled his love of travel, the writer settled in the Picardy city in 1871. He would never leave Amiens again, serving as a city councilor and continuing his work there, receiving numerous guests, like a true celebrity of his time. The Aronnax trail, named after the hero of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, rescued after his shipwreck in the Nautilus, Captain Nemo’s submarine, is a must-see. The first stop leads behind the train station, in a neighborhood undergoing extensive renovation. Official Amiens on Aronnax trail : https://www.amiens.fr/Grands-projets/Aronnax

In Reims, from a Romanesque basilica to an Art Deco library, the “city of coronations” unfolds Gothic splendors but, above all, a wealth of Art Deco beauty. This Marne dept 51 town captivates with its Art Nouveau and Art Deco heritage, its fine restaurants, its green spaces, and its pedestrian and cyclist-friendly city center. The Porte de Mars, erected around the beginning of the 3C, still guards the northern entrance to the city. Boulingrin Central Market Hall, Musée Hôtel le Vergeur, Carnegie Library, Notre Dame Cathedral, Basilica of Saint Remi, Villa Demoiselle, Church of Saint Nicaise. You name be there Reims is wonderful,

The Paris Meridian, (see post) an astronomical journey. Between science, art, and history, this invisible line is marked by bronze medallions, stone stelae, a lost statue, and an ancient solar cannon. It is on this campus in the 14éme arrondissement, bordered by the ring road,(BP), that the quest for the Paris Meridian begins within the city limits. Even though it features in the enigma of the novel *The Da Vinci Code* by American author Dan Brown (2003), the history of this line is not fiction. Adopted in 1667, the Paris Meridian became a major reference point for geodesy. This science, which flourished in the 17C and 18C, studies the shape of the Earth, the calculation of its dimensions (cartography), and the measurement of its gravitational field. The Paris Meridian thus crosses France on a central axis running from Perpignan to Dunkirk.

The Parc de la Villette will soon feature 15,000 m² of biodiversity and a new farm. Join us on March 28, 2026, for the unveiling of its “Jardins Passagers” (Temporary Gardens)! La Villette has renovated the former Halle de Rouvray, a site that served as an industrial workshop (metalwork and carpentry) until 1994. This future hub will be a place for exchange and sharing. The 1,000 m² space is divided into a 450 m² courtyard with a chicken coop and bread oven (yum!), and a 550 m² covered area. Here, children and adults alike can participate in workshops to learn all about the life cycles of animals and plants, and explore the concept of animal welfare. As an added bonus, a new walking path will connect the Canal de l’Ourcq to the Conservatoire. The expansion of the Jardins Passagers (Temporary Gardens) is excellent news! A former wasteland to the west of the park is being transformed into an exceptional haven for wildlife. This « Champ des oiseaux » (Field of Birds) will feature a 300 m² field of heritage wheat varieties, as well as a clearing with a birdwatching hide and a new apiary for bees. A landscaped swale is also being created to collect rainwater and form a wetland ecosystem, a paradise for frogs, newts, insects, and other creatures. The educational offerings of the Jardins Passagers are also being enhanced: visitors will find a vegetable garden inspired by market gardening, a greenhouse, a sensory trail for people with disabilities, and a garden of dye plants. The official La Villette on the gardens : https://www.lavillette.com/en/les-jardins/

The Christmas market at Place Saint-Michel. It was in 1869, nine years after the inauguration of the Saint-Michel fountain, that the Cordonnier markets first appeared in the capital. And more than 150 years later, in the same square, generations later, the Cordonnier family continues to offer us a concentrated dose of everything that Parisian Christmas markets have to offer. On the border between the 5éme and 6éme arrondissements, the Saint-Michel market enchants us with its rich and magical history. From December 5th to January 5^th 2026. On the menu, to help you with your shopping, are 30 artisans who invite you to their little wooden chalets to discover 100% French-made products. Marché Cordonnier, Place Saint-Michel, 5éme arrondissement. The official Marché Cordonnier: https://lesmarchescordonnier.com/

The Saint-Martin Canal will be completely transformed by spring 2026. An impressive project that began in October. Frustrating but far from insignificant, it heralds a profound transformation of one of the Paris most iconic locations. The plan includes several kilometers of pedestrianized lanes, partially or fully pedestrianized bridges, and a significant reduction in car traffic. New trees will be planted, green spaces created, and biodiversity refuges established along the quays. Benches, seating, and tiered seating by the water will provide spaces conducive to rest, contemplation, or meeting others. The canal will no longer be just a place to pass through; it will become a place to linger. The Louis-Blanc basin, in particular, is slated to feature tiered seating, perfect for watching the water, chatting, or putting the world to rights during the golden hour.

The popular dating app happn has unveiled its 2025 retrospective, and Bordeaux stands out brilliantly: the Gironde capital features in the world’s Top 10 places where singles have most “Crushed.” This unexpected recognition confirms the vibrant romantic and social scene of the metropolis. Bordeaux climbs to 7th place, just behind Montpellier, and ahead of Toulouse, Nice, and Lille. This performance gives hope to those looking for love. The world’s top 10 cities where people have most “Crushed” are: Oslo, Copenhagen, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Montpellier, Florianópolis, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nice, and Lille ! The study shows that citizens are transforming their living spaces into genuine connection hubs. Restaurants, bars, gyms, cultural venues, and parks emerge as the preferred settings for these encounters brimming with potential. The year’s trends reveal what excites singles: chill evenings, cultural outings, football/soccer, concerts, gastronomic experiences, and wine tastings. The official happn app : https://www.happn.com/fr/

Former food journalist and photographer Carrie Solomon has just opened her first restaurant in the Montorgueil district of Paris’s 2nd arrondissement. Chez Carrie ! She serves a vibrant, predominantly plant-based cuisine with North American and Mediterranean influences. The American chef, who moved to Paris in 2003, initially pursued a career in photography, publishing, and food journalism. In addition to lunch and dinner, which she offers Tuesday through Friday, she also orchestrates a tempting brunch every weekend from her small kitchen tucked away at the back of the restaurant. Official Chez Carrie (not try yet) : https://www.chezcarrie.com/

There you go folks, my latest round of my some news from France coming to you freely by the road warrior travel guy . Again, hope you enjoy this post as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!