Pride 2011

Yesterday we had the Gay Pride parade in Paris. It's the last one before next year presidential elections so it was as always fun and gay but also more political. We just heard that New York voted the gay marriage and in Europe lots of countries did too, even very "religious" ones like Spain or Portugal. Here, French right wing politician just voted no lass week ...I guess that one more reason to get ride off Sarkozy next year !

Fête de la Musique 2011

Today is summer's first day and every 21th of June for 29 years now France is have the "Fête de la Musique" (Music fair). Everyone is invited to play music for free. Professional musician of amateur singers, everyone is welcome in the streets, the bars, the restaurants ... From classical like on my picture to hard rock, every kind of music is on for the night. Let's have fun !

Watching tennis with a view

Yesterday I told you about the giant screen in front of the City Hall where you can watch the tennis game of the Roland Garros tournament, here it is and with a view on Notre Dame ... better than watching it at home, isn't it ?

Paying tennis at the City Hall

This week is Paris tennis tournament "Roland Garros" second week and during the whole event, Paris is celebrating tennis like here in front of our City Hall. You can play and also watch tennis like I will show tomorrow. (Roland Garros official website)

Midnight in Paris

Sorry for not posting yesterday but Blogger was unavailable during the whole day and it was still out this morning. Today is cinema day as some of you may know that we're in the "Festival de Cannes" (Movie festival in south of France) period. The opening movie Wednesday was "Midnight in Paris" by Woody Allen and I went to watch it yesterday night. Paris lovers will like it as it's a nice romantic view of the city, even starting with views like postcards. The movie itself is surely not one of Woody's best but it is nice to watch.

Ca c'est Paris !

Monday I went to the cinema on the Champs Elysées to watch a broadcast of an Opera live from Paris Garnier Opera. The cinema theater entrance was located in the same building as the famous "Lido" where you can see one of Paris typical shows. I've never been there but it has a very good reputation. You can see more of it on their website : here.
By the way the opera I watched was Haendel's Guilio Cesare with the fabulous French soprano Nathalie Dessay. If you want to hear her click here

Rabbit year parade in Paris

On February the 3rd the Chinese New Year started and Paris waiting until Sunday to celebrate the year of the Rabbit in a big Parade. Happy New Year !

What a mess !

If anyone of you have heard about the 1 mile queue of Eurostar passengers in St Pancras station in London, I was there yesterday !!! I was fortunate enough to get through that crowd and board a train at 7:45 pm which made me arrive in Paris at 0:30 but lots of people are still stuck in London and Paris trying to get or come back from there. Incredible ! It only snowed Saturday in London and when we got in Paris last night there were not a trace of snow. Can you imagine that they closed Heathrow during nearly 2 days for that !

Commemoration day

The giant French flag is back under the Arc of Triumph as today we commemorate the armistice of World Word I.
For this occasion it is a public holiday in France and since its a Thursday this year, lots of people (including me) also take their Friday off which gives a 4 days weekend ! In French we call this : "faire le pont" which literally means "make the bridge" (between 2 non worked days). If you'd work in France this week  people would ask you " est-ce que tu fais le pont ?" (do you make the bridge?).

Classical at the Chatelet

It is a very rainy day today in Paris but it was not a problem for my day's joy : going to the Chatelet Theater and  listen to the Radio France Philarmonique Orchestra. Beautiful !

General strike

Yesterday was another national general strike day to protest against the Government's project concerning Retirement laws.Demonstrators have lots of ideas for posters like this one based on l'Oreal advertising slogan "Parce que je le vaut bien" (because I'm worth it) and transformed with Skarkozy and his minister photos with a "Dehors - Parce qu'ils ne valent rien" which means "Out - because they worth nothing ".
Strike is still going on today in public transportations and oil refineries. We do not know if it's going to end or be bigger ... but hey, would it be France, or even southern Europe without big strikes !

Grape harvest fair in Montmatre 2

One more photo of this year Montmartre harvest fair taken during a break in the the Parade. These kids seemed to have a great fun.

Grape harvest fair in Montmatre

This weekend is Montmartre Grape Harvest Fair and since last year (see link) I posted pictures of the parade today I decided to show you a shot of yesterday night fabulous fireworks on the Sacré Coeur church. The weather was just perfect all day with warm temperature and a great blue sky which gave us the most perfect night for the fireworks. I posted a video of the Fireworks final on you tube so you can have more than the picture (click here to watch the video).

Nuit Blanche

This was one of yesterday night "Nuit Blanche" event. The artist created lighted sentences that all said the same thing is many different languages : "love the differences". It was on the Paris City Hall and there were many many other shows in th city related to Contemporary Art which is the theme of the "Nuit Blanche" event.

Techno Parade in Paris

Today is Techno Parade day in Paris. Youngsters have fun !!! More about the parade on the official website (click here)

Old car for "Paris au mois d'août" event

I took this picture last Sunday 1st of August near the City Hall where this car was passing by, going to a yearly event for old cars like this called "Paris au mois d'août". I especially loved the couple driving this car.

Paris Plages week : entering

To start what will be a Paris Plages week, here is one of the entrance to the river banks. Usually it's a quite non stop traffic jam on this expressway entrance but for one month Parisians and visitors can slowly go down and enjoy. I could have used the plant pots for yesterday's bright colours theme day !

Theme day : bright colours

Located on the Seine river banks and on the La Villette water pond, the Paris Plages event is full of colours and fun. I will show you some of it this coming week.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Paris Plages is back !

Every year, Paris river banks are closed to traffic during one month for the event called "Paris Plages". Lots of things happen then on the banks where you can either do sunbathing on sand or on long-chairs or play Pétanques or attend concerts, etc ... All informations you need is on : http://www.paris-plages.fr/en.html
It is starting today and will lats until August 20th. Have fun !

Pride

Today is Gay Pride day in Paris and it seems that "Fauchon" on Place de la Madeleine is participating.