Christmas Tree
Monday, December 07, 2009 Publié par Eric Tenin
Even if the financial crisis has made it difficult, Père Noël included, the city of Paris has saved some money for the Christmas decorations. Hence this "Christmas tree", that I photographed at Les Halles tonight. This is probably the last year Parisians will enjoy decorations there as the whole area is going to change; the work will strat in 2010 and end in 2016 - and cost about 760 million euros!). If you're interested in the place, have a look at Projetleshalles.fr, it is made by two people who live there and who want to show us through their lens the progression of the work. Excellent idea (disclaimer, I know one of them!).
December 7, 2009 12:08:00 AM GMT+01:00
Gorgeous! What a crazy and modern delight! Merry Christmas, Love Anne
December 7, 2009 12:33:00 AM GMT+01:00
Beautiful protective appearance. Love it. Yes, love it!
Thank you for the information about this interesting project.
December 7, 2009 1:32:00 AM GMT+01:00
So unusual and so pretty!
December 7, 2009 2:49:00 AM GMT+01:00
That is eye catching!
December 7, 2009 3:06:00 AM GMT+01:00
BTW...I want a crown made entirely of ribbon candy!
December 7, 2009 3:56:00 AM GMT+01:00
That is gorgeous! I love it!
(Nice choice, Anne!)
December 7, 2009 4:22:00 AM GMT+01:00
It really is fabulous. I'd love to have something like it on top of my tree.
Hasn't Les Halles already been transformed from what it once was? Or am I thinking of something else?
December 7, 2009 4:30:00 AM GMT+01:00
That's a very eye-catching 'tree', blue lights against the warm yellow light from the windows. The projetleshalles.fr site will be interesting to watch - I hope all the work over six years will not be horribly stressful for those who live in the area!
December 7, 2009 6:06:00 AM GMT+01:00
Beautiful
December 7, 2009 8:13:00 AM GMT+01:00
This is so frostily elegant! I love it.
December 7, 2009 8:36:00 AM GMT+01:00
Petrea, you are right. Les Halles used to be an open market place: The Belly of Paris, and here, or, better yet, this trailer of Irma la Douce". Anyway, Les Halles as it was was abandoned, removed to another location (Rungis) and turned into Forum des Halles in the early 1970s. It will now turn into something else.
Wishing all the best for the new project.
December 7, 2009 9:39:00 AM GMT+01:00
when i lived in paris i lived on "rue coquilliere" which is right next to les halles and i loved it. there was always something going on.....
tall gary and peatrea - speaking of going ons, isn't it time for another so cal pdp get together?
December 7, 2009 1:30:00 PM GMT+01:00
I absolutely love this shot!
December 7, 2009 3:48:00 PM GMT+01:00
Well I'm of the opinion that Les Halles could use some reno. Actually the last one has not stood the test of time. It's all a little shabby now. Maybe that 760 mill will be put to good use???
V
December 7, 2009 4:06:00 PM GMT+01:00
I'd love to, Maria--can we wait 'til January?
December 7, 2009 4:09:00 PM GMT+01:00
Gary, thanks for the great links! I love the old photos. I don't know where you find such wonderful things.
December 7, 2009 6:20:00 PM GMT+01:00
Cool. I guess that'll be the 3rd different look for Les Halles in my lifetime although to be honest, I barely remember it the way it was before.
Baldwin described Les Halles in one of his novels, if I'm not mistaken, and I remember that more than the place itself, but I do remember the Marais pre- gentrification. Nostalgia :/
December 7, 2009 7:56:00 PM GMT+01:00
Nice project and site from one of your very numerous friends, Eric!
Speaking of whom and slightly off the topic, I just listened to the France info interview of another friend of yours (ref. to the Web 09next event in Paris). Didn't you see him 'live' last Friday? ;)
I learnt many interesting things from him concerning the Internet area. I found the two journalists asking him pretty good too, weren't they?
Kind of refreshing and pleasant listening time for me. Have a good time there and share a little ;)
December 7, 2009 8:10:00 PM GMT+01:00
I never saw Les Halles so pretty. It's always looked rather grim to me, even at night, but it was not lit up when I saw it. The tree is very pretty.
Hey, So Cal people, wish I could join you for a gathering but, alas, I'm stuck in winter for the next six months.
December 7, 2009 9:50:00 PM GMT+01:00
I've been looking at this photo all day, but unable to find time to comment. As I came back now to leave a comment, I just realised it's an upside down Christmas tree ornament isn't it?
Yes Jeff, it must be starting to be winter wonderland where you are by now. Bon courage!
December 8, 2009 3:13:00 AM GMT+01:00
Count me in for the SoCalitorium! I won't be able to come up for air til January tho.
Same place, same time? Isn't PDP the bestest!!
December 8, 2009 5:36:00 AM GMT+01:00
Would anyone mind if we came up with a different place for the PDP SoCalitorium?
December 8, 2009 9:33:00 AM GMT+01:00
Thanks Eric !!!
January 4, 2010 6:10:00 PM GMT+01:00
Beautiful