A (North) American School bus in Paris
Friday, June 04, 2010 Publié par Eric Tenin
I could not believe my eyes when I saw this typical American school bus in the streets of Paris (actually the Boulevard Hausmann) today. Of course it's not a real bus, but probably some advertising material for Longines, as the sign above the windshield shows it. Later tonight I also saw it at Place de la Concorde. What I don't really understand though, is that its licence plate is from Québec in Canada. I seriously doubt they brought this bus all the way from there, just to advertise for Longines in the middle of Paris...
June 4, 2010 1:01:00 AM GMT+02:00
Oh, my. I know that bus. It stopped five times, with me behind it, on my way home from work this evening.
Okay, I wasn't behind a Longines bus with Quebec license plates. And I would have been a lot happier if I'd been making all those stops in Paris!
I like those shafts of sunlight at the side of the bus, Eric, and the reflections of the trees in the windows. It reminds me to look for a little beauty and calm when things come to a halt instead of crabbing.
June 4, 2010 1:42:00 AM GMT+02:00
Don't be surprised if it's an authentic school bus from Quebec. Note that "arrêt" sign on the side.
We only have those in once place in the world... and that's au Québec!
June 4, 2010 2:47:00 AM GMT+02:00
We have those! They stop at the end of the driveway some days...but I don't usually know which days because I'm not up yet--(ah, another beauty of homeschooling!) But I have to admit that it is one of my daughter's dreams to ride on the bus. Thankfully, we're going on a trip soon where she'll be able to ride for a whole week. Enjoy!
June 4, 2010 2:59:00 AM GMT+02:00
Chances are Longines has the parts assembled in France. But who knows?
June 4, 2010 3:21:00 AM GMT+02:00
Hey, you never know! With all the cash some companies spend on advertising, the cost of bringing a bus over may not be that different. It certainly makes heads turn, I'm sure!
June 4, 2010 3:24:00 AM GMT+02:00
Close enough to the American version that I feel like I'm 8 years old again and on my way to school. I'd rather be on my way to Paris, of course! Hey, Eric, do you miss anything?
June 4, 2010 5:06:00 AM GMT+02:00
These must be popular in Paris.
June 4, 2010 5:07:00 AM GMT+02:00
Title should be edited to 'A North American School Bus in Paris'
Only Québec uses 'Arrêt" for a stop sign. I found this rather amusing during my 4+ years of living in la belle France and seeing 'Stop' until my first visit to Montréal...
June 4, 2010 6:20:00 AM GMT+02:00
I can't even imagine this bus in the streets of Paris! Well why am I surprised? When in Paris.......
V
June 4, 2010 8:51:00 AM GMT+02:00
I guess then that it's a typical Quebecois bus, not an American bus. I've never seen an American school bus with a black hood like this one has. The whole front looks a bit different, in fact.
June 4, 2010 10:30:00 AM GMT+02:00
Yeah...only in Paris you'll find about anything and get daily surprises :o)
June 4, 2010 11:14:00 AM GMT+02:00
It's a Canadian bus!!! why do people always say 'american'...there are three countires on that continent:)....hope to see you Sunday if my plane will not be late!
June 4, 2010 11:14:00 AM GMT+02:00
June 4, 2010 1:15:00 PM GMT+02:00
What a curious sight.
June 4, 2010 3:02:00 PM GMT+02:00
A really amazing encounter in Paris streets, for sure!
I understand your questions, Eric, about the real meaning of this bus presence there. I have the same...!
Quebec, yes Quebec ! I'd love to go there. Canada...
@ Tall Gary: LOL, your Longines picture is funny !! I must admit, I had to think over a little while! Ok, I'm slow... ;)
Thank you.
June 4, 2010 3:28:00 PM GMT+02:00
Tall G, you're at it again!
But, this photo leaves me with the question: if this stands out so much, what do French school buses look like?
June 4, 2010 3:31:00 PM GMT+02:00
Wished I could be there on Sunday....I was there 2 years ago.
It was fun...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gcentri/sets/72157608810006840/
Ciao Gino
June 4, 2010 6:40:00 PM GMT+02:00
Did anyone look at the side of the bus?
June 4, 2010 6:58:00 PM GMT+02:00
@Scooter. I'm sorry. I wish you could have been behind this bus too... Well At least you get to see what it looks in the streets of Paris!
@Anonymous. Yes a stop sign with "Arrêt" HAS to be from Québec ;-) But how on earth dis they take it to Paris. Well - stupid question, there is possibility other than "by boat"!
@Keats "Chances are Longines has the parts assembled in France. But who knows?" I doubt it very much.
@CraftyRachel "Hey, you never know! With all the cash some companies spend on advertising, the cost of bringing a bus over may not be that different. " You're right.
@Alexa "I feel like I'm 8 years old " What, you're not 8 year old anymore???
@Tall Gary. Is that a pair of your Long jeans?? (I must say I did not get the joke before I read what Flore wrote. It's excellent.
@Richard "'A North American School Bus in Paris'" You're right... Shame on me.
@Katie K. "I guess then that it's a typical Quebecois bus, not an American bus. " Yes you're right. In fact it looks very much like an American one and it's very different from a French one. That is why I got confused.
@Martin "It's a Canadian bus!!! why do people always say 'american'...there are three countries on that continent:)....hope to see you Sunday" - You are right, I'm going to change the title... I'd be delighted to see you on Sunday. Planes are never late, it's known for a fact ;-))
@Flore. Thank you for enlightening me with Tall Gary's joke. I was kinda puzzled in fact...
@Carrie. "what do French school buses look like" Well... They is just one ONE kind of school buses in France. They can be like this or this or even this
@Lansdowne Montague (Gino). Sorry... Next year maybe?!
June 4, 2010 7:00:00 PM GMT+02:00
This bus definitely looks American but somehow more classy on the streets of Paris.
June 4, 2010 8:48:00 PM GMT+02:00
As for saying American, I always thought it was just an abbreviation for the United States of America. Sometimes we say the US or the States or simply America, therefore we are Americans, not to imply we are the only inhabitants on the continent. Nothing nefarious there. :-)
June 4, 2010 9:03:00 PM GMT+02:00
I never rode a school bus aux Etats-Unis...we WALKED!! I think I would be reluctant to get on this yellow behemoth in Paris!
June 4, 2010 11:31:00 PM GMT+02:00
Tall Gary...the marks brothers have nothing over you. Thx for the laugh
June 5, 2010 12:05:00 AM GMT+02:00
Eric, I'm pleased to hear that! Nice words coming from you ;)
Thank you. I'm sending you a kiss.
June 6, 2010 1:57:00 AM GMT+02:00
Please post a photo of a French school bus - ARE there French school buses??