Christmas lights on the Champs Elysées

I could not miss it, could I? By "it", I mean the Christmas lights on the Champs Elysées, a traditional seasonal shot which is very similar years after years... And though, if you've been in Paris recently you will notice that there is something missing in this photo... The Christmas market! For yes, the Christmas market along the Champs Elysées only started 6 years ago and I took this photo in 2007, when it did not exist yet!

Christmas Shopping!

I was looking for a photo to illustrate the chaos of last minute Christmas shopping (the one I always get trapped into!) and I came across this shot, that I don't believe I ever used. I like it because it could have been taken 60 or 80 years ago, in winter, somewhere in Paris (I believe I took it near La Madeleine). I hope you've done all your shopping, if not, good luck!

Rush hour!

I remember very well when I took this photo. I was on my way to work, it was winter, I was cold, but the sunrise was so beautiful that I stopped for a while and took a few shots. 

I recently passed by the Cartier building on the Champs Elysées and it made me think of last year's post. Only this year, the beautiful building is hidden behind a huge screen. I don't know when the work is meant to stop, but I like it that they picked a very nice photo to print on the screen.

Official commemoration

Yesterday morning the big vet day commemoration took place on the Champs Elysées in Paris. Like always on these occasions they installed a huge French flag in the middle of the Arch of Triumph and the President of the Republic went up the avenue to revive the flame of the unknown soldier. And for me, it was a good photo op! BTW, have a look at this website, where they collected many objects that used to belong to soldiers of WWI. Quite moving.

The return of the Ferris Wheel

A very seasonal post, that you may be tired of: the Ferris wheel... Every year in November they install it on the place de la Concorde and they leave it until March. When you're on top, it's probably the best view on the Champs Elysées and beyond that you can have of Paris. That is if you're not afraid of heights of course, like me ;-( As you probably guessed this photo was taken from the Tuileries gardens.

Sunset on the Eiffel Tower

Probably the most classic photo you can ever take in Paris, but I could not resist!

Time to change... time

Here we go again... like every year Europe (except Iceland) switched to Day Light Savings time (heure d'hiver). Which means we're going to sleep an extra hour! And like every year, the whole thing is very controversial: 54% of the French are against it, according to a recent poll. I'm not one of them, I like it (but more in summer of course...). Anyway, here is a photo I took especially for the occasion at La Pendulerie, a store specializing in antique clocks. They are all amazing.

The vegan "food truck"!

Here is the most amazing "food truck" you can find in Paris at the moment! And when I say "at the moment" I really mean "at the moment", for it'll only be here until October 26... After it'll probably go back to London (in Soho, more precisely) where it normally belongs. As you noticed, it's a genuine doubledecker bus: the kitchen is downstairs and the dining area is upstairs (and outside, when the weather allows it). The food is apparently very good, but I haven't tried it. Maybe this weekend.

Champagne!

There are so many "off-the-beaten-track" things to do in Paris... Like what I did last evening: attend a movie screening at the Royal Monceau hotel (remember?) including a little glass of Champagne  before the movie. Don't go thinking that I had any special privileges, I simply took part in the Sunday Night Film Club at the Royal Monceau where they were showing one of my favorite movies: Lawrence of Arabia. A great evening (that I owe once more to Lynn! aka PHX-CDG to followers of this blog!)

Tesla in France

I'm not a big fan of cars, especially in large cities - that's why I drive a scooter - but I must say, I 'm quite fascinated by electric cars. First because they offer an excellent alternative to gas/petrol engines and second because they are very pleasant and smooth to drive. When I heard that Tesla - the famous US electric car manufacturer was making a presentation yesterday morning, I could not help but rush to Le Doyen, a famous restaurant by the Champs Elysées to have a look - and take a photo. I'm definitely game!

Le Bistrot du sommelier in Paris

Yesterday, I had the pleasure to have lunch at Le Bistrot du sommelier, a restaurant located in the 8th arrondissement, where they have a little private lounge where you can have a little privacy. The food is stunning and so is the wine for the owner of the place is one the best sommeliers (wine expert) in the world. He is also a MOF (Meilleur ouvrier de France), which is a prestigious award, granted to workers and artisans who excel in their art.

Champs Elysées terrace

Yesterday evening I had a dinner on one of the last floors of a champs Elysées building (the offices of the monechelle.fr website)  and it was really fantastic. I took several photos including this one of a beautiful café terrace. When I was younger (in the 80's) there was a large lane that would allow parking on both sides exactly where this café terrace is! Hard to believe that now...

Sweet melody...

I had dinner at Maison Blanche last evening, a delightful restaurant on top of the Théâtre des Champs Elysée where you can enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of Paris (yes I'm lucky!). On top of the delicious food and stunning view, there was also a small trio playing music for the audience. A magical moment... I ended up talking to them and it turns out they are really nice. Let me introduce you to Jacques Bonvallet (violin), Eric Lancelot (bass) Cécile De Hann (cello).

D-Day remembrance

Exactly 70 years ago many soldiers from all over the free world took part in D-Day, aka the Normandy landing which aim was to free the French - and all occupied countries - from nazi Germany. It was also the largest seaborne invasion in history. All this week there has been several events to commemorate this historical day, but tomorrow is, of course, the highlight of the week. I anticipated it, so I took a photo of the unknown soldier before my departure. They already had flowers around the tomb that they normally don't have outside commemoration periods.

Chinese weddings

I'm always impressed when I see these group weddings that take place (well they don't actually take place in Paris, but their photo shoot does) in Paris. Are there wedding tours in China? What do the newly weds tell their family when they return home? Anyway it allowed me to take a funny photo, so I'll quit wondering! 

Cleaning the Gare Saint Lazare's clocks!

You may remember this piece of art by Arman called "L'heure de tous" that has been in front of the Gare Saint Lazare since 1985. I already photographed it in 2008, but at that time I had to make a close up for it was really dirty and full of pigeon droppings! Recently it was totally cleaned and it's really much nicer.

Zest!

Yeah! It's a theme day today and the theme is... Zest!  In French, we use the word zest, but mainly to designate the skin of a lemon: "un zest de citron". Apparently in English it means many things including: energy, exhilaration, vitality, enthusiasm... so I thought a photo of these very energetic street dancers would be perfectly suitable for today's theme. Huge success on the Champs Elysées yesterday, as you can see! As for me, I'm off to an island somewhere in the Mediterranean sea... Check what zest means for other CDP bloggers throughout the world.

The end of a rainy week...

I'm glad this week is over, not only was it a very slow one (we had a holiday on Thursday), but also very humid. I took this photo on the Champs Elysées, one of these rainy days and I kinda like its atmosphere (and despite what you may think this is not advertising for HSBC!). Today, the sun will shine they promised, so I'll go out and take new photos (I'm going away for a week so I need to stock a few ;-). Have a great weekend everyone.

Red Cross march

How unexpected. I was coming home last evening after a day in the suburbs and I came across a French Red Cross  march on the Champs Elysées ! I suppose it was to celebrate the 150 years of this fantastic organisation. For once I did not have my big camera so I used my phone instead (hence the bad quality).