A Lucky Moment Yesterday for Christmas Photos
Bonjour,
Christmas is popping up all around us and it’s such fun for us to share it all with you!
In planning this trip, we could have easily departed after the birthday celebration, but decided to spend an extra three weeks to see at least the start of Christmas in Paris. Since our theme was light, what could be a better fit? And we saw it as perhaps our once-in-a-lifetime chance. Yesterday didn’t disappoint! Many thanks to our friend Carolyn Barnabo who spends many days in Paris for keeping us informed as to what’s happening in regard to Christmas events.
The weather was just gorgeous but very cold, starting out at 32 degrees. Sunny skies make all the difference, certainly for me. No umbrella!! We are learning to split our day going out from 11-2, back in for a rest and then departing again from 5-7 for the after-dark light shows.
One of the truly beautiful “grand magasins” in Paris is Le Bon Marché on the Left Bank. It is an example of simple elegance, meticulously distinctive and impressive. Unlike the other two large department stores, it is like a majestic lady inviting you in for an exquisite, calm shopping experience. It also has one of the best gourmet food stores in Paris, Le Grand Epicerie. Since we were there during the day, the store windows did not turn out well (we will go back after dark), but the inside decorations capture the elegance.
Elegant displays
An Advent calendar of beer??? Yep, 24 different bottles.
Inside the food store
Exquisite pastries
They were shooting a television commercial with this little girl, prompting her repeatedly to be enthralled with the pastry selections. Fun for me to see.
After lunch at a local café we walked through the park nearby until Bernie discovered that he had left his hat where we ate. It has really kept his head nice and warm on these chilly days.
Monsieur sans le chapeau!
My light shot of the Lutetia, recently renovated classic hotel which is fabulous. Lutetia was the original name for Paris.
A most unusual tree which appeared to be a cross between an evergreen and a tropical.
Bernie’s magnificent light shot of the Lutetia but not even a hint of Christmas inside which we found odd.
Our after-dark excursion was just plain dumb luck; we somehow manage to be at the right spot at the right time so often. The lights did NOT turn on the Champs last night and thanks to Carolyn we will be there on 24 November, Sunday, when the avenue will be all-pedestrian! Imagine the view we will have. But what did debut last night were the windows at Les Galeries Lafayette. Also a look at the famous suspended tree hanging from the grand dome inside. It has never been repeated through all the years.
What a production and we were there at precisely 6pm when it all began. Throngs of people joined us, and the subway ride home was a classic! Packed beyond measure. Enjoy the show.
The queen bee at the top
Eager anticipation
The store windows were dark
Then slowly the great Reveal
The entire set of windows has a “Bee” theme, the queen bee here or La Reine. Bernie’s camera was superb in getting these shots. My iPhone was basically useless and I’m too short to compete.
Today looks like another pretty day but very chilly. Neither Bernie nor I expected it to be this cold, unseasonably so for Paris. We’re treating ourselves to lunch today at Frenchie’s, billed as one of the best places to eat in Paris. It will be a first and we’re doing lunch, not dinner, to be easier on the pocketbook. A new tale for tomorrow and hopefully more Christmas surprises.
À bientôt
L & B
Thank you so much for sharing. I have always wanted to see Paris at Christmas. We always go in May. Happy belated birthday greetings.🎂🎉😘🍷
Extraordinaire! I loved the windows reveal! I will definitely re-experience this blog, Linda. Thank you!!
Thanks for sharing so many great pictures and to Carolyn for the where to be “when”.
I love those hanging trees FABULOUS!
We picked up a Christmas catalogue from Le Bon Marche for you. Thought you would find it very interesting.
Glorious! Thank you!
It’s hard to pick a favorite photo! Certainly the hanging tree is in the top three. Keep them coming. I’m so enjoying them.
Great photos, as always. We went to Frenchie’s and enjoyed it!
Just WOW! I would never think of bees at Christmas. Thank you for the wonderful photos.
Bees are a big deal here because they are endangered as you know. I like to think there’s a connection in their choice.
I loved all the light shots! Kudos to Bernie on his window photos. They are so hard to get without reflections! Jim loved the food shots!
The decorations in stores there are amazing for Christmas. Our retailers could take some lessons in how to attract shopper away from the internet.
I had an idea too. I realized with your description of Bernie without his hat how much French I was learning from your blog. Thanks for the lesson. I wondered were you to start writing all the blogs in French if we, your fans, would eventually be able to speak French fluently. Just a thought.
One major problem, Charles, with your idea is that I don’t know enough French to be a good teacher. Better than before but miles to go. If you don’t believe me, just ask Bernie who is forever correcting me!!
You know I would weigh 400 lbs if I lived in Paris. I would be eating pastries all day! The food displays are so beautiful and the color. This year do mostly chocolate with fruit puree, lemon combinations for Macaroons. Thanks Linda for all the beautiful photographs
No, you would walk off most of the extra calories. People run here; they don’t walk. If you don’t get into the cadence, you get knocked down! Thanks for the instructions re: the macarons. Still Pierre Herme?
All I can say is WOW! I have never seen anything as beautiful as your pictures telling us the story of the day. Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to more Xmas photos🎄. I love the hanging trees.
Wonderful as always merci L&B! I think you have Galeries Lafayette radar 🙂
Love the header photo and the ones of Monsieur Bernie with his camera and with and without his chapeau.
Frenchie’s been on our list too but we haven’t yet tried it — eagerly await your take on it. Happy Paris evening xx
So far, this is my most favorite blog. It is glorious to be able to tag along as the City of Lights prepares to clebrate the holiday season. The pics are stunning and look forward to seeing more.
WOW….just WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a fun experience!
Wow! Thanks for sharing, Linda. Belated Birthday wishes to Bernie. The photos are absolutely beautiful and capture the festive season so well.
Merci, Shobha!
Extraordinary. Thank you for illuminating us.
Love the pun!
I absolutely LOVE the Queen Bee ornaments! I am a beekeeper and all of my life, my nickname has been B sooo…. my employees, friends and all of my honey customers call me…. drum roll… QUEEN BEE!
Loving your blog!
I thought about you with this!!! It was an unforgettable moment to be there and it really was just dumb luck. We had no idea..just hit it at the exact right time! Thanks for following the blog. It’s fun for us!!
Well, did Bernie find his hat?
Oh yes, and wears it every day.