Christmas Market at La Grande Arche in La Défense
Bonjour,
Saturdays in Paris these days are somewhat iffy depending on where and if the yellow vest demonstrators have plans. Yesterday, was calm, and all the subway stations were up and running.
Our friend Jerome came by at noon to assess the broken shower, and hopefully identified the problem. It will most likely require a new part in the shower handle which regulates the temperature of the hot water. That, however, requires a model number which he cannot obtain until Monday so… We are glad to know that a potential fix is in the works.
And a word more about Nouveau Beaujolais Thursday. Sorry Charles Gattis, but the Parisian locals don’t think much of the new wine saying that it’s lacking in a robust, rich flavor. The tradition on this day is to lay straw around in the cafés, both inside and outside. We saw the straw in two cafés. This is in keeping with the celebration of a rural theme. Read more about it at this web site: https://zm.ambafrance.org/The-Beaujolais-Nouveau-a-very-French-celebration. And the word “nouveau” does not mean new in this case, but rather young.
Our plan for the day was to go back to La Defense and check out the Christmas market. It was great fun, no rain, mobs of people. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We cancelled a dinner reservation in the Marais and decided to eat at one of the dozens of restaurants set up at the market. And once again, Bernie opened his camera too late to discover that the chip was still sitting beside my iPad in the apartment. So a few moments of interesting conversation ensued once again! We both used our phones to capture as many photos as possible. It was hard to get anything because of all the people, but this will give you a taste. Definitely, Christmas is alive and well in France! This was opening day so probably not the best choice on our part as far as crowd control was concerned.
And finally, tonight is the great reveal of Christmas lights on the Champs at 6pm. We’ll be there to capture the moment!
Have a lovely Sunday in preparation for Thanksgiving week.
L & B
November 24, 2019 @ 9:58 am
Great photos even without the master’s other camera!
I can only imagine the combination of weekend *and* opening day would have made for serious hordes. As ever I stand in admiration of the way you two get out there and join the fun.
Cheering you on for the Champs this evening!
November 24, 2019 @ 1:04 pm
I enjoy reading your articles on living in Paris. Your stories provide much insight to the culture and sights within the city. I did read your book and am awaiting for next one. 🇫🇷
November 24, 2019 @ 7:37 pm
Merci beaucoup! Do you live in Paris?
November 24, 2019 @ 9:27 pm
I live in upstate New York. We have been to Paris 4 times, twice we rented an apartment for a week in central Paris. Next year we are returning to France and visiting the Alsace area where my great grandparents migrated from in 1875. This trip will include 3-4 more days in Paris. Someday I hope to come to Paris and stay for a month or two. 🇫🇷
November 24, 2019 @ 1:32 pm
Oh what fun!!!! Those iPhone pics are great!!! Would love to be in Paris at Christmas.
November 24, 2019 @ 2:20 pm
First, I love all the Christmas pictures. It makes me want to be in Paris as they prepare for Christmas sometime. I keep thinking how different it is from the celebration in England, which is much more subdued.
About the wine, actually even in Beaujolais they do not think much of the wine—saying it is just made too quickly and not aged long enough. For some reason it has just become a tradition. I’ll have to do some research to see how the tradition started. Apparently it predates Monsieur Duboeuf’s merchandising venture. Do you or Bernie know? I thought it interesting that the restaurants place hay on the floor on that day—going back to a more agrarian time? I’m realizing I just know enough about this to be dangerous.
November 24, 2019 @ 7:36 pm
Bernie’s friend said the hay was “to feed the animals.” I don’t know how the tradition started.
November 24, 2019 @ 2:28 pm
Sorry about a second post, but found a good article on Wikipedia on Beaujolais Nouveau. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaujolais_nouveau. Apparently, the lack of quality in the wine is universally recognized. It’s just a fun way to celebrate the harvest and of course support the vineyards in Beaujolais—a lifestyle which I have come to understand from our visit there is not easy at all and fraught with the danger of bankruptcy due to weather changes and the stringent rules of the French Wine industry.
November 24, 2019 @ 3:14 pm
Oh I would say that you two did an outstanding job of capturing the Christmas market on your phones! Now I I’ll have to add a tour of Christmas markets to my short bucket list.
November 24, 2019 @ 4:39 pm
Beautiful pics! This is the kind of place where the iPhone can server you better than a larger camera. Makes me wish we could be there!
November 24, 2019 @ 5:01 pm
Linda and Bernie, I love this post — it was so much fun to see the Christmas ornaments, the straw in the restaurant, all of it. I am not so big on decorating my own house but I love enjoying what others do. I am going to share this post for some of my Christmas decorating friends if I can. Sounds like the trip has been such a success. I’m sorry you have to come home in the middle of the worst political turmoil ever for our Country. Praying for guidance, wisdom and discernment in the US Senate…Some fabulously brave women testified last week — are you following that? Don’t worry — it will be here — in the meantime soak up as much as you can! A bientot! XO Jeanie
November 24, 2019 @ 7:34 pm
We have been following a little of the politics, but it’s been so nice to be out from under it. Really dread to come home. Thanks for your kind words. Did you try to call Bernie on his b’day? If so, he never heard the call.
November 24, 2019 @ 10:05 pm
I hope you are having as much fun as we are following you two through this holiday visit. You are putting on quite a show. Thank you.
November 25, 2019 @ 10:50 am
Linda thanks for sharing. I am almost getting the Christmas spirit through your blog! As a 16 year old my grandmother took me on a fairy tale tour of Europe when I turned 16. She had planned to take each grandchild but she passed away right after our trip. She required I keep a journal. I found it recently. What a keepsake. But we we stayed at L’hotels Deorges Cinq! Keep creating memories!
November 25, 2019 @ 11:31 am
Such a lovely story! I’m green with envy that you’ve stayed a Georges Cinq!!