La Fete de la Musique, the Hottest and Longest Day in Paris
Bon Weekend,
I think the thermometer hit 97 yesterday so we did not venture out until about 4:30 and even then only in the shade. The sun was absolutely brutal.
It was La Fete de la Musique in Paris, always on June 21 or the summer solstice. Couple that with the fact that it was Saturday and the start of Les Soldes (city-wide sales), and the city was packed with people, creating the dreaded subway jams. These rides are especially difficult when it is this hot, but much better than years ago when deodorant was a bit lacking! Our own little street, rue St. Paul, was impassable last night as we were trying to get to our apartment because of a concert in La Village St. Paul. I didn’t want to try to make our way through the masses but Bernie insisted. It was one of those few times in Paris when I didn’t feel safe. Everything was pretty much trashed and out of control. I have severe vertigo which has indeed been a challenge this year. When I lose physical contact with Bernie, I’m pretty much walking like a drunk person. It’s truly maddening.
We were totally spoiled twenty years ago when we experienced our first Fete. For those who are in Huntsville, Alabama, it resembled the Panoply of many years ago. It was small groups of locals singing, dancing, playing in small combos along almost every street corner. It was attended by families eating their Bertillon ice cream and much later in the evening lead to the rambunctious Firemen’s Balls in the fire stations where the rumor is that the firemen dance in the nude! Today it has become a crush of scantily clad young people, mixed with a great deal of alcohol and loud, pumping music, amplified beyond enjoyment.
Am I sounding old here? That’s because I am. It’s just not our scene anymore and that brings me a great deal of sadness. I’m glad the young people were having fun but the city deserves a venue that encourages everyone. I feel sad for the street cleaners who probably worked all night to clean up the literal heaps of litter and trash.
Sorry to sound negative but the truth is the truth. Wishing for earlier days when life here was simpler and easier. We did have a lovely dinner with our friend Hannah at Le Grand Colbert, famous from the movie years ago Something’s Gotta Give. It is a lovely setting still visited by many Americans.
Hannah leaves for the US on Monday and we will surely miss her. Perhaps one more rendezvous tonight. She has invited us to her home in Maryland in the Chesapeake Bay area in September. Hopefully, we can make that happen. Thanks also for her photos as she took most of them.
It’s supposed to be a high of 85 today and cloudy so a bit better. Send cool thoughts our way.
L & B
June 22, 2025 @ 9:59 am
Sorry to hear about the loud thumping music instead of small groups. That seems to be what most concerts are nowadays. Harrumph harrumph! 😉. What on earth was Bernie staring so hard at that plate for? Haha! Lots of entertainment! So sorry it has been so hot there. It is quite warm here but not that bad, and there is a nice breeze that helps. We have only five more days here. Really dread heading back into the chaos of American politics but looking forward to seeing friends and being in our other house for awhile. Stay cool!
June 22, 2025 @ 12:06 pm
Linda,
We too had a hot and humid day yesterday. However no large crowds and mind numbing music. We were in Kalamazoo, Mi. at our grandson’s baseball game. It was 92, very humid, and the winds were 35 mph. But they won and we survived. Your meal looked delicious! Hopefully you will have better weather today and smaller crowds.
Cindi
June 22, 2025 @ 1:48 pm
The weather here isn’t pleasant either, so I feel your pain. Going to the Chesapeake Bay in September sounds glorious! The views of Paris are always spectacular
Amy
June 22, 2025 @ 2:24 pm
Linda,
I remember those old days of Fete De La Musique. it was a lot of fun to wander a neighborhood and listen to the many different groups and different levels of ability. A violinist here – a trio there – a singer, etc. Sounds lkke you hit on a bad scene. Let’s hope that outside the main tourist areas some of that spirit remains.
Hope too your temps start to go down to levels that are better for flandering.