The Olympics in Paris…This Weekend?
Salut!
The weekend began with a bit of trauma for me. I collected some of my dresses, blouses, shorts, and capris to wash on delicate cycle…only to forget to put the water temperature on cold. So you know where this is going…everything including my white blouse and capris came out a teal blue like one of the dresses. In a panic (this was a third of my already-meager wardrobe), I tore off to the grocery store to buy some bleach. I soaked everything, then ran it through another cycle, and voila, all is amazingly back to its rightful color. Our other laundry trick involved Bernie’s remote for his hearing aids. He left it in his shorts’ pocket, and it washed for an hour. Thankfully, I realized it before putting it into the dryer. I used an old TV trick, bought a big bag of rice, and left it submerged overnight. Works like a charm. Hopefully no more laundry fiascos this trip.
We left St. Paul this morning under very cool but beautiful blue skies, and I knew within the hour that I should have worn something other than short sleeves. 
The wind was quite chilly, and yes, go ahead and chuckle along with us!
Just around the corner, we discovered preparations for a wedding with gorgeous flowers at L’Eglise St. Paul/St. Louis, along with the bride and groom in a pre-nuptial photo shoot. 
We were headed to the area around rue Royale for lunch at one of my favorite little spots, Le Village on rue Cite Berrye. It’s a quaint, alleyway with lovely but expensive shops. This area is around La Madeleine Church. 
We have a knack, it seems, for falling into the right place at the right time. We had no idea this was the day for the huge Gay Pride Parade in Paris, an annual event we’ve seen many times. Rue Royale and all around La Place de la Concorde was the staging area. After lunch, we walked right across the huge traffic circle for the first time ever because it was devoid of traffic. Security was tight!
This weekend of June 23-24 is a city-wide festival called Paris en Mode – JO or Journées Olympiques. The area around Pont Alexandre and Les Invalides (where Napoleon is buried) had been turned into nothing but a fun sports Mecca, indicative of the summer Olympics. The competition is between Los Angeles and Paris to be announced in mid-September. We judged this weekend’s activities to be a commitment in good faith to the enthusiasm of Parisians for winning the games in 2024. Enjoy the pictures.
Next, we went to the Champs looking for bicycle races but never saw them. We did catch a touching tribute to the police of Paris and an oxymoron of ancient mixed with modern.
The “Purely Paris” photo of the day evokes the question, “How’s this for a wing man?”
Runner up is this café chair I spotted which is unlike any from last year.
Happy Sunday,
L & B
P.S. For the ladies, some window shots along rue Royale, where the shopping is haute couture.
June 25, 2017 @ 12:14 pm
What a festive, colorful, fun day! So much to see and experience. Hoping all your days to follow are as enjoyable.
June 25, 2017 @ 1:10 pm
Linda – thanks for all the photos & info. Dennis & I are loving your book – “Bernie’s Paris” – we are reading it slowly & savoring every page!!!
Love to you & Bernie from Jodie & Dennis
June 25, 2017 @ 1:12 pm
Merci! Glad you are enjoying the blog and the book!
June 25, 2017 @ 1:54 pm
But think how easy it would have been to mix and match all of those teal outfits! Glad you didn’t panic and got the problem solved again. It’s so much fun to start our Kansas days in Paris (through you).
June 25, 2017 @ 3:28 pm
What a fun and full day! You really did a marathon!
June 25, 2017 @ 4:18 pm
so glad the weather cooled for you all…enjoy ..
June 25, 2017 @ 6:32 pm
Love your blog Linda! Thanks for all the wonderful pictures too!!
June 25, 2017 @ 7:23 pm
Merci beaucoup!
June 25, 2017 @ 6:45 pm
Oh, the adventures of those unexpected purchases! Great job with the bleach and the rice 🙂 Very impressive!
Will let you know if we’re back in Paris before you leave. If not, you can always plan a special holiday visit … though we know there are many factors to consider. A bientôt!