Our Second-To-Last Weekend in Paris
Bonjour mes amis,
Two weeks from today, we’ll be lugging suitcases down 34 steps into a cab on our way to the airport and back to Alabama. Wow, the time has gone so quickly, but there’s much ground to cover yet with Bernie’s Alsace cousins company coming in on Tuesday. We will cherish these last few weeks in what has been summer-like weather. I told you days ago, oui, that we’d have summer in September!
Bernie is fascinated with the Christo project at the Arc de Triomphe so this afternoon after a quick trip to an art show, we will plant ourselves along the Champs to catch a glimpse of an amazing phenomenon—100 people rappelling down the Arc with 270,000 square feet of silvery blue fabric to do a major part of the wrapping. All the fabric is recyclable! I have been unable to find a time for this but nothing really happens in Paris before noon so hopefully that will be the case today! Both cameras will be ready to go.
Speaking of the Champs Elysées, take a stroll with us from Friday walking from the top at Charles de Gaulle Etoile down to the Franklin Roosevelt subway stop ——multiple images that some of you will recognize if you’ve been here.
On Saturday, we discovered that our main thoroughfare on rue St. Antoine and all inside La Place des Vosges was hosting a “brocante” show or what we would call a flea market. We’ve walked through these dozens of times, and they are a bit overwhelming. Many of the goods are not the highest quality so one has to be careful. We made no purchases but had fun taking a look.
We left the show through one of the prettiest spots in Paris, a little-known hidden respite behind Hotel de Sulley. 
No doors or lovers today but I did get a photo to prove that some fashion still exists in Paris. I loved this older lady dressed in class from head to toe.
And for you guys, this delicious looking Rolls Royce. Who knows the year?
We so enjoyed a dinner party last evening with Richard Nahem and his partner, Vincent Gagliostro. Fabulous meal prepared mostly by Vincent, served in French ease with hours of stimulating conversation.
My biggest regret is that I failed to get a photo of Vincent (!)who was in the kitchen making preparations for our enjoyment. The tales of his career in advertising in New York City over many years has positioned him today for his role as a movie director. To my friend, Lea Ellison, you two should spend an afternoon together sharing stories!!
Wish us luck this afternoon getting some fascinating pictures to share of the Arc project.
Happy Sunday!
L & B
September 12, 2021 @ 8:22 am
Love flea markets! I am due to visit family in Belgium for celebration next week, and then Paris and then visiting friends in the south of France. Can you tell me if it is true that I, an American, will have to take covid test over there several times>. I am taking a flight to the South, and then maybe back to pAris and then out of Paris to NYC,,, Is it true that the covid test for foreigners is around 100 Euros each time? Yes of course I am vaccinated and will take one here for the plane before I go ( they are free in NYC ).. but what is the cost do you know in Europe>. France? I am also watching daily for the Schengen edicts that are coming out, and of course to both France’s and Belgium’s responses. Slowly the EU seems to be closing down, and my trip looks more than problematic! I am surprised you dont stay thru October, Sept is one of the best months, and I also loved Oct there! Actually I just loved living in Paris!
Stay safe!
September 12, 2021 @ 12:54 pm
The rapid COVID tests are available at almost every pharmacy and cost 29 euros. The results are back in 10-15 minutes. Very efficient. We have to get one before we can re-enter the US 48 hours before departure. If you are inside the EU, I’m not aware of any tests you have to take but since that’s not been our experience, I’m not 100% positive that I am correct. As to staying through October, we have been here for several October experiences and usually the weather is quite nice, but after trois mois, it’s time for us to head home. Also about out of money and a place to stay!
September 12, 2021 @ 12:03 pm
The red sofa also perfectly set off that new blazer!
September 12, 2021 @ 12:47 pm
Oui!
September 12, 2021 @ 1:02 pm
Thanks for your answer. I was told by friends here that they had to pay 100 euros… and in some places 120. Is the 29 for europeans?I realize or at least I think neither of you are, thought if your husband was born in France, he probably has dual citizenship which might cover you ( though you as his wife might also have it???)… anyway, I am also thinking that if I take a plane I have to have taken a covid test before…… So many things to have consider now. Not so easy just popping on a plane! thanks though….
September 12, 2021 @ 2:04 pm
My daughter and grandson were here in July and took the rapid test for $29 euros each to go back into the States. There was no issue for them and they flew Delta. Perhaps your flight requires the more sophisticated test and that would be more expensive, I guess. The PRC or something like that. We had that one before departing the States coming over and it was more expensive but covered by insurance. There are tents set up EVERYWHERE here administering both the tests and the vaccine. I believe France now has 70% of their population vaccinated. People for the most part comply but there are still “manifestations” against it.
September 12, 2021 @ 1:47 pm
Professions of the guests and decoration of the apartment — that did sound like an interesting evening. Did Vincent vouch for the accuracy of the ‘Mad Men’ series. Sybil has become a fan of dragonflies, the piece of dragonfly jewelry caught her eye. Thank you.
September 12, 2021 @ 1:58 pm
Funny you should mention “Mad Men.” I tried several times to bring it up in conversation but couldn’t get a word in the conversation.
September 12, 2021 @ 2:17 pm
Ellyn, we did not have to retest when flying from Italy into Charles de Gaulle in July. We did have to test before entering the EU and before returning home. It is very easy to find a test site and be tested when you are in Paris. As Linda said, every pharmacy and pop-up sites on street corners make it super easy. Our tests were 25€ each. Our experience has been that the European countries and people are very careful to observe COVID precautions. Make sure that your Covid vaccination card has a lot number. If it does it is an easy process to go to a pharmacy where they will create a Qcode for you, which allows you to enter your information into an app on your phone that you can show instead of pulling your card out at every restaurant and museum. The app is the French ‘AntiCovid’. It took a bit to figure it out, but once we did, it was smooth sailing! Have a wonderful time with your family and on your travels!
September 12, 2021 @ 9:51 pm
I must say that stall selling the baskets would have been my downfall. How to get them home though? LOL
September 13, 2021 @ 12:58 am
I was way away and had a good time at your party. Good share.