Pre-Christmas Frenzy Beginning in Paris
Bonjour,
It used to be that we came to Paris years ago and found a quieter city. Not the case anymore! There are SO many tourists right now. The streets are jammed everywhere, and such was the case on Sunday near the large department stores behind the Opera.
Sometimes, we are just ignorant and happy and luck onto surprises.
I had made note of all kinds of dates for Christmas happenings, but failed to catch that yesterday was the opening of the Christmas windows at Au Printemps, the second largest department store in Paris. After a slow easy morning, we decided to go out in the crisp, cold afternoon as Bernie said, “instead of sitting here all day!” God forbid that we should just rest…ha!
We started at Les Galeries Lafayette to see if any Christmas decorations had been put up. The huge Christmas tree which is hung from the stained-glass dome goes up, I believe, on November 20 so watch for that!! It will be our first time to ever see it. We wandered through the store which was PACKED and then decided to go across the street to their gourmet store. Once outside, we saw mobs of people a block down at Au Printemps and discovered their holiday windows.
I am surely getting old as the windows were not what I expected. There was not a sign of traditional Christmas symbols…no snow, no wreaths, no sleds or sleigh bells, no children decorating a tree or families pulling a tree, certainly not Currier and Ives. It was only animation with cartoon figures to appeal to the children. The colors were neon pink, purple and blue. It was to me just a commercial statement, nothing that brought Christmas to mind.
But then, what do I know? My guess is that Les Galeries Lafayette will be the same. Their mostly empty windows hint at something about Barbie! So we will see. Enjoy the photos which certainly grab our light theme.
Early this morning at 6am, Bernie’s American cousins, Curt and Diane Brewer, arrive so we are up early in anticipation. If they have the energy, we MAY check out the Armistice Day parade on the Champs. It will be their call. They reside now in Macon, Georgia. Diane is the cousin who took Bernie under her wing when he first came to America. They are very close!
This week will be busy! Bernie’s two brothers arrive tomorrow and his French cousins on Thursday.
Bernie was touched beyond words at all the comments from yesterday’s blog. Other than the Café chair voting competition, it gained the most response. Merci!
L & B
November 11, 2019 @ 7:38 am
You two are the true Paris energiser bunnies!
I’m with you on the windows, some of which look downright creepy to me. I am obviously totally out of it with respect to what’s cool 🙂
Have a great day and week. Lucky visitors to be under the expert wing of Team L&B.
November 11, 2019 @ 11:17 am
While I like the tree at the entrance of Printemps, the rest is obvious for the young, the creative and adventurous. I’m appreciative though of the creative talents that put the other windows together.
I’m very excited to follow the continuing celebrations of Bernie’s 80th as family and friend gather to toast him.
November 11, 2019 @ 12:37 pm
Strange Christmas decorations indeed! (But I’ll have that plaid coat, please.)
November 11, 2019 @ 12:52 pm
The coat is probably a mere 500 euros!
November 12, 2019 @ 12:40 pm
I will just have to dream about it.
November 11, 2019 @ 12:50 pm
Thanks Linda! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas … NOT!
November 11, 2019 @ 12:51 pm
Yes, I agree. Not!
November 11, 2019 @ 1:18 pm
Those windows? Yeck!!! Agree fully with you and Carolyn’s “creepy.” I hope things begin to look a lot more like a traditional Christmas, but not holding my breath. Who was that youthful man in front of the tree? Have a glorious week, Bernie!
November 11, 2019 @ 2:36 pm
The Electric Power Board in Chattanooga did wonderful windows when I was a child. Perhaps Parisian children will recognize the characters in the windows. I’m too old to understand.
November 11, 2019 @ 6:06 pm
Yes, I’m sure the children will understand but the images are pretty scary to me!
November 11, 2019 @ 3:24 pm
Sounds like it’s Bernie’s Birthday month. Hope it continues to be a great celebration! I want to make it to 80 and beyond! BIG hugs!
November 11, 2019 @ 6:05 pm
Hugs back to you!!!
November 11, 2019 @ 6:34 pm
I was worried that you 2 might not be able to catch the Christmas spirit because you’ve missed the 1st 829 Hallmark Christmas movies, but looks you’ll be able to find other ways. When I see the displays, I’m reminded how one of your visitors admired the artistic store windows she saw — I’m sure she’s enjoying these Christmas displays – we do.
November 12, 2019 @ 5:16 am
Guess we need to look at the windows through the eyes of a child!