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Sarah Bernhardt – Woman Created the Star (Et la femme créa la star )
The artist, Sarah Bernhardt’s life knew no limits. There was no frontier she could not conquer during her 79 springtimes on earth. She was an emblematic figure, the “divine Sarah”, the “holy monster”, the “golden voice”. Miss Bernhardt (1844-1923) created the star that she was. She was the influencer of the epoque. This icon’s face appeared on major brand beauty, soap, cigar and food products, posters and calendars. Bernhardt’s “S” silhouette, her sharp profile and curly, red hair corresponded perfectly to the aesthetics sought by the Symbolists and Art Nouveau artists. Four hundred pieces make up the exhibition “Sarah Bernhardt – And the Woman Created the Star” (Et la femme créa la star) at the Petit Palais until August…
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Paris Plages 2023 is Open with Swimming in the Seine
On July 8, 2023 kayaks and sailboats were gliding on the Seine. About 25 Parisians, including city hall employees, were diving in and swimming between the Pont Sully and the Pont Marie bridges. Mayor Anne Hidalgo gave the signal. With this move, she is officially promoting Seine swimming for the Paris Olympics 2024. The Seine will then reopen to the public in 2025. The Seine has been closed to swimming since 1923. Mayor Jacques Chirac optimistically predicted cleaning up the Seine starting in 1988. It has taken three decades to get started. Sunday, walking along the Quai de Béthune (Bras de Marie) and below the Quai des Célestins, swimmers in bathing suits, caps…
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Father Christmas at the Bastille in Paris
One day walking through the Bastille plaza, I saw the Christmas trees being set up around the green July column. By the next evening, purple was once again the sparkling color lighting up the Bastille July column. For the Christmas holiday, Pere Noël was riding the merry-go-round and another day he was dancing with a marching band. Every day is different in the Bastille!
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Fixed Taxi Fare Between Paris and Airports – Strike Tips
Strikes getting the best of you? Book a taxi on the G7 Book a Taxi page in advance to get to the airports. Usually you can either step outside and into a taxi or book the same day. With the strikes, you want to reserve a taxi, with G7 whether going to the airport or into Paris. Taxi stands are outside the airport and do not usually have to be booked in advance. Rates vary between Rossy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY). After an expensive experience pre-fixed rates, I had a rude surprise. Being stuck in traffic to the airport Roissy-Charles de Gaulle one day, an anxious feeling came over…
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Madame Eiffel Tower Celebrates 130 Years
In May 2019, the Eiffel Tower turned 130; however, why not celebrate the birthday all year long. To celebrate this event, an interactive Fall Event is underway at the Eiffel Tower until the end of November on the esplanade, under a dome covering about 300 m2, is free and open to everyone. Visitors walk over screens on the ground that reproduce the image of the girders .... which feels likes walking over nothing, experience the monument’s wind resistance and become painters of the Eiffel Tower
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Paris History One Translate App Away
The upside down paddles on the sidewalks around Paris are history markers of the city. The Philippe Starck-designed paddles are in French. When walking and not speaking French you can read them. Shocking? No. Simply install the Google Translate application on your smartphone. How to do it follows this short story. Background story The paddles first appeared in 1992, the year I moved to Paris. The city of Paris contracted with JCDecaux to install the “pelles Starck” to inform the strolling passer-by about a monument, an event, an historical moment, a theater, a passage, etc. Jacques Chirac, then mayor of Paris, initiated the project. For me the shape of the…
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Quirky Paris Souvenir Ideas – Made in France
While wandering around BHV/Marais I noticed bits and pieces of hardware, wall paper and cleaning products made in France. Across the street at City Hall's Paris Rendez-Vous boutique concept shop I found unusual souvenirs made in France. A while ago, I found Bring France Home near Place des Vosges that only sells souvenirs made in France. Are you looking for quirky Paris souvenir ideas and inexpensive?
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Paris Plages 2017 – Villette Update
Update for Paris Plages: Clémence from the Seine-Saint-Denis Office of Tourism contacted me with information in English about the Basin de la Villette section of Paris Plages. Paris Plages takes place in two locations every year: along the Seine (Parc Rives de Seine) and in the Bassin de la Vilette. Bassin de la Villette is the new hoping part of town in the northeastern section of Paris. Paris Plages began July 8 and continues to Sunday September 3. As they say on the Mairie de Paris’ webpage: "What would summer be without Paris Plages". For maps of where to go swimming (baignait) what's happening along the basin and what's to…
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Use Lulu Dans Ma Rue When You Need Help
From our balconettes (Parisian wrought iron window fences), we are enjoying our carrots - getting fatter every day, fresh cherry tomatoes, and wild strawberries; the plants are blooming. BUT who will water them while we are on vacation? Lulu Anna. The city of Paris (Mairie de Paris) has a service called Lulu dans ma rue (Lulu on my street). Need a helping hand taking things to the cellar (cave)? Ironing? Water your plants?
Enjoy Paris Through My Eyes
