Places We Go : Pre-Olympic Paris
When John, Jim and I visited Paris in May, we kept an eye out for anything that looked like Olympic readiness. After all, the Olympics were only 9 weeks away. Most Uber drivers told us they planned to leave town for those two weeks as they imagined the city in gridlock. As we walked around the city, we did have sightings. We also saw beautiful buildings and parks plus some fun bistros, Let's take a look.
Even though the president of France promised, Notre Dame's extensive repairs weren't completed before the Olympics. But in the Opening Ceremony, it was highlighted and their the bells rang for the first time since the iconic cathedral was gutted by fire in 2019.
John told me that some of the craftsmen who are restoring Notre Dame are housed in this building on the grounds.
Assemblée Nationale (akin to the U.S.' House of Representatives) is housed in this palace completed in 1728. Don't you love the colorful sculptures?
Looking closer, they're six eco-resin sculptures of Venus De Milo looking suddenly atheletic.
After Friday night's Opening Ceremony, these bleachers made more sense.
The Place de la Concorde was the site of many notable public executions, including those of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The U.S. Embassy faces it at one corner. During the Olympic Games, it will be the beating heart of urban sports and culture. In addition to the four arenas hosting the BMX freestyle, breaking (we used to call it "break dancing"), skateboarding and 3×3 basketball events, the area will be alive with unique and exciting programming every day.
We went into Saint-Sulpice church and when we came out, constuction had begun. Turns out, it will be a Olympic Game fan zone. "A giant screen will be set up on Place Saint-Sulpice, at the foot of the eponymous church, from July 26 to August 11, 2024. It's an opportunity to experience the Olympic Games to the full, while admiring the view of this sublime monument." so says the Olympic's website.
We saw lots of Olympic Phryge for sale. The name of the Paris 2024 mascot is based on the traditional small Phrygian hats that the mascots are shaped after. The name and design were chosen as symbols of freedom and to represent allegorical figures of the French republic.
I sent this Olympic t-shirt to Connie for her birthday. When she visited me last month, she was ready for the Olympics.
photo : john
Piles of Phryges in the La Smaritaine department store. During the Opening Cereonies, the store fronted the square were all those women were on tall polls.
On one of our walks, we came across a large protest held by the Kurdish community and their supporters.
Juicy steaks, roasted potatoes and snails for everyone at Café de L'Industrie. Some days we walked 15,000 steps.
An assortment of desserts. I was stuck on Ile Flottante (center). I couldn't get enough of Floating Islands.
The Luxembourg Palace (completed in 1645) was taken over by Hermann Goring as the headquarters of the Luftwaffe during the German occupation in WW2. Fortunately, it was spared destruction although most of the furniture was stolen. Since 1958, it has been home to French Senate.
I loved the color of the chairs and giant plant containers in the adjoining Luxembourg Gardens.
Back in May, this planter's flowers were just planted. I saw this July photo on Trip Advisor - the flowers have exceeded my expectations.
I'm guessing Renoir would have chuckled as these students worked oh-so-close to his "A Dance in the Country." The Musée d'Orsay was filled with end-of-the-school-year field trips.
If you go to Paris, be sure to eat in the Restaurant du Musée d'Orsay which is listed as a historic monument. Retaining its early 1900s decor complete with frescoes on the ceilings. I felt like I was on a movie set.
I had a $23 Caesar Salad. Our waiter made our lunch fun but I don't remember encountering a cranky waiter in Paris. I wonder how they'll feel once all the Olympic fans have left. Here's to two weeks of world sports(wo)manship in this magical city. Enjoy your Sunday!
Re top photo. The Hôtel de Ville - Paris' city hall - will host the beginning of the marathon. The Hotel's location is where the former Hôtel de Ville stood until it was burnt down during the Paris Commune in 1871. The site has housed Paris’ City Hall since 1357. The square is now a favourite meeting point for Parisians, who flock here to watch major sports events on giant screens, skate on a giant ice rink in winter and enjoy concerts in summer.
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