Le Tour de France and Other Significant Moments

Today, Sunday, July 22nd, the Tour de France concluded with a triumphant seven laps through the Arc de Triomphe and down the Champs Élysées.  We were front and center when Wiggins, trailed closely by a horde of muscular calves, sped by over and over again. We captured it on film, but that will have to wait for our return to be posted. 

At the same time, we were remembering with a ceremony earlier this week, the rounding up of over 4,000 French Jews on June 16, 1942.  Mainly children, they were dragged from their homes by the French police in cooperation with the German government who, although they had taken Paris, did not participate in the round-up.  This was strictly a French action, though the reasons have never been made clear. President Hollande, in remarks while laying a wreath at the site of the former Velidrome  a few days ago (where they were taken and held for ten days, in the heat, with no toilet facilities and little water before being transported to the death camps), repeated President Mitterand's apology of 1996, by taking responsibly on behalf of France.   Reportedly, less then 100 survived the camps.

I report this because I find it so ironic that this took place in an arena that was built for indoor bicycle racing and was, from the turn of the twentieth century until the 1960's, a place of pride for Parisian cyclists and fans.  Yes, they resumed using the Velidrome after the war.  It has been since torn down and only a small plaque marks its original spot in the Fifteenth Arrondissement.  For more information, read the fictional but historically accurate novel, Sarah's Key. 

Let's see, how to end this post on an upbeat note.   Oh, after falling four times over the course of this trip, my knees-already mush to begin with-have not given out completely.  But the local meds aren't worth the euros you pay for them, either.  Oops, not a Happy conclusion.  

Tomorrow we go to the exposition center at the Porte de Versailles to see the Tut exhibit.  12.90e on Mondays, 15.90e every other day. Now that's good news!  

Paris, Thanks for the Warm Welcome!

Fireworks the day we arrived.  Who says the French are reserved?  Sure, it was Bastille Day, but we prefer to think this was all for us.  Kind of a merci for returning Lafayette from our revolution so he could start theirs, if you will.

I've been in Paris on New Year's Eve and this was much the same.  I love the joy with which they celebrate.  They drop their chip and are full of Bonhomme.   There were  a lot of restricted roads as they prepared for the fireworks, concerts and other celebrations so we walked in circles a bit, but we were able to be part of the crowds this way, so it was all good. 

We arrived too late for the parade down the Champs, but caught a bit live on tv before heading out to explore.  We went first to the Trocadero for the requisite pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower, only to find it was cordoned off.  We could get no closer to the Tower, either, and many of you know just how far the Troc is from the ET, so that gives you some idea of the security. 

Steps near the Troc, Paris

Heading for fireworks on Bastille Day, Paris

A drink before dinner on Bastille Day.  L-R: Pat, Diane, Jan

Mary at the Richard Lenoir Market, Paris

The army was out in force, but in friendly force.  They stood on Camouflaged tanks and hauled up children who wanted their pictures taken with real soldiers. They paraded down the streets all day and into the evening, waving out the windows of their jeeps and accepting the kisses and cheers from the spectators. The fervent show of patriotism  was a reminder of our own, just two weeks before.

The next day, Sunday, we headed out on the Metro at 9:00 am for the Richard Lenoir street market.  Every Arrondissement has street markets, but on different days. The Lenoir, held at the Bastille on Sunday and Wednesday is, in my opinion, the best.  Probably a mile long, the sights and smells alone are enough to make you stop and say, "Paris, you really are a crowd-pleaser."  We bought scarves, shoes, grapes, pralines and, as it started to drizzle, several 5euro umbrellas.  Sadly, we had to pass on the roasting chickens with "drippy" potatoes, beautiful veggies, pates, breads and prawns because we no longer have a kitchen.  However, Gene and I are staying another ten days in a apartment so we'll be back next week. 

Chicken ala King, Richard Lenoir Market, Paris

Escargole

Richard Lenoir Market, Paris

A popular vendor

Fromage

Broiled Lapin

Lapin (rabbit)

After a morning at the market we headed for the Marais.  We wandered through the Place de Voges, where I purchased two water colors from an artist I have bought from before. The Place is the oldest park in Paris and so lovely in its symmetry.  We eventually found our way to the Hotel DeVille, where we caught a Metro back to our hotel.

That evening, Pat, Gene and I skipped the boat ride down the Seine, but the rest enjoyed it.  We enjoyed gorging on Profiteroles, which came three to a plate.  Decadent. Tip of the day:  in the summer, it doesn't get dark until after 10:00pm.  Wonderful if you like daylight but not ideal for viewing the "City of Lights" unless you can stay up and out past midnight.  We couldn't.