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Paris France TourismBLOGGING PARISVisit our site for the latest in Paris travel information, museums, shopping, theater, and more.  The view of the rear of Notre Dame Cathedral from across the Seine.  Image details: Athletics Press Conf served by picapp.com Julien Absalon. This 27-year-old is a four-time world champion in cross-country mountain biking and the defending Olympic Gold Medalist. Amelie Caze. This 23-year-old from Noyon, France is the two-time defending world champion in the women's modern pentathlon. Laure Manaudou. Manaudou delighted French sports fans in 2004 when she won three medals at the Athens Games (one each of Bronze, Silver, and Gold). They were the first French swimming medals since 1952. Laura Flessel-Colovic. This 36-year-old fencing champion from the French Caribbean island of Guadaloupe (pictured above) is heading for her fourth Olympic Games. She won two Gold Medals in Atlanta, a Bronze Medal in Sydney, and a Bronze and a Silver in Athens, making her the most decorated female French athlete in Olympic history. Jerome Thomas. This 29-year-old flyweight boxer from Picardie won Bronze in Sydney and Silver in Athens. (posted by Sandy 8-5-08) _____________________ August is the month when Paris shuts down for vacation. (A good thing to keep in mind if you are planning a late summer trip there.) Many Parisians head south to the beaches. Recently "On Beach," a Web site devoted to all things with sun and sand, named Corsica's Baie de Rondinara the best beach in France and the third best beach in Europe. Says "On Beach," Baie de Rondinara "The natural beach environment is hilly and mountainous and is stunningly beautiful. The sand is very fine and has a bright, white colour." Corsica, best known to Americans as the birthplace of Napoleon is an island off the southeast coast of France. Baie de Rondinara is on the southeast corner of the island. (posted by Sandy 8-1-08) ______________________  Image details: 2008 Tour de France - Stage Thirteen served by picapp.com Today is stage 13 of the grueling "Tour de France" cycling race, which snakes its way across France. Today the cyclists traveled from Narbonne to Nimes, near the Mediterranean Sea. In the next days, they'll be heading for the foothills and the challenging territory of the Alps, before completing the race along the Champs Elysees in Paris in July 27. For the complete route and news, visit the Tour de France Web site. (posted by Sandy 7-18-08) _________________ To me, one of the most charming aspects of Paris is the rows of booksellers (les bouquanistes) that set up along the banks of the Seine in all but the most inclimate weather. The video below takes us on a stroll among them. (posted by Sandy 7-15-08) _________________ Today, July 14 is Bastille Day, the French national holiday that celebrates the day in 1789 when the French populace stormed the gates of the Bastille prison. Although they liberated only seven prisoners, the feat set into motion the events that would bring about the French Revolution and later the French Republic. To mark the occasion, here is a spirited version of the French national anthem, La Marseillaise sung by Roberto Alagna. (posted by Sandy 7-14-08) _______________  Image details: Eiffel Tower Switching of the Lights served by picapp.com The Eiffel Tower got a new look last week to honor French President, Nicolas Sarkozy assumed leadership of the European Union and will hold the title for six months. The Tower is adorned in the EU Blue and Gold colors. (posted by Sandy 7-4-08) ________________________ One of the most exclusive shopping streets in Paris is the Rue Faubourg Saint-Honore on the right bank. Here you'll find Dior, Hermes, Yves St. Laurent, and more top Paris labels. Even if you can't afford to buy, the store windows are works of art by themselves. Watch this video for a glimpse at this famous street: (posted by Sandy 6-26-08) __________________________ Get Ready to Hit the Beach in Paris  Beaches in Paris? Bien sur! The "City of Lights" may be located well away from the sea, but that doesn't mean residents and visitors "in the know" can't enjoy an afternoon at the beach. Paris-Plage In addition to the sand, there are scores of elegant chaise lounges, potted palm trees, and misting fountains. Although you can't swim in the Seine, there are floating pools moored along its banks with freshwater and life guards. Other beach party amenities include a rock-climbing wall (actually part of the embankment along the river), cafes, and volleyball courts. Look for Paris-Plage along the river from the Ile St. Louis to the Hotel de Ville. If you're traveling by Metro, the Chatelet station is the nearest stop. (posted by Sandy 6-21-08)  France's Champagne Wine District, located northeast of Paris, is looking to expand its boundaries, a move than would add approximtaely 25 percent more vineyards to the region, according to the weekend's International Herald Tribune. The move is in response to increased world demand for the eponymous sparkling wine produced there. Although US Champagne sales are down approximately six percent, demand is growing in Europe and Asia. The large Champagne producers as well as the Syndicat Général des Vignerons de la Champagne, the region's wine growers' union, support the move. (posted by Sandy 6-15-08) (photo © istockphoto) ___________________________  More than 180 examples of Roman art from the Louvre Museum in Paris are coming to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. It's the last stop in a three-city tour of the United States. The works date from the first century B.C. to the sixth century A.D. and include sculptures, sarcophagi, jewelry, glass, mosaics, and silver pieces from Pompeii. The exhibit will run from June 19 to October 12, 2008. The exhibit will be open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm, on Thursdays from 10am to 9pm, and on Sunday from noon to 5pm. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. For more information, visit the Oklahoma Museum of Art Web site. Portrait of an Unknown Man Albinus,ca. early 1st century B.C. Marble. 14 5/8 x 9 7/8 x 8 5/8 in. Musée du Louvre, Paris (MA 919 - INV. MNC 1004) © AFA/ Musée du Louvre/ Daniel Lebée and Carine Deambrosis (posted on 6-13-08 by Sandy ______________________  The exhibit is open Tuesdays through Sunday from 10am to 10pm. Admission is 11.50 €. Children under 13 are admitted free. (posted by Sandy 6-11-08) (Photo © Francois Tomasi/courtesy of the Grand Palais) __________________________ The legendary French fashion design, Yves Saint Laurent died this week at the age of 71. Saint Laurent had an enormous influence on women's fashion in the later part of the 20th century. His "Rive Gauche" line made ready-to-wear designer fashion chic; he made it acceptable for women to wear pants; and he was the first couture designer to use black models in his runway shows. His many muses included Paloma Picasso, Catherine Deneuve, Lauren Bacall, and Maria-Helene de Rothschild. Services for Monsieur Saint Laurent were held in Paris this week and attracted a who's who of French political leaders, fashion designers, and entertainers. The video below shares portions of the moving service. (posted by Sandy 6-08-08) ____________________________ The Ile St. Louis is one of my favorite places in Paris. The small (one km x three km) island in the middle of the Seine River is known for its architecture, small village ambience, and plethora of art galleries and unique gift shops. Enjoy a stroll through the Ile St. Louis in the video below: (posted 6-06-08 by Sandy) _____________________________  The Paris Jazz Festival begins June 7 and lasts through June 27. Held at the Parc Floral on the grounds of the Chateau Vincennes, the festival features a variety of entertainers, including Dianne Reeves and the Coltrane Quartet. The venue seats 1200 in pavilion seats and hundreds more on the lawn. Daily admission is 5 € for adults, 2.50 € for those 7-25 years old, and free for children under 7. (Photo © basile 12/cc license) (Posted 6-05-06 by Sandy)
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