|
Post by tod2 on Dec 16, 2011 13:15:28 GMT
Another Christmas lights treat from you Kerouac! So beautiful. Nice to see the sign of Escargot d'Or restaurant still going strong since 1832. They have a beautiful painted ceiling taken from Sarah Bernhardt's manor house in the entrance hall. That beautiful painted ceiling & walls you snapped through the window must be inside Stohrer's the confectioner's with those delightful tempting chocolates! Pity about Darth - I guess he must just be a chocolate Santa in disguise....
So glad you went back to bring us the nativity scene inside Notre Dame Cathedral as it it absolutely beautiful in it's simplicity. If one looks closely you can see the time and effort that has gone into arranging the straw in the manger, just so. And the draping of the garments on Joseph and Mary are perfect.
|
|
|
Post by nycgirl on Dec 16, 2011 16:46:26 GMT
These shots are so pretty and festive! I love the amount of creative thought that goes into these displays.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2011 20:57:07 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2011 21:12:54 GMT
Before I moved to France, I had never seen mistletoe in the wild. The only thing you ever saw was a few little leafy fronds with a few waxy white berries. Stupid things to be hung from a ceiling for lascivious reasons. But for many years, I have seen mistletoe as the ubiquitous parasite in trees everywhere, much more visible in the winter when the other leaves are gone. Even though it is a parasite, there is something pleasant about it, which is certainly the reason that avenue Montaigne inaugurated electric mistletoe this year. Then there is always that awful black spot on avenue Montaigne. The Canadian embassy refuses to participate in the illuminations, so its trees remain barren and black. It puts up its own decorations (which many other places do as well), but the stark dark trees give their own message.
|
|
|
Post by auntieannie on Dec 20, 2011 21:45:48 GMT
the decoration on the last two pics of answer 15 look like teepees to me? and yes, I will try some of the choccies on answer 26. Do you have my address, K? Did they create american or european electric mistletoe, K? (just me being pedantic, no need to answer. I guess it doesnt matter)
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2011 21:52:58 GMT
Those are absolutely teepees, auntieannie, because the theme of the BHV this year is "Un Noël Québecois" including the first nations. I am not sure if I know the difference between American and European electric mistletoe. Maybe 110v compared to 220v?
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Dec 21, 2011 0:35:48 GMT
The curtain-style lights on the previous page are beyond gorgeous, but your photos of the decorations at Rond Point des Champ Elysées can't be bested. They are exquisite and your photos, with the still dark sky & the bare tree limbs are equally exquisite -- I just love them! You may have seen mistletoe in the wilds of Mississippi, although my experience with it in that part of the world is that it's always very high up & usually hidden in the tree's foliage. That's okay -- you have some very nice mistletoe now. Maybe 110v compared to 220v? *snork!*
|
|
|
Post by bjd on Dec 21, 2011 8:55:10 GMT
Personally, I find the dark trees in front of the Canadian Embassy a welcome change from the over-the-top illumination of everything else.
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Dec 21, 2011 10:52:25 GMT
Kerouac, if I recall correctly the Canadian embassy never took part in tree decorating last year as well. I wonder if they ever have? Unlike bjd, I think it spoils the look of the street. Your photos of the bright blue light decorations are even better than your first ones! I love the reflections in the water of the basin. So many times those fountains have been devoid of any water at all. It was fascinating to see how dark, then velvety blue, then pale blue the sky became as your photos evolved
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2011 12:00:02 GMT
I think I have some vague recollection of the Canadian diplomatic mission being prevented by Canadian law from participating, but I can't find any trace of it.
It's a race against time when I try to take pictures in the morning, because at a certain moment, everything is turned off whether I'm ready or not.
I fear that Christmas lights are going to get brighter and more and more numerous in coming years, since the new LED systems use 80% less electricity and the bulbs last a lot longer -- so it just incites the decorators to pile on more and more, like it or not.
|
|
|
Post by bjd on Dec 21, 2011 12:17:20 GMT
I just had a quick look/ Apparently, in Quebec for the past 3 years, federal services were not allowed to put Christmas decorations because of "religious sensibilities" of those who don't celebrate Christmas. This decision has just been reversed.
Elle annule ainsi une décision du directeur de Service Canada au Québec qui avait interdit à ses employés, il y a trois semaines, de décorer les espaces publics à l'approche des Fêtes pour ne pas heurter les sensibilités religieuses.
Ridiculous political correctness. Maybe next year they will participate again.
|
|
|
Post by lola on Dec 21, 2011 15:08:44 GMT
Just wonderful, Kerouac. Thank you so much for bringing it to us.
There are big high balls of (unlit) mistletoe in the woods around these parts.
|
|
|
Post by mich64 on Dec 21, 2011 15:46:58 GMT
Thank you for that information bjd, I wondered why Canada would do that.
I believe we have gone too far with Political correctness, it annoys me sometimes. I do not understand why some white lights used to decorate during a holiday season would insult or upset anyone, but I am only one Canadian and there are a whole lot of us with different beliefs and the Government tries to respect all of us by doing nothing.
I love your report Kerouac and understand why you are not suffering from lack of sunlight, Paris is truly the city of lights and even more so during the Holiday season.
Cheers, Mich
|
|
|
Post by nycgirl on Dec 22, 2011 3:29:44 GMT
You know, those futuristic hula hoop lights are really beginning to grow on me. Must be the terrific photography. I really like the "mistletoe," that was a very inspired idea. What will they come up with next?
|
|
|
Post by thill25 on Dec 22, 2011 21:33:18 GMT
Great pics, kerouac2!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2011 22:47:22 GMT
I have been remiss in my posting, so I have resolved to do a little better. However, I must complain a bit about the hoop lights on the Champs Elysées and their invariable programming. Every day when I leave the office, they are beginning their blue cycle and I almost never get to see the other colours. However, recent wind storms have ripped quite a few leaves off the trees and made them more visible. Elsewhere, a bit later I was able to see that there are still a few streets using the traditional old lights.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2011 23:06:28 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2011 6:34:36 GMT
Coming up: rue de la Paix, Place Vendôme, rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré....
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2011 18:44:43 GMT
Just as the Champs Elysées Christmas decorations are controlled by the "Comité des Champs Elysées" -- a merchants' association that did its best to try to get rid of McDonald's, Quick, H&M and Gap (and failed, thank god), the Place Vendôme, rue de la Paix, rue de Castiglione sector is controlled by the Comité Vendôme. This ensures that the principal decorations are unified. This is a good thing, but they chose such bright lights that my camera had trouble capturing the beauty of it all. Please admire the Ritz because it will be closing for two years for major renovations. I confess that I don't shop at Place Vendôme probably as much as I should. [photobucket height=480 width=640]http://s450.photobucket.com/albums/qq228/kerouac2/Noel%202011/?action=view¤t=83944c40.pbw[/photobucket]
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2011 17:06:11 GMT
I headed up rue Saint Honoré to the Faubourg Saint Honoré. I hadn't seen the Mandarin Oriental yet. As the economic power of the world shifts to Asia, all of the big Asian chains are now opening hotels in Paris.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2011 17:58:32 GMT
Filmed another tiny video for perspective before leaving rue Royale for the Faubourg Saint Honoré.... Whatever committee is in charge of the Faubourg selected red luminous bursts as the signature. [photobucket height=480 width=640]http://s450.photobucket.com/albums/qq228/kerouac2/Noel%202011/?action=view¤t=2040adf7.pbw[/photobucket]
|
|
|
Post by koloagirl on Dec 24, 2011 18:49:28 GMT
;D Mele Kalikimaka from Kaua'i! Thank you so much for the wondrous pictures and videos! I absolutely adore the tiny little Lagelfeld's in Printemps window - and the stewardesses and dancers! The hula hoop lights (hula? lol) are kind of interesting and no doubt look great in person with all the other holiday ornamentation around. Wishing you a very wonderful holiday with a huge "merci" for all the great pictures and help that you give us year round! ;D
|
|
tallyhotravel
member
Offline
It is my goal to live many lives in one lifetime.
|
Post by tallyhotravel on Dec 25, 2011 13:38:57 GMT
Joyeux Noël à vous Kerouac! Merci for all the wonderful photos, videos and commentary of all that is Paris at Christmas. I just arrived yesterday morning and after getting through the throngs at CDG and getting into my apartment, all I had the energy left to do was buy groceries and supplies to get me through the weekend. At least this year I arrived to sunshine rather than the snow storm that greeted me Christmas last and for that, I am thankful.
|
|
|
Post by Tina on Dec 26, 2011 22:17:19 GMT
Thank you for sharing. I wish I was in Paris now. I arrive in April. Your posts are some of the best and each post that I view, I have to add to my itinerary. By the way, do you offer tours???
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2011 22:45:15 GMT
Thanks Tina, but I am not at all a guide. But anything that you see in my photos is something that is not difficult to find or get to -- after all, I don't even have a car.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Dec 27, 2011 16:22:01 GMT
I hadn't looked in here in a few days, figuring there was nothing else to show & that any newer posts were just well-deserved compliments. Dumb me! This was a wake-up call to always recheck threads. This one certainly delivered even more glory and interest. It's fascinating to see how some of the decorations have been taken to whole new levels. Obviously, clumps or strings of light, or little lights laced through trees are still effectively pretty and Christmasy. But the imaginative projections of the mind(s) that came up with the Faubourg are truly impressive. Teaming those flat outlined bursts with their lighted hangers & the complementary trees yielded such a delightful result. The wiggly branches in front of the Hotel Westminster are lovely, but I went absolutely gaga over the Galeries Lafayette. Oooooo! anything that you see in my photos is something that is not difficult to find or get to This is something I really admire about all of your threads and something I think other anyporters convey as well. That is, no one here is about one-upmanship on a seasoned traveler or insider level. Instead, it's all about Isn't this great?! I want to share it with everyone!Since I know you inaugurated this type of forum photo-reporting, I salute you for that & for your amazing ability to keep it fresh and interesting.
|
|
|
Post by lola on Dec 28, 2011 2:57:49 GMT
Hear, hear!
This is just beautiful, Kerouac. Thank you. I like the one of the presidential tree; thanks for getting it for us.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2011 20:37:39 GMT
The architecture of the city hall of my own 18th arrondissement is very similar to that of the 10th arrondissement (pictured in #29), but the decorations are not as flashy. I feel that each style has its own merits. Another place that is not over the top in its decor but rather pleasant anyway is the Carrousel du Louvre shopping gallery that is connected to the Louvre museum underground. (Due to the connecting passage, this is what allowed sensationalist newspapers to scream "France opens a McDonald's inside the Louvre" a couple of years ago.)
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Dec 29, 2011 0:34:06 GMT
You can tell your arrondissement that their decorations are a real delight. Those light "curtains" are just right!
And the "chandeliers" in the shopping gallery remind me of Cocteau's Beauty & the Beast. What could be more French & lovely?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2011 15:16:12 GMT
Montmartre is one of the areas of Paris that lends itself best to Christmas lights, and every year I really like rue Caulaincourt. I stopped there briefly this morning at 8 a.m. to get a few photos before the sky lightened. When I got to the office, I walked to take a photo of the lobby of the Hôtel George V across the street, but I did not go in.
|
|