~Taken
from
the
Pont
Alexandre
(a historical
monument
bridge)
built
between
1896
and
1900.
It is
named
after
Tsar
Alexandre III
and
was
inaugurated
in
1900
during the
Universal
Exhibition
which
was
attended
by some
50 million
visitors.~
So the Paris "Soldes" have begun again. According to one source, this year's second round of state-regulated sales began last Wednesday on June 24th and run until Tuesday July 28th. The last of this year's twice-yearly (allowed) sales hits just before the usual August vacations when much of Paris shuts down and tout la monde hits the autoroute (usually at the same time). Since so many of the French head down South for 'vacance', my guess is bikinis and beachware are gracing hordes of department store and boutique windows.
Of course, one could also parade bikini-wear during the annual Paris Plage: the one month period each summer when the Pompidou Expressway becomes one long beach along the Seine, complete with (literally) tons of sand trucked in.
I also just read that in June is held the "Garcons de Cafe" (waiters) Race. Sorry to have missed that. Wonder if any of our favorite waiters at Le Suffren participate!
So much to see and do in Paris in the summer! Sigh.
(Photography copyright: Kirsten Steen