Surprises in Paris
 

We are leaving in 2 days for Paris and every year at this time there are some surprises going on in Paris. Last year it was the arrival of the Pope (fantastic). The year before it was the World rugby tournaments. Before that, many other surprises.

Anyone know what we will find this year? Or maybe don't tell us it will be a "surprise"..

We're also leaving on Tuesday for Paris. I'd love to know if there is something. One year for us it was World Cup--parade, barricades and scaffolding for seats and crowds caused minor issues for us, but nothing too bad.

One of the things that surprised me in Paris was how often you see people having a pee in the street. Men....little kids...they desperately need more toilets there.

My guess is this isn't what you were looking for? :-)

Kay

Kay---this is our 7th trip to Paris and I don't think I've ever seen anyone pee in the street. Where on earth were you?

There will be something going on for sure. I'm sorry we missed the "INDIA" celebration that keroac posted on last week. That would have been colorful and interesting.

nmweaver---have a great trip. It appears the weather will be perfect next week.

Anyone know details of the Heritage culture day? what will be more "open" than usual?
Hw about the Festival of Autoumne. websites uninformative. Anyone know details of concerts....

Are you looking at this site for the festival d'automne? http://www.festival-automne.com/en/p...php?festival=5

I am having no trouble finding out the details of the concerts by clicking on the ones on the dates I want. Which ones are you interested in?

I see that some sort of "Fashion Night" is being set up for September 10th in the Golden Triangle, where I work.

If you don't know, the Golden Triangle is formed by the Champs Elysées, avenue Montaigne and avenue George V.

Thanks I think I was looking to early at that website. Saw the program now.
Any info on the Cultural Heritage Days?

Kerouac, I'm guessing the people at Fashion Night will not be dressed as the ones were in your photo essay on what people are wearing in Paris. Will you be there with your camera?

I see too much of that neighborhood during the day. There's not a chance I would return voluntarily at night!

Here are two more upcoming events:

<b>LE GRAND FEU de Saint Cloud</b> at 21:00 on September 12th at the Domaine National de Saint Cloud. It's the largest fireworks show in Europe because the spectators pay for this one: 25€ for adults.

<b>LA PARISIENNE</b> on September 13th is a 6km race for women only. It starts from the Pont d'Iéna in front of the Eiffel Tower, and there will be at least 18,000 participants this year. The average age of the runners is 37, and a contribution of 1 euro is made for breat cancer research for each person registered.

Versailles is also holding a special music and fireworks display on Friday and Saturday evenings. this year's theme is Cyrano de Bergarac and the Empire of the Sun (sounds exciting anyway ;)
http://en.chateauversailles.fr/news/...res-of-the-sun

La Villette Parc is hosting its annual Jazz Festival - if the weather is nice, it's always a good time (with international musicians)

The Journees du Patrimoine (European Heritage Days) are not until next weekend - Sept 19/20, but if anyone is here for them, the event is great. My favorite thing to do is wonder through some of the private mansions of the Marais which are normally closed. here's the link: http://www.journeesdupatrimoine.culture.fr/programme

Bonnes Vacances!

"Kay---this is our 7th trip to Paris and I don't think I've ever seen anyone pee in the street. Where on earth were you?"

TAYPT - consider yourself lucky! this happened to hubby/myself during our first HOUR on the streets of paris. we were strolling down st. germain, stopped to rest at a bench and admire the three traffic cops giving one poor car a parking ticket ... a man proceeded to pee on the EXTERIOR wall of the public toilets. not sure why he didn't go inside (perhaps it was locked/out of order?).

we're returning to paris again this year and we're hoping that we're greeted a little differently this time! :)

Just returned from France last night. In checking Fodors I saw these responses that came in after we left home.

We did go to Versailles to see the Cyrano-de-Bergerac firework spectacular and it was just that, spectacular!

As far as peeing in the street, we again were not exposed to this. I thought I had heard something about the "pee police", or something on that order, that hand out large fines to anyone doing this. Maybe kerouac can clear this up.

I thought they handed out towels.