Farewell Paris!

The highlight of our last days in Paris was visit to Francoise and Charles at their home.  To get there, we planned an excursion through the center of Paris/

First we stopped at the Palais Elysee, the presidential palace.  President Hollande announced, with great fanfare,  three years ago, that the gardens would be open to the public the first Sunday of the month. We tried twice before to go.  The first time it was raining chats et chiens.  The second time the place was locked down tighter than a drum; apparently there was a demonstration someplace far away, and the palace guard were concerned that the rabble might attempt to take on the palace guard.  This was our third attempt.

We confirmed with the website that the gardens were on schedule to be open.

But when we got there, the place was again locked down.  We approached a guard whose smile was tentative, but reassuring, given the automatic rifle he had in hand.  He was quite confused about our request to visit the gardens, since he said they are never open.  After some discussion he said that the increased security following the Charlie Hebdo murders had sealed off the Palace.  So despite the website, no garden visits were allowed.  Perhaps next Patromoine we may give it a try.

So we walked across town instead.  We passed the Grand and Petit Palais, and crossed the Seine.  There we found a street fair going on, cerebrating the ecology.

Inexplicably in the mix was our second destination, an anniversary exposition by Hermes.  They had erected a series of connected tents housing various displays featuring their products over the decades.  It was fun and interesting, and free.

 In this display, the lights changed and various elements -- the tea tray, the chandelier, the mannequin -- twirled around

 The best was last: a projection onto a blank wall of various images growing more and more elaborate.  This is all done with lights; these are just blank white walls. 

 Outside, there were more activities for the kids, like this giant blackboard, and

 segways, motorized unicycles and scooters. 

After all of that we enjoyed a lovely visit with Francoise and Charles, and made our way back to the apartment where we packed and cleaned before our trip home.