Saturday, December 2, 2006

Christmas in Paris

One of the things I was really looking forward to was seeing Paris all dressed up for the holidays, and the city of lights did not disappoint.   I’m hoping to do a similar spread for New York now that the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has been lit… coming soon over at Pinay New Yorker.
 
Meanwhile, hold your mouse over the thumbnail to read my notes and click the picture to be taken to my Friendster photo album to view a larger version housed in my Friendster account.
 
The Autumn decor of the Hotel Westminster: They unveiled their Christmas decor the night after I left Paris which means I must've missed quite a show -- their fall decor was just so elegant, I cannot even imagine how their Christmas motif will come out this year!
The Arc D' Triomphe amidst a bright Champs Elysees: I was so lucky to have caught the first night when the lights were finally turned on for the holiday season. I was almost afraid that I wouldn't catch this because I was leaving on the 29th!
Galleries Lafayette: This is the main facade of one of their three buildings in the area. The lights dimmed and glowed with a gentle cadence that was just hypnotic</p> <p>
The first time I saw this and the other frames, I couldn't even get near to take a decent picture because the raised platform for the children to get closer to the display was just full with children ooohing and aaahing over this display of dancing kettles and teacups. And it was in my favorite fuschia!
The dancing kettles in close up
Dancing kettles anyone?
The giant Christmas Tree of Printemps: I almost didn't make it! Printemps and Galleries Lafayette both have separate buildings for Men, Women and home in this area, and I had read and seen pictures of this famed dome in many tourist handouts and had almost given up on ever seeing it. But I found it!</p> <p>
Another view of the Christmas tree
Looking up at the dome
Fashion and Art mixed together: As Printemps says on its website: </p> <p> In partnership with Morocco and Swarovski, Printemps transforms its façade and window displays for a Christmas that sparkles with light. </p> <p> All the magic of the Thousand and One Nights casts its spell over Printemps: this year, for the first time, the stuffed toys in the window displays will be replaced by quirky, animated characters made haphazardly out of emblematic everyday objects from the East!<br /> The magical façade is also lit up with orange and gold and sprinkled with large golden stars in tubes of light, some as high as 5 metres tall!<br />
Dancing pots and pans!
Another animated window of pots and pans this time
A brighter take on the lights and decor on the awning above the sidewalks
The awning of Printemps all aglow
A new twist to holiday trees
An accidental discovery - LE BON MARCHE on Rue de Sevres: : I didn't really seek out Le Bon Marche but had stumbled into it when I went to the Chapel of our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on Rue De Bac. The huge epicerie (grocery) beckoned to me and I bought some goodies to bring home, and I explored its upper floors teeming with fashion from every shelf and corner. It was only when I exited, though, that I discovered these elaborate Christmas decorations on their store windows. I knew that the daylight showed a reflection of the building and the street in front of it and these photos were taken with that being done intentionally.
More of Le Bon Marche: Look at the intricate detail of each piece in this store window. It's just incredible when you think about each item and then you can't help but be awed when you look at the composition of the whole window. Wow!<br />
Le Bon Marche store window
Hues of blue and white in a darker setting
All that color and sparkle!
Gold and white blending perfectly
A true feast for the eyes
Don't ask me what this is supposed to be..
Who's that peeking into the window?
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