Le Marché des Terroirs des Jeunes Agricultures...on the Champs-Elysées
Your taste of life in Paris and France
ParlerParis.com
Monday, May 24, 2010 • Paris, France
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The stunning warm, sunny weather we're having is making up (a bit) for the long, cold, gray, rainy winter that we endured for what seems like way too long. Pangs of jealousy struck as the first guests 'up at' "Le Saint-Tropez" (http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/rentals/saint-tropez.html) were enjoying the terrace during such perfect days.
My photographer daughter who was visiting home for just a few days, took an opportunity to put her own sharp eye, good quality camera and wide-angled lens on to taking new and better photos of "Le Saint-Tropez," "La Brigitte" and "Le Buci."
"Le Buci" is a new large studio apartment we're offering for rental that is located in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, right on rue Buci, where life is hoppin' in the district. It was one of our 'finds' -- in an 18th-century building that had been completely renovated like new, with an elevator (!)situated between rues Buci and l'Echaudé. Keep your eye out for its debut on the Parler Paris Apartments Web site (http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/).
The City of Paris couldn't have scheduled better weather for the first "Nature Capital" -- a weekend of honoring agricultural production in all French regions by transforming the Champs-Elysées into REAL "champs" (fields). All traffic was rerouted to allow for three hectares of gardens represented by 150 different species of vegetation, live and growing down the center of what is considered the 'most beautiful avenue in the world.'
The garden runs the length from Rond Point to the Etoile, with exhibitions and stands along the avenue between the Grand Palais and Rond Point, where one could taste or buy products from the various regions. The event was the creation of the "Jeunes Agriculteurs," a founding partner, along with the material supplied by "France Bois Forêt" and the financial support of such sponsors as "Credit Agricole Banque et Assurances." City promotion showcased the event as a moment to reflect on the fragile balance between man and nature and our role to protect our environment.
In all the years of living here and participating in events taking place along the avenue, I've never seen so many people. It was reminiscent of walking down Bourbon Street on Mardi Gras, except that there was no drunkenness, even with beer readily sold at the stands. It was quite educational to learn the names and difference of the various crops. For example, can you tell the difference between wheat and oat? I'm not sure I could before the lesson learned on the Champs-Elysées!
To add to the greenery, there were farm animals on display -- sheep huddled together (for emotional support?) and large cows hanging out in the shade under their own parasols. Meanwhile we were all soaking up the glorious sun, blue, blue sky and awe-struck over the city's ability to turn a cobblestoned street into farm fields, virtually overnight -- much like they transform the quays into beachfront at Paris Plage year after year.
Oh, what will the city planners think of next? Tough to top this one, no? It's on through today (Pentecost), so if you haven't been and still have the opportunity, don't miss it.
A la proc
Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris
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P.S. Book your "FREE" personal consultation with...me! If you would like to consider having your own "pied-à-terre" for your pleasure and profit, guests of any one of our luxurious Parler Paris Apartments can take advantage of a FREE one-hour consultation with me while you're enjoying the apartment in the City of Light. It's our way of saying "thank you" to our community! Visit: parlerparis/apartments/ to book your stay and for more information or email me at: adrian@adrianleeds.com
