We discovered a nearby cafe, open early for breakfast
Our waiter - the exact stereotype you would expect - immaculately presented
At 9am we joined a few of the birthday brigade and caught the Metro to the Opera station. We had to change our route as the ‘yellow vests’ were protesting against President Macaron again today, targeting the Champs Élysées. All the stops along that stretch were closed, so we had an express and direct trip. As we exited the Metro the Opera building gleamed in front of us.
Coffee at a local cafe as the 30 people committed to the tour gathered for the 10.30am.
The tour was quite dramatic from the onset with mood lighting.
And characters mingling with tourists
Our guide, a friend of Andrew and Ebba, gave a captivating commentary.
The Opera House was completed in the 1870s, created by a young designer, Gautier. No expenses was spared with all the fittings being of French origin. Here is the main entry hall.
An extremely opulent reception area
The theatre
In the 1960s to offset a high personal tax debt, the government commissioned Chagall to create a new ceiling decoration. It was extremely controversial at the time.
The original kitchen with tapestries advertising foods and drinks on offer
The library
Mark and I decided to walk back on another beautifully sunny day - 19oC forecast today. We found another scenic route, avoiding the Champs Élysées. Police sirens in the distance but Paris residents were unfazed and continued to enjoy a glorious Saturday.
Other members of the group braved walking near the Place de Concorde and the river. They said it was eerily quiet with hundreds of police along barricades, marshalling the odd tourist across the road. Fortunately there was no reports of violence and vandalism.
We passed the large church of St Augustin.
We found a restaurant called The Grill Room near Parc Monceau for lunch. I had a delicious pumpkin soup with avocado toast, which included pomegranate seeds and a cold poached egg.
The gates leading into Parc Monceau
More colourful gardens
Families out in force
We enjoyed window shopping, savouring the patisseries and food displays
Tonight was Andrew’s birthday celebrations at a restaurant across from their apartment. 50 friends and family gathered to wish him a fabulous 70th birthday.
Ebba had organised an opera group to sing at various stages of the evening, surprising Andrew with his favourite arias.
Some excellent speeches
The remarkable Dean/ Dohlman family
Some of the extended family after an extremely successful celebration, expressing love and appreciation for a very special man. It is such a privilege to be here.
M&M
1 comment:
What a fabulous birthday celebration.....
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