This weekend is Journees du Patrimoine, a heritage day in Paris and one that is celebrated all over France. Many government buildings not otherwise open to the public are open this weekend and the French people are out in force. Long queues are expected at most venues and I can see why - the historic buildings are beautiful and there are tours organised of rooms formerly used by kings, princes and heads of state and the hidden courtyards and gardens. We visited the Archives Nationales housed in the Hotel de Soubise, an archive of documents dating from as early as 625AD to present day, including maps, plans, marriage and identification documents; and criminal records, including photographic identification records created by Alphonse Bertillon who first introduced the concept of unique identification by physical features, eventually the fingerprinting system we have today.
Headed to the marche de la creation, an artists' market at the Bastille held every Saturday; yet another record shop (successful visit and return visit planned!); and then a swift trip towards home as we became aware of this year's technoparade jumping and twirling its way down Boulevard Beaumarchais. We know this event from previous years and have spent hours negotiating the flow of floats, dancers, drinkers and party people - this year we just managed to cross the road ahead of them!
1 comment:
Hi Sally & Brent, What a great way to spend a Saturday. The technoparade certainly looks lively, and your description of it as "twirling and jumping" creates a good image of it all. L&G
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