Paris Auto Show

http://www.mondial-automobile.com/en/visitors/

This has been a big event. As one would expect, it was dominated by European car manufacturers, particularly the French. The American presence was limited to Ford, Jeep, and Tesla. I took several hundred pictures. Here are many of them with a few comments thrown in.

Folks were excited about Mustangs.

  Go figure.

                           I was a little more excited about these.

and this

 and these

Even a Bentley

and Audi

Remember

?

perhaps not 

Now we have

you've come a long way, buggie

and this Toyota Hybrid is not exactly the family Prius

Electric cars were definitely present but understated. The Tesla booth was disappointing. They had several Model S's. There was no past (the roadster) or future (Model X) on exhibit. But the Model S exhibits were impressive.

Model S "trunk" space

Rear                                     Front

Battery and motor are underneath.

No car show description would be complete without Porsche. So perhaps the 919 hybrid race car is impractical for most of us. If you want a Porsche hybrid for your every day driving, perhaps you should consider the Panamera S e-hybrid.

Side view mirrors are in for a big change.

The side mirrors on some European cars are being replaced with cameras attached to little screens on each side.

I think Toyota stole the show with this little number.

It's so CUTE!! They are calling it the i-Road.

I think that Toyota is on to something, but

it will likely be years before it reaches the US.

     There were so many other exhibits, and lots of small start-up manufacturers of fuel cell powered cars, electric bicycles that fold up and fit in a suitcase, car accessories, and this DeLorian

which took me back by time-travel to 1985.

         Finally, not something you can find at just any auto show, an Oyster Raw Bar!

Only in Paris?  Perhaps!

The Resistance 1940-1944

This Friday, Peter, Martha, Erica, Jessica, Eric (and another visiting American friend) took the walking Left Bank tour of the Resistance and Occupation given by our friend Mary-Ellen.  We want to put in a plug for Mary-Ellen, a seasoned English language tour guide with Paris Walks found here and more detail about the tour guides including Mary-Ellen here.

The Entourage

     Using plaques, sculptures, photographs and written testimonies from ordinary people who did heroic acts during the German occupation of France, we learned about everyday life during the Occupation, including poignant stories about how the secret resistance operated, always at great risk of torture and death.  Participation in the Resistance was always of short duration (six months being the maximum time allowed). There were betrayals by neighbors and co-workers.  Mary-Ellen talked about the plight of the Jews living in France and the round ups.  The most heartbreaking moment of the tour was when Mary-Ellen read the last letters students wrote to their parents just before their executions.  It was a very powerful learning experience for all of us. 

Étudiants morts dans la Résistance

Bronze statue in Jardin du Luxembourg of two young men.

One is falling; the other stands proud.

Ami, si tu tombes, un ami sort de l'ombre à ta place.

Friend, when you fall, a friend will step out of the shadow and take your place.

We thought you might enjoy reading an abbreviated English translation of DeGaulle’s famous appeal to the French people on June 18, 1940 to rise up against the Germans, often considered the start of the Resistance.

"The leaders who, for many years, have been at the head of the French armies have formed a government. This government, alleging the defeat of our armies, has made contact with the enemy in order to stop the fighting. It is true, we were, we are, overwhelmed by the mechanical, ground and air forces of the enemy…

"But has the last word been said? Must hope disappear? Is defeat final? No!
Believe me, I who am speaking to you with full knowledge of the facts, and who tell you that nothing is lost for France…For France is not alone! She is not alone! She is not alone! She has a vast Empire behind her… 

"This war is not limited to the unfortunate territory of our country…This war is a worldwide war…Vanquished today by mechanical force, in the future we will be able to overcome by a superior mechanical force. The fate of the world depends on it. 

"I, General de Gaulle, currently in London, invite the officers and the French soldiers who are located in British territory or who might end up here…to put themselves in contact with me. 

"Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished…

                   Charles DeGaulle 18-June, 1940

Holes remain in the wall since August 1944,

from bullets shot during the liberation of Paris.

Le Calife – A restaurant cruising the Seine

Last night, we had an unusual and delightful dining and sightseeing experience. Jessica and I joined Erica, Martha and Peter for a great meal on the river. We boarded our riverboat docked across from the Louvre at 8:00 PM in a light rain. After settling in at our table, we ordered our food and drink, and began a great evening. Soon we were on our way upstream toward Notre Dame.

There is nothing quite like moving along a river, relaxing with food, drink, and friends, taking in the experience. After passing Notre Dame, we noticed an unusually lit large room atop a building on the left bank. This was was La tour d’Argent, literally translated the Silver Tower, but a great play on words since Argent also translates to “money” and La Tour d’Argent is perhaps the most expensive restaurant in Paris.

Just beyond that point, we turned around and began heading downstream. We again passed Notre Dame on the other side. (Notre Dame is on the island Île de la Cité which is located in the middle of the Seine.) 

We passed the Louvre the enormity of which is well appreciated from the river. All the while, we ate and drank none too wisely but well.

We passed the Eiffel Tower at 10:00 PM, well timed to see the display of lights (see below) which are turned on for a few minutes at the top of the hour. 

On the hour, thousands of lights flash on the Eiffel Tower, making it one of the most spectacular sights in the city. 

We saw a miniature version of the statue of liberty located on an island in the middle of the river.

Each bridge is a work of art. Amazing sculptures are present on most of the bridges, to be seen only by the river traffic.

It was a great experience and we recommend it. You can get more information here.

Heroes

This story begins in the Paris Metro a few days ago. Jessica’s sister Erica met her friends Peter and Martha at the Gare de Paris-Est train station upon their arrival from Berlin Friday evening. While waiting for the metro to take them from the train station to our home, Martha rearranged her jacket and bags and had not quite gotten things together when the metro train arrived. They jumped on the train.

    As the doors were closing, a young, observant Parisian named Pierre spoke urgently to Martha, saying that she did not have as many possessions as she had when she arrived in the metro station. Sure enough, Martha had left two bags on the platform that contained their money, passports and other belongings that one does not really want to lose.

    During the two-minute ride to the next stop, Pierre had time to scheme. When the doors opened, he bolted up the stairs and across to the opposite platform, caught the train going in the opposite direction, and traveled back to the previous stop. Pierre’s girlfriend Eva got Peter, Martha and Erica off the train, all the while keeping in cell phone contact with Pierre.

    When Pierre returned to the original metro platform, the bags were nowhere in sight. A homeless man, surrounded by all his worldly possessions, lay close to the spot where they had boarded the train.

Peter simulating a homeless person in the metro

    Pierre questioned the man. He denied any knowledge of the missing belongings.  Pierre, however, noticed something sticking out from behind the homeless man’s pillow.  The two bags were “recovered”.

    Pierre returned on the next train to his girlfriend Eva, Peter, Martha and Erica who already knew of the successful recovery. Gracious tears were shed, kisses given, and Peter and Martha extended a drink invitation to Pierre and Eva.

    They accepted and the five of them had a great conversation and Martha told them what a great heart Pierre had.

    In the course of their conversation, they learned that Pierre and Eva live near us in the 7^th arrondissement. Pierre has some notoriety in the skateboard community since he has skateboarded from Paris to Copenhagen, and from San Francisco to San Diego!  Eva biked with him on the California trip.  Martha told them about the AIDS bike ride she did from San Francisco to Los Angeles, establishing an even greater connection.   You can go to Pierre and Eva’s blog here to see the marvelous photography of Pierre on his custom skateboard and Eva on her bike.

So, the next time someone says something nasty about the Parisians, just remember the story of Pierre and Eva.