14.29 - Paris is at its prime and all ready for the Summer Olympics ++
In this FREE le Bulletin we eat well with a local in Nice, travel to the superb Pays Basque, with advice on what to buy and what to try... and much more... Let's dive in shall we?
Bonjour et Bienvenu
The excitement is high! The 2024 Summer Olympics have begun in Paris! Are you in Paris now?
I’m thrilled to welcome new and long-time readers to this FREE version of le Bulletin newsletter. I hope you enjoy it with deep & rich stories from MyFrenchLife Magazine Contributors. You’ll hear about their experiences, tips, and recommendations, on how best to experience France beyond the cliché.
We also offer a version of le bulletin for paying subscribers, which has an even greater resource of writers… >80 amazing writers—a weekly explosion of France… Would you like to join them (?) it would mean a lot to me and you’ll delight in the increased immersion depth.
Please consider upgrading to an annual subscription. Merci.
Judy - 27.7.24
1. The Olympics have begun! And what a start! Below I’m sharing various views of the Olympics…
a) … Here’s an artwork much cuter than the official poster! Do you agree?
Look at this lovely map by Sonja Bajic, a Paris mapmaker, designer, and illustrator.
Looking for unique @paris2024 art? I’m drawing your attention to the work of Sonja Bajic Creative and her Paris Olympic map which is available for purchase. I enjoyed reading her take on the Olympic preparation as someone living in Paris and invite you to visit her.
Only 50 maps have been made and here is how to order one:
https://sonjabajicstudio.com/products/olympic-map-of-paris-2024
I was incredibly excited about the Olympics. I planned to see gymnastics, athletics, and breakdancing. The first two—I just love watching people do incredible things, and the third, I had no idea was even an Olympic sport. When I went to see the Olympic flame (also in this newsletter), I thought of all the sport enthusiasts in my family who would love to be here with me, celebrating the power of human bodies, “ wrote Sonja this week…
…I truly loved learning about all the Olympic sports while I was drawing my Olympic map. I forgot about the street chaos and just celebrated THE SPORTS…
I felt invited to draw the map of Paris with all the sports everywhere around the city, among the annoyed Parisians, tiny dogs, and pigeons. Feel free to test me on where what is happening, I know it all now! Archery? Grand Palais. Canoe? Up the river Marne. Start of the marathon? Hôtel de Ville. YES.
The (first and most likely the only imprint of) map will be printed in 50 copies only, and they will be signed and numbered…” wrote Sonja.
After over five weeks of dedicated crafting, this map highlights where most of the competitions are happening in Paris, capturing the essence of global unity and the thrill of athletic achievement!" , said Sonja.
You can read the entire article and consider purchasing Sonja’s map ← here
b) …and a fun perspective by Katrina Lawrence, called ‘The Alternative Paris Olympics’
Where Katrina writes:
If the most athletic you like to get when in Paris is to stroll along the Seine (croissant, rather than weights, in hand), you might be finding it a stretch to work yourself up into an Olympic mood. In this case, The Alternative Paris Olympics are for you!
These are the events that are in much better synchronicity with the usual gentle pace of the City of Light.
Read on for ten ways to get into the sporty spirit à la parisienne …” ;)
c) Let’s jump in the basket of David Lebovitz’s velo…
David tells it as it is… let’s jump into his pre-Olympics Parisian life just a day before the Opening… Here I’m quoting from his always-entertaining Instagram account.
I was feeling all smug about myself☺️months before the Olympics, saying I planned to stay in my neighborhood where the disruptions wouldn’t affect me.
Then…an administrative meeting turned up that I had to attend this morning at 9:30am, that was squarely in the midst of the grey zone - for some reason, which no one quite understands, the red zone is less-controlled than the grey zone, which is the most restricted🤷🏻🤔
My dinner date last night was over an hour late due to a sudden closing of the St Germain de Pres Boulevard, and when I went to the market yesterday, I found an empty lot, closed for the Olympics. Then, inexplicably (and thankfully) it was open today. So expect anything if you’re out and about right now in Paris… writes David Lebovitz…
and there’s more… and give us a true image and experience of Paris just before the opening Ceremony.
Watch the video and read the entire caption on his Instagram.←
OK, OK, so is that enough fun? … ;)
Thank you for the ride, David!
… And what about all that rain? What an opening ceremony, What entertainment! What creativity! I enjoyed the televised version so much! You, where were you? What was your opinion? I’d love to hear from you…
Judy
Now let’s find out what’s been happening at MyFrenchLife Magazine & le Bulletin newsletter this week.
2. I invite you to follow us on Instagram → @MaVieFrançaise, as there’s always something fun going on
Bursting with news, views and articles, video chats, poetry, introductions to new magazine contributors… and more… follow us and join in @maviefrancaise … See you there soon, I hope.
3. In My FrenchLife Magazine you’ll find these new articles ↓ & another 3000+ articles about France beyond the cliché
Escapades:
→ What to Buy and What to Try: Pays Basque - Part 2
by Traci Parent
Gastronomie:
→ 9 Places to eat in Nice
by Anna Muckerman
Vie Française:
→ Working in a law firm in Paris: the good, and the bad through the eyes of an expat. [Revisited recently but written immediately post lockdown when she worked with us in Paris.]
by Claudia Jacob
Un grand merci
Thank you to all MyFrenchLife™ Magazine Contributors!
CLICK THROUGH & read all the new articles on MyFrenchLife Magazine ↓
↓ Just click the image below to read all the new articles ↓
CLICK THROUGH to read the recent articles on MyFrenchLife Magazine HERE
4. “Thank you for subscribing ‘le Bulletin’ newsletter” Judy MacMahon
Judy MacMahon
Fondatrice
MyFrenchLife.org
You can always email me at info@myfrenchlife.org
Here’s how you can stay in touch & personalise your le Bulletin experience:
Like this le Bulletin newsletter of MyFrenchLife.org Magazine? Forward it or Share it with a friend. Surprise them and help us grow.
Loved a story? Disliked it? Drop me a note or just write to say ‘bonjour’.
Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up to get le Bulletin newsletter weekly.
If you’d like to be sure you GET or NOT GET posts/emails about our French Book Club, you can personalise your account. toggle ON or OFF.
And… finally, you can immerse yourself in the archive of le Bulletin Newsletter here & the MyFrenchLife Magazine archive of >3000 articles
'le Bulletin' is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Hi Judy, may I introduce you to a piece of Parisian Olympic Poetry from a fellow Substacker. I trust you can find the time to read. A bien tot, Maurice
Thanks for the mention Judy, what a lovely round up! ❤️ Enjoyed reading it and being in a great company 🥇🥇🥇