by Danielle
While R had her last pre-vacation day at garderie, we made it a special family day with J. There is a large Muslim population in Paris and we were interested to visit the beautiful mosque in the 6th arrondisement adjacent to the Jardin des Plants. J enjoys churches and we thought he might appreciate a new take on the idea. It’s a lovely spot with open courtyards and intricate tilework, very peaceful. It was a short visit due to the cold weather but we lingered at the adjacent teahouse for lunch. It was fantastic, the best couscous we’ve had in Paris thus far.
Afterwards I took J to what must be an annual ritual for Parisan parents, a walk by the Christmas window displays at Galleries Lafeyette department store. It’s like a mosh pit for parents, very crowded with everyone jockeying to get their kids up close to the windows. The theme this year involved motorized teddy bears and gingerbread creatures in various states of mischief-making. Perhaps you know that last year Printemps’ window theme was “Christmas in Space,” so this was a big improvement. The crowds could have been unpleasant except that J was riveted, especially at one display involving teddy bears making a cake. It’s such a pleasure to experience these things through a child’s eyes.
Below is bit of the bear windows (not shot by me). Unfortunately I couldn’t find my personal favorite, where the bears frolick in stacks of glasses filled with champagne.
OMG how wonderful is that display. I’m not surprised that Joseph was transfixed. The windows at Galleries Lafayette reminds me of the F Street Woodward & Lothrup DC store that every Christmas had a similar type of moveable display. My parents took me to see them and I took Adam. Unfortunately, they had stopped the practice when Jay was little.
Thanks for the lovely post.
Love to you.
Marianne