Rue St. Antoine/rue de Rivoli, where I live, is one of the main east/west streets of Paris, much like Broadway in New York. It is also where all the major parades, marches, and demonstrations come through, so I never know what's in store. It could be anything from the outrageous Techno parade, where over 200,000 precocious teenagers dance to the techno beat that's so loud my floors vibrate, to a military parade with soldiers in uniform and tanks rolling down the asphalt.
Last Sunday morning when the street was calm, I went to get my morning bread from the boulangerie, and when I came out, there was a long string of the most fabulous vintage cars coming down the street. The proud and happy drivers were honking their horns, showing off their immaculately preserved vehicles. Even though I don't own a car and very rarely drive, I have a thing for cars. There were many American cars, and one in particular brought back a happy childhood memory(the photo on top). When I was about 10 years old, my father bought a used 1963 black Cadillac Sedan de Ville. It was the nicest car we ever had and my brother and I were so excited, that we had breakfast, probably a bowl of Cocoa Puffs, while sitting in the plush red leather seats. We moved the electric seats up and down so many times that we broke the mechanism and I remember my parents were furious and they punished us. Now that I think of that part, it wasn't such a pleasant memory. It was great to see so many European and French cars that I had never seen before. The designs are so sleek and elegant and when I looked at the photos and saw today's cars against the old ones, there was no comparison in terms of the great design.Even the colors were so much more vibrant since most cars made today seem to only come in black, white, and silver.
I googled vintage auto show to find out more information but all I found out was that there was something to do with the cars at Port de Versailles on August 1.
In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New Yorkís best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/Chelsea & Union Square. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!
Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
Fabulous, wonderful serendipitous day. Just love surprises, great photos.
Posted by: Jean P in MN | August 04, 2010 at 01:43 PM
Oh,Richard!! What FUN! Not only do I love the cars, but it's so nice to get a glimpse of the neighborhood, too! (Makes me hungry!) And that blue pick up just made me laugh out loud! I've never seen anything quite like that in Paris!
Posted by: Cheryl | August 04, 2010 at 03:33 PM
"What a delightful thing to happen upon, the cars are so cool!
Posted by: Melisssa | August 04, 2010 at 08:27 PM
Bonjour Richard, I was surprised by a similar event in January. You'll remember that it was bitterly cold, but I stayed long enough to get some good photos
Posted by: eleanor | August 04, 2010 at 09:50 PM
LOve this!
Posted by: Sherry | August 06, 2010 at 08:48 PM