The Opera Ball Room At The Grand Hotel

SHALL WE DANCE ?

Bonjour parismarais® readers,

In France, New Year's celebrations last through all of January. People may throw parties or soirées, and It is quite common to still send cards until the very last day of the month, especially to your business contacts, however, sending cards afterwards is not a good idea as it can be somewhat looked down upon.

Our team had the pleasure of enjoying several different celebrations in the past three weeks.The first celebration was with our close friends in a small soirée at my home.

The second celebration was at the Paris City Hall of the third arrondissement. We were invited by our local Mayor, the popular and dynamic Pierre Aidenbaum, to a party dedicated to the “economic actors” of the Marais. It took place in the celebration room of the Paris City Hall of the third arrondissement. There, we met many exceptional people including Mr Yann Marteil, in charge of economic affairs, Mr Patrick Badard, who is in charge of culture and Mrs Seybah Dagoma, who is our new member of parliament, as well as Mrs Marianne Ström, THE Photographer of the Marais and Mr Pierre Housieaux, president of Paris Historique association.

New Year wishes at Paris 3 City hall

No celebration without macaroons nor Champagne

The 14th century Chapel is now part of the museum

The third celebration was open to the residents of the third arrondissement. It took place in the magnificent chapel of the Arts et Métiers museum. Champagne and a free buffet was offered to everyone. Mrs Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris' “right hand woman” made a very emotional speech about the future of Paris and the solidarity among Parisians. She will probably run for the Mayor of Paris next year. If she is successful, she will replace our current mayor, Bertrand Delanoé, who will not run for a third term.

Arts et Métiers Museum

Thousands of guests in the Museum Chapel

Musée des Arts et Métiers

Inventions, first planes and first cars at the Arts et Metiers

The fourth celebration we went to and so far the most chic of all Parisian New Year's celebrations was the Austrian Ball in the grand ball room of the superb Grand Hotel, in the room designed by Charles Garnier, who also designed the Paris Opéra.

The magnificent Grand Hotel Intercontinental, completely renovated a few years ago is certainly the most glamorous place to stay in Paris. The ball was fabulous, and Ursula Plassnik, the  Ambassador of Austria gave us a warm welcome. The orchestra was wonderful. Classical  music, Viennese Waltzes (from the heart of Imperial Vienna) as well as Paso Doble and rock n' roll were all on the menu. Champagne flowed, the haute couture dresses and men's tuxedos were fantastic.

Le Quadrille, classic french dance you must start at midnight only

Don't feel like dancing?

Dr Stephan Mikinovic who invited us to join the ball, Mrs Ursula Plassnik, Ambassadress of Austria, and the Association Autrichienne team
managed by Mr Peter Ernst

Dr Stephan Mikinovic And Dr Christina Mikinovic

Fashionistas from all over the world

Grand Bal du Nouvel an Autrichien

Knowing every type of dance is part of the basic culture in Austria

Opera Room you can hire for special occasions

Grand lighting at The Grand Hotel

Turning Rock'n Roll late at night

We finished up these celebrations with another great one in Le Marais on Sunday afternoon while Paris lay under a pristine blanket of snow like we haven't seen in the past ten years. The ball took place in “la Bourse du Travail”, a large theatre in the north Marais. There was a symphonic orchestra of forty-five musicians playing classical Viennese Waltzes to entertain the local residents, mostly older people who seemed rather pleased to have the opportunity of an early evening dance.

Fantastic "valses viennoises"
by l'orchestre du Centre

Symphonic Orchestra du Centre,
playing for new year celebration

Socializing, meeting our neighbors, as well as our local public figures was of course only part of the fun!

We are happy to share with you our New Year's adventures in the following pictures. Enjoy!

Pascal Fonquernie,
editor parismarais.com

PS.  The sales season as you all know has started and you can find all sorts of amazing deals in the shops, sometimes 60% off. It's time to join us for a fabulous sales season!

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Parismarais Newsletter, January 2013.
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