New panorama in Paris
Modern architecture is just the old gothic style with a new coating. Every architect tries to build as high as possible on his square inch.
In this style, La Défense in Paris (the French Manhattan) gets a new landmark. Ther reknowned, California based architect Thom Mayne will build a 300 meters tower over here. This will be the highest building in the area, apart from the Eiffel Tower.
Of course, the question is if more heigth means more beauty. For sure, it's hard to be uglier then the Grande Arche in the same Paris district. On the other hand, Maynes tower looks like a mutilated phallus.
But let's look at the bright side of life: in 2012 we will enjoy a new, great panorama over Paris...
Posted by Peter at 07:08 AM [2 reactions]
Visit Lyon by tram
So, you want to visit Lyon but you're afraid of expensive parking garages or heavy traffic? Don't be. Starting next monday, you park your car for free in a suburb just east of Lyon. Then take the new tramway Lea T3 to the Part-Dieu station in the middle of the town.
The tram drives at 40 miles per hour on an old railway with ten new stations. Six of them have large, free parking lots. Even better: your car is under video surveillance...
Posted by Peter at 07:10 AM [1 reaction]
The volcans of the Auvergne coming to live
The volcanoes of the Auvergne are dead, very dead. Neraly so: Vulcania, the visitors center in the Auvergne that tells all about vulcanism to tourists and other visitors. Since the opening, 4 years ago, the amount of visitors has dropt dramatically from 620,000 to 220.000 per year.
So it's time for a change, France 3 reports. It's time to drop scientific statements. It's time to get both sensational and funny. To start with, the crater must be more spectacular.
Above that, a 3D-movie will be made in which the volcanoes of the Auvergne come to live with surprising eruptions. The new Vulcania will open on march 22, 2007.
France 3 is eager to state this possibility is only hypothetical. In reality, there's no threat at all. Imagine, the tourists could get scared...
Posted by Peter at 07:14 AM [1 reaction]
Troubles again on the Boulevard Saint-Michel
Nearly 40 years after the student riots on the Boulevard Saint-Michel in paris, the boulevard is a dangerous area once again. This thime however, the problems have nothing to do with students, not even with riots. It's the traffic.
Two years ago, the city of Paris redesigned this main road from the Ile de la Cité along the Jardin du Luxembourg. Last year alone, 38 pedestrians got wounded in accidents. In a month time, two people were killed in traffic accidents. Cab drivers avoid the Boul' Saint-Mich'. Crossing the road is an attempted suicide. Shop owners (mostly in fashian or books) complain people are afraid to visit the boulevard.
Le Figaro warns the city council. If the council doesn't act fast, the dangerous situation will be an election item at the municipal elections in 18 months. Meanwhile, tourists should take extreme care when crossing the road. Or better: use the passages of an underground station to cross the boulevard.
Posted by Peter at 07:01 AM [1 reaction]
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Posted by Peter at 01:25 PM [What do you think?]
Ethics of the needs of a priest
Psycho-analysts abusing their clients sexually; it's nothing new. Catholic priests that can't resist the needs of the flesh; it has been seen before.
Le Monde reports about Tony Anatrella, who is both psycho-analyst and catholic priest. He's being accused (anounymous, for the time being) of sexual abuse of two former clients.
What makes his case special is his high-placed roll in church. He's an advisor of the archbishop in questions about sexual ethics.
Anatrella denies all charges.
Posted by Peter at 07:13 AM [What do you think?]
In a wheelchair to the Cote d'Azur
We will not make a habit of promoting organizations that rent tents or caravans on campgrounds. First of all, they're welcome to advertize. Above that, this way of having holidays is something so completely different from camping... It should be forbidden.
But we do make an exception for the Service d’Aide Côte d’ Azur. This is group of Dutch volunteers, who have eight caravans in Port Grimaud at the Cote d'Azur. These are adapted caravans for disabled people. The volunteers are trained to take handle all kind of handicaps and assist their guests in every part of daily life. And hey, they've al kind of stuff to allow a dive into the sea.
Posted by Peter at 07:18 AM [What do you think?]
Montparnasse tower evacuated after bomb warning
The Montparnasse Tower in Paris has been evacuated yesterday afternoon after someone warned the tower would explode. According to Le Monde it took the police 44 minutes to get 3,000 people out of the building. There was no panic at all, the newspaper says.
The Montparnasse Tower is not only a huge office building, but also a major tourist attraction, good for 600,000 visitors every year. They don't come to admire the building (it's uglier then ugly), but to enjoy the view from the top at 208 meters. This view includes the one thing the Eiffel Tower can't offer: a panorama on Paris that includes the Eiffel Tower.
Posted by Peter at 07:00 AM [7 reactions]
Wolves? Beware of the dogs
While wolves are seen more and more in France, lots of shepherds buy dogs of a nearly forgotten race: patou. They don't really care of keeping the sheep together, but are good in defending the herds against wolves, bears and other aggressive animals.
That's what a French hiker in the Savoie discovered when he was bitten by a patou. A judge convicted the shepherd to pay damages, as the France 3 tv station reports. Now the sepherds are angry: they're afraid there will be more claims.
Anyway, Ariège.com explains what to do when you meet a patou: stay calm, don't yell, don't throw stones and don't threat/point with your walking stick. Stand still or make a huge detour around the herd. In the last case: the dog will probably accompany you to make sure you've reallly nothing evil in your mind.
Posted by Peter at 07:06 AM [What do you think?]
Railways on strike
L'Express has bad news for those who want to go to France by train on wednesday: six unions, representing 75 percent of the driving workers, have called for a strike. They want higher wages.
Leaving the night before is no solution. As usual, a call for a strike on wednesday means the trains will stop on tuesday at 8.00 p.m. and will not start again before thursday 08.00 a.m.
As usual too, the French railwaycompany SNCF has announced the strike will cause slightly disturb the timetable.
Posted by Peter at 07:08 AM [2 reactions]
