The Olympic FlameThere are always so many events that happen during the summer months in France but this year, more so than usual thanks to the Olympics and Paralympics taking place in July and August. And, although these games have become known as the Paris Olympics, they are actually taking place in many other regions across France as well as central Paris. This is the first time that France has hosted the Olympics for a century, so it is a very big deal.
In the build-up to the games, like all Olympics, there has been plenty of criticism of the organisation and difficulties and delays in infrastructure projects and overall planning. Not helped by President Macron deciding to complicate things further by calling parliamentary elections just weeks before the opening ceremony.
But, with a record number of tickets sold for any Olympics and Paralympics (9.7 million and counting) and the most spectacular and original opening ceremony probably ever, the games got off to a fantastic start despite the rain.
Paris is always a magical place to visit but the atmosphere during the games has created a whole new energy and a friendly, relaxed vibe. The combination of so many nationalities interacting along with the Parisians suddenly feeling a great pride to be hosting such an incredible event in the heart of their city has made for an overall feeling of enthusiasm and support, everyone there with the aim of cheering on excellence whatever the sport and whoever the athlete.
There is just one thing that stands out as not quite right in Paris and that is the Parisian waiters. Something very strange has happened to them and instead of their usual air of superiority and slight annoyance, at having to take your order, Parisian waiters seem to have been replaced by an enhanced version of what a perfect, charming and welcoming waiter should be. Whether this is just a blip during the Olympics or a more permanent state of affairs will only become clear in September, I guess.
In the meantime, if you have the chance to spend some time in Paris or any of the other Olympic cities this summer, you should take the opportunity to make the most of a probably once in a lifetime experience of watching extraordinary people achieve impossible feats in an exceptional place.
And if you decide that France is where you want to own a property and would like some help with your search, please get in touch: nadia@foothillsoffrance.com
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