Finding Grace Kelly in Paris

by Josh Lew on

Those looking for a taste of the glamorous side of the 1950s can find it in Paris. The City of Lights and snobby waiters was a hot spot for the Brad Pitts and Angelina Jolies of yesteryear.

Grace Kelly is probably the ultimate example of 50s fame. An exhibit at the Hotel de Ville showcases the life and times of the American movie star who the French embraced after she married Prince Rainier of Monaco and became Princess Grace.

The exhibit is no mere collection of black and white snapshots. Kelly’s Oscar is on display alongside ball gowns and other articles of clothing. Also of interest are a collection of Kelly’s letters. I suppose it might be interesting to learn that people actually wrote letters once upon a time, but Kelly’s letters where to the who’s who of the day. The collection includes correspondences with Alfred Hitchcock and Jackie Kennedy.

So this exhibit might be a bit over the top, but perhaps a bit refreshing. After all, Grace Kelly defined glamor before glamor became all silicone and botox. I doubt there will be a similar exhibit featuring any of today’s starlets in 50 years.

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Paris Airports Help Passengers Groove

by Josh Lew on

A service at Paris area airports will have people dancing in the terminals. Literally.

As a special summer promotion provided by Aeroports de Paris, dance classes will be offered to passengers before they hop, or samba, onto their flight. Call it France‘s version of the reality hit So You Think You Can Dance. Styles include tango, salsa, modern jazz, and mambo. There is even instruction in hip hop and rock and roll.

You are imagining a teacher wearing a leotard and leg-warmers prancing around Charles De Gaulle critiquing each step that students take, aren’t you? It’s not quite like that. Passengers are given a set of headphones on which instructions and music are played. They are pretty much on their own after that. The classes run for about 15 minutes and are only offered during weekend daytime hours.

According to airport authorities, over 4,000 people have used the service since it began at the end of June. No word yet on whether these ground-breakers participated willingly or not.

Are in-terminal dance classes the wave of the future? Or is it simply a ploy to get people talking about something besides how high oil prices are making air travel so damned expensive?

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Paris loves bike-share program so much it plans to launch electric car version

by Anna Brones on

The bike sharing program in Paris known as Vélib has been so popular that the city’s mayor is considering launching the same version with electric cars. Just like its sister cycle program, with Autolib a driver could pick up a car on the Left Bank, cruise the Champs Elysées and return it a couple of hours later with enough money left over for a pain au chocolat.

There is some debate regarding the program, which would launch in late 2009 or early 2010 with a fleet of 4,000 cars. Some — motivated by high gas prices and the parking nightmare — love it. Others are less excited, holding that it would lead to more car dependence in a city already packed with vehicles.

Judging by the craziness of Parisian traffic, I would personally stick with the bicycles. Take the metro or a nice stroll and save yourself some stress; leave that to the Parisians.

[Via Huffington Post]

Photo of the Day: 07/21/08

by Iva Skoch on


I know what you are thinking. It’s not a very summery photo I picked. that’s exactly why. As I’m sitting here, sweating my butt off, this photo actually looks blissful.

Ultraclay! took this picture on Champs-Elysees in Paris, presumably in the winter. I love that the statue looks like it could be a real person, walking against the wind and snow. You could almost picture the Battle of Stalingrad this way.

***To have your photo considered for the Gadling Photo of the Day, go over to the Gadling Flickr Pool and post it. Make sure it is not copyrighted, otherwise we can’t post it here.***

Le 14 Juillet: Celebrating Bastille Day French style

by Anna Brones on

This weekend featured a slew of events (like this one and these) in various American cities all in honor of the French national day, commonly referred to as Bastille Day. But even if you missed out on the weekend events, you still have today — which happens to be the actual holiday — to celebrate the ideals of fraternité, égalité et liberté (translation: freedom à la française).

Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which occurred on July 14, 1789. The storming of the famous prison kicked off the French Revolution and was emblematic of the uprising of a modern France that no longer wanted to be controlled by the absolute powers of a monarch. Just like the 4th of July is cause for celebration so is July 14th, so if you’re a francophile at heart, or just need an excuse to throw a good party, here is quick guide to having your own célébration française:

What you need:

  • French baguette
  • French cheese
  • Bottle of French wine
  • Bottle of Champagne
  • Checkered picnic cloth
  • Several savory French dishes

Optional:

  • Tri-colored clothing (come on, you have to have something left over from the 4th of July)
  • Beret

Don your French gear and throw all necessary items into a picnic basket; Bastille Day is meant to be enjoyed outdoors. If you’re really into it you can even memorize the lyrics to La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, and sing it to your heart’s content. To spice up the afternoon, play a round of pétanque, the popular outdoor game.

See, who ever said you needed to travel to France to enjoy Bastille Day? You can even check out the official Parisian activities here. Bonne fête!