Letter from Paris: September 11, 2024 News Digest

And just like that… it’s over. The Paralympics wrapped Sunday with a sensational closing ceremony: a giant dance party and a sound and light show at the Stade de France. With more than 2 million tickets sold, it’s been an incredible ride. Here’s an excerpt from the NBC News article (“From iconic venues to roaring crowds, the atmosphere at the Paris Paralympics is ‘unmatched’) that does it justice: “From blind soccer at the Eiffel Tower to para taekwondo at the Grand Palais and para equestrian in the gardens of Versailles — the City of Light has served as a stunning canvas for Paralympic greatness. But it’s the sounds of Paris that will truly send shivers down your spine. Tens of thousands have packed the Stade de France every night for an electric experience, and not just because of that magical purple track.”

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The closing ceremony itself was “a send-off for the ages,” to quote The Guardian. As if there were any doubts the French know how to party, “Jean-Michel Jarre, France’s godfather of synthesisers and stadium laser shows, headed a riotous showcase of France electro dance amid flashing light-shows, hundreds of crisscrossing laser beams and walls of flames on stage. The “French Touch” extravaganza culminated in the star DJ Martin Solveig playing Daft Punk’s One More Time amid a stage full of dancing para athletes, giant mascots bobbing in sequin skirts and a volley of hundreds of fireworks.”

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During the ceremony, the rain tumbled from the sky. The weather was fitting, given that the Olympics opening ceremony on the Seine started in the rain. And now, after all that joy, it’s hard not to succumb to the inevitable comedown — matched by the grey, cloudy skies over Paris. Many Parisians are also mourning the loss of the incredible flying cauldron, which flew for the last time on Sunday night.

Meanwhile Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced plans to keep the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower — at least until 2028. She is hopeful of making it a permanent fixture, “despite criticism from residents, lawmaker and even the descendants of Gustave Eifel”— to quote Le Monde. “The logo of five interlocking rings was erected on the beloved monument before the July 28-August 11 Olympics in Paris and has become a popular backdrop for selfies by visitors.” The iconic monument is owned by the city of Paris, and has become a symbol of the French capital itself. Therefore some of the criticism stems from the idea of having an outside organization’s symbol attached to it.

President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier as prime minister. A member of the center-right Les Républicains party, the 73-year-old Barnier is a former foreign minister and Brexit negotiator. Macron’s goal is that Barnier can use those prized negotiation skills in paving a path forward for a hung Parliament after the summer’s snap elections. However, thousands of French citizens took to the streets this past weekend to protest Macron’s “denial of democracy,” and a “stolen election,” after a left-wing coalition won the most seats in parliament (though not a majority).

In his first interview since being appointed prime minister, Barnier “pledged he would work independently from President Emmanuel Macron,” reports France 24, “but signaled he would defend some of the president’s key policies while toughening the government’s stance on immigration.” He said members from other political parties were welcome to join his government. France is under pressure from the European Commission to reduce its deficit, so Barnier’s hardest job will be “to drive reforms and the 2025 budget through a hung parliament.”

Last but not least, it’s la rentrée, or back to school, with students across France back in the classroom after their summer vacances. The government is testing a mobile phone ban in middle schools. The trial could lead to an all-out ban next year. Check out the video below by DW News for more information.

Back to school, back to the office… and the Paris cultural calendar heats up in September. The museums are rolling out new exhibits — check out our popular events calendar for inspiration — just as restaurants are throwing open their doors with new menus after the holidays. Enjoy!