Midsummer's Eve is celebrated throughout France with music! The Fête de la Musique consists of free concerts and events, but most popularly music in the streets. We wandered around St Paul and the Marais after dinner, catching the last rays of sunshine, and some joyful vibrant music.
There was cool jazz in Village St Paul, with a choir in the next courtyard …
singing sweetly to those gathered around, and diners at their tables nearby.
St Antoine was crowded with young and old, many carrying drinks, strolling from one music group to the next. We crossed over and dived deeper into the Marais.
People danced in this little square, to songs like Rolling down the River, and Back in the USSR,
everyone cheering, calling, singing along, and having a great time! Around the next corner we could hear a brass band …
and another lively crowd, phones in air filming it all …
So much energy and fun, we walked on, with others filling the streets so that the occasional vehicle had to creep along and hope eventually to get by …
diners made the most of the music festival …
happy faces where everywhere!
This was one of several crowd singalongs we enjoyed … where someone handed out music and words to willing singers, and someone else conducted!
A French Madrigal group needed specialist listeners, it was almost comical, but just a little strange for us ….
so we continued into Place des Vosges where the arched building fronts created inviting spaces for groups of all kinds….
while others like these drummers sat on the pavement against the park in the centre of the Place.
Now we were tired and turned for home, a B&B in St Paul. It was a long day, with breakfast on a beach in Brittany, two trains back to Paris, then via the Metro to the Marais, dinner with our son, all before going out to enjoy the music. I hope you have also enjoyed the Solstice, whether it is Winter or Summer, it is a turning point in the year and worth celebrating.
Bon Soir from Paris!
I had a lovely day, thank you Christine – you couldn’t have planned it more perfectly 🙂
Music festivals are wonderful things, the crowds of happy people are amazing, and very uplifting for you. Thanks Christine 🙂
what a fun filled day Christine. I celebrated the winter solstice by planting garlic for the first time…now it is just a wait for our summer solstice
I think I liked your day better than mine…I just worked all day in the yard…but fully enjoyed my vicarious day in France with you two…thanks!
How wonderful!
What a fun way to celebrate the beginning of summer.
What a wonderful evening! I would have loved to have been amongst that crowd, or maybe enjoying a glass of wine at Chez Josephine 🙂
What a wonderful evening – and a great way to celebrate the solstice. All free too 🙂
Such a lovely way to celebrate midsummer. There’s something evolved about the European way that I love – effortless and unselfconscious. Lovely photos, Christine. (And considering it’s mid-winter here and I’ve yet to use the winter linen, I’d say there’s rather strange things afoot with the weather).
Thanks for sharing your solstice. I didn’t stir – laid up with a cold, and slept the significance away. I’m waiting to hear how Meg celebrated in Bingie. I won’t be sorry to see the northern days shorten: I don’t have the stamina to utilise them fully!
I think you are further north than us, but we went to bed well before midnight yesterday, unlike others … there is quite a bit of broken glass on the streets this morning … cant believe we will be home in five days!
What a fabulous way to celebrate midsummer.
yes, so much fun and laughter, with a bit of bopping along to the music 🙂
Did you plan to be in Paris for the Music Festival or was that happy happenstance?
just happenstance Gallivanta, lucky us! we are only here for a few days then back home …
Lucky indeed! Sometimes you happen upon railway strikes, sometimes it is a festival…..:)
yes that is life! now the washing is stuck inside the machine with red lights blinking and I don’t know how to help it progress … calling for son’s help!
😀
I love the way they celebrate, what a perfect spot to spend Solstice!
Oh, how lovely that you were there for this wonderful occasion, Christine. 🙂
I was strolling and singing along, Christine 🙂
I’ve booked flights for August but I can’t make up my mind where to stay! The Marais is a serious contender, but I’m also toying with Montparnasse.
I can only speak for the Marais which is fab, and handy for getting to anywhere else … we are in a wonderful little place here, just two minutes from the Seine and Isle St Louis, one minute from the Metro … tiny but luxurious … let me know if you want details …https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2466348 … one small problem, our clothes are trapped inside the washing machine which is brand new but refuses to proceed or open!
Just leave the clothes. They might suit me 🙂
Thanks for the link!
I just checked and it’s fully booked for our dates but I have a couple of hotels in the area that I’m considering. I’d better get a wiggle on! 🙂
A perfect solstice day! Your photos of those very familiar streets make me want to get on the next flight back! 🙂
Great write up. I remember the first time that I enjoyed this festival back in 2003, and being quietly surprised by the citywide vibe.
glad to remind you of the festival, it really is a lovely vibe with so many people participating!
Well, I had fun! I was smiling as if I were actually there. What a vivid post, Christine. You manage to make it come alive with your narrative too. I chuckled at the sight of the French madrigal singers. And, I really chuckled at your description of the need for “specialized’ listeners. What a wonderful description. Only a writer would think of that. 🙂
so glad i brought you a smile, it was wonderful fun, and those madrigal singers were definitely challenging … even for the Parisians!