In the midst of a contentious presidential campaign, being able to celebrate our athletes competing in the Paris Olympics is the break we all need. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that these games are being held in the City of Light with recognizable monuments, world famous museums, and outstanding restaurants. Those who couldn’t make it to the games will most certainly be looking for information in travel guides – like the ones from Rick Steves’ France and Rick Steves’ Paris – to plan a trip soon. Until that vacation happens, there are other ways we can capture the fun and spirit of these Olympic Games.
The Today Show did a segment with Ina Garten, aka The Barefoot Contessa, who took them shopping for ingredients and then treated them to a French lunch. Want to create some of these dishes for your guests? Then pick up a copy of Garten’s Barefoot in Paris: Easy French Food You Can Make at Home. The reviews on Amazon praise this Garten cookbook as one of her best. Recipes include more hearty dishes like boeuf Bourguignon, but also the cold soup, vichyssoise, and for dessert, crème brûlée. Invest in ramekins that you can use to serve everything from crème brûlée to French onion soup.
French fashion, of course, is rooted in tradition, but also creates new trends. One with staying power is the Chanel jacket, notable for its tweed fabric, signature buttons, and fringe trim. The real thing can cost upwards of $3,000, but because this jacket is so sought after, imitations abound. Some of them will not fool the French, but will still be fun to wear whether casually with jeans or with a black dress for dinner.
Can-can dancers made a splash during the opening ceremony. Another Paris landmark, the Moulin Rouge, is celebrated as the birthplace of the can-can dance. The club is a tourist attraction offering entertainment to visitors from around the world. Visit the venue virtually by watching Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. For a more intense experience, see the musical on Broadway. According to the show’s website, Aaron Tveit and Joanna “JoJo” Levesque will return as Christian and Satine through October 13, 2024. A sing-along performance will take place on August 3, 2024.
An emotional highlight during the opening ceremonies was Celine Dion’s appearance. The singer, who suffers from a neurological condition and has not performed in years, sang Édith Piaf’s “L’Hymne à l’Amour” from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Her performance brought many who were covering the event to tears and unleashed comments of praise online. (I Am Celine Dion, streamed on Amazon Prime, is an inside look at the star’s medical struggles. There’s also a CD of the soundtrack.)
Watching all these athletes may motivate you to become more active. Remember that these Olympians train for years to compete at this level. Before attempting any exercise, make sure to check with your physician.
Swimming star Katie Ledecky is sure to come home with a boatload of medals. If you hit the pool, protect your eyes with well-made goggles.
Few of us can even imagine reaching the heights of gymnast Simone Biles. If you have a budding gymnast or a young person who is just a fan, there’s a Barbie for that!
Hit the trails by biking. Some models can be used for biking on local roads and trails and still hold up on more rugged mountain trails.
However you enjoy the games, celebrate with some French Champagne served in elegant flutes – liberté, égalité, fraternité!
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Top photo: Bigstock
