Chinese New Year in Paris 2008 - part 1

Today was the big parade in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris.

So, lots of photos but not much food - there was nothing to eat...

Luckily it was a beautiful day. We got to the Hotel de Ville early to watch the preparations. People were posing for photos with the dragon.

And then there was the dragon dance with lots of fire crackers

There were quite a few dragons in the parade

More dragon

All along the parade route the Chinese shops put out offerings

I particularly like this lettuce and clementine decoration. Perhaps I will get one for my office.

These creatures were the ones to take the offerings

It got really hazy because of all the smoke from the fire crackers

Some colorful costumes

I really liked this guy in yellow

Over 1500 people took part in the parade

Paris has never been so colorful

The parade made us really hungry so we afterwards we stopped in Belleville for some lucky spring rolls.

And some lucky har kao

And some delicious lucky noodles with prawns and broccoli

Very tasty and that's it for today. Tomorrow I'm off to the 13th district where there will be another parade and of course another lunch.

Happy lunching!

Comments

[ash]

Wow, I didn't realise there was such an active Chinese community in France!

That food looks so lovely.. I like how the noodles are glistening. MMmm...

I wonder why oranges are always used in offerings? I remember when I've been to Singapore or Malaysia and they've had oranges or mandarines stacked up in pile outside their homes or stores, and sometimes a few vegetables and flowers. Oranges must be symbolic for something??

[Kirk]

Hey Emily - A rather belated Gong Xi Fa Cai to you!

[Betty C.]

What a beautiful post. How festive!

I'm so glad you're blogging again...