Sunday, December 09, 2007

Big City Vitrines



'Tis the season. And if I were having any trouble getting in an appropriately festive mood, yesterday's day trip to Toulouse solved the problem.


I generally do most of my Christmas shopping in Rodez, but this year I had the chance to spend Saturday in La Ville Rose, and enjoyed soaking up the holiday atmosphere.


I'm pleased to announce that I got a lot of my Christmas shopping done -- which was the main purpose of the trip. But a Christmas shop window trip for blogging purposes would also be a great way to spend the day...


Tempting as the displays in French librairies are, I refrained from buying too many books this year :




And I didn't know candy canes even existed in France! Really, I have to get out a bit more:





A little Southwest sun left me feeling as jaunty as this gal:



Only a little over two weeks until Christmas! Santé!


16 comments:

paris parfait said...

Such lovely photos - I especially like the first one with the pandas. Did you see the giant panda head in my post "We are not amused?" The designer built it so that someone could live inside it!

La Belette Rouge said...

I intend this as a compliment--all the lovely photos made me thinking I was at Paris Breakfast's blog. I love the Panda-monium picture. Great photos! Great stuff!

Betty Carlson said...

Thanks Belette! I think I could have found a lot more great shots, but the afternoon got cut short by a huge rainstorm. I don't think I had ever been in Toulouse in the rain...

Betty Carlson said...

Thanks Belette! I think I could have found a lot more great shots, but the afternoon got cut short by a huge rainstorm. I don't think I had ever been in Toulouse in the rain...

Betty Carlson said...

Thanks Belette! I think I could have found a lot more great shots, but the afternoon got cut short by a huge rainstorm. I don't think I had ever been in Toulouse in the rain...

ashtanga en cevennes said...

Nono! Two weeks 'til Christmas... Oh man. I need to get some presents in the mail.

I guess I should start shopping at the Marché Noël at the Place de la Comédie (in Montpellier)... you've insipred me to take some photos. It's been forever since I posted pictures of Montpellier and it's really beautiful right now, all lit up for Christmas...

Bolder said...

I think we caught one of those rainstorms on our way back to Rodez from a weekend in the Pyrenees... and it was a snow storm up there! Officially put me in the Christmas spirit, though, being covered in snow (and beginning to shop for presents)!

deedee said...

I would love an afternoon in Toulouse!

My Inner French Girl said...

Bonjour, Betty C.! With shops and displays like that, I would probably be inspired to do my Christmas shopping early as well. Merci for such great photos!

Salut,
Marjorie

Tinsie said...

Lovely photos! I've been meaning to go out and take photos of festive windows, but I've not got round to it yet.

I know what you mean about being tempted by bookstores - they're my downfall!

Cassoulet Cafe said...

I know where you took the photos of the book store!!! Right on the corner of Capitole, on the same side as McDo :)
Rain storms in Toulouse can be extreme. Love this post (of course!) and I'm sorry i'm so slow, I've been entertaining my friend from Toulouse :)
We made Mexican food and chocolate chip cookies!

Cassoulet Cafe said...

I know where you took the photos of the book store!!! Right on the corner of Capitole, on the same side as McDo :)
Rain storms in Toulouse can be extreme. Love this post (of course!) and I'm sorry i'm so slow, I've been entertaining my friend from Toulouse :)
We made Mexican food and chocolate chip cookies!

Anne Corrons said...

That's really interesting for me to see the Christmas windows in your area. I perfectly know this store Paradis Gourmand and I do love it! I wish I had come there with you!

Cécy said...

Candy Canes are often called 'Sucres d'orge' in France if I' not mistaken and they exist in all sorts of shapes and flavors.
Lovely pictures, you make me miss Toulouse.

Betty Carlson said...

I thought "sucre d'orge" looked more like rock candy, but you may be right. I haven't really looked into the question. Thanks for your comment!

Jann said...

I still have shopping to do and a few days left to do it! You found some wonderful places to explore and shop~Christmas windows always capture my attention!