It’s a good thing Valentine’s Day is in February. I don’t know about you, but I need some couleur (color) during the winter.
In Paris, the days leading up to this year’s la fête des Amoureux (the Holiday of Lovebirds) were a riot of hues chez les fleuristes, les chocolatiers et les pâtissiers (in flower shops, chocolate shops and pastry shops). Even fabric designers and home decor shops got into the act. While la Saint Valentin is not as commercial as it is in the U.S.—the French get the same memo for an understated Christmas season as well—it is still festive and a great occasion for beautiful window displays and creative uses of red, pink and “love”.
Yes, it’s hip to use English for all sorts of “marketing” in France. In my Paris wanderings this Valentine’s season, I saw as much “love” as I did amour. Take a peek, see what you think, and enjoy the rouge, rose et amour French-style…
Ladurée awash in a parade of pinks…Mesdames et messieurs, get your chocolates and sweets here!
Fauchon near La Place de la Madeleine beckons with its “Electro-Choc” theme…
And the shop’s back wall screams real neon pink…
Switching to red, the coeurs (hearts) are heart-warming at Gérard Mulot…
Ah, the pink and red Ispahan pastry at Pierre Hermé. Note this delectable sweet is trademarked–no copying allowed!
I think this fabulous pink and red gâteau from Gosselin was my favorite eye-candy, although these non-edible hanging hearts (below) were stiff competition…
Pensée du jour (thought for the day): May every day be full of color–and hearts!