Soldes!

As I wrote earlier, the calendars for the winter and summer sale seasons are regulated. Everywhere in France, the winter sale starts January 6--except, as it turns out, in Lorraine, which for reasons that remain inscrutable to me, started its sales today, four days ahead of the rest of the country. French newsradio reports that stores expect not only local customers but shoppers from Luxembourg, Germany, and other parts of France. That explains why we saw most shopkeepers late on New Year's Eve putting up "Soldes" signs. Some store windows display mannequins wearing only, for example, a shirt with "Soldes" printed on it. Others are more discreet. The Max Mara store had a modest red decal of "Salde" on its front door. We passed up the chance to buy a $2,000 camel-hair coat for Susie for only $1,500, though.

So, the sun is shining this morning, and the crowds are out.