Paris Mole People

Over six months ago we noticed a notification near the entrance to our apartment. It was in French, so naturally we had no idea what it said, <sigh>, but after a quick Google translation we learned that our building was due for a renovation.

We didn't really know what to expect but it didn't sound like a bad thing... right? RIGHT???

A few days later workmen appeared and that's when the fun began. Over the next several weeks they CLANGED and CLUNKED and HACKED together a six story high metal scaffolding, and covered it with an enormous dirty tarp. Our lovely, relatively quiet, bright and airy Parisian apartment suddenly became a den of darkness, strange smells, pervasive masonry dust, and cacophonous commotion.

This mysterious renovation project slowly transformed us from happy expats into something else... something else entirely...

Coming soon to a theater near you!

We really like our apartment, so it was a tough transition for us, especially for Melanie who is in the apartment all day while I'm at work.

It's a big building, but it took much longer to complete all the work than we expected. For several weeks in a row Melanie was assaulted by horrible grinding and crunching sounds that would emanate from all corners, and she could see, and hear, dozens of workmen hammering and shouting, and drilling and grinding and then... nothing. Everyone would be gone for a week or two. Then they would be back and the pandemonium would begin again.

Here's what it looked like from the outside

Our apartment is on the top floor... hidden behind the scaffolding and canvas

A few weeks ago, Melanie heard a knock on the window and after a few moments of confusion she peeked outside. They were painting and they needed to come inside the apartment to finish the job.

Melanie said the painter was very nice

After the work was finished the painter suddenly got a stricken look on his face as he realized he had painted himself into the apartment... he couldn't get back outside. Sheepishly, in broken English, he asked if he could go through the apartment to the elevator. Naturally, Melanie said: "Mais, oui!"

On the bright side, Melanie and I realized how fortunate we were that they did the work in the Winter months, and not during the nice weather and the heat of the summer. (Not being able to keep the balcony doors open on hot days would have been torturous.)

Earlier this week, after nearly seven months of cocoon-like isolation, we began to hear a new sound. What was this? Could it be? Could they finally be wrapping things up?

As I headed off to work I snapped this shot:

Are they taking down the scaffolding???

While I was at work Melanie sent me this picture. I nearly cried.

It's so exciting to have our balcony back; and the building looks great! We're talking about getting a hanging table to hook onto the railing, that way we can eat out on the balcony on warm evenings!

It's shaping up to be a great summer in Paris!