France/ Rainy sunday morning in Bordeaux

[Shawn]

Thanks for sharing, French cities never disappoint, even when the weather does.



So . . . was Jacques Chaban-Delmas just the best damn mayor possible, or is there another reason why he ran Bordeaux for 48 straight years?

[mousquet]

Originally Posted by Shawn

So . . . was Jacques Chaban-Delmas just the best damn mayor possible, or is there another reason why he ran Bordeaux for 48 straight years?

I laughed by reading this. I hadn't even paid attention!
That guy would've ruled Bordeaux as long as a communist dictator would rule a poorest Paris suburb!? Naaa...

Wait, Juppé is some kind of serious mayor, though. He helped speed up the refurbishment of the old downtown, that was much much needed. Seeing old pictures, it was all dark grey before turning back to the usual beige limestone.

But Chaban? I think they have a soccer or rugby arena named after him, that's just about it. Who's that guy, actually?

Pfff, mwaha! he was the mayor from 1947 to 1995 for real.
Sucks to have a forever mayor.

[Nantais]

Originally Posted by mousquet

But Chaban? I think they have a soccer or rugby arena named after him, that's just about it. Who's that guy, actually?

Are you serious ?
Chaban-Delmas was the French prime minister from 1969 and 1972, among lot of other things.
It's just one of the most important figures of French politics of the XXth century.

[mousquet]

Then I guess Chaban was busier in the everlasting plots of national politics in Paris than in serving the municipal community that somehow elected him for some 48 years.

48 years as the mayor of a same town... Doesn't sound serious in a modern liberal democracy.

The best thing that ever happened to Juppé's career must have been the day when he was sent back to Bordeaux. At least, he fairly served the city.
Same goes Ayrault whose job for Nantes is said to be good by the way.

Nowadays the French despise their politicians except their mayors. Probably because politics is more effective at the local level. That's why old centralization has been much of a nonsense.

[jens]

Thanks. I went to Bordeaux when I was younger and have always loved it.

[gatt]

magnifique!merci!