Féerique (fe-ay-reek) = enchanted.
If you find yourself anywhere near Paris during the holidays you should really make the trip into the heart of the city to les grands magasins. These department stores, Au Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, do spectacular window displays. The stores are situated in the quartier of L'Opera which in itself is an impressive building. The whole area is lit up with lights, often set to music.
The store windows themselves are done up with animated puppets and each window has its own music. The theme here was Russian Christmas. The displays are done in great secrecy, behind screens and curtains and are only revealed in early November. The display then runs until the New Year.
The two department stores are right next to each other so you follow the throngs of people through the arcades. They have low wooden scaffolding set up right near the windows so that children can have a better view.
If you look up you'll see that the gallery ceilings have been decorated too. It truly is . . . féerique.
