Lionel the Parisian and Celine Dion the Quebecois | Olympic Games

The owner, Lionel, is immediately interested in where I’m from.

A country more beautiful than yours, more peaceful than FranceHe tells me.

Then, the conversation inevitably turns to sports. These are amazing games. I was able to follow them between two customers on my TV in the restaurant. But apparently, this is not for bragging rights, but for us. For the French, we’ve listed the Americans who will host the next Games. Although I didn’t like the opening ceremony at all.

Before this ceremony, Lionel explains to me that it is not so easy for the merchants.

I said, “What is this, is everyone gone?” I told myself it would be a disaster. And then it’s like the weather. The sun came back.

As if we were going to share together, I asked if he had any favorites. The answer is immediate.

Leon, our Leon, of course. Dream traderLionel replied, satisfied with his play on words about swimmer Leon Marchand. He is supersonic, an alien. He wants to be president.

Lionel says these games are a breath of fresh air in a country led by a president on borrowed time and a government on borrowed time.

You know, before the games, it was pretty dull here. Everyone was angry and afraid that the extreme right would come to power. After the results, we are still confused, but the games give us a second wind. I saw a smile again with my clients who were happy to see France shining in the world.

Royal Cadet StaffPhoto: Radio-Canada / Robert Frosie

Stephen, the faithful servant, intervenes in the conversation like a sports analyst.

They hurt us, your Canadian girls, in soccer and rugby. Aha! A battle between two of our favorite sports. And then your hammer thrower breaks everything, just like your young swimmerHe mentions medalist Eden Gottsburgh and Summer McIntosh.

The conversation can then continue with Lionel, who displays a small smile on his lips to show his pride in Stefan. I ask him if he’s got famous clients.

“We had American world champion runner Shagari Richardson,” he said. Besides, his hotel is just a stone’s throw away. She’s nice and doesn’t pretend to be a “big star”.

Celine in her restaurant

Later, Lionel tells me: I have to tell you this story. The former owner told me that your Celine Dion came to eat at the Royal Cadet. It was 1982. She was very young and was a guest of Michael Drucker.

Then he finds a photo on his phone and shows it to me, not without a certain pride.

Celine Dion with Rene Angel and members of her familyPhoto: Lionel Pradel

You know, Celine is from your area, but we adopted her. She was a bit ours, and then she was the one we chose for the last extraordinary number of the Eiffel Tower. [lors de la cérémonie d’ouverture]. It’s proof, isn’t it?

The games will soon be over and the Parisians will return to their city. But the party isn’t over, there’s still the Paralympic Games to go.

Lionel Me Lance: Don’t you stay in Para?

No, I am bowing out after 15 Olympics. Fifteen, it doesn’t show when you look. I wish you a happy retirement and above all, health. He offers me a drink and we toast.

Cheers Lionel, thanks for updating me. Cheers to the French!