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What did The Idiot do after his swim in the Seine River on July 4 went viral?
There was so much publicity, from French media and “India Today” to “The New Yorker” and “The Wall Street Journal,” that The Idiot fled to the south of France and the Mediterranean Sea for a break before the Paris mayor unlocks thousands of port-a-potties through the city on July 26 to inaugurate the Summer Olympics.
The Idiot prepared to swim in the Seine, in the same location he took a dip in 1976 for a magazine cover story, on July 4 at 11:11 a.m. (Photo: Luke Stratte-McClure)
Coverage about The Idiot’s July 4 Seine swim appeared everywhere from” Le Monde” to “The New Yorker”.
Coverage about The Idiot’s Independence Day Seine swim appeared everywhere from” Le Monde” to “The New Yorker”.
After swimming in the Seine in Paris, The Idiot swam in the Mediterranean Sea in Antibes. (Photo: Sonia Stratte-McClure)
The Idiot visited long-time friends like Elisa Brainos, his favorite living female artist whose gallery is next to the Picasso Museum in Antibes.
The Idiot got a haircut by Richard, his barber in Valbonne who also cuts his son’s and grandson’s hair.
The Idiot took family members visiting from Wyoming to see the Nomad sculpture in the Antibes port.
The Idiot’s daughter Sonia, who lives in Antibes, took The Idiot and visitors from Wyoming for a ride above Antibes. (Photo: Sonia Stratte-McClure)
A view of the Antibes port and Fort Carré from the Ferris wheel.
The Idiot enjoyed checking out temporary sculptures on the ramparts in Antibes.
Olympic fever in France has even spread to a staircase in the village of Valbonne, where The Idiot lived for 20 years.
The Idiot spent a quiet moment in the church in Valbonne.
The Idiot enjoyed a view of Antibes from a gigantic Ferris wheel.
After a week in Antibes, The Idiot was excited about returning to Paris to see the mayor inaugurate hundreds of mobile toilets that have been locked tight until the Olympics begin on July 26.
The Idiot celebrated American Independence Day on July 4th by taking a swim in the Seine River in Paris to insure it will be safe for triathletes during the upcoming Summer Olympics.
Why?
Because French President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo have so far failed to deliver on their promise to take the plunge and guarantee that a much-touted river clean-up has made the Seine safe for swimmers.
The Idiot returned to the exact spot where he last swam in the Seine 48 years ago for a cover story in “The Paris Metro” magazine.
The Idiot prepared to jump in the Seine for his July 4th swim to determine if the water is clean enough for Olympics competition later this month. (Photo: Luke Stratte-McClure)
The Idiot discussed his swim with journalists prior to taking the plunge. (Photo: Luke Stratte-McClure)
The idiot observed Independence Day in the Seine River in Paris. (Photo: Luke Stratte-McClure)
The Idiot swam past the Notre-Dame Cathedral. (Photo: Luke Stratte-McClure)
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The Idiot was still stranding following his Independence Day swim. (Photo: Henri Moisan)
The Idiot thanked his supporters for sticking with him during his swim.
The Idiot had studied the river and his swimming route when he arrived in Paris on July 2.
The Idiot swam at the same spot where he took a dive to find a holy gargoyle in 1976.
The Idiot came up with a boot when he dived in the Seine off Ile Saint-Louis behind the Notre-Dame Cathedral in 1976. What did he find today?
Foreigners in Paris have all sorts of advice for foreigners visiting Paris for the Summer Olympics from July 26-August 11.
Here’s a sampling from Paris streets, the Orsay Museum and a cocktail party at the American Embassy.
“Get a good manicure and don’t speak French with an American accent.” — Baby Gaga, The Idiot’s six-year old granddaughter.
“Bring good walking shoes because there’s going to be major gridlock — and the price of Metro tickets is going to triple.” — Mary Deschamps, journalist.
“Once you arrive in Paris, watch out for instant immersion. You’ll soon be saying ‘Voila’ and ‘Oooh-la-la’ with Gallic panache.” — Carolyn Pfaff, Australian transplant.
“Paris is full of bicyclists who don’t know how to ride or obey traffic signals. Watch out because there will be carnage on the streets.” — Joel Stratte-McClure, author.
“I still haven’t received tickets to six events that I paid for over a year ago. I’m getting nervous but I’m telling everyone else to be patient.” Daniel Dozier, international investment consultant.
“Attention! Paris during the Olympics will be unbearable, impossible to park, move around, to do anything. nothing new then! — Margaret Kemp, food critic.
“To afford coming to Paris for the Olympics, people should decide to either sell their house or bring a sleeping bag. It’s going to be very expensive.” — Leslie Nelson Cressy, children’s entertainment professional.
“Enjoy the Olympics and remember that the only marathon you should attempt involves pastries, not running!” — Samantha Dunnachie, business and marketing consultant.
“Consider taking the free guided Olympics swim in the Seine River that The Idiot is offering in the shadow of Notre-Dame at noon on July 31, his 76th birthday.” — The Idiot, who first swam in the Seine for a magazine cover story in 1976.
“Forget a swim in the Seine. Come by my new shop (The Cabinet at 19 rue Bièvre, 75005 Paris) and buy some bottled Seine water (€20).” — Vanessa Graal, author and blogger (aka Messy Nessy @ MessyNessyChic.com).
And for Americans only:
“Check your passport before you travel! Make sure it’s valid for at least three months and while you’re at it, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). It allows the Embassy to contact you in case there’s an emergency.
And when you’re not enjoying the Games, cheering on Team USA, you’ll want to try some of the great food and drink and visit the museums and galleries and stroll the parks and see the landmarks and …there’s so much to do, so take one day at a time and remember to hydrate! Paris in the summer sizzles.
Don’t be intimidated by the French language or Parisians. Just remember what you learned in kindergarten: say please (s’il vous plait: “see-voo-play”) and thank you (merci: “mercy”) and, if you never ask for ketchup, you’ll be fine.”— Michael Turner, Counselor for Cultural Affairs, US Embassy Paris.
The Idiot, who first swam in the Seine River in Paris for a magazine cover story almost fifty years ago, may join French President Emmanuel Macron for a dip just before the Summer Olympics open in Paris on July 26.
The objective: To prove that the Seine is safe for competitive and recreational swimming.
To prepare for his Olympics swim, The Idiot regularly works out in Paris pools. Here’s what he saw on a walkabout to a pool workout in the French capital on a sunny Saturday (June 8) morning.
The Idiot passed an inspiring fountain just over 100 steps from his Paris pied-a-terre on the way to a swimming pool near the Pantheon.
The Idiot passed the Val-de-Grâce church on his way to the swimming pool near the Pantheon.
The Idiot passed the Paris American Academy, which was destroyed by a gas explosion and fire one year ago this month, on his way to a Saturday morning swim.
The church clock indicated that The Idiot would arrive at the pool exactly at the 7 a.m. opening.
Sunlight illuminated the Pantheon as The Idiot walked to a nearby swimming pool.
The Idiot plans to add his training shoes to this art work when the Olympics are over.
The first person The Idiot spoke to on June 8 was a street sweeper.
The Idiot arrived at the Jean Taris swimming pool in the shadow of the Pantheon a few seconds before 7 a.m. on June 8.
The Idiot completed a training swim that will prepare him to join French President Macron for a dip in the Seine before the Paris Olympics.
After the swim, The idiot was among the first clients to have coffee in Place de la Contrescarpe.
The Idiot passed Victor Hugo’s childhood residence on the way home after his swim.
The Idiot passed one of many scientific laboratories and educational institutions in this part of Paris after his swim.
It was too early in the morning for The Idiot to express an opinion about contemporary architecture in his Paris neighborhood.
The Idiot first got to the bottom of the dirty Seine River and came back alive in 1976. He plans to repeat his swim in the Seine just before the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The Idiot came up with a boot when he dived in the Seine off Ile Saint-Louis behind the Notre-Dame Cathedral in 1976. What will he find next month?
He learned that sometimes a small town is more alluring than one of the world’s most stimulating cities.
Take a look and see if you agree.
The breakfast view from The Idiot’s squat in Redding, CA, is a bit more tranquil than the bustling urban scene at his pied-a-terre in Paris.
Sunrise over Mount Lassen is more appropriate for morning meditation than the living room at The Idiot’s gigs in Montparnasse.
There are no pancake breakfasts at 5 a.m. during Rodeo Week in Paris. In fact, Paris may have the Olympics but there’s no annual rodeo week. Yet.
It’s not often that The Idiot sees an American flag dominating the sky above Paris.
The Idiot’s morning walk to the pool in Montparnasse features fewer palm trees than the walk to the YMCA in downtown Redding, CA.
The uncrowded outside pool at the YMCA in Redding at 6 a.m. definitely beats the crowded indoor pools in Paris.
The cobra at a Redding wildlife park is more colorful than any animals in Luxembourg Gardens.
The Idiot remains faithful to “The Barber From Boston” in Redding, CA.
The Idiot can dress as colorfully as he likes for a wedding in Redding, CA. Not sure about those pink shoes in Paris.
It’s hard to beat a wedding venue on the Trinity River near Redding, CA.
The Idiot has never had his tramp stamp waxed in Paris.
The Idiot and Nancy Wiegman, who hosts “Nancy’s Bookshelf” on the NPR affiliate in Northern California, join Brother Luis for a serene tour of the New Clairvaux Abbey in Vina, CA.
The idiot tries to remain faithful to all his aestheticians in Redding, CA.
The Idiot attended more ribbon-cutting ceremonies, like this one for a new children’s playground that he supported at the YMCA, in Redding than in Paris in May.
The Idiot met with Stanford classmate Kevin Devine in Redding to begin planning a “’70 @ 78” class party at Lake Tahoe in September 2026.
The Idiot practices with the Redding Zen Buddhist priory (that’s Rev. Helen in the middle) but doesn’t have a sangha in Paris. (Photo: Roya Mozafar)
The Idiot is the last man standing after a 5 a.m. spinning class in Redding, CA. He doesn’t dare cycle on Paris streets.
The Idiot gets his serious facials in Redding, CA. (Photo: Desiree Ferrari)
Grandmothers still give copies of “The Idiot and the Odyssey” to their grandchildren when they turn 21 in Redding, CA. (Photo: Leslie Schwerdt)
The Idiot had his two-acre backyard cut back in late May to prevent summer fires in central Redding, CA. He’s spared that task in Paris.
The Idiot has never seen a full moon through an oak tree in Paris, though the view from the Pantheon or the Eiffel Tower isn’t bad.
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