This slogan, plastered all over Paris, is more than just jingoism; it has become an evocative call for renewal, reminding the French of their resilience during the many tough times they endured.

The pace of globalization scares people, not just in France but around the world. This fear can lead to immobility and a sense of claustrophibia - a siege mentality. We need to be reminded of the exceptional projects that have marked our recent past: The TGV, The National Library, the Great Pyramid in the Louvre, the Ariane space project, the Bastille Opera, the Musée des Arts Premiers etc. But we also must be mindful of the smaller, less prestigious, perhaps ephemeral, achievements that have molded our country: the ever changing fashion collections, or our leadership in culinary arts to cite but two emblematic examples of French ingenuity.

The Galeries Lafayette have injected the start of this new school year with an optimistic breeze whose message should refresh us starting with the window displays of this great Haussmanian store and their suprisingly topsy-turvy, upside down Eiffel tower, Hilton Mc Connico exhibition celebrating red white and blue excellence until October 6th.