All through May this year John and I passed the seemingly closed Rue de Sévigné firehouse on our way to the Saint-Paul metro station. A poster advertised a June open-house.
Then on June 9th the door was open and we were treated to a knot of sapeur-pompiers gathered outside.
Rue de Sévigné runs north from rue Saint-Antoine with the Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis at its foot.
On June 17th we found a fire vehicle parked by the firehall and the open house underway.
A young fireman was helping kids climb into the cab of the fire truck and and try out the seat and steering wheel.
This little visitor, in his own fireman suit, was thrilled to find himself behind the steering wheel.
Inside huge fire hoses snaked through the courtyard,
and firemen helped the kids hold and point them.
This lad was being shown how to adjust the nozzle, changing the water from a jet to a spray.
This fireman in his waterproof trousers was having as much fun as the young visitors.
A favourite activity was to climb, in the company of a real fireman, the ladder extending from the roof of a fire truck to a high window across the courtyard.
This young lady was eager to try.
This little boy climbed while his mom watched from below.
Just after I took this shot the fireman drew the son's attention to the sight of the mother far below and they waved in greeting from on high! What a treat for all.
In the next courtyard of the station excited young visitors had room to run wild. We too were thrilled to visit the open house again. An unusual Paris must-see.
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