French Ambassador to the United States Gérard Araud, right, and his partner, photographer Pascal Blondeau, pose for a photo featured on their annual holiday party invitation. (Pascal Blondeau)The first hint this was not a typical holiday party was the giant stuffed polar bear — passed out and clutching an empty bottle of Champagne — in the entrance of the French Embassy. French Ambassador Gérard Araud and his partner Pascal Blondeau hosted Thursday’s “Soiree de Noël,” an avant-garde fever dream of seasonal extravagance unlike anything else in Washington. Drunken bears, festive selfies and the Notorious RBG? “It’s a Noël Français,” Coons said.

Source: Washington Post December 16, 2018 19:11 UTC