The Jules Verne Festival announced that the 20th Anniversary Edition of the Jules Verne Award for 2012 would be presented to Richard Dean Anderson in recognition of his conservation efforts.

According to the website, "This year, the Festival pays tribute to Richard Dean Anderson, the hero of Stargate and MacGyver. The star is at the confluence of two worlds that are at the heart of the Festival and its rationale, in the tradition of Jules Verne's imagination and nature conservation. For many years, Richard Dean Anderson has been an environmentalist committed to protecting the planet, especially marine environments. He supports the work of Sea Shepherd Captain Paul Watson. His commitment is an example to all those who commit their celebrity and their means to serve a cause which is vital to us all, as humans, the principal concern: EARTH."

A reception was held on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at the Grand Rex in Paris. Although Captain Paul Watson was unable to attend the event, his work with marine conservation was also honored with a Jules Verne Award. The evening also reunited Richard Dean Anderson and Amanda Tapping, who was present as a Guest of Honor in recognition of her humanitarian efforts as well as the launch in France of season 4 of Sanctuary.

Below are some photos and media appearances from Richard's visit to Paris.

Note From Rick
Richard left for France a few days early, and upon his arrival in Paris on Monday morning, he sent a text from the rainy French capital.

October 8, 2012

So, Paris, airport, arrival, traffic problems: it is raining, a blessing to me.

Sending in pieces in case is not getting thru.

Here for a week and no computer!! iPad, yes. But with my limited aptitude for such things, it will be interesting to see if I can send any thoughts westward, no?

Vous Êtes En Direct
Later that afternoon, Richard made an appearance on a French interview program called "Vous Êtes En Direct," ("You Are Live").

Premiere
On Tuesday morning, Richard completed another interview for "Premiere" magazine.

Voici
Also on Tuesday, Richard completed an interview for the French online magazine "Voici," which was published the following week. The French article has been translated into English for this website.

LA DÉCOUVERTE DE LA CÉLÉBRITÉ M'A MIS K.O.
Voici. October 19, 2012. Original French.


THE DISCOVERY OF CELEBRITY KNOCKED ME OUT
Voici. October 19, 2012. English Translation.

Jules Verne Festival
On Wednesday evening, October 10th, Richard attended the Jules Verne Festival at the Grand Rex in Paris where he was reunited with Amanda Tapping, and both were honored with the prestigious Jules Verne Award. Below are some images from this very special evening.

Note From Rick
Following the evening of celebration, at about 2:00am local time, Richard again shared a few thoughts via text message.

October 10, 2012

Hello, OR Bon Soir. I am crusty with sweat salt from this evening's festivities.

Quite a nice format helped keep things moving along with some levity, and still let the substance remain in focus.

But some crazy-assed paparazzi, to be sure. Nothing dangerous, but still, a pretty good-sized obstacle... Incessantly!

...More later.

To Grey Pur e...

Note From Rick
On Thursday afternoon, Richard kept in touch once again with another brief text from his hotel room before preparing to go out again for the evening.

October 11, 2012

Pix from here I can't do: limitations in technology.

Event was... Crazy getting there, lots of people. I am now a bit of a prisoner, paparazzi staged just below my hotel window.

Upp!...bath time!

RA

L'Express
Also on October 11th, the online magazine L'Express published an article and video featuring a brief interview and clips from the ceremonies of the previous evening.

Jules Verne Festival
On Thursday evening, October 11th, Richard returned to the Grand Rex for the second night of the Jules Verne Festival which also featured an appearance by astronaut Buzz Aldrin and a concert by David Newman.

Note From Rick
Still experimenting with technology, on Friday Richard managed to attach a photo to another quick message.

October 12, 2012

Doubtful un foto will make it thru, but, hey, here's a try.

Anderson, Rick

Paris
While in Paris, Richard also had the opportunity to do a little sightseeing of famous Parisian landmarks.

Note From Rick
On Sunday, as Richard returned home from his week abroad, he sent another text, and looked forward to some rest and reconnecting.

October 14, 2012

Oui, je suis en America, maintenant. Et, je suis... um... lagged, de le jet.

A process to exit LAX, what could have easily destroyed ANY desire to travel again, was made uniquely brief and almost sweat-free by the delightfully attentive personnel of Tahiti Nui, an otherwise lackluster airline. People, good. Airplanes, not so.

Heading home along the Ocean Park route through Venice to avoid the 405 Freeway, which is rumored to be under construction, here, on a lovely Sunday afternoon.

I've come home to hug my daughter and kiss my dogs. I can assess things later, now I must reconnect.

Rad