September is one of my favourite months in Paris, in part because of les Journées du Patrimoine, or Heritage Days. Yesterday was the tightest security ever seen for a historical visit: sadly needed but very much welcomed! One weekend out of the year, all of over France, historical monuments, governmental buildings, châteaux and all sorts …
Tightest Security Ever Seen For Heritage Days In Paris Read More »
Harvest time begins soon in France and it got me thinking about how that can also be applied to our lives and the choices we make in living it. What kind of harvest will you leave? Sunday, Mother Teresa of Calcutta became Saint Teresa of Calcutta. The fruits of her harvest left to mankind are …
It was my birthday week again and I am a big believer in celebrating birthdays in whatever way, that brings joy to the celebrant. At my age, one day is simply not enough, so now I opt for seeing the whole week as one big birthday celebration! That does not mean nightly parties and gorging …
I could hear the church bells loud and clear yesterday, thanks to the quietness all over the city on this Assumption monday. Sitting out in the warm sun on my widely flowered balcony, I knew that the quietness would soon aside once August ended and the majority of Parisians returned. The Marian celebration of Mary …
Abbaye de Maubuisson, Flowered Porcelain, And Strawberries Read More »
I have to admit that I have always been fascinated with this lady and the incredible story of her life. Marguerite de Valois , nicknamed La Reine Margot was born into French royalty in the year of 1553. She grew up in the Louvre, which was the royal palace to the kings of France, long …
Queen Margot, A Story of Scandalous Loves and Survival Read More »
Strolling along pretty Canal Saint Martin or north along the Bassin de la Villette, makes for a really lovely walk to take along this unique part of Paris. Sometimes you just want to be distracted by either pretty tree shaded vistas, interesting things to see, romantic water views and people. The canals that Napoleon built …
With so many fabulous museums in Paris to choose from, the decision can be a tough one, on the first Sunday of each month. I had been putting off going to the Musee Picasso for various reasons that I will explain below. If it’s between October and March, I will generally gravitate returning to the …
I always find refuge not only in my faith, but in the enormous beauty of churches. Combine that with the sweetness of classical music that resonates off those old stones, and I find transformative moments of joy! Paris has an ongoing smorgasbord of concerts in her magnificent churches and chapels; a fair amount paying, but …
Classical Concerts In The Great Churches of Paris Read More »
After a bucolic weekend in the vineyards of Burgundy, I came home to immense sadness around the slaughter of many innocents in Orlando, two young French policeman, parents of two, and the female English politician and mother of two. These represent the utmost extreme forms of hatred, prejudice, and violence, but lesser ones, such as …
As I hiked up the pebble strewn path that meandered through vineyards as far as my eyes could see, it seemed like my legs had gears of their own, which was fine with me. After all, I had just enjoyed my first sparkling “fortification” of a day of fun and frolic in the revered vineyards …
Gourmet Promenade In The Vineyards Of Nuits Saint Georges Read More »
Paris was on the brink of widespread flooding, which did occur in one part of the city and in several places in France. Despite this catastrophic menace, the French seemed more concerned about keeping up their resistance to the new labor law by multiple strikes and continued protests. Besides the rising Seine and other rivers …
