I have been very fortunate to have visited Paris in almost every month of the year…and she never disappoints!! But this trip was charmed in ways that I could not have anticipated, starting with a stay in an apartment on the Left Bank (rather than a hotel). While this will be the topic of another blog, what I’m looking forward to now is giving you a sense of being alongside me, gasping over the blue skies with their imaginative puffy clouds (feature above), scoping out the fall colors in the Tuileries,
crossing the Seine for afternoon tea at the Hotel de Crillon,
always passing yet another of Paris’s substantial doors in their myriad colors and carvings,
never overlooking another chance to sip and sup at our neighborhood breakfast favorite, Cafe’ de Flore,
scooting over to Places des Vosges for another, and another, walk through this tree-surrounded, historic residential square,
strolling through le Jardin du Luxembourg as the rain ceased.
This October also brought an impressive spectrum of museum shows and exhibits, marked by a gracious plenty of BIG names and scrumptious content and curation:
DIOR For seventy years, 30 Avenue Montaigne was the birthplace of Christian Dior’s iconic collections. The address now houses its own museum, La Galerie Dior, offering a fabulous immersion in the history of this famous Parisian fashion house.
Picasso/Gertrude Stein at Musee’ du Luxembourg and Musee’ Rodin with its magnificent formal landscape enhanced by bountiful and well-scaled herbaceous borders.
Mark Rothko at Fondation Louis Vuitton within a Frank Gehry structure whose rooftop provides a delicious panoramic view of the Bois de Boulogne and Paris in the distance.
Vincent van Gogh at Musee’ D’Orsay… a stunning and poignant exhibit of the 79 paintings he created in a mere 2 1/2 months before taking his own life.
And more yummy restaurants than one could imagine within a ten day period. And here’s the BIG CLOSER…Dinner at Jules Verne within the Eiffel Tower, on a night that was clearing of rain to allow the full moon to shine on! The four hour dining experience was everything that it promised to be…but no one had told me about the ride up from ground level in an elevator that progressed at a sharp diagonal…through the steel beams and girders of this delicately lacy structure.
Oh Bettie! You were in my neighborhood! The Left Bank is my favorite and I love to visit a lot of the sites you mentioned. Thank you for sharing your trip with us. Sounds like it was magical time for you.
Hugs to you,
Sandra
Dear Sandra, I was thinking of you, and now I remember you saying that you have (or are about to) get an apartment in Paris?
How deliciously sublime…when will you be down in Newport so we can catch up and chat all things Paris? xB
This is your best post ever because you have captured the glory of my home away from home, Paris. Your photos are absolutely magnifique! Please share more. In fact, I think you should lead a private group to the gardens of Europe, city by city. Count me in. EE
Merci! I’m already planning my next trip..xB
Absolutely gorgeous!
Beyond GORGEOUS, breathtaking…seeping into your soul and being. xB
Is it sinful to lust after three of yellow purses in the Dior Museum as well as all of your strolls through my favorite Parisian gardens and galleries? Photos are MAGNIFIQUE!
Dear Bettie;
Paris reminds me of Cotton Candy
Spun and won at a World’s Fair,
Eiffel Tower shadows hour after hour.
Cotton Candy like Fluffy hair,
Sweet to taste, spun like cotton
At county fairs,Never to be forgotten.
Flowery Window-boxes so handy,
And Fragrances drift from Seine flowers on the Right side of the River
Where visiting soldiers and widows visit, Beneath the Arc de Triomphe
Lies the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Often Memorable Prayers for choosing God’s Only Ones, Never to be forgotten, but chosen on Memorial Days Remembrance Veterans Day 2023.
Paddleboat’s Arcs viewed from Parc Rive de Seine still remain, Meandering from Place de Bastille. Reunited with history of Parc Belleville. Urban greenery of flowery beds Surrounds stunning fall views embed.
From the top of Montmartre Hill
The Concours Des Decorations Florales Estivales, always a thrill and a fall chill.
In His grip, Bonny
How beautiful, Bonny, and inspiration for my next trip…I’m taking notes!! xB
LOVELY LADY,
AS: “AN AMERICAN IN PARIS” – ANTIQUES DEALER (PLACE DES ANTIQUAIRES) IN THE SEVENTIES, YOUR* MOST – GLORIOUS, ARTFUL, INSPIRING PHOTOS, ALLOWS
ME TO RELIVE, PERHAPS THE MOST MEMORABLE YEARS OF MY LIFE (30 -34).
YOUR BLESSED QUEST FOR BEAUTY, IS OUR OWN GOOD FORTUNE.
TOM
* YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER’S GENIUS; THE ADDED ANGEL!
Oh my, what a treat you had, being in Paris for those “formative years”.
I hope you’ve returned many times!! xB
Be still my heart …. mon cherie, you have made my day and left me with images being held for keepsaking. What a keen eye and vision you have for hidden beauty and not so hidden. Couple that with your contagious enthusiasm and one felt present with you.
Merci…..
Oh, I’m so happy you felt as though you were present with me…that was my intent. I’m calling the feature image (with the clouds) my “poster child” of this particular trip. Everytime I look at I marvel that it was there on my walk and I had my cell in hand! xb
Bette,
What a gift to view these images! An distinguished great-uncle of mine told me once that Rio is the most beautiful city God made, and Paris is the most beautiful city Man made. So true, on both counts. I love the idea of having visited every month, and will add this to my travel planning.
Sarah
Aaaah, yes, your father was correct…and thank you for sharing his saying.
I’m already plotting my return visit!! xB