The Centre Pompidou houses the biggest collection of moderne and contemporary art in Europe, and one of the finest in the world. Even the building itself is art, it’s building that is an icon of 20th century architecture. If the art isn’t enough there’s a wonderful view of Paris. Not far from our apartment is the Pompidou centre. We walked by it on our first big promenade around Paris. We had seen hideous cues, so today we have timed […]
Trying to beat Bande à part’s record for running through the Louvre – The Dreamers – Director: Bernardo Bertolucci We have walked through the magnificent grounds of The Louvre regularly now. My most favourite times are when there is almost no-one else here. Early in the morning, soft shadows cast by the rising sun, falling across the courtyards. The building itself the dominating energy, solid strong and simple. In the evening, cool deep dark shadows of the […]
During the 19th century, the affluent rue Saint-Honoré started to attract young talented craftsmen whose names became the ultimate symbol of luxury. Among them were the trunk makers Louis Vuitton and Lancel, the saddler Thierry Hermès and the fashion designer Jeanne Lanvin to name a few! So what’s it like to stay in Paris Mecca of luxury fashion and Haute Couture? We pack our bags and say goodbye to the Marais and take a taxi to our second apartment […]
Today we are off on an adventure. From the city we can see the beautiful white church Basilica du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre, that highlights the horizon. Sacre-Coeur is a church built on the highest part of the city and its majesty is tangible even from a distance. We take the metro to Sacre Coeur. I am so excited as we head toward our Sortie. I didn’t realise just how far down in the depths of the city our train […]
“Everything you can imagine is real” – Pablo Picasso Only a few blocks from our apartment is the Musee Picasso. Picasso’s personal collection was donated to the state in lieu of estate taxes and has been preserved and exhibited by the state since shortly after his death. A private mansion, Hotel Sale was an historic monument owned by the city of Paris and was chosen to house the collection. We arrive early to the big gates and […]
“Flâneur” comes from the French masculine noun flâneur—which has the basic meanings of “stroller”, “lounger”, “saunterer”. Les joies de la flâneuse – The joys of the stroller. We decide to just walk and take everything in the next day. It’s hard to explain the depth and enormity of the feelings I have as I slowly settle into the realisation of being in Paris. There is a hunger in me that I suddenly realise I have pushed aside for […]
‘It’s a little district in the centre of Paris. It is full of cobbled streets and teetering apartment blocks and gay men and orthodox Jews and women of a certain age who once looked like Brigitte Bardot. It’s the only place to stay.” – Jojo Moyes, Me Before You Our first Apartment is in the Marais. I love it! The Marais is the quartier historique, charming, pretty, very old Paris. We wind our way into the tiniest of […]
Here I am, forty something, standing on the precipice of a new beginning. I am naturally a giver, and I had spent my life working hard and giving my everything to everyone but me. Then one day I was given a gift, I was cast aside, given my freedom. I didn’t immediately realise it was a gift, but now I know, that starting a new chapter of my life was starting my time. I have given myself permission to listen […]