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Celebrating Parisian Splendor: Exploring the Fontaine de l’Observatoire in the 5th Arrondissement
To be perfectly honest, there’s no arrondissement in Paris that holds my heart quite like the 5th. It embodies life, culture, beauty, and a vibrant neighborhood spirit that I simply adore. Regardless of where I reside, I always find myself drawn back to this enchanting enclave that I proudly call home. From the iconic Boulevard Saint Michel to the intellectual hub of the Sorbonne, from the historic Cluny Museum to the serene Luxembourg Gardens and the majestic Panthéon, the 5th arrondissement never fails to captivate me. Today, I’m excited to take you on a journey to a hidden gem nestled in the Jardin Marco Polo, south of the Luxembourg Gardens…
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A Timeless Journey Through Church Saint Germain des Prés: History, Restoration, and Enchantment
Today, amidst our meanderings through the enchanting streets of Paris, I'm thrilled to unveil glimpses of one of the city's most venerable treasures – nestled within the pulsating heart of one of its most vibrant quarters. Following an extensive restoration campaign launched in 2015, this esteemed edifice has been lovingly restored to its former glory. Stepping inside a few weeks ago, we were awestruck by its resplendent beauty.
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Embracing the Journey: On Overcoming Self-Doubt and Reinvention
Hello, dear friends, Today, I’m sharing a glimpse into the personal journey that shapes us all, touching on the internal battles we face in pursuit of our dreams. There’s a voice within many of us that whispers of inadequacy. I’m no stranger to it. Yes, we’re all a collection of imperfections, each with our own set of cracks and flaws. In a recent interview I listened to, Dr. Jordan Peterson, speaking with Chris Williamson, voiced a powerful sentiment: we’re bound by a moral duty to give life everything we’ve got. The world can indeed be a harsh place, and in navigating its trials, offering anything less than our best might…
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Family Bonds and Gothic Splendor: Visit at the Saint-Denis Basilica
In the gentle meanderings of life, some decisions are made by necessity rather than choice. Such was the case when my husband and I returned to my native France to care for my parents—a duty that beckoned with a grateful yet heavy heart, but one we embraced with the guidance of faith. Responding to a divine nudge, we took the leap. And in a manner so characteristic of Providence, this move proved to be a blessing not just for my parents, but a beautiful chapter for us as well. I had longed for the embrace of my family and the beautiful and familiar streets of Paris. The distance had only…
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Art of War: The Captivating Cannons of Les Invalides
Like the gargoyles that guard Notre Dame, the Gates protecting the Palais de Justice or Duchamp’s “Fountain” for that matter, sometimes things can be functional and art at the same time. We encountered just such a circumstance when we were visiting the Invalides. The courtyard is lined with 50 or so giant cannon. They are captivating. These cannons are simply glorious. With their dark blue / black hue shimmering against the sky and weighing in at over 3,000 lbs. each, they most certainly have great presence. Once you get closer however, you see that they are even more interesting than you originally thought. Each one is ornamented with a variety of features that make…
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The Val de Grâce: A Parisian Treasure Touched by Miracle
Hello, dear friends! Caroline here, excited to share with you a Parisian spot that is very close to my heart. It’s a place of breathtaking beauty and elegance, marked by a history as rich as it is miraculous – the Val de Grâce. The inception of this magnificent church dates back to a royal promise made by Anne of Austria, Queen of France. In gratitude for the birth of her son, the future Louis XIV, in 1638, she envisioned the creation of a royal abbey. The construction, led by the famed architect François Mansart, began in 1645 and reached completion in 1665 under Gabriel Le Duc. Today, Val de Grâce…
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The Overlooked Jewel by Luxembourg Gardens
There’s a building across the street from the south end of the Luxembourg Gardens. Because it exists in the shadow of these extraordinary gardens, most people walk by it on a mission to get to there, and as a result, barely notice it. Thankfully, one day I did. And since that day, I’ve never passed it without stopping to admire its beauty. Unlike many buildings in Paris, it doesn’t have the year when it was built stamped on the façade, so I’m going to guess it’s from the late 19th / early 20th century, but I could be wrong. It’s of course one of those stunning Haussmann influenced buildings with its stone…
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A Timeless Encounter: Attending Mass with Royal Blood in Paris
Imagine being told in your youth that one day, you’d not only attend mass in Paris but do so alongside the lineage of the Sun King, Henri IV, Saint Louis and Queen Victoria. It sounds like a tale from another era, yet this is the reality of our life in the City of Lights. Each week, we find ourselves embarking on new adventures, surrounded by friends and family with an insatiable thirst for culture. One of the most captivating aspects of Paris is its profound sense of history. The city’s age lends itself to layers of stories, some static like the catacombs or the Roman baths beneath Notre Dame, and…
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Enchanted Evenings in Paris: The City’s Lights That Never Dim
While New York is famously dubbed the city that never sleeps, Paris too boasts a beauty that seems to defy the night. In the spellbinding weeks before Christmas, we ventured out into the Parisian night, eager to witness the city’s festive transformation. The streets, awash with lights, created a spectacle that was nothing short of magical. The Champs Elysees, a landmark in its own right, is a spectacle to behold, particularly during this festive season. It’s here that the twinkling lights of Ladurée and the bold statement of Louis Vuitton add to the avenue’s allure, each storefront a shimmering beacon in the nocturnal cityscape. Among these celebrated giants, the Artcurial…
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Christmas at Chambord: A Serene Journey to the Loire Valley’s Crown Jewel
We love Paris. One could spend a lifetime here and not see everything this city has to offer. That doesn’t mean that we sometimes don’t venture out to the see the rest of the world, even the relatively nearby world. That’s what we did over Christmas. Driving south to visit family we decided to stop at the jewel of the Loire Valley, Chambord. It had been some time since we visited Francis I’s 500 year old “hunting lodge” in the Loire Valley, with its Leonardo da Vinci double-spiral staircase, but we had some time to spare so we thought we’d stop. After you pass the gates and you’re driving in you can see glimpses of…
