L’Isle sur La Sorgue Provence
[Guest blog post] One of the most charming medieval towns I have visited in Provence is L’Isle-sur-La-Sorgue. Built along five branches of the Sorgue river, there are several fish filled canals that add to the character of this town. Several lovely water wheels (some still turn) that once provided water for the many lace ...
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Climbing the Tower John without Fear
Climbing the Tower John without Fear (Tour Jean sans Peur) in Paris was one of my more interesting "museum experiences". No, there is nothing "fearful" about climbing the tower despite the title of the post. The staircase is winding but not difficult and each level of the tower yields a bit of history, thus making each ...
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Best Baguettes in Paris 2014
This is the 20th year that Paris has ranked its bakers (boulangers) (Grand Prix de la Baguette de Tradition Française de la Ville de Paris). I wanted to map the best baguettes in Paris 2014 so that we can try some of these wonderful breads . Wouldn’t I love to have the job of evaluating all those baguettes! Of ...
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The Drunken Boat – Le Bateau Ivre, Paris
Read my story in French » Near Saint Sulpice Church in Paris there’s a Drunken Boat or Bateau Ivre on the wall! Yes, Le Bateau Ivre by Arthur Rimbaud has been immortalized for all who pass by to see. The first time I had ever seen “wall poems” was in Leiden, Netherlands and they seemed to be everywhere ...
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Paris Botanical Gardens
The Paris Botanical Gardens, Jardin des Plantes, is almost 375 years old. I have to just stand in awe of it because of its age alone. I do well to get my lavender to live from one year to the next. However, plants in the Paris Botanical Gardens have been around for centuries. I came in search of Jardin des Plantes ...
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Saint-Sulpice – Paris’ Second Largest Church
Read my story in French » It was the Fontaine des Quatre Évêques (Four Bishops Fountain) that drew me in search of the Church of Saint-Sulpice. Located in the Latin Quarter of the 6th arrondissement, it was the lions that intrigued me. The photo of the fountain I had seen with its four lions languidly draped over the ...
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Fountain of Innocents – Place Joachim-du-Bellay
What a beautiful square and what a beautiful fountain… the Fountain of Innocents (La Fontaine des Innocents). The square is huge and shaded and a wonderful gathering place. The breeze on this hot summer day blows a spray of fountain water. Refreshed by the mist, you are quickly cooled and encouraged to sit and enjoy this ...
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