Life Between the Pages
My blog posts are free to access, and articles are categorized like a bookstore! From architecture and art, to food and history, travel and video tours, you’ll find a treasure trove to connect you with me, Paris, and my travels in France.
Autumn 2025
My Most Recent Posts
Paris as literary muse for exploring how conscious daily choices compound into artful life
My Content is Free
While I completely understand that certain content creators charge for access, their time and knowledge,
I believe that dreaming shouldn’t come at a price.
It’s an honor, blessing, and privilege to share my experiences with you. I hope my work inspires you to chase what makes your heart sing, what brings you pure joy, and what fills you with love and gratitude.
Barbara Pravi’s “Voilà”: A French Song That Moves the Soul
Barbara Pravi’s song “Voilà” captures the essence of vulnerability, self-expression, and dreams. From its soulful lyrics to stunning live performances by Pravi and Emma Kok, this French musical gem invites listeners to witness the power of authenticity and artistic courage.
Medici Fountain Paris: History, Sculptures, and Hidden Beauty
Hidden in the Luxembourg Gardens, the Medici Fountain is a Paris treasure of history, art, and intrigue. Commissioned by Queen Marie de’ Medici, adorned with mythological sculptures, and reassembled stone by stone, it remains a testament to royal ambition and timeless beauty.
French Autumn Traditions: Toussaint, Foraging, and Seasonal Rituals
From honoring loved ones at Toussaint to building hedgehog houses and foraging for wild mushrooms, French autumn traditions blend culture, spirituality, and nature. Rooted in history and family rituals, these seasonal customs offer meaningful ways to connect with heritage and celebrate the turning of the year.
Ghost Stories of Père-Lachaise: Paris’s Legendary Cemetery
Step into the hauntingly beautiful Père-Lachaise Cemetery, Paris’s largest resting place and home to legends, poets, and phantoms. From Jim Morrison’s ghost to the White Lady’s eternal search, autumn unveils its secrets among golden leaves, whispered histories, and timeless Parisian grace.
A Relaxing Day in Menton: Gardens, Riviera Charm, and Cuisine
Experience Menton, the jewel of the French Riviera, with a perfect day of strolling the historic center, exploring lush gardens, visiting cultural landmarks, and savoring local cuisine. From its seaside promenade to its lemon-scented traditions, Menton offers timeless elegance on the Mediterranean coast.
Paris Museums
The Musée Rodin in Paris unites art, history, and nature in a captivating experience. Housed in the elegant Hôtel Biron, it showcases Rodin’s masterpieces while its rose gardens bloom with over 2,000 varieties. A living tribute to French culture, it invites visitors to wander through beauty and timeless creativity.
Bouillon Racine
Since 1906, Bouillon Racine has embodied the Parisian Art Nouveau spirit, blending culinary tradition with architectural beauty. Restored to its former glory in 1996, this historic restaurant offers beveled mirrors, stained glass, and mosaics that honor the city’s Belle Époque legacy while serving timeless conviviality.
Château de Villandry
Château de Villandry, a jewel of the Loire Valley, tells a story of Renaissance rebirth through its terraced gardens, architectural heritage, and organic cultivation. From vegetable checkerboards to labyrinths and sunlit chambers, Villandry remains a living harmony of history and artistry.
Val de Marne
The Roseraie du Val-de-Marne in L’Haÿ-les-Roses, founded in 1894 by Jules Gravereaux, is the world’s oldest rose garden. With over 11,000 roses, it unites history, horticulture, and artistry. Restored with care, it continues to enchant visitors with festivals, research, and timeless floral beauty.
Travel France : Day Trips & Rosé Routes
Just beyond Paris lies Château de Malmaison, a sanctuary of roses and romance shaped by Empress Joséphine. Explore the historic estate where French imperial dreams blossomed among rare blooms, neoclassical folly, and the private world of Napoléon and Joséphine. A timeless Parisian day trip.
Living History : Roseraie DUCHER
Discover Roseraie Ducher, Lyon’s iconic rose garden, where six generations of the Ducher family cultivated rare and historic roses. From hybrid tea creations to the famed ‘Never Forget’ rose, explore a floral legacy that intertwines history, artistry, and global admiration.
Herbalists, Gatherers, Distillers
In the heart of Provence’s Verdon Gorge, Verdon Roses & Arômes preserves the art of organic rose farming. Under Yann Potié’s care, ancient methods meet sustainable practices, yielding roses, lavender, and herbs distilled into wellness treasures, rooted in France’s floral legacy.
Culture and History : Petit Trianon & Marie Antoinette
Step into winter at the Petit Trianon, exploring Marie Antoinette’s rose-filled gardens, elegant apartments, and iconic portraits by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun that capture the grace of France’s last queen.
The Paris Rose Line
Is the Paris Rose Line fact or fiction? From Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code to the real Arago medallions, uncover the fascinating history of Paris’s hidden meridians. Explore Saint-Sulpice, Notre-Dame, and the city’s secret markers through stories where myth and history converge.
Books to Read: A Rose in Every Page
From timeless novels to practical gardening guides, this curated collection celebrates the rose in literature and life. Explore English works like The Language of Flowers and French selections such as Les Roses de Verdun. A reading list for lovers of roses, history, and literary beauty.
Paris & the Rose: History & Symbolism
The rose has long symbolized beauty, love, and resilience in France. From ancient myths to royal gardens and revolutionary ideals, explore its timeless presence in Parisian culture and how it continues to inspire art, literature, and horticulture today.
Art & Literature : History & Symbolism
On a crisp February day, I wandered the Musée d’Orsay in Paris to seek out every painting adorned with a rose. From Renoir’s tender Gabrielle à la Rose to Monet’s luminous Le Déjeuner, each canvas revealed the rose as muse. Explore these masterpieces and enjoy an exclusive video tour of the collection.
Les Créations Messagères : William Amor
Explore the world of William Amor, a Parisian artist transforming discarded materials into poetic works. From urban inspiration to French craft traditions, his creations celebrate life, provoke reflection, and turn everyday waste into objects of beauty and meaning.
Winter in France
Discover the magic of winter in France with destinations beyond Paris. From Chamonix’s vibrant winter events to Lyon’s Festival of Lights, the French Pyrenees’ scenic hikes, Saint-Malo’s dramatic coast, and Reims’ Champagne delights—these escapes offer culture, adventure, and breathtaking landscapes.
Books to Read
Curated for cozy winter nights, this Parisian reading list spans memoirs, art reflections, and biographies. From Elliot Paul’s interwar Paris to Martin Gayford’s lockdown insights, discover books that illuminate history, creativity, and literary elegance.
Digital Downloads
Travel Guides
This space is currently under construction as I move my guides over from a different platform. I appreciate your patience! If you are looking for something in particular, send me an email using the button below.
