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
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Paris as literary muse for exploring how conscious daily choices compound into artful life
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Château de Fontainebleau: A Literary Day Trip Beyond Versailles
Less crowded than Versailles yet steeped in royal history, Château de Fontainebleau offers an unforgettable Paris day trip. From living reenactments to forest walks and imperial salons, this château invites travelers into a quieter, more intimate France.
Favorites in Paris 1ᵉʳ & 2ᵉᵐᵉ: Hidden Gems & Classic Corners
Discover the charm of Paris’s 1ᵉʳ and 2ᵉᵐᵉ arrondissements - from quiet gardens and hidden cafés to grand palaces, historic shops, fine boulangeries, and art galleries. A curated guide to timeless corners where Paris reveals its soul.
A Perfect Day Near Hôtel de la Marine: A Gentle Paris Itinerary
Discover a serene, walking-only itinerary near Hôtel de la Marine, featuring Café Kitsuné, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs gift shop, cozy winter lunches, artful strolls, and elegant Ritz Paris moments. This curated day invites you to savor Paris with calm, beauty, and poetic ease.
Where to Eat Near Hôtel de la Marine: Cafés, Brunch & Classics
Explore the best places to eat near Hôtel de la Marine, from elegant brasseries and iconic cafés to cozy brunch spots and specialty coffee havens. This curated guide highlights Parisian flavors, hidden histories, and refined dining moments just steps from one of the city’s most storied landmarks.
Where to Stay Near Hôtel de la Marine
Looking for a stay with Parisian grace and local warmth? Hotel du Sentier offers intimate rooms and warm hospitality just steps from Hôtel de la Marine - nestled in the textile-heart of the 2ᵉ arrondissement. Enjoy marble baths, a leafy terrace, and the historic Passage du Caire beyond your door.
Part Four, Best Strasbourg Hotels: Elegant Stays & Seasonal Tips for Alsace
Strasbourg offers refined stays for every season, from modern pop-art retreats to riverside five-star elegance. With thoughtful tips for spring rains, summer heat, autumn nights, and winter’s chill, this guide helps you choose the perfect base for exploring Alsace with comfort and quiet sophistication.
Giverny
Embark on a day trip from Paris to Giverny, where Monet’s house and gardens await at the end of a scenic bike ride. Explore Vernon’s lively farmers market, the medieval mill, and peaceful countryside lanes before arriving at the iconic gardens. A journey woven with art, nature, and timeless French charm.
Seven Great Picnic Spots in Paris
Discover seven of the most enchanting picnic spots in Paris, from the lawns of the Eiffel Tower to the hidden charm of Parc Monceau. Each destination pairs perfectly with a nearby patisserie or bakery, offering the essence of Parisian leisure and elegant outdoor dining.
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.
Spring rains in Paris
Since 1884, Maison Piganiol has crafted umbrellas blending tradition with innovation, while Marais Béret reimagines Parisian headwear. From the elegance of the Fantasmagoria parasol to chic berets in silk, denim, and wool, discover the timeless artistry of French accessories for spring.
Rose : Route
The Route de la Rose in Loiret invites travelers on a fragrant journey through gardens, villages, and historic sites. From Bellegarde’s rose heritage to Orléans’ floral parks, discover roses as symbols of history, art, and culture - woven into the fabric of France’s most romantic landscapes.
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.
Fleurs-Flowers
Studio Maison Ciero in Paris brings timeless French artistry to floral design. Founded by Romain Pilato, the studio creates fresh and dried arrangements using local blooms, including roses from top French producers. Each creation, from bouquets to the innovative Cube, celebrates beauty and creative renewal.
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.
Fleurie : Bouquets & Varietals
From Provence’s fragrant fields to the symbolic Rosa Canina, French roses embody centuries of culture, perfume, and poetry. Explore the history, varietals, and enduring allure of these blooms-from Verlaine’s verses to rose hip remedies-where beauty, fragrance, and heritage intertwine.
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.
Cuisine & Hosting: Cooking with Roses
Explore the elegance of cooking with roses in France, from their centuries-old medicinal uses to fragrant culinary creations. Discover recipes, rose-scented desserts, and the timeless allure of this iconic flower in French culture and cuisine.
Poems : Roses
Discover the beauty of roses through poetry in both French and English. From Robert Burns to Paul Valéry, this curated collection includes links to view each poem online, offering a literary journey for readers and language learners alike.
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