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.

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Autumn 2025

My Most Recent Posts

Paris as literary muse for exploring how conscious daily choices compound into artful life

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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.

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Travel France : Day Trips & Rosé Routes

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.

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Fleurie : Bouquets & Varietals

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.

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Living History : Roseraie DUCHER

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.

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Herbalists, Gatherers, Distillers

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.

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THE IDEAS : memories & DESIRES of childhood& TRAVEL

THE IDEAS : memories & DESIRES of childhood& TRAVEL

Nestled in Haute-Savoie, Les Jardins Secrets is a hidden French gem where nature, art, and family passion converge. With lush gardens, fountains, and poetic spaces inspired by global traditions, it invites visitors into a timeless escape filled with beauty, biodiversity, and quiet wonder.

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Culture and History : Petit Trianon & Marie Antoinette

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.

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The Paris Rose Line

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.

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Books to Read: A Rose in Every Page

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.

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Paris & the Rose: History & Symbolism

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.

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Art & Literature : History & Symbolism

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.

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Finding Home in Brittany

Finding Home in Brittany

From pandemic house hunting to finding a storybook cottage in Brittany, follow a journey of country living, gardens in bloom, welcoming neighbors, and creating a French home full of charm and history. Perfect for lovers of literature, travel, and garden inspiration.

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Cuisine & Hosting : Warm Winter Recipes
Cooking and Food, Paris restaurants, Winter, Video Shannon Pratuch Cooking and Food, Paris restaurants, Winter, Video Shannon Pratuch

Cuisine & Hosting : Warm Winter Recipes

Raclette, the beloved winter dish of melted cheese, traces its roots to Switzerland before becoming a French Alpine tradition. Today, it thrives in Paris with new-wave spots like MonBleu and timeless havens such as Cloche à Fromage. Discover where to savor this cozy culinary ritual in the City of Light.

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Winter in France

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.

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Be Inspired : French Artists to Know

Be Inspired : French Artists to Know

French floral artist Aude Rose transforms blooms into living works of baroque art, inspired by history, symbolism, and fleeting beauty. Her creations, rooted in personal storytelling and contemporary challenges, celebrate life, death, and artistry. Discover her Paris atelier and the soulful poetry of flowers.

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Travel Guides

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