Hub and I recently took a trip to Paris. It was long over due – we were last there 10 years ago for my 40th birthday. So with the next ‘big birthday’ arriving this year, it seemed a fitting time to return.
There was also a particularly important reason for being in France this November. Hub had discovered through some genealogical research that 17 November 2017 was the 100th anniversary of the death of his Great Grandfather, Albert Richmond, who died of his wounds after the battle of Passchendaele. Hub will be writing more about this aspect of our trip in a future post. In the meantime, let me pay tribute to Albert and the many thousands of other men and women who gave their lives in battle. We will remember them.
The Military Cemetery, Étaples:
The headstone of Hub’s Great Grandfather:
In Paris itself, we had fun revisiting some of our favourite haunts and discovering some new ones too. Here are two shots taken in the famous Jardin des Tuileries:
I love the light and sense of movement in the top of these two photos in particular. It reminds me of a painting and I have been racking my brains to remember which one. It is possible that I am thinking of this one by John Singer Sargent (In the Luxembourg Gardens), which I have seen in a couple of exhibitions….
…but this is clearly an image of a different part of Paris. So I trawled through a number of exhibition catalogues which I have gathered over the years…..
I could not find what I think I might have been looking for (if you see what I mean!). So if you have any ideas about the painting I might have in mind, I would welcome your thoughts.
Meanwhile, Paris was gorgeous. We spent a lot of time just wandering around, soaking up the atmosphere. I love all the architecture and, simply, the very French-ness of the city:
There was plenty of Christmassy fun and opulence on show:
And we forced ourselves regularly to adopt French customs (rude not to, and all that):
In my next couple of posts, I’ll be sharing more photos taken at various exhibitions we visited while in Paris.
It was a wonderful trip and I am already looking forward to going back some time. Thank you to Hub for a very memorable birthday present.
*title quote: Audrey Hepburn as Sabrina Fairchild in Sabrina (1954)
Waaaaa! I wanna go there huhu
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Paris is always worth a visit. It has been longer than 10 years since I have been there. You are right your picture looks like a painting, beautiful. Should really go there for a weekend….. a romantic weekend perhaps…. I shall ask ‘him’. 🙂
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Oh yes, you absolutely must 100% go back – and soon! 🙂
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Yes, Paris is always a good idea!
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So glad you agree! 🙂
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It always inspires me, the art, the architecture, the fashion. Thanks for taking me there;-)
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You are very welcome 🙂
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One of my favorite cities! I was an au pair girl there for a year straight out of high school. I was young and poor, but it didn’t matter, because I was in beautiful Paris. 🙂
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What a wonderful experience that must have been 🙂
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Wow–that view does look familiar–I can’t think what painting it would be from, though. The photos are all great and inviting. I’ve not been to France at all and it’s one more place I should make more of an effort to visit!
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definitely somewhere to add to the (ever-growing) list 🙂
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They are lovely photos and there is something familiar about them but I can’t think of a specific painting.
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So maddening, isn’t it!
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Yes! 🙂
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I can’t think of a specific matching painting either but your photos are beautiful enough for me; even the sad military ones. :).
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Thank you Mandy, so kind 🙂
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Paris is ALWAYS a good idea! And the next best idea is to drop by your “place” and share in the conversation! Hugs! Coming in April….
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Ah, wonderful – counting the weeks….! 🙂
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I remember you mentioning this trip months ago, I am glad I am back blogging in time to read about it. It must have been extremely moving to go to the cemetary as you did but such a rewarding trip. Paris looks wonderful, I am jealous of your experience but loved reading about it!
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Yes, the Étaples experience was deeply moving and we will definitely return at some point. It was lovely to be back in Paris after too long away – I’m glad this came across in the post. 🙂
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You evoke well, my friend. I would love to do something like that. I will add it to the list.
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Yes it is! I always love Paris 👍
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So glad you agree! 🙂
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Love the title! So, so true!!
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thank you! 🙂
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