Last Paris post for now

I kept trying to capture fall foliage but whether it’s the year’s weather or the type of tree, Autumn seems subtle here, not so inclined to reds and oranges…

 

You’re all so understanding and supportive and encouraging in your responses to my grumbles of last post, and I promise I will answer each one of your thoughtful comments. But I know the next few days will be busy ones, and want to take a few minutes now to assure you that I’m sorted–it’s all good, as the kids say. Franchement, selon moi, even when it’s not good, it’s okay. I have grumpy patches at home, as well, and I think it would be weird not to have them when away from those reassuring routines and comforts. If I’m writing about travel, it seems only fair to include a few glimpses of its travails… And if that gets me lovely recommendations of healing techniques from wise readers, so much the better. If you haven’t browsed those comments and you have a Paris trip in your future, you might want to check them out–Marie-Odile and Patricia on knitting shops (2 of which I’ve visited and loved; the 3rd has been added to my Paris addresses) and Duchesse on the hammam (always meant to do this but haven’t yet, so good to get the sophisticated Duchesse’s take).

 

We fly home Wednesday (crossing my fingers we will have elected a new government by then!), so we’re already in a transitional state. These five days in Paris have been about art exhibitions (four major shows in our five days here), meals in a variety of restaurants that reinforce for us the aspects of French culture we love, and lots and lots of walking. We feel very fortunate that we’ve visited the city so often that there are no major “shoulds” except a shared sense that we want to learn more about art and practice our French (we combined these two goals by renting the French-version Audioguides for the art exhibitions).

Back of the Cluny museum, with Fall foliage
When I get back home, and settled, I’ll tell you more about eating out in Paris and offer a few recommendations as well as a few thoughts about change and constancy over our time visiting the city. I also want to share my window-shopping with you, much as Duchesse did the other day when she took us for a walk in Montreal.

The weather’s been a bit grumpy as well, during our visit, but there have been some blue skies…
Meanwhile, we’re checking out a Fragonard exhibition tomorrow, having a second lunch at a newly discovered restaurant I’ll definitely be recommending, and then packing our cases and looking forward to seeing three little people we haven’t cuddled for almost two months!

Loved this window in the Aesop shop in the Marais…that subtle balance between chaos and organization, the planning required to achieve this appearance of random. And the books, of course, their original covers silenced into these pale, pale tones. Tomes…

There we go, then, my last post from Away. Flying back to find out what Retirement really feels like. Time to think, to write, to discover, to create. And to take a nap now and then, read a few books, visit a few friends, cuddle some grandkids. Thanks for following the adventures so far. Your comments are always so very welcome. Chat soon!

21 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    19 October 2015 / 6:21 pm

    Lovely photos and so glad you're enjoying your last few days in Paris and the anticipation of pleasures to come as you return home. Mary

    • materfamilias
      23 October 2015 / 1:00 pm

      Thanks, Mary!

  2. Anonymous
    19 October 2015 / 6:46 pm

    It is so good that long trips always make us appreciate not only what we have seen,experienced and enjoyed ,but to value and long for what we have at home,isn't it?
    So,have a nice few days in Paris and happy return. I am looking forward for your posts
    Dottoressa

    • materfamilias
      23 October 2015 / 1:02 pm

      It is good, Dottoressa, although it's also complicated, with sometimes unanticipated resonances…

  3. Patricia
    19 October 2015 / 6:49 pm

    Safe journey home!

    • materfamilias
      23 October 2015 / 1:03 pm

      Made it, thanks!

  4. High Heels in the Wilderness
    20 October 2015 / 2:21 pm

    Love that shot of the Eiffel Tower with the fall foliage in the foreground. Feeling a bit dippy this morning…election night hang-over. Not from the wine, although there was some of that…but from staying up until the wee hours to watch all the speeches. You return to a "kinder and gentler" country, Frances. Hopefully.

    • materfamilias
      23 October 2015 / 1:04 pm

      It is such a wonderful change, so long awaited!

  5. LPC
    20 October 2015 / 4:30 pm

    Wow. This really was a long journey. Interestingly, and I'm not sure why, these photos are my favorites from your trip. And I never suspected for a minute you wouldn't reemerge from from Crankytown;).

    • materfamilias
      23 October 2015 / 1:06 pm

      That is so interesting, re the photos. Perhaps because they were chosen more randomly and are somehow more personally expressive….so glad you were confident that I knew the route out of that town (although we both now it hasn't seen the last of me😉)

  6. twotakeonstyle.com
    21 October 2015 / 2:43 am

    I have followed your blog for awhile now and I find it thought-provoking and down to earth in a sophisticated way. I so resonate with your retirement musings and with your travel reflections. My husband and I just returned from 2 weeks in Oslo where we were simply living in the culture. I've done France this way before but he has not. He deserves the perspective you and I have enjoyed. Thank you for your eloquent and heart-felt posts. Jeanne

    • materfamilias
      23 October 2015 / 1:09 pm

      Jeanne, this is so kind of you to say– Thank you!
      We've never been to any of the Scandinavian countries, but I hope to someday. Two weeks in a city is my idea of a well-paced visit…

    • materfamilias
      23 October 2015 / 1:15 pm

      And I've just checked out your blog and added it to my feed — love your style!

  7. Eleonore
    21 October 2015 / 11:39 am

    I love the pictue with the books. The idea of taking something which is there (may even have been discarded) and, with very simple means, convert it into something new and beautiful…
    Have a safe trip home. Wonder what is going to happen in your country after the elections. I know that you don't talk politics in your blog, and I understand your motives, but I, for one, would be very interested in your opinions about political or social events and developments now and then.

    • materfamilias
      23 October 2015 / 1:24 pm

      I loved that window as well, Eleonore, art from discards, as you say (although a more complicated reading might also find it ominous, I'm comforted that books are yet considered a potent reference even if rendered anonymous).
      I take your point about politics on the blog, and I wrestle occasionally. I suspect that most readers have sorted that I skew fairly left of centre, although I can feel too centrist, often, around more activist friends, if that makes sense. I'll keep your comment in mind, as it probably represents other readers as well.

  8. Madame Là-bas
    21 October 2015 / 1:21 pm

    Do you ever sit in the gardens by the Cluny? I have never been in Paris in the fall but it
    does not seem to have the same colour show as we do at home. Oh well! It is Paris.
    My favourite part of Paris is having time to visit smaller expositions. Safe trip home!

    • materfamilias
      23 October 2015 / 1:25 pm

      If they're the same gardens I'm thinking of, we spent a bit of time there last year because our hotel was nearby, but not generally, no.
      The weather here at home is very similar to Paris, but our fall colours are much more vibrant. Hasn't it been gorgeous?!

  9. Mardel
    21 October 2015 / 4:17 pm

    Oh so beautiful! Love these.

    • materfamilias
      23 October 2015 / 1:26 pm

      Thanks Mardel!

  10. Pondside
    22 October 2015 / 12:39 am

    Welcome home! I look forward to reading and hearing more about your trip. I sit reading in the airport waiting for a flight to Edmonton. Short on glamour but big on cuddles and sweet babies.

    • materfamilias
      23 October 2015 / 1:28 pm

      Cuddles, Babies, for the win! Who needs glamour?! Enjoy those wee ones.

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