Wednesday, September 4, 2024

09-04-24 - BUCKET LIST Numéro deux - FRANCE IS THE PLACE TO BE IN THE FALL

TODAY - PART TWO OF MY BUCKET LIST IS FOR ALL VAGABONDS, WANDERERS AND EXPLORERS DESIRING TO GO TO PLACES FAR AND WIDE. THE NOMAD ARCHITECT IS GOING TO FEATURE PLACES IN ONE OF THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD, YET BEAUTIFUL COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD - FRANCE!

BEFORE WAXING ELOQUENTLY ABOUT la FRANCE, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT I ADDRESS THE ATTITUDES THAT AMERICANS AND OTHER VISITORS HAVE ABOUT FRANCE - THE HISTORY, THE ARCHITECTURE, THE LAND, THE FOOD, THE WINE, THE PEOPLE - ALL MAKEUP THE ESSENCE OF A COUNTRY THAT HAS CREATED GREAT WORKS OF ART FROM MONET TO KANDINSKY, AN AMAZING CULTURE ANCIENT AND MODERN AND SOME OF THE GREATEST FOOD EVER CREATED.

LOVE & HATE

“How can anyone govern a country that has 246 varieties of cheese?” Charles de Gaulle

"To err is human. To loaf is Parisian" - Victor Hugo

“It is perfectly possible to be enamored of Paris while remaining totally indifferent or even hostile to the French.” -James Baldwin 

“In Paris, they simply stared when I spoke to them in French; I never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language.” - Mark Twain 

"A walk in Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life" - Thomas Jefferson

“The flavors melted in my mouth- warm chocolate and melted butter and the flaky sweet crust. This was what I loved about France. A keen appreciation for the simplicity and sweetness of life. The French seemed to savor their minutes along with their food.” — Melanie Dobson - Author


We landed in Paris and checked into the ultra-modern Hotel Mayet. Our room was almost Lilliputian but was beautiful and comfortable and located perfectly not far from The Eiffel Tower and other places to see. Today's price is reasonable for Paris - $250 - $290, depending on when you go. Right after we checked in, we had dinner at a small restaurant next door. After dinner, we decided to just take a leisurely stroll. As we turned a corner, there it was - the world-famous shining Eiffel Tower right in front of us. We held hands and smiled walking together. One of the unique architectural features of central Paris is that there are no tall buildings, except for the Eiffel. All tall buildings are on the perimeter of the city. 


Provence

After taking a train we checked into a small, intimate place in Avignon which, unfortunately, has closed. It was a great old house re-designed by a Swiss architect with an intimate courtyard perfect for relaxing and talking. If you want to see what this unique Bed & Breakfast was like just click Lumani for The Nomad Architect's description. Then we rented a car and drove a quick 45 minutes to a repurposed farm turned into a high-end hotel in the center of its own wine vineyard just outside the small town of Menerbes in Provence - La Bastide de Marie. In all honesty, this place with only twelve rooms or suites is not low priced - $330 - $400. But sometimes you just need to spend more to get more. This five star "bastide" has it all - incredible romantic rooms and suites, amazing food and wine, the Pure Altitude Spa, an outdoor pool, a massage room and about seventy acres to hike and roam around in. I do not say this about most places we stay, but La Bastide de Marie was one of the most comfortable, beautiful and romantic places we have ever enjoyed.


Trust me, this place will change your way of thinking about elegant travel.

Next week - more Bucket List thoughts for wandering nomads coming your way!

D.L.Stafford

Video of the Week - Perfect for France and Romance - Multi-Grammy Award winning Nora Jones gives a very smooth performance and video of one of her great romantic tunes - COME AWAY WITH ME. We had the pleasure of seeing the smooth and cool jazz artist several years ago.
























  

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