Paris Overload: Montmartre to Birthday

Bonjour,

It is very early here in Paris and I’m trying to make sure I get in my blog post for yesterday.  It was a marathon day and one to be cherished especially for Bernie.

Remember that now we are 6, soon to be 8!  Diane, Curt (Macon cousins), James, Stephen (Bernie’s son and partner) and Bernie and I were off to Montmartre yesterday morning.  It was cold but beautiful.  James and I were the only true Parisians who walked up all the steps; everyone else chickened out and took the tramway or Funiculaire.  Montmartre is always breathtaking whether it’s your first or 50th time to visit.  The highlight of the day was being approached by a dear lady who sensed we might need help with directions, etc.  She was 91 years old and lives at the very top.  She was just wonderful, spunky, spoke French with Bernie and told us about a statue we had never seen before around on the back side.  After lunch, we followed her directions and found this wonderful statue of an author who wrote about a man who could walk through walls.  You will enjoy it!

Then we were off to the new Foundation de Louis Vuitton for an inside visit this time.  It is truly amazing but we all agree that the structure itself is the museum. It was designed by architect Frank Gehry.  It currently has very little art inside, and what is there is ultra contemporary.  The view of the city, especially La Defense, is stunning.   Bernie was fascinated by the structural aspects as you will see from the pictures.  It is as I said in another post, the hottest thing in Paris right now.  It will become one of those signature landmarks like the Pyramid, the Centre Pompidou and the Eiffel Tower.  We’re glad to be in on its inauguration into the culture of Paris.

Exhausted with aching feet, Diane sprang for the long cab ride back home to get us ready for Bernie’s birthday reception at 6:30.  It was fabulous…all that I had hoped it would be.  We had 16 people in attendance, with only two who did not make it.  Charlotte Puckette, our cooking school lady extraordinaire, prepared all the hors d’oeuvres (tres, tres bon) and Richard Nahem generouly volunteered the use of his apartment for the party.  We had to run folks out which is the sign of great fun.  The lighting in the apartment was dim and some of the pics are blurry but I will share anyway.  Where, you might ask is Bernie?  He’s the man taking the pictures and unfortunately, I didn’t think to steal away that camera from him and position him in some of the photos.  He received some unexpected gifts, one of which was a Hermes tie from our landlady, Marion.  How lovely and generous.  We have known most of these folks now for 7 years and all have become our special Parisian friends.

I must add that it’s such a small world even in Paris.  For example.  Richard Nahem is good friends with Doris Todd from Huntsville.  She has Custom Travel and was behind the Burritt river cruise.  Many of you know her and have used her services.  Charlotte Pucket is in business with Richard for the cooking school.  Jim and Peggy B ilbro rented Charlotte’s apartment this summer for their two months in Paris.  Now all of these people have gotten to know one another and we are part of the unifying link.  How fun is that!

At 11:30 today, Pierre and Laurie Verdier arrive by train from Alsace and then we will be 8!  Stay tuned as there are more adventures brewing.

A bientot,

L&B