Flâner…the French Word Meaning to Stroll
Bon Week-end to all!
Yesterday was a blissfully wonderful weather day. Here’s a chuckle to start the blog. I had to slip into a “toilette” and disrobe a bit ending up with a sweater turtleneck tied around my waste, my jacket on my arm, and my scarf flapping in the breeze. I know the weather gods love to play havoc with me!
First a little French. “The connotations of the French verb flâner surpass the mere concept of a tranquil walk. No English counterpart manages to intertwine the notion of wandering and idleness with that of underlying admiration and wonderment.” I found this quote on the web (forgot to note the source) but it perfectly describes our day yesterday. Our intent was nothing more than just seeing what the day might bring, and we walked almost 9,000 steps finding out. The entire day for us was the joy of being in Paris…la joie de vivre.
We started in one of our favorite places around La Place de la Madeleine called Le Village Royal for lunch. It’s a bit pricey but lovely. And the same maitre d’ has been there for at least 15 years. 
Next was a stroll around La Place de la Madeleine, one of the high-end neighborhoods which is in transition. Many of the shops have closed since the pandemic. And the Madeleine church is under massive renovation as is most everything in Paris. All in preparation for the Olympics in 2024. 
Rue St. Honoré begins here, and it is one of the districts of haute couture (high sewing, high dressmaking) for those who wish to spend a bundle. It’s SO fun to look. Most creations are custom-fitted, constructed by hand from start-to-finish. You will notice the reflections from store windows which is why shooting these is always a challenge. Enjoy the walk!
Hope you have enjoyed being a flâneur à Paris.
Regrettably, things happen while we’re away which bring us back to reality. A special friend lost her husband quite unexpectedly, and my son’s minister in Birmingham was killed in a car crash on Thursday. Special thoughts go out to them.
Treasure every day!
L & B
May 20, 2023 @ 8:48 am
Fun flaneuring with you. Some high fashion, some low fashion! 😉 It is still cold and windy here. Hope we get you nice weather before we leave.
May 20, 2023 @ 10:07 am
I remember your love of teapots, and still live vicariously through your travels!
May 20, 2023 @ 10:52 am
So sorry for the losses in friends and family, It must be our age, but it seems not a week goes by that we don’t lose someone connected to us. Or maybe we just have more connections.
The higher/haute fashion was much more pleasing today, especially those “spectator” pumps. It would take real courage to wear that big scarlet flower on one’s frontside. (But I liked the red jumpsuit behind the flower frock.) The china was as much fun as the fashion. (I would never have paired that purple glass with Bernie’s set, though.)
Happy weather, happy wandering.
May 20, 2023 @ 11:20 am
I truly enjoy your sharing the haute couture! They are certainly works of art. Their designs and colors are so unique. I’m happy your day was so enjoyable. I’m sorry about your friends’s husband. We read about your son’s pastor’s death. Such an awful accident.
May 20, 2023 @ 12:53 pm
Love love love it! 9000 steps! The most Joe and I did in Venice was 8000! Impressed. Love those last shoes!
May 20, 2023 @ 6:48 pm
You should know by now that the shoes are always for you, my dear!
May 20, 2023 @ 12:57 pm
Good Morning
I loved strolling with you in this blog ! Your pictures are works of art to me.
You also brought alive a very special memory for me and “my girls”.
July 2014 we were in Paris to celebrate my French daughter’s birthday and her 20th wedding anniversary. It was at:!
Circle de l Union Interalliee
33 me du Faubourg St. Honore Paris 8
It was an elegant black tie night that we will treasure always…but…it was at night and no time to stroll, so thanks for completing the memory of the area!
I am so very sorry to hear about your friends and lift them in prayer.
Jemalee
May 20, 2023 @ 6:48 pm
So glad you experienced a good memory from this! It’s a great part of Paris.
May 20, 2023 @ 1:19 pm
Excellent walking tour, Linda! You don’t have to spend a sou to enjoy all the delights of Paris as a flâneur. What a treat! Thank you for taking us along.
May 20, 2023 @ 6:47 pm
It was a fun outing. By the way, why Le Village and not La Village. It ends in an “e” and that is Bernie’s way of using la. You’re right, it’s very confusing.
May 20, 2023 @ 1:29 pm
beautiful pictures. Truly sorry for the sad news.
thanks Linda
May 20, 2023 @ 6:45 pm
Merci!1
May 20, 2023 @ 1:41 pm
Thoroughly enjoyed “flaner-ing”. The clothes! Oolala! We gave Mitchell a grand retirement dinner last night. His last Sunday is the 18th. Anxiously anticipating Detrick’s arrival. We’re enjoying more pleasant temps.
May 20, 2023 @ 6:45 pm
I told Mitchell goodbye before I left. I will miss his preaching.
May 20, 2023 @ 3:47 pm
Is Paris as colorful as it seems, or do you find that you seek color out when you take you photos?
May 20, 2023 @ 6:42 pm
Probably a little of both. The sunny weather brightens everything up.
May 20, 2023 @ 4:20 pm
So many memories of my times in Paris. Your commentary AND PICTURES ARE TERRIFIC. Are they photo shopped? What kind of camera do you use? Have you consider making books? I think all you need to do is download to Shutterfly and have them (or you put them together> I did this with some of my stays, but honestly your pictures etc. are better than mine.
May 20, 2023 @ 4:54 pm
Interesting that I had fried calamari for dinner last evening, but mine came from Whole Foods… 🙂
May 20, 2023 @ 6:41 pm
Ha! They were so tender!
May 20, 2023 @ 6:39 pm
Love the pictures of the fashions – especially the mushroom purse. Pleased the weather is improving, giving you more incentive to show us Paris in spring.
May 20, 2023 @ 6:47 pm
Loved your pictures today !!!
May 21, 2023 @ 5:41 pm
Oh what a joy to go Window Shopping with you Linda. I remember the Fish Net Stockings and how they left their patterned imprint on my legs. They really were one of the most uncomfortable of fashion statements. The white pant suit with the eye on the jacket was super stylish. Continue to enjoy your time in France.
Mary
May 25, 2023 @ 5:03 pm
Playing catch up with your blog and loving today’s blog especially! Such lovely photos!