Saying Au Revoir
Bonjour mes amis,
This trip has been different from our many others over these 20 years. It has been shorter, colder, grayer and fraught with health challenges, heavy coats, gloves that went missing and scarves that were never quite warm enough. BUT any time in Paris is good, and we are deeply grateful to have these precious memories shared with family and other company and, of course, with you, our faithful readers. I have so appreciated your support and all of your comments.
Seeing the renovated Notre Dame was our number one reason for coming here at this time. That goal was accomplished. How truly glorious it is! Seeing all the Christmas decorations was another goal, and we can definitely check that one off the list. Seeing the fireworks on the Champs was a miss but I still believe we did the right thing.
At ages 85 and 7 8, one never knows what could be around the corner. I came with the full intention of this being my last trip because for various unmentioned reasons traveling is a challenge for me now. I’ve made it through and am grateful! However, I am rethinking my stance. This year is NOT how I want to remember Paris! I want sunny days to sit at sidewalk cafes, walk the river, smile at the lovers, plant ourselves in the Luxembourg Gardens for the afternoon, stroll the Tuileries, and relish the glorious sunsets at 10pm in the evening. Warmth, sunshine, flowers, skin, sandals…that is the Paris I love! So perhaps we will see you again!
I have had the joy of having three of my four grandchildren here for a visit, all but the youngest, James, and he will be 11 and a half this summer. I think he’s ready so that would be my heart’s desire. To my daughter, Natalie, I say,”let’s work on that!!”
We have loved our little apartment with one exception. And there’s a way to remedy that with a small shower chair to use in the bathtub. The apartment is ideally located; has a lift; is on an inside, very quiet courtyard; very clean, and with easy access to two subway lines. We are near almost all of our friends here.
Other observations for this year that I hope you will find interesting:
1. The river has been a source of wind and cold, and we have not walked it one single time. The river is my favorite part of Paris so that has been an ache to my soul.
2. The distinctive “smell” of Paris (sewer, cigarette smoke, French fries and bread baking) has not been noticeable in the cold.
3. More people than ever are smoking or vaping. I confirmed this with some of the locals and they agree. They blame it on the pandemic.
4. It does not get light until 8:45 in the morning and dark again by 5pm. Any way you cut that, it’s a bit depressing.
5. The artificial flower craze in cafes and stores (which I hate) is still going strong.
6. I have had to forget about hair totally. Between the misty rain and on and off with hats, there’s absolutely no use. There’s been a certain freedom in that.
7. Self preservation and staying warm far surmount style. I brought fewer clothes this time than ever before and that was a good decision. Nobody sees or cares what you have on!
8. It’s so strange to me that on the street, people walk to the left.
9. Unfortunately the big sales don’t begin until after we leave so I’m going home with more money than expected. In fact, I got 500 euros from the ATM when we arrived and still have $150 of that so good for me.
10. Relationships which we have cultivated for almost 20 years have really thrived this year. It’s the people, not the weather, that endure in our hearts and make Paris a very special spot. It’s not a fairy tale; life is hard here in the winter, but the warmth of friends has kept us going. As to Bernie and me, 500 square feet isn’t always advantageous to relationship harmony, but we’ve survived and haven’t killed one another… so good for us!!
The strangest thing that’s happened this trip was something I haven’t mentioned and could not photograph. On New Year’s Day, we were walking up rue St. Paul and saw a body stretched across the small narrow sidewalk. It had drawn a crowd. The man looked dead to us but they rolled him over and some believed that he was still alive. A lady had come out of her shop and was calling for help. We did not linger but the body was gone after we returned. Given the regalia of the night before, maybe he had OD’d on drugs or alcohol. It was definitely an eerie feeling and something we had never seen in Paris. There were no noticeable marks or blood on his body and he was fully clothed but without a coat. We truly hope he survived because the body was gone when we returned hours later.
One of you asked that I list our three favorite restaurants. Wow, that is impossible for us as there are so many. We are not gourmets by any stretch of the imagination so our choices are not only about food but also atmosphere and creating memories. Someone else who’s really into food might have a totally different list. But here goes our top ten:
- Le Train Bleu at Gare de Lyon
- The tearoom at Jacquemarc-Andre musuem
- Cafe Marly around Le Louvre
- Le Grand Colbert
- Flore En L’Ile
- L’ilot Vache
- Le Bourguignon du Marais
- Cafe Lapérouse in Hotel de la Marine
- Cafe de l’Homme
- Les Ombres
My favorite Christmas decoration was the beautiful Nativity scene inside l’Eglise St. Paul/St. Louis. Hands down, the prettiest in the city and we’ve been in a bunch of churches. Share yours with all of us if you wish.
So, we say au revoir (good-bye) to you and bonne année (Happy New Year). And hopefully, “A bientôt” (until next time).
L & B
And from my photo achieve, enjoy all of these memories with us (not in any particular order). 
January 7, 2025 @ 11:21 am
Safe travels home! I will miss my morning “fix” of Paris! I do so hope you go back soon! And I’m hoping o get back there this summer too!
January 7, 2025 @ 11:27 am
So pleased to hear you plan to come back in the summer! Good decision. All the best with everything on your return home. We so enjoyed seeing you in December. Much love , Antonia and Malcolm xxx
January 7, 2025 @ 12:09 pm
Such wonderful memories Linda merci for sharing xo 😘 love the photos with you Natalie and your grandson and loved the ones with you and Anne Jeanne I just love her she’s very special to us xo 😚 merci safe travels home
January 7, 2025 @ 12:22 pm
Last night, Marlyn and I were discussing (over a glass of wine) whether we really thought this would be your last trip to Paris. We decided definitely not, so we’re glad you came to the same conclusion. Stay healthy and active, and once more (at least) experience the warmth of Paris. Be safe getting home.
January 7, 2025 @ 12:55 pm
Thank you for taking us along on your journey this year! Through all the challenges and disappointments you faced, you took the time to share it all with us. That was incredibly thoughtful and we know it can’t have been easy. Merci, merci, merci!
I hope that your travel home is trouble free and is not impacted by the weather we are experiencing! You might need your coat, hat, gloves, and scarf when you arrive back home in Huntsville, so keep them handy.
I am happy to read that this may not be your last trip and that you may get to share YOUR Paris with your grandson James! Wishing you and Bernie a happy and healthy 2025!
January 7, 2025 @ 1:01 pm
Thanks for all the blogs, Linda.
Safe travels!
January 7, 2025 @ 1:16 pm
Linda, you get the prize alright – for fabulous travel commentary! Your use of words is delightful, and you always have a great eye for what makes a good photograph! Thanks for sharing your experiences!
January 7, 2025 @ 1:41 pm
What a special holiday treat this has been to see Paris decked out in all her Christmas splendor! As always, you’ve captured it beautifully. Thank you for sharing the magic with us! Wishing you and Bernie safe travels home and all the best in 2025…..you will be back to your favorite city!
January 7, 2025 @ 1:54 pm
I love all the pictures. Thanks for sharing your memories! You are fortunate for Bernie & these 20 years of Paris!
Travel safe!
Blessings,
Jill
January 7, 2025 @ 1:58 pm
Safe travels and thank you. I feel like I now know Paris in the winter. It takes energy to travel and you have persevered with style. We welcome you back to a frigid Alabama so keep that coat close.
Nancy
January 7, 2025 @ 2:04 pm
Great finishing post — thanks for entertaining us for the last few weeks. Have a nice trip home. It’s cold here. Maybe we’ll see y’all in shorts walking down by the Seine soon.
Thank you
Pat and Sybil
January 7, 2025 @ 3:28 pm
Thanks, Linda, for the time and heart you put into capturing the joy of Paris. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that you and Bernie go again.
January 7, 2025 @ 3:40 pm
Once again, I’ve enjoyed your narrative and the photos of your walks in Paris. Like many others I’ll look forward to you and Bernie possible return to Paris.
So, travel safe to Huntsville and return to good health.
January 7, 2025 @ 4:26 pm
Thanks for including us in your journey. Delighted with it all. In spite of cold and health issues you managed to make lemonade I do hope everyone’s health allows you to come back in summer with that last grandchild. Would be disappointing if he missed out on a grandparent trip. Would always be a little sad for him.
Hope your blog pops up next summer
January 7, 2025 @ 5:07 pm
I’m positive that you won’t rest until you have at least one more trip for warm Paris days. You know I absolutely adore your posts and I thank you for sharing. You are an inspiration!
January 7, 2025 @ 7:03 pm
Lovely times and sweet musings. So glad you are determined to make at least one more visit. We will be there the last two weeks of August. Any chance you will still be there? Hope to see you soon and say Bonjour, bienvenue!
January 7, 2025 @ 8:31 pm
Your change of heart about returning warms my heart. Much love and prayers for good health for my favourite Paris energiser bunnies to make it so. Safe travels home and à bientôt à Paris, Carolyn
January 7, 2025 @ 10:08 pm
And the Lord willing, there will be more pics to share next time- this summer???🤞🏻