My Favorite Pastime in Paris is Sitting in a Café

Angelina's has the best hot chocolate and Mont Blanc made with meringue and chestnut puree, 

Carette's is another favorite tea time favorite in the cozy Place de Vosges.  

Carette's is also at the Trocadero. Nice for writing and people watching.

   

I just love this spot on the Normandy beach of Étretat, you can imagine Monet might have been there 

 

 ...If my destiny is to be in France, then the path will unfold before me...

Most inspiring place to sit and write is Cafe Carlu

  Dalloyau is another favorite for hot chocolate!

 

 Enjoying a little pitchers of wine in Nice. 

 My favorite spot in Juan les Pins for a pastis, that quintessential apero made from Anissette. 

Chez Philippe.

 Only the best ice cream at Berthillon

indoors at Cafe Carlu

café crème at a bar in MontMartre 

Artists at Place de Tertre, in Montmartre

 

Oh, so Paris!

Won't you join me?!  Find Your Self in France

Found Myself In France

I'm backtracking a bit because I've been writing in my notebook but not on my blog.  Starting back from the beginning of my adventure on June 26, when I boarded the monster double decker Airbus 380, they had to rebuild the Bradley terminal in LA just fit this flying ship, I am now a couple weeks from the end of my journey (at least for the winter).  I want to attempt to compare the vision with the reality and see how my dreams measured up in real life.  On June 26th, I was on my way to France and my dreams, not even sure where I was going to stay the first couple nights.  Well that's me, I tested my luck knowing something good always turns up.  Well it did at Le Moulin Bregeon where I felt like a princess.  Thank you Jonathan Robinson!

On August 10, 2013, I wrote in my journal:  If my destiny is to be in France then the path will unfold before me.  At the age of 48 my life is just about completely mine to do whatever I want.  My sons are grown and I have the freedom now to pursue my dreams. I've sort of been on my own pilgrimage, while reading Paulo Coelho, I've stayed present to the moment and allowed the path to emerge.  This love affair with France all began when I was a young child and I heard the French language spoken in class.  I fell in love with the melody and texture of this beautiful language, and I had to learn more and I found this country rich with culture, style, food, wine, scandalous history and it never ended.  I always said if a place can be a soul mate then mine is France.  So many adventures later, and I am definitely a changed woman!

I realize now how audial I am, but I am really affected by sound and I like to hear things and listen.  Some people see something and it moves them, I hear things, too.  No wonder I landed in the home of a musician and music lover, Philippe Zani. I am renting a room in Philippe's artsy house and getting a music education that is mind blowing!  He has the largest collection of music from all over the world and throughout the eras, more 78 rpms than I've ever seen!  He introduced me to many wonderful people who have changed my life. Like Gladys, from the South of France, who is kind and generous and cultured and she coached me on my life and business and she has some very insightful things to tell.  She is also a gifted tarot card reader and she gave me a reading that spells success for my tour business! Yay!

After leading the Paris tour in September, I realize my strength is in connecting people, as it always has been. When I combine my passion for all things French with my gift for connecting people, I can create a custom designed itinerary to connect YOU to your dreams.  Paris has everything to inspire you whether you are an artist, a chef, a perfumer, an entrepreneur, into fashion, music, culture, theatre, dance, food.... Its all here in Paris.

Did you dream of coming to Paris to take cooking classes like Julia Child did many years ago?  Or maybe you are a chef looking for inspiration?  Our friend, a well known chef, will invite you to his kitchen where you will be inspired by the tastes and textures of Paris and cook up a storm.  Do you dream about walking through charming villages of Paris tasting the best cheeses, chocolates, charcuterie and delicacies Paris has to offer?  For wine enthusiasts or winemakers, we will drive you around the charming towns in Champagne or Burgundy so you can taste and learn about wines and champagnes with a oenoiste (wine expert).  If perfume is your passion, I can introduce you to a master perfumer who will teach you to mix precious oils for a bespoke potion and help you to take your craft to the next level.  My little black book of fashion designers and image consultant, Jacqueline, will help you find your unique style for any occasion.

And if you dream of a wedding in Paris....with a wave of my wand, I can make this dream come true, too.    
After all this inspiration, you may find an opportunity to grow your business in France and the French have such an entrepreneurial spirit!  I can connect you to experts who can help you navigate the legal and business aspects of doing business in France and help you take your business international.

I take the time to understand your tastes and preferences so I can create a bespoke, made to order itinerary just for you.  I will handle all the details of your trip, customized just for you so you can relax and enjoy the best Paris has to offer.  Find Your Self in France is about taking your life and your business to the next level by inspiring you to find your passion, find your unique style and live the life you were meant to live.

I had a very interesting thing happen today.   I was at a cafe writing, my normal daily habit, when a man asked me, in French ecrivez-vous tout les jours?  (Do you write everyday?)  Mais oui! I responded.  He went on saying I should stay in Paris, whatever it took, get a small studio, and write every day and when you have 5 notebooks filled up, attend the society of published authors in Paris.  He said I will find my self by writing, everything else is Merde!  I asked him his name,  he is Bruno Paulin Meynis, the son of Michel Audiard, a famous writer and screenwriter who wrote the original adaptation of The Three Muskateers by Alexandre Dumas!    Isn't this something!!!

Monet's and Mine: Etretat, Normandy, France

Beautiful Honfleur

My hosts at Bee Home - Honfleur

Honfleur...Finally!

It's so beautiful in Honfleur.  I had a real ordeal yesterday getting here, let me tell you...the rental car agency lost my reservation and could not locate an automatic car anywhere in Paris, so Jacqueline and her daughter helped me find a train to Deauville. The owner of the B & B I'm staying at offered to pick me up at the station.  So all was well, and I was on my way.

I slept on the train and when it stopped I looked at the clock on my phone and saw that it was 4pm, my how fast! so I got off , but when I called for my ride and they said we will be there at 4pm, I looked at my phone again and it said 14:00 (2pm) which I mistook for 4:00.   So now I had to explain to the train station what happened, they found me another train and I would arrive in Deauville at 5pm.  Ok so I called my ride and explained what happened.  Fine they will arrive at 5pm to get me.  

I had an hour to kill so I sat down with my back to the train lane and ate my lunch.   Time passed and I texted my friends to tell them what happened,  finally a TGV went by so fast, I had to hold onto my hat, it literally took my breath away and I was stunned, it came and went so fast,  but as it was stealing my attention, my train arrived and I didn't see it.  I heard the toot and I asked the ticket person if that was the train. It was, it came and went. WITHOUT ME!!!

The next train wasn't for 4 hours and by then I wouldn't arrive in Deauville until after 9.  I didn't want to bother my host that late so I let her know what happened, she said can't you find a car?   Right, an automatic in bum F*** France!!  I figured I would just stay the night by the train station and try in the morning.  The next day being Sunday but very few trains running.  

I walked across the street to the little motel and the nice man called the Avis car rental just to check.  They had one automatic left, but only until Monday!!   Fine!  I'll take it!   I was on my way again, an hour later I arrived in  Honfleur.  It is the most adorable charming fishing village I have ever seen.  I loved Marblehead and Rockport in Massachusetts but this is like any New England seaside village times 10!  Its not like  California which is more mediterranean.  

The B & B I am staying at is called Bee Home  http://www.beehome.fr/  its just 5 minutes from Honfleur away from the crowds in the country by farms, its so peaceful and tranquil, so its really a good idea I have a car.  The owner speaks good English and made me feel right at home when I arrived with a glass of wine, which I really needed by this time.  I took a long  hot bath and went to sleep early in my huge King sized bed with down comforter.  Now, I'm going to have a luxurious breakfast and explore the quaint town of Honfleur!  Can't wait!!

Making Friends in Paris

I went out for a walk on Rue Passy, near the Trocadero in the 16th Arrondisement. An area mostly  populated by very chic, wealthy families with beautiful 19th century luxury apartment buildings and elegant cafes.  I found a little Bretagne creperie with cafe tables on the sidewalk with blue and white striped table clothes.  There was a gentleman just finishing his meal and I took a place just one table down from  him. 

Noticing that I wasn't from around those parts, he asked me where I was from and what brings me to Paris.  He was a retired pilot for Air France and before that the Air Force, he was about 60, very refined, he traveled the world and hasn't found anywhere to be nearly as charming as France.  Each region is unique and has so much to offer. He is originally from Bordeaux but has lived in Paris for 30 years and summers in his house in Antibes.  

We talked about France and flying until another couple sat at the table between us so I turned to my brut cidre and he finished his crepe sucre.   After he paid his bill, he came over to my table extending his hand to wish me a bonnes vacances.  "I am Jacques" he handed me his calling card.  He has a lady friend who speaks English and perhaps I would like to join them tomorrow for dinner.  "Delighted", I said,  I didn't remember the number for my French cell phone so I said I would email him my number. 

The next day I received a call from a lady who said she is a friend of Jacques whom I met at the cafe  yesterday and would I like to join them for drinks at his place.   I accepted, but I was a little precautious to go to his place, but she was very nice on the phone too, so I  thought, why not.  Jacqueline warned me they could be like Dominique Strauss-Kahn and recruiting but I wasn't worried, I trusted there are still kind, sincere people left in this world.   Luckily, earlier that day I picked up 4 chocolate eclaires on Rue Montorgueil, rated the best in Paris, so I was prepared with my host gift.

I arrived at the apartment on Rue Passy and met Sarah, a lovely lady who spoke good English, she was waiting for me on the sidewalk.  I feel she was waiting for me on the sidewalk to to put me at ease, which I was but, still,  I thought it was very considerate.  We walked up to Jacques' apartment which was a small but charming and quintessentially French apartment, very tidy and beautifully furnished with antiques and typical blues and yellows.  He showed me all the rooms and his little office upstairs and he also owned the apartment next door, perfect for guests who could have their own space and privacy.   He seemed very proud as he himself built many of the cabinets and had furniture made to order.  Another lady arrived,  who I think was Jacques girlfriend.   Her name is Claire.  We were about the same age, a very sweet Parisian, she lived in Switzerland and spoke very good English because she works at a Swiss bank.  She told me Jacques lost his wife a couple years ago and its been very hard on him.  I think they are very good friends.    

We drank a toast of very good champagne in crystal flutes to new friendships.  Sarah was an air stewardess and knew Jacques for 30 years.  Another Parisian, she is charming and witty and so friendly.  Whoever says Parisians aren't friendly doesn't know Parisians the way I do.  I know my experience is exceptional, probably not every American gets invited into the home of a French person for champagne.  It was really special.  We laughed and joked and talked about France and how the French language is deteriorating.  Jacques is very funny and charming, he tries to speak a little English but the ladies make fun of him.  Its getting late, but the sky is still light, we finish the bottle of champagne and the eclaires.  Jacques proposes we go out for sushi.   We started with champagne and dessert and then took a walk down the street to a wonderful little sushi bar.   It was a lovely evening.  Jacques and Claire are going to the French Riviera next week but they will be back the following week.  We decided we will get together again when they return.   

I just love making wonderful friends in Paris.