We always enjoy traveling to France, and we found a little piece of paradise on this visit. We may have seen the area we hope to call home…more on that later. This is just an overview of an extraordinary trip. I am still pinching myself. We arrived on a cold, snowy morning. Stepping out of the airport with our driver, we could see our breath…the last time was years ago in Switzerland. The weather got our attention and made for a longer-than-usual drive into Paris. We had a great conversation with our bilingual driver, making time fly by.
We had early check-in at the hotel (YAY) and, after depositing our bags, headed out for brunch and a long walk through the Tuileries Garden in the snow. It was magical. Daffodils and crocuses were covered in snow, and the blooming magnolia trees looked out of place. It reminded me of growing up in the Midwest when a freak snowstorm would cover the flowers and blooming trees. By the next day, the snow had melted, and the sun was out. Although very cold, the weather was glorious. Seriously, the weather was not a concern having the opportunity to visit France twice in five months.
In October, I visited the YSL Musée and wrote about it for The Good Life France Magazine. The Musée invited me back to see the new additions and extended the invitation to hubby. It was brilliant. With over 34,703 items, you could revisit them every quarter. Ray enjoyed it as much as I did. I’ll be sharing more about the Musée later.
Goosebump alert…we visited the Coco Chanel Suite at the Ritz Paris! This was a fantastic experience, and I will forever be grateful. I don’t want to share too much as an article will be forthcoming.
This three-room suite is to die for. Understated elegance, so Chanel.
After visiting the suite, we were escorted downstairs to the Salon Proust for tea. This is not your average tea. It consists of several courses, and it is all SWEETS! I was in heaven; hubby was in shock.
Word to the wise—don’t eat before tea at the Ritz. We had a light lunch and ended up with two takeaway boxes of sweets. They were packaged so beautifully. The kind folks at the Ritz presented me with a gorgeous goodie bag after visiting Suite 202. I had to take a photo.
From Paris, we took the TGV to Montpellier to attend a seminar and visit the area. There is so much history (as in all of France) we fell in love with the region of Occitanie.
I could have spent weeks exploring.
Château d’Eau was built in 1753 and is part of a gorgeous pedestrian promenade.
This triumphal arch was built in 1691. The age is staggering.
Before returning to Paris, we visited Béziers, Pézenas, Marseillan, and Sète. I am smitten with the ‘other South of France.’ So is Ray. You have a bustling city, medieval village, beach town, and the ‘Venice of France’ all within proximity.
We could live here. Easily.
In Marseillan, home to Noily Prat Vermouth, we had drinks with a Lord and his Lady. It was unexpected, and they were delightful.
We could live here. Easily.
Dodging strikes, we returned to Paris for a few more days. While it didn’t snow, we experienced rain, wind, and glorious sunshine. Many of you know we brought my son’s ashes to “his happy place.” He loved France, well…almost everything about it. I’m so thankful we were able to do this for him.
While bittersweet, I know he is jumping for joy in Heaven.
Thank you for visiting!
Laurie says
Holy moly what fun! Tea at the Ritz Paris, boxes of sweets, CocoChanels suite, the YSL Musée. I would be pinching myself. What a fabulous trip, although bittersweet. I hope this trip has given you comfort and peace. I’m glad you found your special place.
Barb Harmon says
Hi Laurie,
Thank you for visiting and commenting! It’s appreciated! It’s so crazy…what a time we had.
Knowing my son is where he would have loved to be, I feel an amazing peace. I am so grateful we were able to do that for him.
I know he is smiling down.
XX
Cheryl says
Aw…what a wonderful blessing to be able to take your son’s ashes to the place he loved so well! Congratulations on your published magazine article and the amazing trip you enjoyed! I saw a sweet comment today that you had left on my blog back in 2016, and I wanted to come by and visit you and see how you are doing. So happy that all is well with you, my friend. God bless you always. 🙂
Barb Harmon says
Hi Cheryl,
Thank you for coming by to visit! It was a blessing for us to bring his ashes to France. It took me a long time to make the decision but I had to listen to that still, small voice. I have total peace now…something that was lacking. Writing this past year has kept me on track…
God bless you too!
xx
Nancy says
What a great article, Barb. Wonderful photos too!
Barb Harmon says
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for stopping by! We had a marvelous time…still on cloud 9.
Becky Van Noy says
LOVE this article, Barb! The way in which you describe it all makes me almost feel as if I were there! Thank you for sharing, and I’m so happy for you now that you are feeling peace ✌. We miss you on Instagram!
Much love to you,
Becky Van Noy
Barb Harmon says
Becky!!! Thank you for stopping by (I need to stop by my blog…). I hope all is well.
Who would have thought when I wrote that post 13 months ago, that we’d be moving to Pezenas the next year? Not me!
It’s been a hectic few months. The French Consulate approved us for our long-stay visa in early April. We’ve sold our house- we close Friday, and the movers are scheduled for May 28th. I can’t believe it, so, so grateful.
I thought about you on Mother’s Day. I hope you had a good day. Bittersweet for me. This new norm doesn’t get easier, but we deal.
I am hoping to post on IG and my blog soon. I miss you too!
Love and hugs,
Barb