Last year I stayed in a gorgeous apartment in Paris while I was working on my book. Owner Maria did an incredible job with the renovation – sourcing light fittings, door knobs, bathroom fixtures and furnishings from brocantes (French flea markets). I will show (+ tell!) you more of this beautiful space this coming year, but for now I just wanted to take you for a little afternoon aperitif at Maria’s stunning bar, situated in the hall of the apartment. Isn’t it gorgeous? This fresque is an original and is a typical Brittany-scape, you can see the women on the cliff in their traditional dresses, and the sailboats below. Maria had it restored and added the bar stools which she had upholstered in a turquoise plush velvet.

okay okay, let’s have one more bit of fun before we officially declare this week started… so this is it, the final soundscape from my last trip to Paris. I hope you’ve enjoyed these ones as much as I have enjoyed recording them. Please press the play button below to be transported to the magnificent carousel at the foot of the hill of the sacre cœur, where we sit and listen to the children playing (and crying as you will hear!), the breeze blowing through the tree tops and edith singing one of her fabulous tunes. It was a rather magical moment that I hope you enjoy too…

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Author’s note: Don’t do what I did… I was sitting on the bench watching the merry-go-round intensely while I snapped photos, observing the action of all the kids going around and around. I turned away after half an hour of watching, looked at French Boy rather pale and said “I don’t feel so well”.

After that we walked to Le Progrès for a drink and it took me a good hour before my nausea subsided.

The End.

Please press the play button below to be whisked away with my for a little sunday afternoon apéritif at Le Progrès, in Montmatre, Paris…

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I’ll go grab us some drinks at the bar, what would you like?

Isn’t this place great? It’s one of my favourites. Have a look at the original ceiling…

Looks like the kitchen isn’t open yet…

Well, I best get back to work. Would you join me here again sometime?

xx

You’ve all been so patient: not one of you complained after I said I would post soundscapes from Paris last week but gave you none. So I cannot help but give you one of my favourites straight up. Come with me, my (d)ear friends, as i take you with me, picking up where we left off last week – on our way by bike to the esplanade in front of the pompidou, avec le son, where we happen upon a rather cool dude – a busker playing the oud. Please press the play button below and enjoy…

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Latin Quarter at sundown. Which reminds me of this song by Olivia. Love it.