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BnF or Bibliothèque Nationale de France – Richelieu Library

National Library of France

BnF or Bibliothèque nationale de France (National Library of France)

“The very existence of libraries affords the best evidence that we may yet have hope for the future of man.”
― T.S. Eliot

National Library of Paris - Richelieu Library

The other month I was standing in awe in the oval reading room of the National Library of France - Richelieu Library, otherwise known to the locals as the BnF and the beauty of this building nearly brought tears to my eyes. I am not joking, the immense and kaleidoscopic oval reading room designed by academic architect Jean-Louis Pascal took my breath away!

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Paris In Springtime – What to See and Do

Paris in the springtimeParis in Springtime – What to See and Do

Paris in Springtime is quite simply one of the most beautiful seasons to visit Paris and if you love gardens and blossom then you’ll love springtime in Paris.  Our round up of what to see and do in springtime is the result of many trips to Paris, and especially at springtime.

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Notre Dame Cathedral Bees Survive the Fire

Notre Dame Cathedral beehives

Notre Dame Cathedral Bees Survive The Fire

Notre Dame Cathedral is just one of the famous buildings in Paris that have active beehives on their rooftop and as the fire raged through the Cathedral on 15 April 2019 the survival of the rooftop bees and their beehives was on many peoples' minds.

On Monday the 15th April, the day of the disastrous fire, I was gazing up at the scaffolding and taking photos only an hour before the fire broke out and the fate of the bees crossed my mind on hearing about the fire, having researched and published my article Paris' Rooftop Beehives in 2015 all about Paris' hidden beehives and their keepers.

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Louvre Museum Glass Pyramid Turns 30 Years Old

Louvre Museum Paris

The Louvre Glass Pyramid Celebrates its 30th Birthday

The glass pyramid entrance at the Louvre Museum in Paris has recently turned 30 years old and while it is loved the world over now, that was not always the case. In fact it was a very controversial issue for many years. Most of us however, cannot image the Louvre now without its unique and much photographed glass pyramid entrance.

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Presbytère d’Étienville – A Beautiful Garden of Normandy, France

Apple blossom in beautiful garden in Normandy, France

Presbytère d’Étienville - A Beautiful Garden of Normandy, France

Normandy (Normandie) in the north of France is one of 18 regions. It is well known for its coastline and many beautiful gardens.  Covering an area of approximately 30,627 kilometres it is divided into five administrative departments.  In this new series of Beautiful Gardens of Normandy, France, we will be travelling through the region exploring its gardens in more detail.

“The many great gardens of the world, of literature and poetry, of painting and music, of religion and architecture, all make the point as clear as possible: The soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden. If you don't want paradise, you are not human; and if you are not human, you don't have a soul.”  -  Sir Thomas More, author of 16th Century seminal classic ‘Utopia’

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French Walking Tours in Aix-en-Provence, France

Aix en Provence, France town square with market

Aix-en-Provence, also know as La Ville des Fontaines (The City of Fountains)

Walking tours of France are becoming an increasingly more popular way of exploring France and Aix-en-Provence is a popular inclusion in tours around the Provence region.

Aix-en-Provence is also known as the City of Fountains or, in French, la Ville des Fontaines, and Nicole Ress from Walk the French Talk Tours has recently returned from one of her tours of Aix-en-Provence and she shares with us her highlights of this town and why it's a popular town for exploring on foot.  

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Château Gudanes – Australian Couple Restore A French Château

Château Gudanes – Australian Couple Restore A French Château

“A Château in the south of France, under restoration…

Once upon a time a thirteenth century fortress, a fifteenth century castle, an eighteenth century palatial château, and, after decades of neglect, an abandoned ruin upon a forgotten hilltop…” – Château Gudane

Looking for a true love story that never ends? Then the tale of Karina and Craig Waters, the Australian couple who purchased Château Gudanes in southern France will enthral you.  From the moment this Perth couple gingerly walked the collapsed floors of Château Gudanes and spied her damp crumbling walls they were in love with her.

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Top Things To Do in Pontrieux and Pont-Croix, France

Top Things To Do in Pontrieux and Pont-Croix, France

Top Things To Do in Pontrieux and Pont-Croix

In our series of small towns that belong to the Association of Petites Cités de Caractère (Small Towns of Character) of Brittany, we have already explored Bécherel, Bazouges-la-Pérouse, Chateaugiron and Chatelaudren.  Now lets explore Pontrieux and Pont-Croix and the best things to do in these towns and oh my goodness you’ll love them, they are so pretty.

Pontrieux – A Stunning Flower Town

First the stunning colourful town literally overflowing with flowers, Pontrieux. I love this town which is one of the 22 Small Towns of Character in Brittany and also the holder of the prestigious title of being a “4 flower” village.

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A French Collection is featured in international magazines, ABC National Radio interviews, France Media Group webinars & blog articles and interviews.

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