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Paris, Loire, SVP
  • Ericovan
  • Judith Rivlin
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  • Ericovan
  • Judith Rivlin

Paris, Loire, SVP

10 days with Judy beloved daughter Margot and son-in-law Ben segueing into 9 days in Salzburg Vienna and Prague (SVP) with Jamie Ed Richard and Jeff. Read more
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  • Last seen in
    🇫🇷 Blois, France
    Paris, Loire, SVP
    House built ~1420Blois CathedralJesuit ChurchCh. de Blois.The French renaissance by Francis I, peer to Henri VIII.Blois Cathedral with hand painted cloudsStreet art on stepsRiver viewRestaurant on Chambord propertyat nightThe Devil in residence

    Blois

    Yesterday in France ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Our Spa day. Massages or other treatments all around (Judy wandered the town). Hamman, jacuzzi, two spray showers with four settings (including a cold rinse), indoor pool etc. 90 minute massage for me. Very relaxing.

    Then a great walk around Blois which is a very picaresque town/city.

    Dinner was back at Chambord at Le Grand Saint-Michele, a hotel and restaurant. Chambord at night with no tourists is quite a site. Dinner was leisurely, tasty, traditional and fun.    Read more

  • Paris, Loire, SVP
    Statue by the kennelCh. ChiverneyArt deco? Non. Created around 1630–1640 by the painter and decorator Jean Mosnier

    Two Chateaux

    September 10 in France ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Big day. Two Chateaux, a final sprint before our spa day. Chateau de Cheverny has a kennel with hounds who were super friendly and a small exhibit on Tintin, a famous comic book series.

    The Chateau is unusual because it was not sacked during the revolution. The Hurault family have owned the chateau on and off since its construction in 1640-50. But. They lost the property before the revolution and only managed to get it back in 1825. The garden has a cool maze that is a challenge.

    We had a lovely multicourse country lunch.

    Then onto Chateau de Chambord. This vast chateau was sacked during the revolution and so the interior is a recreation. The ability to walk the roofline was especially fun. Fun fact: the liquor Chambord was created by an American, Norton “Sky” Cooper, in 1982 and its market is primarily US. The liquor is made in France and sold in the gift store.

    Our dinner is a Michelin 2 star 8 course dinner at Christophe Hay’s restaurant in our Relais and Chateau Lafleur de Loire which is a five-star hotel occupying a restored 17th-century building commissioned under Gaston d’Orléans (son of Henri IV, brother of Louis XIII. The dinner is definitely instagram cuisine but is creative and fun with a beautiful wine pairing done by Bastian, the sommelier. All leave at midnight but Bastian and I continue chatting until just before 1:00 over genuine monk made Chartreuse.    Read more

  • Paris, Loire, SVP

    Two Chateaux and Wine Tasting

    September 9 in France ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    An epic day. We visited Villandry and then Azay-le-Rideau and the a winery built into the cliffs.

    Villandry has the most fantastic restored gardens with an intimate restored chateau. [Pics 1-9 ] . Great lunch at L’Epine [Pic 10 local Shiitake foam mushroom soup with homemade fruitcake/sesame topping]

    Then on to Azay-le-Rideau famous for being surrounded on three sides by water with its famous spiral staircase.

    Lastly, a wine tasting at Caves Plou and Fils, a winery with caves carved from the cliffs. We were allowed to wander through the caves. [Pics 16-19 ]

    A truly fine dinner at Les Arpents (Farm fresh tomatoes and pesto with burrata, Fish with corn foam, pigeon and pigeon confit).    Read more

  • Paris, Loire, SVP
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    1Marie de MediciLouis XIV - The Sun KingMont Tresor - plus Beau VillageSundayAmboiseLe Arpents1

    Chateau Chenenceau

    September 8 in France ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Today was all about Chateau Chenenceau. We toured the storied chateau of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici.

    It started out raining - good time for an inside tour - and morphed into a beautiful sun-kissed afternoon. We took our time in the gardens which were in full bloom.

    A quick lunch in Loches, rest and back to Amboise for dinner at Les Arpents. Dinner was a five course meal of local products and a wine pairing. Fabulous.    Read more

  • Paris, Loire, SVP
    Our little cottageLa Planque - Confit burgerBeef TatakiTuna Tartare

    Onto Amboise

    September 7 in France ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Travel day to Amboise, situated on the Loire. Sadly, there was no room for us in a royal chateau so we are staying at Le Chateau des Arpentis. The chateau dates back to 1313 and was owned for a time by the de Guise family. Louis XVIII stayed here. We are staying in a two story cottage. Judy and Eric on the top floor and Margot and Ben in the story below. The accommodation [Pics 3, 4 and 5] are worthy of any couple who just got married May 31st (Margot and Ben).

    We went to Amboise for a wine sampling (“degustation”) and burgers for dinner. But. The burgers were shrimp, pork and Confit de Canard. Nice apps too.    Read more

  • Paris, Loire, SVP
    GrotesqueGrotesqueHow Parisians ' park their bikesAll the Sorbonne students sunningHardin des LuxembourgSaint ChapelleLes Deux PalaisIconThe quiet riverThe lonely Street

    Paris - Last full Day

    September 6 in France ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Nice late start with brunch next door. Onto the Memorial des Martyrs de la Deportation. The memorial covers the deportation of Jews communists and others from France (some 170,000 to 200,000 people). Good videos and stories but no recognition that France aided the deportation.

    Then the epic climb up the right tower of Notre Dame. They do the climb in stages. Wonderful gargoyles and grotesques (all added in the 19th century by Eugène Viollet-le-Duck😉 in a fit of gothic revival)

    After that, we drifted over to the left bank, did a little shopping and visited my second of sacred places in Paris (the first is La Place des Vosges).

    Home for local cheese, salami and baguette.

    Then on to my third of sacred places in Paris, Sainte Chapelle, for its 8:00 pm concert. [Pics 22-24 ] .

    Finally, dinner at Les Deux Palais. What a treat. Everyone is in a festive mood. Margot and Ben take off to see the Eiffle Tower at night. We saunter home.

    The river glows, the banks are for the last of the romantics [Pic 27] , the streets are empty [Pic 28 ] . We say goodbye. 😢    Read more

  • Paris, Loire, SVP

    Impressionism

    September 5 in France ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    When I see many modern artists mimic Impressionism they just do broad strokes of bright color across the canvas. What I still marvel at with Monet and others is how many colors they use all in short brush impasto strokes. It was the first time artificial paints were available allowing painting en plaine air. To our delight they used as many tubes as they could..

    On the other hand, the brilliance of Van Goth van be seen in this small painting. Look at the lower bottom left side and you will see the brown “ground” showing through. When you look at the close up you can see that the wheels, the horse and other elements use the ground both as a color and as a flat texture.    Read more

  • Paris, Loire, SVP
    Mural of ND reconstructionCandle for Marie's brotherMausoleum of the Count of HarcourtPont NeufMusee (Gare) d'OrssyMoneyVan GothCroque MonsieurLouvreLouvreRoyal Apartments Napoleon IIITwo Fisted BenBurrata pesto and tomatoesFashionFashionFashionFashion

    Notre Dame

    September 5 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    The cover shows the view 20’ from our door of the Pantheon, home to the venerated - Victor Hugo, Voltaire etc. The video is from our front door.

    Having scored tickets at Midnight on the 3rd, we walked right in at 9:30. The first time I walked through the restored Cathedral, it was a shock. So much light and airiness and the the vast awe inspiring gloom.

    This time, I just soaked it all in, using my Google camera to elaborate on details such as the cheery Mausoleum of the Count of Harcourt. The visit was fabulous. It also helped that we walk by a mural/display each day detailing the incredible five year restoration. Margot and Ben and Judy enjoyed the whole thing as well.

    The day was young though so off we went to the Musee d’Orsay for a tour of 1st floor statues, Manet and the 5th floor impressionists. The museum used to be a train station.

    Lunch was great at a traditional brasserie. [Pic 14] . Then off to a brief tour of Louvre highlights by Margot and Ben while Judy and I scoped out the royal apartments of Napoleon III. A quick walk in the Tuileries and the a walk home.

    Rest and a wonderful dinner at Le Caveau du Palais: Burrata/pesto/tomatoes and duck confit were the highlights.

    [Pics 23- 25] show a few fashion slices.    Read more

  • Paris, Loire, SVP
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    11

    Paris

    September 4 in France ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Great day going to the Eiffel Tower and Rodin Museum. We had summit tickets (my first time at the top) with a glass of champagne and then lunch at the 1st floor Madame Brasserie.

    Then off to the beautiful Rodin Museum, my favorite, a peaceful and artistic experience.

    Dinner at a small wood timbered restaurant Au Bougnat, a ten minute walk, and home    Read more

  • Paris, Loire, SVP
    Gardens of the Palais RoyalBone MarrowPlace des VosagesVictor Hugo's salon in the Orientalist styleVictor HugoVictor Hugo by RodinHappy hour cheeseEscargotsEscargot with basil and garlic

    Day 2

    September 3 in France ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    As a person whose family moved around a lot (my mother was known for not having a house more than five years even in the same city), outside of Washington DC, the only other place I feel at home is Paris. I know its streets, its ambiance, its vibe so to speak, how to navigate it, its history and language and its cuisine. Coming here is coming home. Coming with Judy and newlyweds Margot and Ben is very special indeed.

    What a day! Margot and Ben arrive at 8:30 am and fly through the new biometrics to arrive at 9:40. Letting Ben rest a bit we off to the gardens of the Palais Royal (after picking up out 4 day museum passes), then along the Seine and back to pick up Ben at our place on the Ile de Saint Louis. Then off to lunch at my favorite spot, Ma Bourgogne at the Place des Vosages (another secret garden). It was a long, relaxing French lunch with a few glasses of Sancerre. We stopped for a visit to Victor Hugo’s house (hotel in French terms) the author of the famous Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Mis.

    A little rest, happy hour with champagne and cheese and duck salami. Then off to dinner at C’est Comme a la Maison (ie home cooking), a restaurant with five tables, a chef and a waitress. Great escargots.

    A walk back takes us to the Hotel de Guise, the duke made famous by Dumas in the trilogy starting with Queen Margot. Finally, after regaling Margot and Ben about the old key bridge and how we added ours and how the mean authorities took it down on a pretext, brave Margot discoverers a rebellious band of locks - perhaps soon to be joined by another.    Read more

  • Paris, Loire, SVP
    Cheese StoreA home of poet Charles BaudelaireAubergines (eggplant) with cheese sauce

    Day 1

    September 2 in France ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Arrived to our beautiful apartment on the Ike de la Cite 7 minutes from Notre Dame. Great weather and beautiful views. We arrived late in the day. Dinner was at L’Orangerie, down the block for a traditional meal. Then, a last evening walk around our neighborhood and to the proudly restored Notre dame.Read more

  • Paris, Loire, SVP
    French Asylum Form - ready to goEspresso and chocolate2

    Leaving on a jet plane

    September 1 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    All packed. Last cuddles wth Zeke while I catch up on some reading. French Asylum paperwork filled out [pic 2]. Great timing on the weather [Pics 3&4]
    A last espresso and chocolate. [Pic 5]
    Saying goodbye. [Pic 6]
    At the Gate. [Pic 7] and hopeful.    Read more

    Trip start
    September 1, 2026