Today I've visited one apartment and have another to go. The first was called a souplex and had a lower floor--underground--which seems bizarre in Paris. Why come to the City of Light and hide below ground? I asked the nice young man if the lower étage had been a cave that was incorporated into the rez-de-chaussée (ground floor) living space. He supposed it was. He couldn't pay too much attention. He was aflutter with his potential clients coming in and out.
The other apartment I'm seeing isn't really on the side of the river I want, which is the Right Bank. Yes, Paris is a gorgeous city. I love the Left Bank on my journeys across the Seine, but trust me, when you live here, you usually orient yourself on one side or the other. Before we moved here, we hardly came to the Right Bank. Now we hardly leave it. If you want to live in Paris one day, this is something you'll be considering.
Image via Wikipedia
My dear friend Lock lived in Paris for four years. It was fantastic for me, because we'd never lived in the same town before. And for half of that time, Lock lived 10 minutes walk from my soon lost apartment. How good was that! Lock had been a close friend of my sweet brother Brent Arnold who died of AIDS in 1990. Besides the fact that Lock is an impeccable gentleman and wonderful human being, Lock = part of Brent and his life = connection, familiarity, comfort, and brotherly love to me. Lock came to Arkansas and gave the eulogy at Brent's funeral. What more can I say?
Lock moved away about a year ago but graced Paris with his presence a few weeks back. And we did what was a fairly regular occurance when he lived here: we took a day trip. It has been one of my missions and pleasures to see the wondrous sights not just in Paris but within an hour from her, and Lock and I are traveling partners in this. There are so many lovely venues in this perimeter, and it's a luxury to enjoy them over lazy time. Lock got to choose our latest adventure, and he picked Senlis.
Senlis was a royal place of residence for Frankish rulers--and where Hugh Capet (image above) was chosen King. The royal city dwindled from fashion, when the grand chateaus at Compiègne and Fontainebleau became its worthy successors.
We took the train to Chantilly and a connecting bus to the charming village. Here's a trinity of Senlis photos:
Stained Glass Window in the Cathedrale Notre-Dame
Cathedrale Notre-Dame
Diane de Poitiers, I should think
This is a likeness and sculpture that erudite and powerful courtesan of Henri II, Diane de Poitiers used as a personal expression of herself. Diane was a hunter and sportswoman and symbolized herself as Diana the Huntress. (DdP is too fabulous. I love her chateau at Anet!) I'm guessing that's why we find this wonderful piece in the royal estate here. Does anyone know?
Henri IV was the last French king to stay at the royal chateau in Senlis.
I want to find the apartment that screams me in Paris--with my style and attitude like Diane de Poitiers. Like I told my husband, Jim, today as we were walking back from the worst apartment we've seen. "I know I'm spoiled, but not as spoiled as I want to be!"
--Beth Arnold
Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by Beth Arnold on her iPhone.
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