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A Good Life in Paris - unique cultural trip in ParisLydie Francart

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Lydie Francart

agoodlifeinparis

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Paris during the Olympic Games: where are the tour Paris during the Olympic Games: where are the tourists?? Not on Place du Tertre in Montmartre... Not at the Louvre… Not on the banks of the Seine river… Not on the café terraces... Not in the public gardens... They’re all at the Stade de France for the athletics competitions, and the other sumptuous competition venues. And since Parisians are away on vacation, the streets are so quiet! There are plenty of available seats in cafés and restaurants, and the museums are almost empty. Can you imagine the Mona Lisa at the Louvre with hardly anyone in front of it? Or the Place du Tertre in Montmartre without tourists in the middle of summer? Unheard of! 😳😅 The lucky ones who are there take advantage 🤩 , and think: “There, there’s only order, beauty: Pleasure and calm and luxury.” (from the poem “Invitation to the Voyage” by Charles Baudelaire) A happy August to you all! Much love, Lydie xoxo agoodlifeinparis.com ❤️ #agoodlifeinparis #france #paris2024 #parisjetaime #IloveParis
Olympics Paris 2024: truly enjoyed this rowing com Olympics Paris 2024: truly enjoyed this rowing competition 🚣‍♀️🤩💙 First-rate organization, as always at these Olympiads 😍. Location was at Vaires-sur-Marne, 35 km east of Paris: all year long a great place for outdoor activities! Superb equipments for water sports enthusiasts, an equestrian center, a golf, and a multitude of spots for a peaceful picnic surrounded by nature 🌳🌿🦋 
Much love, Lydie xoxo agoodlifeinparis.com ❤️ #agoodlifeinparis #france #paris2024 #parisjetaime #IloveParis #enjoyinglife
I’m really enjoying these Olympic Games in Paris I’m really enjoying these Olympic Games in Paris! A magical opening ceremony, incredible in its beauty and creativity🤩. Top-notch organization. Majestic competition venues. Sports records broken🏅. And so much peace and quiet in the capital. By the way, where are the hordes of tourists we were told would be here? I have the impression that there are fewer of them than in a “normal” summer. They are gathered around the competition sites. In many other areas, like the Marais, the streets are very quiet. It’s a pleasure to stroll around, to go to the museum. It may be a bit difficult for the tourism/hospitality industry (of which I’m a part), but Paris will shine even brighter in the months and years to come! I’m not being chauvinistic, but really, congratulations to France and Paris for organizing such beautiful Games! 😍👏 Today more than ever: Paris is a feast! 🥳💜. Much love, Lydie xoxo agoodlifeinparis.com ❤️ #agoodlifeinparis #france #paris2024 #parisjetaime #IloveParis
A pleasant visit to the Musée Bourdelle. This lov A pleasant visit to the Musée Bourdelle. This lovely museum, in the heart of the Montparnasse district (Paris 15), has recently been carefully renovated. I love it for 5 reasons: 1️⃣👨‍🎨The museum tells the story of the life, artistic career and contributions of Antoine Bourdelle (1861 - 1929), a major artist - even if he is less well known today than his master Auguste Rodin, and his students Giacometti and Matisse. Bourdelle played a crucial role in transitioning from the academic sculpture of the 19th century to the modernist approaches of the 20th century. His style is expressive and dynamic. Picture 5 shows one of his most notable work, “Herakles Archer”, a dynamic and powerful representation of the mythical hero Herakles. Today, it can be found in major museums and galleries across the world, notably in the USA, Australia, Japan and Sweden. 2️⃣🏠The museum was also his living and working space, and some of the rooms remain as they once were, which I find fascinating. 3️⃣👩‍🏫The museum can be visited in a couple of hours, and teaches complex artistic techniques such as bronze statuary in a very didactic way (I went there with a Japanese friend, and her 6-year-old son had a lot of fun! The museum actually welcomes many groups of school children.) 4️⃣🌳☕️Inside the museum, you’ll find pretty gardens where you can relax and dream. On the terrace is a recently opened restaurant, Le Rhodia, named after Antoine Bourdelle’s daughter. Chef Jean-René Chassignol champions a responsible and healthy approach to cuisine. His cuisine is largely organic, local and seasonal. Everything I love! 5️⃣ 🆓🤩 And last but not least, access to the permanent collections is free! (like many other Paris museums, such as the Petit Palais and Musée Carnavalet). #IloveParis #enjoyinglife #agoodlifeinparis
Wonderful Kintsugi workshop in Paris last weekend Wonderful Kintsugi workshop in Paris last weekend at @maisonsatoparis with Ai Shimizu @Urujyu, a great lacquer artist who came especially from Kyoto, Japan. 🤩💖 Kintsugi (金継ぎ, litt. “golden joinery”✨) recently became very popular in Western countries. It is the traditional Japanese technique of repairing ceramics with lacquer and a metal powder (usually made from gold or silver). I had the pleasure to meet with Ai-san last November, and got fascinated with her explanations of the art of lacquering, a process that requires time and patience. Urushi”, sap from the lacquer tree, is used to lacquer wooden objects to make them more beautiful and robust. But lacquer is also an excellent glue for repairing objects. Around the 16th century, Japanese craftsmen began to cover the break or crack, filled with urushi, with pigments (gold or silver powder, for example). This method became known as “Kintsugi”. Kintsugi acquired its letters of nobility thanks to the tradition of the tea ceremony (which I practiced for several years in Japan). Sen no Rikyu, an eminent tea master, felt that kintsugi was perfectly in tune with his philosophy of wabi-sabi (which promotes deriving value from imperfection and impermanence). For Rikyu, the imperfection of pottery was to be cherished. Repairs told not only the story of the vessel - in particular, the owner’s attachment to it to the point of having it repaired - but also the technical and artistic skills of the repairer. (Inspired by ”How to live Japanese”, excellent book by Yutaka Yazawa) Kintsugi is about accepting the alteration of time, and embellishing cracks to enhance an object. It is an invitation to consider the beauty of imperfect things… and people! Thank you to @maisonsatoparis for organizing wonderful workshops with knowledgeable, talented artists, and for their beautiful collection of Japanese ceramics and traditional objects. Thank you @Urujyu for spreading your tranquil, serene, gentle energy, along with your beautiful art and life values!
Weekend on the beautiful Côte d’Azur 💙: Roqu Weekend on the beautiful Côte d’Azur 💙: Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, near the Italian border 🇮🇹😎☀️. Feeling grateful 🥹💕 #France #enjoyinglife #celebratinglife #agoodlifeinparis
💒🤩 Even without a light show (see previous p 💒🤩 Even without a light show (see previous post), a visit to the Saint-Eustache church is a must! Magnificent architecture, the largest organ in France (alongside that of Notre Dame), many live concerts, and contemporary art pieces. For example, I love the beautiful “The Life of Christ” triptych, in bronze with white gold patina, by the American artist Keith Haring (1958-1990). It has been exhibited here since 2003. When you consider that Haring was gay, was an advocate for the rights of the LGBTG community 🌈, and died of AIDS, it just goes to show how much more open-minded this church has been for years, compared to the Catholic Church’s official positions on homosexuality. Eglise Saint Eustache, Metro Les Halles, on line 4. https://www.saint-eustache.org/en/ #IloveParis #enjoyinglife #celebratinglife #agoodlifeinparis 🇫🇷 Même sans spectacle de lumière, la visite de l’église Saint-Eustache s’impose ! Une architecture magnifique, le plus grand orgue de France (avec celui de Notre Dame), de nombreux concerts en direct, et des œuvres d’art contemporain. Par exemple, j’adore le très beau triptyque « La vie du Christ », en bronze patiné à l’or blanc, de l’artiste américain Keith Haring (1958-1990). Il y est exposé depuis 2003. Quand on sait que Haring était homosexuel, qu’il a défendu les droits de la communauté LGBTG 🌈 et qu’il est mort du sida, on se rend compte à quel point cette église a été plus ouverte d’esprit depuis des années, par rapport aux positions officielles de l’Église catholique sur l’homosexualité. Eglise Saint Eustache, Métro Les Halles, ligne 4. https://www.saint-eustache.org
💒✨💖 They make astonishing light shows in P 💒✨💖 They make astonishing light shows in Paris! This time, I went to the ”Luminiscence” show at Saint Eustache, my favorite church in Paris after Notre Dame. The church has been rooted in the heart of Paris (Les Halles) since the 16th century. This architectural marvel rivals Notre Dame with its extraordinary dimensions, its unusual architecture, and its blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles. The show was a breathtaking experience (my videos cannot render its magnificence). The heart of the church (and its structure rising over 30 meters high) was totally transformed with video mapping, vibrant colors, light projections and dramatic music. That came with a super interesting story about the church‘s history, and its relation with historical figures, in the like of Molière (baptized there), Lully (Louis XIV’s composer), or Mozart (his mother’s funerals). More info: https://luminiscence.fr/paris/ ⬇️ Français en commentaire #IloveParis #enjoyinglife #celebratinglife #agoodlifeinparis
Today I treated myself to an early-morning session Today I treated myself to an early-morning session at the cinema 🎬☺️ I hadn’t done it for ages! There were only two of us in the theater… I loved this Italian film. Very important issues around women’s empowerment. It resonates with my family history. My mother was born in Italy of Italian parents who immigrated to France in the late ‘40s. Unfortunately, there were problems of domestic violence and poverty. My grandmother emancipated herself and became a very strong woman. My mother too. And me as well, I guess ☺️ I really recommend this wonderful film! “There is still tomorrow” by Paola Cortellesi. ❤️ 🇫🇷Je me suis offerte une séance matinale au cinéma. 🎬☺️ Cela faisait une éternité que je ne l’avais pas fait. Nous n’étions que deux dans la salle ! J’ai adoré ce film italien. Des sujets très importants autour des droits des femmes. En résonance avec l’histoire de ma famille. Ma mère est née en Italie de parents italiens qui ont immigré en France à la fin des années 40. Malheureusement, il y avait des problèmes de violence conjugale et de pauvreté. Ma grand-mère s’est émancipée et est devenue une femme très forte, comme ma mère… et moi j’imagine ☺️. Je recommande vraiment ce merveilleux film ! « Il y a encore demain » de Paola Cortellesi ❤️ #IloveParis #enjoyinglife #celebratinglife #agoodlifeinparis
Montmartre is always a good idea 😍 #IlovePari Montmartre is always a good idea 😍 #IloveParis #enjoyinglife #agoodlifeinparis
A refreshing spring afternoon, with a lovely strol A refreshing spring afternoon, with a lovely stroll along the Seine river 🌸🌳🌿🌤️ Rueil Malmaison, only 15 minutes from Place de l’Etoile by RER A train 🇫🇷Une belle après-midi de printemps au vert avec l’agréable promenade en bord de Seine à Rueil Malmaison 🌸🌳🌿🌤️ Seulement 15 minutes de la Place de l’Etoile par le RER A 😊 🇮🇹Un bel pomeriggio di primavera in campagna con una piacevole passeggiata lungo le rive della Senna 🌸🌳🌿🌤️ Rueil Malmaison, solo 15 minuti da Place de l’Etoile con la linea A della RER #IloveParis #enjoyinglife #agoodlifeinparis
Gourmet break! 😋 Which also celebrates spring ( Gourmet break! 😋 Which also celebrates spring (my favorite season) and cherry blossoms 🌸, with delicious Wagashi (Japanese confection) and high-quality matcha 🍵 direct from Japan 🇯🇵 Gratitude 🙏🏻💓 Petite pause gourmande ! 😋 Qui célèbre aussi le printemps et les cerisiers en fleurs 🌸 avec de délicieuses Wagashi (pâtisseries japonaises) et du thé matcha 🍵 en provenance directe du Japon 🇯🇵 Merci la vie ! 🙏🏻💓 #ILoveJapan #JapaneseTeaCeremony #IloveParis #enjoyinglife #agoodlifeinparis
Great weekend in Deauville 🤩😍 Only 2 hours d Great weekend in Deauville 🤩😍 Only 2 hours drive from Paris, or 2.5 hours by train. Nestled along the picturesque coast of Normandy, the charming town of Deauville captivates visitors with its elegant architecture, vibrant atmosphere, and timeless sophistication. Renowned as a playground for the affluent and a sanctuary for artists, Deauville boasts a unique blend of seaside splendor and cultural richness that never fails to enchant. In the annals of Deauville’s storied history, the presence of luminaries such as Coco Chanel, alongside cinematic icons like Audrey Hepburn and directors like Claude Lelouch, serves as a testament to its enduring appeal and cultural significance. Their legacy continues to imbue the town with an air of glamour and romance, ensuring that Deauville remains an enchanting destination for generations to come!
Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis: I love this church Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis: I love this church in the Marais district in Paris, for its superb Baroque architecture and its magnificent clock. It was built between 1627 and 1641 by two Jesuit architects. It was the first church in Paris to break away entirely from the Gothic style and to adopt the new Baroque style of the Jesuits. It had an important influence on Parisian religious architecture. I love beautiful clocks in Paris! They always make me reflect on time. On the use (or waste) of it. Seneca said, 2000 years ago, ”It’s not that we have little time, but more that we waste a good deal of it.” So, what are you doing with your precious time? Much love 🙏🏻❤️ Lydie #iloveparis #enjoyinglife #celebratinglife #agoodlifeinparis
La Scène Musicale -Boulogne-Billancourt. This is La Scène Musicale -Boulogne-Billancourt. This is only the 2nd time I've been to this beautiful venue in western Paris (inaugurated in 2017). Each time, I'm delighted with the whole experience! 🤩 Last Sunday, I saw a ballet in the venue’s magnificent auditorium, with sublime acoustics. It was based on Mozart's Requiem, his ultimate (and unfinished) masterpiece. That music was already a good enough reason for me to go see the show. Then, the orchestra was conducted by a woman, another excellent reason! And third, the creation of choreographer Yoann Bourgeois was fascinating. Bodies falling from a high wall, then sinking into the ground (it was a little unsettling…). The excellent troupe of dancers also showed their mastery as they danced on a stage that spun, sometimes at incredible speed! The whole show was magnificent! 🤩 The 1st time I went to La Scène Musicale, I saw a ballet created by Benjamin Millepied (an amazingly talented French ballet dancer, who also gain fame in the US when he choreographed and performed as a dancer in 2010 movie Black Swan, on which set he met with actress -and future wife- Natalie Portman). That show I saw was a beautiful interpretation of Sergueï Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet” (which I absolutely adore). There was also a unique projection system enabling to mix stage performance with projections from outside the stage live performances (from backstage, terrace, etc.). It created a truly magical show! Also, Shakespeare’s mythical couple was interpreted, depending on the evening, by a man and a woman, or two men, or two women: a celebration of love in all its forms! 😍 Paris is such an amazing place for art lovers! I truly recommend La Scène Musicale, in the close suburbs of Paris (accessible by metro line 9, ”Pont de Sèvres” station) #IloveParis #enjoyinglife #celebratinglife #agoodlifeinparis
Happy New Year! January is the month to look forwa Happy New Year! January is the month to look forward to the year ahead and the journey within. Let’s start this journey in conscious. ❤️ Let’s give our life some direction. Happy self discovery! Happy New Year! ✨ Much love 💝 Lydie PS: You know you are being true when your statements really resonate with you. #holisticlifecoaching #enjoyinglife #celebratinglife #agoodlifeinparis ⬇️ FRANÇAIS CI-DESSOUS ⬇️ ITALIANO SOTTO 🇫🇷 FRANÇAIS Bonne année ! Janvier est le mois où l'on se réjouit de l'année à venir. Commençons ce voyage par un voyage intérieur, en conscience. ❤️ Donnons une direction à notre vie. Bonne découverte de vous-mêmes ! Bonne année !✨💝 Lydie PS : Vous savez que vous êtes dans le vrai quand vos déclarations résonnent vraiment avec vous. Qu'est-ce que je veux arrêter cette année ? 1. 2. 3. Qu'est-ce que je veux continuer à faire cette année ? 1. 2. 3. Qu'est-ce que je veux introduire dans ma vie pour aller de l'avant ? 1. 2. 3. Ce petit exercice d'introspection ne prend que 20 minutes de votre temps aujourd'hui, mais ce moment de réflexion concentrée peut faire une énorme différence dans votre vie 🙂 🇮🇹 ITALIANO Buon anno! Gennaio è il mese in cui si guarda all'anno che verrà. Iniziamo questo viaggio in modo consapevole. ❤️ Diamo una direzione alla nostra vita. Buona scoperta di sé! Buon anno! Con molto amore 💝 Lydie PS: Sai di essere sincero.a quando le tue affermazioni risuonano davvero con te. Cosa voglio lasciare andare quest'anno? 1. 2. 3. Cosa voglio continuare a fare quest'anno? 1. 2. 3. Cosa voglio portare nella mia vita in futuro? 1. 2. 3. Questo piccolo esercizio di autoindagine richiede solo 20 minuti del tuo tempo oggi, ma questo momento di riflessione concentrata può fare un'enorme differenza nella tua vita :-)
I love Paris AND I love many other wonderful place I love Paris AND I love many other wonderful places in France! Like the beautiful mountains of the Alps: breathtaking scenery, blue skies, fresh air, invigorating hikes 😀 Plus, I celebrated my birthday with my beloved niece (whose birthday is right after mine), and she baked both of our cakes with love 🎂😋 I feel so grateful 🙏🏻❤️ Much love, Lydie #enjoyingFrance #enjoyinglife #celebratinglife #agoodlifeinparis J'aime Paris ET j'aime beaucoup d'autres endroits merveilleux en France ! Comme les magnifiques montagnes des Alpes : paysages à couper le souffle, ciel bleu, air frais, randonnées revigorantes 😀 De plus, j'ai célébré mon anniversaire avec ma nièce bien-aimée (dont l'anniversaire est juste après le mien), et elle a préparé nos deux gâteaux avec amour 🎂😋 Je me sens si reconnaissante 🙏🏻❤️
I love Paris over Christmas! So many things to enj I love Paris over Christmas! So many things to enjoy 🤩💖 Like this enchanted forest set up on the forecourt of the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) accompanied by the illumination of its façade. Free and festive events on offer for young and old alike —like taking a ride on a beautiful Carousel, sledging and climbing! 🧗‍♂️ Much love and gratitude 🙏🏻❤️ Lydie #IloveParis #enjoyinglife #celebratinglife #agoodlifeinparis
Christmas magic at Vaux-le-Vicomte Castel, a 17th Christmas magic at Vaux-le-Vicomte Castel, a 17th century masterpiece of French architecture, situated 55 km (34 mi) southeast of Paris. During the festive season, it transforms into a winter wonderland, adorned with Christmas decorations that bring a touch of magic to its historic halls and gardens. 🎄✨🤩 I LOVE this castle at ANY season! 💖 👉🏼First, because of the splendor of its architecture and garden, and its historical significance. It was designed by the triumvirate of architect Louis Le Vau, painter-decorator Charles Le Brun, and landscape architect André Le Nôtre. The result was so harmonious and innovative that it set new standards for château design, foreshadowing the grandeur of Versailles. 👉🏼And second, I love this castle because its story is both captivating and tragic. Commissioned by Nicolas Fouquet, the Superintendent of Finances under Louis XIV, the castle was conceived as a symbol of wealth, power, and artistic achievement. In 1661, Fouquet hosted a lavish celebration at Vaux-le-Vicomte, catching the attention of Louis XIV. However, instead of admiration, this led to Fouquet's arrest on charges of embezzlement. His dream shattered, Fouquet spent his remaining days imprisoned, marking a tragic chapter in the castle's history… (Louis XIV, after having ordered the arrest of Fouquet, commissioned the same trio Le Vau, Le Brun, and Le Nôtre to design its own palace at Versailles. They transformed the hunting lodge into the opulent palace we know today.) 👉🏼Despite Fouquet's fate, Vaux-le-Vicomte's influence on French architecture and culture is undeniable, and the castle remains a symbol of artistic brilliance! 👇🏼If you'd like to share in the comments what your favorite château is and why, I'd love to hear from you! 🙏🏻 Much love, ❤️
Lydie @ A Good Life in Paris #IloveParis #enjoyinglife #celebratinglife #agoodlifeinparis
I wanted to communicate on that earlier, but bette I wanted to communicate on that earlier, but better late than never! A couple of weeks ago, I went to a wonderful place in Paris: The American Library in Paris, near the Eiffel Tower. How do I LOVE any place with books and writers!! 📚😍 I got invited there by my friend Lyneka Little (apresjosephine), author of the great blog “Apres Josephine”. She interviewed Binkady-Emmanuel Hié (@binkadyemmanuel). They discussed organizing for equity in the arts, and overlooked histories. This conversation was soooo interesting! On the first topic (equity in the arts): Binkady-Emmanuel explained how he helped improve diversity at the Paris Opera in 2020 (more in that below*). He also explained how he now intends to help deploy the same successful process/methodology in other public institutions in France. Most needed endeavor! On the second topic (people overlooked by history): in the same way that many great books were recently written on overlooked women in history, Binkady-Emmanuel (with two colleagues) published a book to highlight Black figures in French History. This book is called “VISIBLE! Figures noires de l’Histoire de France”, ("VISIBLE! Black figures in French history”) -published by Stock and only in French for the time being. I highly recommend this reading! It should be (and might be one day) in every school in France! It also makes a wonderful Christmas gift! 🧑🏼‍🎄🎄 👇🏼Any other books you would highly recommend on overlooked histories or equity in the arts? Much love to all of you 🩷 Lydie #enjoyinglife #celebratinglife #agoodlifeinparis (*) In 2020, following the BLM movement and during the global pandemic, Binkady-Emmanuel Hié, along with five dancers, co-wrote a manifesto titled  “De la question raciale à l’Opéra de Paris” ("On the racial question at the Paris Opera”), which called for effective anti-discrimination policies at the Opera.  The company responded with a 66-page report, and then implemented major policies. (Source: @theamericanlibraryinparis)
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A GOOD LIFE IN PARIS

We empower expats, foreign residents and visitors to thrive in France through holistic life coaching sessions, cultural immersion programs in Paris, and consulting services.

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