Paris in July - 2020 - visiting Paris Virtually

 

2020 will forever be etched in our memories as the year we navigated life through a global pandemic. One of the things we learnt early during the pandemic was that we would be encouraged to stay home to stay safe.... and international travel went into lockdown... anyone who had plans to travel this year saw their plans changed. That's when I knew, 2020 Paris in July would be a must... we had to celebrate together everything we love of Paris. 

Paris in July is an international blogging event which was founded by my friend Karen and I in 2010. Karen hosted a blog devoted to book reviews and I was just getting into blogging, with a focus more on reflections and gardening.. Karen and I shared a love of literature, art, theatre, romance, food, wine and all things French and Parisian. Never did we envision that the blogging event would have lived for 10 years! Over the years our event changed shape, depending on who joined in and who co-hosted. I think one of my favourite years we had a couple of co-hosts, and some guests who were interviewed. Karen since retired her blog to focus on her business and family, but has always been an encouraging force behind Paris in July, and keeping me motivated. 

My motivation for blogging has been challenged over the years ( and many would know this feeling) through career changes, family developments, personal commitments, study demands, but probably most by the changing nature of blogging as facebook became the preferred form of social media. (which I did not move to). 

This year of course, Paris in July, has celebrated 10 years! I am so grateful for long term participants, along with all others,  in this celebration of Paris.

• Mel U - our resident serious book reviewer who brings us the history of the authors also
• Mae - who has a diverse range of Paris and French posts - from recipes, tea salons of Paris, the Metro, Maps of Paris and so much more
• Jeanie - brings Paris to us in her art, news of Notre Dame, her favourite views of Paris, and book reviews too. 
• Brona - book reviews from Maigret to Katherine Mansfield, Cakes in lockdown, and other good books.
• Lisbeth - who shares some great book reviews - from the works of Paulita Kincer, murder mystery's, works by Fred Vargas, and french movies, including Coco Channel.
• Marg - shared a post on best sellers around the world, movies and food, bookstores in Paris, and famous meals - Cassoulet.  
• vvb32 - posted quite a lot of great book reviews of books based in Paris and France. 
• Karen posted some book reviews on classic french themes - Collette and Irene Nemirovsky
• Deb posted some fun posts too - amazingly, she read 50 books during Paris in July set in Paris or with a French theme and watched 13 films. 
• Kwarkito always share photos and memories from living in Paris.

So lockdown or not, we've had a ball sharing our love of Paris. Thank you all for being a part of it. Now here's one of my favourite Paris scenes ever.... Enjoy! 

Les Jardins au France

Theres something very appealing about the different gardens in France.  I would even call them romantic.. there's lots of different forms of gardens that fit the description for me....

• The village garden set amongst the old stone fences and chicken runs with lavender and other herbs and bicycles against the walls... 

• Formal gardens with strong hedging borders and feature fountains and ducks behind wraught iron gates .

• Or window ledges filled with geraniums in full bloom and lamp posts with hanging baskets. 

French gardeners appear intentional and their gardens are purposeful. 

You could say the same for some Australian gardens, but it appears that in places I've travelled in France the gardens are more abundant and therefore more a part of daily life. I also reflect that many Australian vegi patches are out the back behind their fences while I recall seeing more vegi patches in the villages of France open to the street. 

During July, i came across a BBC series by Monty Don on Gardens in France. I enjoyed it so much i wanted to share it here for you too. This one is focused and the question "is tge gardener an artist?" 

Paris Encore - another week of Paris in July - pourquoi pas!

French Gin - my celebration for Paris Encore!

Pierre Brevin - La Plancheliere

Loire Valley, France

Following a joyous month of blogging about Paris, with my friends who've joined me in Paris in July, I'm throwing myself in for one final week -- Paris Encore! There's a few of us who would like to post one or two more Paris in July stories, and I'd certainly like to pay my respects to all contributors with a wrap up post - next week! So, here's one last Mr Linky for those who'd like to join me....

I've got a gardens of France Post, a book review, and some thoughts on Elegance to finish off. It's going to be a big week for be but I'm keen.

Paris in July - end of the month but not the end of Paris....

Mais Je T'aime - oui, Paris, je t'aime. This is my end of Paris in July music clip... I quite like both the melody and the lyrics. 

C'est périlleux, je t'aime encoreAlors c'est vrai ça me perforeJe t'aime pesant, je t'aime bancale - I love you heavy, i Love you wobbly....Évidemment ça me dévoreJe sais tellement que je t'aime, mal

July has come to an end, and I'm in denial. It just happened so fast, all of my hopes and aspirations for Paris in July seem to have gone unfulfilled. Mais.... thank you all for your weekly contributions, your dedication to the celebration of all things Paris.... I have have really enjoyed visiting your posts and learning so much more about the Paris I love. 

Just this past week (week 5) we've caught up on

• News of the rebuilding of Notre Dame (thanks Jeannie) 
• tea shops and Paris's love of tea (I do love tea stories, thanks Mae)
• films in Paris (on netflix)
• young adult books set in Paris
• more great books set in Paris
• plans for parties in Paris with some very well known characters (interesting post at ReaderBuzz)
• foodie thoughts and memories from Paris
• ideas for dinner parties in Paris
• crime fiction novels set in Paris
• a really interesting review and authors history of Chava Rosenfarb by Mel U. 

Given that I am really in denial, I plan to post a Paris Encore post Sunday evening as (week 6) to allow some of us to get our last few thoughts about Paris in July up. So, come back for Paris Encore!