Wednesday, March 28, 2018

On the Road with Anna Campbell



On the Road With Anna Campbell Episode 2




Bonjour PJ! Bonjour Romance Dishies!

We last left our gallant heroine languishing in the UK fighting a malevolent weather system called the Beast from the East (sounds like something out of a parnormal!) and the remains of a very nasty bug that struck her low while she was in London.

This month we pick up the story in beautiful Paris! With no coughing but plenty of croissants (actually that’s not a joke – it’s true!). Only two locations this month. I had a week in a very stylish, very FRENCH apartment near the Opera, then I moved to Fontainebleau about an hour south-west of Paris for a couple of weeks of intensive writing.



It’s many years since I’ve been to Paris, so it was lovely to revisit and have such a positive reaction – first time round, circumstances were not good, including smelly unisex bathrooms and no doors on the showers in the grotty hostel we stayed in. This time round, things couldn’t have been nicer. I stayed in a beautiful place, I wasn’t too ambitious about what I wanted to achieve, and I went to the ballet twice. What else could a girl want from a week in the City of Light?



I’ll let the pictures do the talking. I had a 6-day museum pass so I decided to squeeze the life out of it. I saw a bit of outdoor Paris, but most of it on the way to some treasure house of Western culture. Of course, in February, it’s freezing (actually it rained most of the time) so being inside in a nice warm museum with a nice warm museum café to retreat to had its pluses.




Here are some pictures of highlights of a wander through the Louvre, https://www.louvre.fr/en/homepage mainly concentrating on the Near Eastern antiquities and the apartments of Louis Napoleon from the mid-19th century (he had very simple tastes, as you can see!). The beautiful stained glass is from the 13th century Sainte Chapelle http://www.sainte-chapelle.fr/en/ that was built to house the relics of the Crucifixion which St. Louis brought back from the Crusades. It was quite surreal to stand in – it was like drowning in that vivid blue. In a good way! Not to be missed if you visit Paris! Speaking of drowning in beautiful blue, I also called in at the Orangerie http://www.musee-orangerie.fr/en where Monet’s sublime waterlilies have pride of place.




My main target was the Musée d’Orsay http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/home.html?cHash=1030a57d48 which wasn’t around when I stayed in that stinky hovel in 1985. This took a couple of days to get through – there are all the famous Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings of course, but I found myself fascinated by the collections of 19th century and Art Nouveau jewelry and decorative arts. Look at the colors on those bowls! And isn’t that painting of the girl in the pink dress by Aristide Maillol exquisite?




I also had two visits to the ballet which were wonderful. One was a modern program at the very modern Opera Bastille (and even something built so recently doesn’t have enough ladies toilets!), and the other was a very classical one called Onegin at the glam Palais Garnier which is where the Phantom used to hang out. I can see why. Look at that spectacular Chagall painting on the ceiling!




The week ended in high style when I caught up with a bunch of enthusiastic local readers called the Romantiques! We went to an Irish pub (it was all getting very international by then!) and had a wonderful time talking romance books. It was a big thrill when some of the girls had my French editions there to sign!




So after an action-packed week in Paris (hey, things can get very MacGyverish in the Louvre!), I moved to lovely, quiet Fontainebleau, a classic French town on the Seine with a beautiful royal chateau http://chateaudefontainebleau.fr/Visitor-Information?lang=en as the jewel in its crown. 




I stayed in a delightful cottage in someone’s garden which was perfect for what I wanted – here’s a picture of my work station with the lovely daffodils my hostess gave me as a welcome gift.
After the break, I was looking forward to wrestling with the Scottish lairds who feature in the next four books. Hmm, I should be so lucky! But in between, I toured the chateau and had some lovely walks in the gardens which are free for the public to use.




The chateau is brimming with history. Every queen of France since Marie de Medici (crowned 1610) has slept in the second bedroom in the picture above. Francis I, Henry IV, all the later Louis guys, and Louis Napoleon have all contributed to its structure.



For a Regency nut, it’s a must-see, because Napoleon and Josephine both loved this palace and a lot of the rooms are still decorated as they were during the empire. One room in particular gave me goosebumps – it’s quite small as you’ll see in the photo and the small round table in the center is very plain. That’s where Napoleon signed his abdication in 1814 before he went into exile on Elba. Imagine the emotions investing that moment!



Anyway, I hope you’ve stuck with me this far – I could have gone on for pages! Swing by next month when I’ll have lots of photos of north-west Scotland to share with you. That’s a lovely prospect, but I think I’ll miss the croissants!

Thanks so much for sharing your French adventure and beautiful photos with us, Anna! I feel as if I was right there with you. 

For more photos from Anna's European adventure, follow along on her Facebook page

Readers, if you stayed in a cottage in someone's garden what flowers would you want gracing your table?

Have you been to Paris? What was your favorite part?
If you haven't been there, what would you most want to do if you were able to visit?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM (Eastern), March 31, will receive a Kindle copy of Lord Garson's Bride from Anna and a second person will receive a Kindle copy of Lord Garson's Bride from PJ. (open internationally)

38 comments:

  1. Hi Anna, thank you for sharing the pictures. Actually I love it all. Especially seeing Sainte Chapelle and I love the Art Deco & Nouveau jewelry. I also love the wrestling those Scottish Lairds lol, If you need any help I'm available. Thanks for sharing through the post Anna.
    Carol Luciano
    Lucky4750 at aol dot com

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    1. I think she really needs our assistance with those brawny Scots, don't you agree? ;-)

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    2. You know, I'm so surprised that you girls are offering to come in on this difficult job! I'm impressed! Carol, so glad you enjoyed the pics. It's been a wonderful trip.

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  2. Wonderful. I've enjoyed seeing your pics on FB too. Wild flowers!! I did make a visit but that was a very long time ago. I was only there for 2 days but I loved everything about it except a few waiters that maybe weren't so friendly lol.

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    1. I've only seen it once, through teenage eyes. I'd love to go back as an adult!

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    2. Catslady, thanks for saying you're enjoying the trip. It's always one of the lovely things about travelling, getting to share my voyages with you all. Hope you get back to Paris one day. PJ, hope you get back there. I had such a different reaction to Paris this time round.

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  3. Loved those pictures! I have never been to Paris. I would like to see the Eiffel Tower. When in France I would like to go to Giverny to see Monet's house and gardens. If I was in someone's garden home I would like different flowers each day. I do like the bright colors of Gerber daisies!

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    1. I'd love to see Monet's gardens! I'm with you on the bright colors of Gerber daisies. One of my favorites. :)

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    2. Amy, I'd love to see Giverny. This time round, because the weather was so bad and because I wanted to concentrate on the museums, I didn't have time. Next time! The paintings in the Orangerie are just magical, PJ. Don't miss them when you go to Paris.

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  4. Anna, I love your books and am super happy you've taken us along on your writing vacation. I stalked some of what you did in England as I'm off for an 11-day vacation in May. It'll be my first trip overseas and I cannot wait. Your photos are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Oh...and carnations are my all-time favorite flower!! I love how cheerful they are and they last forever!

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    2. I'm so excited for you, Linda! Can't wait to hear all about your trip.

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    3. Linda, how lovely about your trip to the UK. Have a lovely time. May is my favorite time of year over here - the spring flowers are just gorgeous. Thanks for saying you're enjoying the pics and the books!

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  5. I was in Paris many years ago. We stopped for a few hours to get some rest before we continued on our trip to Italy. Thank you for sharing all of Anna's pictures which I love. If I stayed in somebody's cottage, then I would love a vase of Freesias as they smell so wonderful.

    No need to enter me into the contest as I only read print books.

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    1. I was there for only two days but we managed to stuff a lot of sightseeing into that short time.

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    2. Diane, might be worth thinking of going back to Paris. I really enjoyed it and at the time of year I went, it was really easy to get around. I suspect it gets a bit unmanageable at the height of summer with all the tourists. Love freezias too.

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  6. I have enjoyed your travel pictures, Anna. I have visited both England and France. In Paris, one of my very favorite spots was the Opera Garnier. So much beauty and history in that place. Cruising the Seine River was another pleasure.

    I am looking forward to your pictures from Scotland. I loved our tour of Scotland, and I want to go back!

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    1. Scotland is high on my bucket list. Looking forward to April's On the Road with Anna!

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    2. Cheryl, isn't the Opera Garnier spectacular? Lovely performance too. You can do tours and next time I'll definitely book one of those. It would be fascinating to see the backstage area. I love Scotland too - I'll be there tomorrow as I'm overnighting in Glasgow.

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  7. no thanks for the giveaway

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  8. First of all, Anna, thank you for sharing you tour and your pictures with us. It is evident you enjoyed each day. I have never been to Paris, but if I were able to go, I would want to see each museum and all the paintings. Then I think I might like to visit Monet's Gardens. And every day, I would want to sit in a sidewalk cafe, and watch the world go past. As for the flowers in my small cottage I love daffodils but wouldn't violets be lovely? Actually, I like flowers so much just about anything would be appreciated.

    And if it were necessary to enjoy all this, I would have to wrestle with some Scottish Laird, so be it, I would just force myself to do so.

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    1. Annette, I'm so amazed that I'm getting quite a line-up of people willing to wrestle with my recalcitrant Scots! So glad you're enjoying my travelogues. Got some lovely photos of Anglesey Abbey near Cambridge to go up over the next few days.

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  9. Never been to Paris but would love to see the museums. I wouldn't mind to see some Dahlia's sitting in a vase on my night stand. Some of those Scottish lairds might be cousins, so yeah I'll help you.

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    1. Ha, I had to laugh - two of them ARE cousins, Pamela! The museums in Paris are just breathtaking. I'd definitely recommend checking out the Paris Museum Pass if that's what you're interested in. One of the nice things is that you can go in and out as many times as you like. It all gets a bit overwhelming after a couple of hours but if you've paid nearly 20 euros to get into the Louvre, you're going to stick it out to the bitter end. Whereas with the pass, I used to go home for lunch and then hit the museums all refreshed again once I'd had a bit of a break.

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  10. We visited Paris this last October. I loved the Orsay & Orangerie. The Louvre was another fascinating place. We walked and walked and took the metro and explored and . . . I loved the AirBnB apartment we stayed in, close to a metro station. Your pictures are amazing. I'm looking forward to hear about your Scottish travels.

    However, I experienced one place you didn't; I accidently tripped on a sidewalk and broke my arm. Being in the ER in a foreign country is an experience I don't want to repeat. Fortunately, it was the night before our last night, so we didn't miss out too much. BTW, yes, I'm ready to return.

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    1. Eileen, you poor thing! Breaking your arm in a foreign place would be the pits - the whole idea of the language difference gives me the willies. I broke my foot before I left home so I've been fairly careful about where I've gone and how much walking I've done, for that very reason. It was one of those little bones that will snap if you so much as look at it the wrong way. Didn't want it to happen again while I was in a foreign country. Sounds like you had a lovely trip otherwise.

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  11. What a wonderful trip. To be able to spend a week taking in the sites and visiting all these wonderful museums in Paris would be fantastic. The two weeks that followed at Fontainebleau. The Chateau would be wonderful to visit. The garden cottage would be my choice to reside. Small, cozy, and comfortable would be more relaxing a stay, with daily country walks a bonus.
    The flowers for the table would depend on the season. Lilacs would be perfect for late Spring. Roses or mixed flowers are just right for summer.
    I have never been to Paris. I would love to go some day.

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    1. Patricia, I hope you get to Paris one day. It sounds like you'd really enjoy it. I was so touched when my hostess turned up with those beautiful flowers for me - she really was just so welcoming.

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  12. Thanks for the pictures. I've never been to Paris, but I'd want to see the Louvre.

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    1. Kim, the Louvre is amazing, but really huge. I think you could spend a couple of weeks there if you wanted to see everything. I hope you get there one day!

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  13. I'd want roses gracing my table.

    Love all of the pictures.

    denise

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    1. Denise, thanks for saying you're enjoying the pictures. It's always such fun sharing my travels with you all.

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  14. I have enjoyed your photos and stories from France. I have been fortunate to go to Paris and once to Nice overnight on business although I didn't get to see any of Nice except out of windows of the hotel and taxi. Such a beautiful country and nice people. Our hotel room in Paris was near the opera house and was so tiny for a lot of money! Your work area in your room in Fontainebleau looks so lovely. The daffodils are a nice touch that I would enjoy, too. I wish I could spend several weeks in a country each year to get to know it and understand the people and culture.

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    1. LazrRNm, my apartment was near the opera too - great place to stay, so central and very French. But I agree about the $ in return for floor space issue! This visit has really whetted my appetite to go back and see more. It was lovely having the couple of weeks in Fontainebleau because I really did feel I got to know the town well. Hope your travel dream comes true!

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  15. Have loved your posts. I can’t believe that it has been almost 50 years since I was in Paris.

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    1. Judy, so glad you're enjoying hearing about my travels. I'm really looking forward to the Scottish sector. 50 years sure beats my 32 - I loved going back!

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  16. Thanks to PJ for inviting me here - and sponsoring one of the prizes! And thanks to everyone who swung by to say hello. Sorry I was a bit late replying - with travelling around, I'd got the days mixed up. See you next week for news about how the Scottish Lairds are faring!

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