Since the weather still remains so awful and Bonaparte is watching soccer, I’ve decided to start organizing my old pics of travels in France. To put it mildly–this is a pain in the ass! I’m talking years of procrastination.
In addition, my photography skills most likely have Bonaparte’s grandfather, J. H. Lartigue, rolling around in his grave.
Bonaparte picked this book up at an exhibit we attended over the summer. His grandfather’s photos were showcased!
Lartigue was an incredible and well-known photographer. We’re lucky to have some of his photos hanging in the house.
This photo taken by Bonaparte’s grandfather was used as an ad for TWA. The baby is Bonaparte–his dad, Dany is holding him. Notice that I snapped the photo of this photo and my skills basically suck!
But enough about him. Let’s talk about me and my less-than-stellar attempts at photography! Out of sheer boredom and narcissistic behavior. I’m going to share a tiny bit of my talent with you. So come with me–and get a glimpse into the artsy photos that I take when I”m in France:
This is a very important photo for me. It’s the first stop I make when I arrive in France. After collecting our baggage and going through customs or wherever it is to get my passport stamped, I make a beeline for coffee. This place has the best coffee–and I was majorly pissed this summer because CDG is going through construction and I didn’t have access to this stand. I had to get some other kind of coffee and it ruined my routine.
Ahhhh. Home–well, our home in Paris. We get the top floor loft area of Aunt Bonaparte’s.
Look! It’s the Eiffel Tower peeking out from the roofs. This is from Aunt Bonaparte’s window in the salon.
I’m a voyeur. I snapped this pic of construction workers. They added another floor to the building across the way.
Alright. After too much wine the night before, I always treat myself to a nice Citron Presse–God only knows how many of THESE I’ve had over the years. Probably enough to fill a grove of lemon trees!
Being a true hypocrite, I got really upset about these love locks–but I made sure to take a pic before they were all taken off the bridges!
My little ballet flats long to be in those beautiful shoes in the window!
Russian painted stack dolls in an antiquities shop along Rue Bonaparte. YES! Rue Bonaparte!
While out and about and wandering around aimlessly, I found this poster for an exhibit at Bonaparte’s family’s gallery. This was pretty recent–two years ago!
Paris has the coolest toys for kids. I would definitely wear that clown hat! This was a toy store window on…I’m pretty sure on Rue Dauphine.
Only I would take a photo of a sign in my favorite square. Place Dauphine. I have no idea when I took this….
Some women make sure to shop at Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Screw that. MY favorite shop to hang out in is City Pharma on Rue du Four. This pharmacie has the best prices on all things beauty and skin related. It’s the greatest place to load up on products!
This is one of my favorite shots that I took. But I can’t remember when I took it.
OK. Now we’re on the Cote d’Azur. First stop. Geant hypermarche to load up on groceries…
Geant has so many yummy beverages. We load up on this for our Kir Royale consumption…
Yummy fresh fish. I practically OD on Lotte here…..
Since when do the French eat sugary, processed cereal? Oh..it must be geared toward the summer tourists!
Bonaparte is picking out beoufsteak for dinner!
Back to the apartment in Theoule..
Off to St. Tropez. It took me forever to get photos without those massive yachts ruining the moment!
Bardot’s home. She didn’t invite us over. Actually, this is the closest I’ll ever be to her home!
Another nice view of St. Tropez.
Bonaparte’s dad’s museum
Bonaparte and his dad. Isn’t his dad adorable?
Cute little alleyway
Ines de la Fressange also has a shop in St. Tropez. I need to add her to my “French Personalities I Stalk” listing!
The “Bubble House” across from where our apartment is. I am obsessed with this house.
Street in Cabris…
another one of my obsessions. Every year I take a pic of this statue of St. Rita. Every year I light a candle in the little chapel in Cabris that houses this statue..
Direction signs are another one of my obsessions
You certainly don’t need words to understand THIS message
How cute is the entrance to this house?
Uh oh! Now you get a better understanding of why Bonaparte doesn’t want me driving in France. Antibes has the narrowest streets–but look how pretty the flowers are!
Antibes..the start of the walk along the ramparts..
..where we pass these homes that I would love to make mine…
Guitars at the Musee Picasso. The museum was “meh”–I’m not a big fan of Picasso. Don’t judge!
We took a little drive from Paris to Chartres. The Cathedral is magnificent
Some of the detail at the Cathedral. I should be so thin..
I’m also obsessed with iconic statues in old cathedrals. Mostly for the sake of the art work..look at the faces! Look how blank St. Theresa stares. Look how sad Jesus is. I think he’s sad because he foresees society going down the toilet!
I love this little red wagon. It’s so random!
Another drive from Paris. This time to Chambord. Overcast days are the best for these little day trips–I think it is time for a revisit. I LOVED this chateau!
I want these for my home. Seriously. If I could figure a way to steal these without getting caught, I would do it! They would look great in our living room!
Look. A flicker of natural light. This was taken in Chambord but I cannot remember where the hell in the chateau this was taken from. I DO remember having to hold onto the bannister as I walked down stairs because I’m clumsy.
Some detailing from Chambord..
Oh..and lastly, I took a photo of my favorite radio station. Nostalgie. I took it so I wouldn’t forget the number of the station. This way I can just set the car to 93.5. Smart–huh?
OK. That’s it for now. I’m tired and going to start making a clafoutis for dessert this evening. Hope I didn’t bore you too much!
Have a listen to one of my favorite French songs–“Mistral Gagnant” by Renaud. It’s dramatic and nice! XOXOXOXO!!!
I was not bored at all! I love these pictures, thank you very much for sharing these. 🙂
Hi Spear. Oh..thanks. I’m glad you weren’t bored. Sometimes I get so “arrgh” whenever I see incredible great pics that others take on their travels..but I don’t think–I just randomly snap. I’m happy you liked them! XOXOXO!
Exactly why I loved seeing them – random and incredible!
Thank you for the virtual vacation! I have a decade of photos to sort through. You’re right, it’s a pain in the ass!
Right?? This entire “chain of events” started because I was looking for a photo I took of the Courreges boutique. Do. You. Think. I. Could. Find. The. Photo. I. Was. Looking. For? Hell no!!! I’m still wondering where that Courreges boutique photo is. This IS a total pain in the ass! XOXOXO!!
How could we ever be bored with or by you???
Loved the travel 🙂 and the photos . Have only been twice to France but I MUST return 😉
Bonaparte’s papa is trés trés cher (trés or très ? could never get this ! )
I also listen to “Nostalgia- ours is at 90.4” once is a while , a bit too slow for me sometimes 😉
And TWA , Catherine ? I will have to talk about this one sometime 😉 😉
Turtle Hugs (very jealous of your clafoutis I am)
TWA. Lets talk. Oh. don’t even go near the clafoutis! Bonaparte ate the entire thing. The whole thing! I hadn’t even had a taste! XOXOXO!!! I’m listening to Nostalgie right now!
Still Robbie here (Robbie Williams – Reality Killed the Video Star.when my kids gave me this CD I didn’t like it very much, but now I’m in love with it 😉
You can never ever transmogrify into a European, can you? 😀 Why would you call that beautiful game an ugly name like Soccer? It is football, not that disgraceful thing that goes by the same name in your country of origin 😀 Hahaha.. sorry, just had to pick on that one thing..
Hope you are well, Cath.. take care..
Ha ha ha. Bonaparte totally agrees with you. He questioned why I even wrote “soccer” when I know full well that he calls it “fot-bawl”. Yay uh! I’m so ‘Mercin! XOXOXO!!!
🙂
Great photos!!!! I’ll never make it to Paris, so thank you for sharing your view!!!
Awww. Your welcome! My view isn’t the norm–but I’m so happy you enjoyed! XOXOXO!
I like that they’re not the ‘norm’…😄
The little girl in that video is adorable. I enjoyed your pictures so much! Some of those could easily be framed.
She looks a tiny bit like an incredibly young Miley Cyrus! But I love that song. Glad you enjoyed the pics! XOXOXO
Oh, imagine having a view of the Eiffel Tower! It’s like something from a movie. The Bubble House, is also like something from a movie, but I can’t decide if it’s a sci-fi or a comedy. It looks like a very cool place indeed.
Hi Bun. Yeah. Aunt Bonaparte has the greatest apartment. I love the evening views when the tower is all sparkly–it’s very nice..and the Bubble House–the first time we rented the apartment in Theoule, I made Bonaparte drive by it. I got out of the car and tried to climb the wall. He had to get out of the car and drag me off–it was quite the scene–it was just that I knew, from looking through the binoculars, that nobody was there, and I wanted to get a better look at the house. Bonaparte said it was trespassing. I said it was just curiousity! XOXO!
My goodness, you’re adventurous. I hate to say it, but I think Bonaparte might possibly have been right on this one. I mean, you wouldn’t have wanted to spend a night admiring the architecture of the inside of a French jail cell. 🙂
Eh! It would have been a fun experience to write about………………………………
Well, they do say that writers have to suffer for their art.
Such beautiful photos, you are so fortunate to be able to travel to France each summer! Doesn’t Bonaparte miss “home”? Do either of you aspire to retire there?
gk. He does miss “home” but I think he likes the “bigness” of the States. As for me, I would move there tomorrow! XOXO!
When you’ve lived abroad awhile, it’s difficult to find your place again in your home country. I have the same problem, having lived in France for over 40 years. For how long has Bonaparte lived in the States, if you don’t mind me asking?
Hi Bougie, Bonaparte has lived here since 1968. I was still in little girl knickers! But you hit the nail on the head. As much as he adores going home, and he is very comfortable on our trips back to France–especially making the transition back to his native language, it sometimes IS hard for him to find his place. I guess that’s somewhat common. Thanks for your insight! XOXOXO!
The one thought in my mind when I saw the baby picture at the beginning of your post was ‘well, Bonaparte’s dad sure was a babe’. I’m sure there are rules about respecting your elders and all that, so, ahem, sorry.
Oh no disrespect at all! Bonaparte’s dad, Dany, is 94 years “young” and he’s still looking great! But I must admit, when he was younger, he was quite the looker! XOXOXO!
Wow! Loved this post – filled me with nostalgia. B’s dad look so ‘mignon’ in his striped hat and top and so French…well, he would?!
Hi June! Glad you enjoyed the post! Oh…Pere Bonaparte is always with a hat! He is a ton of fun and is tres mignon for sure! XOXO!
Great post and photos! (and I too love the one with baby Bonaparte and his dad!)
Thank you so much Judy. Yeah…baby Bonaparte is soooo cute–and daddy B. is definitely a looker! XOXOXO!