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It’s never too late's avatar

What a fabulous post. It's got me yearning to go back to Paris and feeling sentimental about previous trips there.

My first was when I arranged a surprise weekend away with a boyfriend who had recently dumped me in an attempt to win him back. It didn't work and I still can't believe that I did such a foolish thing and that he agreed to go!

My ex husband arranged a surprise anniversary trip one year and drove us to Paris. We arrived on the outskirts and then asked me to give him directions to the hotel near Les Invalides. We didn't have a map and the only help I got was - head for the Eiffel Tower - which wasn't in the least bit helpful but amazingly we eventually found our hotel.

My current husband proposed to me in Paris. It was going to be on the top of the Montparnasse tower with the Eiffel tower in the background but we'd had 'words' that evening so it didn't happen. The following day he got down on one knee by the round pond in the Jardin de Luxembourg which was much more romantic. Happy memories.

Wishing you a happy new year and look forward to reading more of your lovely posts. xx

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Caroline McCormick-Clarke🐆🧀🎨✍️'s avatar

Happy New Year to you too Brigitte and thank you so much for your kind feedback.

I used to be brave hardy and drive from Calais, into Paris past St Denis, straight to a car park around the corner from Les Grands Boulevards. Even drove from central Paris, past the Eiffel Tower and onwards to Versailles.

But I attempted this again a few years ago with my sister and all the one way only roads had changed direction - I ended up driving along les Grands Boulevards in the wrong direction for a few minutes - frightened the life out of myself and haven’t attempted it since. It’s TGV & metro now.

Paris - it certainly is the city of love, very high expectations and occasional squabbles - but I love it 🥰

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Jolene Handy's avatar

Happy New Year, Caroline! What a gorgeous post 💫

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Caroline McCormick-Clarke🐆🧀🎨✍️'s avatar

Happy New Year to you too Jolene 🥳

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Caroline McCormick-Clarke🐆🧀🎨✍️'s avatar

Thanks so much Jolene - I did worry whether it was too personal - but I think Paris shines bright and always will. 💜

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marion mccormick's avatar

The tears are just pouring down my face reading this Caroline x

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Caroline McCormick-Clarke🐆🧀🎨✍️'s avatar

Aaah Marion - so many memories. It made me cry writing it, drafting it, editing it, reading it again and Mr. C too 💜

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Michael Clarke's avatar

A beautifully written article about a beautiful city

written by a truly beautiful person

As I read the article lying snug and warm in my bed I was transported back to memories that seem like yesterday

A truly wonderful read

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Betty Carlson's avatar

What a lovely and thorough article, which incidentally includes some of my favorite places too. I didn't realize that so many of the "passages" had been destroyed by Haussmann's renovations. What a pity. And I loved the rabbit story! I remember that green bean can too.

It's especially cool to see the older photos and some of the bits you have kept over the years. I unfortunately have not been very good about that and especially regret not keeping pamphlets, brochures and tickets from my 5 trips to France in the 1980s. It would be fascinating to look at them now.

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Caroline McCormick-Clarke🐆🧀🎨✍️'s avatar

Thank you so much Betty - I found some of the old tickets and photos in boxes, when I have been declutterring this autumn/winter.

Yes, I felt so guilty about that Thai green rabbit curry - but it tasted so good!

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le Bulletin 🇫🇷by Judy MacMahon's avatar

Thank you for the mention Caroline... This is a wonderful article bursting with memories.

Judy

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Caroline McCormick-Clarke🐆🧀🎨✍️'s avatar

Aaah Thank you so much Judy. I loved writing this piece.

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