I'm Susan — devout Francophile, mother of twins, writer, creative director, and aspiring author. I've been sharing my life here since 2010...thanks for reading!
Bastille Day holds a special place in my heart for so many reasons. My French heritage, my Francophilia, and now, most importantly – the birth of my children! To avoid any confusion, let me explain – they were born after 6 PM on the 13th, meaning it was already Bastille Day in France. I literally asked the doctor if she could wait to start my c-section so that (hopefully) they’d be officially born on the French holiday. Yes, my love for France is that crazy deep and true.
bonne fête nationale
If you find yourself in Paris and like falafels, you simply must go here. That is all.
L’as Du Fallafel | 34 Rue Des Rosiers 75004 Paris
I always look to my good friend Lindsey Tramuta for dining recommendations when in Paris, and she was sweet enough to arrange a lunch with some of my favorite amis. Ellsworth was an easy choice, being the latest and greatest from Laura Adrian + Braden Perkins, the masterminds behind my other Parisian favorite, Verjus. Having just opened, I had the opportunity to feel very au courant. Unfortunately there was scaffolding outside so I couldn’t get a shot of the beautiful exterior (see it here), but you can see Lindsey and I’s reflection in the door. It felt like a bit of a homecoming for me, as it is located in the shadow of the Fontaine Moliére in the 1st and the hotel I used to call my home away from home.
The plates are small so we each ordered a few and shared. Everything was delicious – from the brussel sprout salad to the buttermilk fried chicken, and the apple beignets (whoa). Most importantly, the company was awesome – I was joined by Paris friends (from left to right) Lauren Lou Bate, Kasia Dietz, Anne Ditmeyer, Meg Gagnard, (moi), Frank Barron, Lindsey Tramuta, and Rahaf Harfoush. We unintentionally posed for a “last supper” image (ha)…and I must say, I’d be ok with this being my last meal. Many thanks to mr. fleurishing for giving me solo time, and to Lindsey for making it happen!
Ellsworth | 34 rue de Richelieu Paris 75001
Our entire time in Paris was incredible, but this day…this afternoon in particular, was filled with some of the most perfect and memorable moments of our journey. After reading and learning about Paris since birth, Henry + Marie’s knowledge of the city is impressive – in fact, they can name more monuments than my husband! To finally see Notre Dame (where the gargoyles live) up close was a big moment for them. Upon reaching the cathedral, the kids were speechless, staring up at the massive structure in awe. I feel as if you could look up “awestruck” in the dictionary and a few of these photos would be there. If you think Paris is magical, try experiencing it with children. My Francophile heart almost couldn’t take it.
“Ma patrie, c’est la langue française. | My homeland is the French language.”
Albert Camus
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My life currently revolves around the subject of home, in both the physical and metaphoric sense. For the purpose of this post, I’m going to address the latter. I’ve always felt at home when in France, and when speaking the language there is a strong sense of familiarity. Whether it’s due to my ancestry, my Francophilia, or the many years I’ve dedicated to learning, studying and improving my French provides a feeling of belonging for me. I’m craving that feeling more than ever, especially considering the current chaos in my life. I’ve let my studies slip a bit, and I’m missing it. However difficult it may be at the moment, I’m determined to continue the progress I’ve made. I’ll be revisiting and reviewing lessons from Carrie Anne James during this transitional period, along with a few private lessons along the way. My next post will delve more deeply into the language aspect, but for now…I’m making time for learning, and finding solace in it.
* french is beautiful is a regular series – browse the archives here *