Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

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Paris, Day 2: A Partial Reveal

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I was on a secret mission outside Paris yesterday. I’m not ready to tell you the whole story, but here are some bits and pieces.

We stayed at the most amazing inn in Corbie. It’s called Le Macassar and we recommend it highly for the wonderfully hospitable proprietors, Miguel and Ian, and their stunning Art Deco decor. I enjoyed their two bouncy sheepdogs as well.

Ian and Miguel in their courtyard.

Ian and Miguel in their courtyard.

A glimpse of one of Le Macassar's rooms and dogs.

A glimpse of one of Le Macassar's rooms and dogs.

I played tug-of-war with a pooch. He won.

I played tug-of-war with a pooch. He won.

Ian and Miguel arranged for MrB and me to have dinner at Le Val d’Ancre in Bonnay, where Monsieur does the cooking while Madame takes care of the front of the house. Madame took a photo of us.

The man behind us doesn't seem thrilled.

The man behind us doesn't seem thrilled.

After, Ian took us to Amiens to see the huge Gothic cathedral. In the summers, at 10:30 PM, the cathedral is illuminated with colored lights to show how it would have been painted in the 1200s.

The cathedral before showtime.

The cathedral before showtime.

A closeup of the colored illumination.

A closeup of the colored illumination.

In the morning, we took a boat ride through the canals of Amiens.

A shot from the little boat.

A shot from the little boat.

Flowers alongside the canal.

Flowers alongside the canal.

Then we took the train back to Paris, right on time for Bastille Day celebrations. I’m about to put on my Francis dress and my personally designed Madame Royale counter-revolutionary fleur-de-lis necklace and head out for dinner and fireworks. Au revoir!

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Comments

  2. What a wonderful trip! And with a little mystery thrown in too, ooo la la. Could I get jpegs from you of that incredible cathedral illumination, before and after? What an amazing idea, perhaps perfect for some midtown buildings…:)

  5. Wish I was in that little boat, the horticulture is beautiful!

    Have fun at the celebrations! Maybe get some shots of the fireworks and colorful lightshows?

  6. Gorgeous! I didn’t venture outside of Paris while I was there, but I def will next time!
    And it’s so cool that you’ll get to be in Paris for Bastille Day!

  8. i’m usually a fan of the subtle and the subdued – but i really loved seeing the amiens cathedral lit up like it would’ve been back in the day. isn’t it done with supre precise lasers? even nuttier.

  11. You’re a tease!

    What a great day that was. I love the look of the canal, the inn, and the cathedral! How picturesque it all is!

  12. Wow, Amiens looks lovely. I’ve seen the cathedrals at Reims and Chartre but never Ameiens so now I have to add it to my “must see” list.
    Enjoy

  13. You look like you are having a fun time! I so envy you your trip!

    Thanks so much for sharing it with your blog readers. 🙂

  18. Surrounded by beauty! Love to read your account along with others’- each traveler’s Paris is unique to her interests and aesthetics.

  20. You were on the water in France! Great photos and it looks like you both found a wonderful out of the way place there.
    ps – have you guys ever taken the leisurely kayak down Fontaine-de-Vaucluse?

  22. Sounds like an amazing day! Sigh . . . I will always remember Bastille Day 2008 as a very teenager-y night for me . . .

  24. the guy behind you is probably just jealous, he looks like he’s sitting all alone 🙁

    the place looks beautiful, very lucky lady!

  27. My anti spam word sums it up-wicked!!! C’est Tres bon!! What a gorgeous place to stay and Amiens looks soo delightful indeed! Enjoy the Bastille celebrations!!