A different walk today, through a part of the city I don't know so well, to meet friends for a coffee.
It was a lovely day. Chilly but with a bright ski slope blue sky. The perfect weather for admiring the beautiful Haussmann buildings; that are hidden in spring and summer by the green leaves of the trees that line the roads.
I passed one building carved with dragons. I now long to live in a building with dragons curled over the entrance. In my dream building, the dragons would just be waiting for nightfall when they’d spring to life and take flight. They might even be willing to take a curious soul on a night flight over Paris. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to fly high above Paris on a dragon? The city of light seen from the sky would be even more magical.
I love the embellishments on Parisian buildings, animals, and heads, and strange figures. A reaction against Haussmann’s very strict rules, maybe? I do wish modern buildings had a few more quirky features.
Despite the dragons, my favourite door in Paris remains the one in the 7e, which I pass whenever I go to the American Library. I was delighted to see it mentioned in my latest read Darling by India Knight, a fun and clever retelling of The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford.
I enjoyed Darling, it made me want to re-read the original. The Pursuit of Love is such a perfect book and one of my absolute favourites. I adore the Radlett family. Although, like Fanny, I’d probably be terrified of Uncle Matthew if I met him. The Radlett’s are so fun, joy filled and, most importantly, so absolutely themselves. The last line of the book is perfect, and powerful, and elevates the whole novel.
I’ll let you decide what the door reminds you of!
“I now long to live in a building with dragons curled over the entrance” too! 😃🐉 Beautiful descriptions and beautiful images, Alix! I absolutely love your posts! ☺️🤍