“In France we have a saying, “Joie de vivre,’ which actually doesn’t exist in the English language. It means looking at your life as something that is to be taken with great pleasure and enjoy it.” – Mireille Guiliano
“When I was a child and they burned me out of my home, I was frightened and I ran away. Eventually I ran far away. It was to a place called France. Many of you have been there, and many have not. But I must tell you, ladies and gentlemen, in that country I never feared. It was like a fairyland place.” – Josephine Baker
***
Nothing like Paris
There is nothing
Like Paris
But the explosion
Red on purple
On gold
Sunsets along
The bastide
Of Saint Malo
*
Nothing is
Like Paris
Save the winding
River
Tower Bridge
de Cahors
le diable
Watches us
*
There is nothing
Like Paris
Unless you visit
Narbonne
Soak up the sun
Near Place de ville
Reach out and
Touch or
Walk upon
Via Domita
*
Nothing is like
Paris
Yet
Collioure’s jewels
Dazzled Cézanne,
Picasso, and now me
Precious stone colors
Hover at the foot
Of the Pyrenees
*
Nothing is like
Paris
Each of
France’s treasures
Priceless jewels
And must be
Explored, discovered
Its riches
Precious
As you find them
Leave the guidebook
Then you must
Open your eyes,
Your mind and your
Heart
Your reward to find
La belle
France
*
Bisous,
Léa
poetry, photos and musings oh my! 
Wonderful!
And I already feel I have actually experienced some of these wonders while never actually setting foot there! And the book is not yet full!! 🙂
Love
Christine
Xxx
Merci beaucoup!
If not physically on the road with me, you are certainly in my thoughts! As for the book… soon! 🙂
Love,
Lea
xxx
I have never been to Paris but I yearn to go, especially after reading your poem! It sounds like a beautiful, inspiring place to visit let alone live – you are very lucky. I felt the love in your words, lovely imagery too 😀 x
Merci beaucoup Becka! It is amazing. However, everywhere that I have explored here is wonderful so don’t limit yourself to the Paris! 🙂 x
Ah I don’t doubt it, my mum used to live in France and says the same as you – amazing! 🙂 x
Listen to your mom! 🙂 She does know what she is talking about! 🙂 X
Mums always do! 😀 x
Unfortunately, not all of them. However, your mom sounds like a keeper! 🙂 x
That is true, but you’re right about mine – she is a keeper 😀
🙂
I do agree… 🙂 I lived in Paris for several years, my 2 “old babies” were born there, so… Paris is UNIQUE and it’ll be always in my heart… 🙂
– – –
amitiés toulousaines & my very best… Mélanie NB
Melanie, I did adore Paris and would love to return one day. However, I haven’t been anywhere in France that I didn’t love. Yet, where I am is where I want to be. I never thought I would willingly move to a small village but I fell in love when I first saw it and love my village and the wonderful people here. 🙂