I do not know if you are like me but when I visit a place I automatically think of the "soundtrack of my life" at that particular moment. And if I was in my little dream heaven the soundtrack of my life would be John Barry's Until September. This is one of my favorite movies starring the very talented couple of thierry Lhermitte and Karen Allen. I love it not only because it is set in France but because it is a gorgeously simple and stirring composition. Here is one of the pieces for your enjoyment.
There is a place within the fogginess of a French dream where I long to go, away from the greys of Paris and sunny Provence. It is a place where bucolic rusticity and modern met. Where the romance of the old world makes you believe that in this sometimes manic world, one can find a thinly veiled cocoon where beauty just takes your breath away. Where tranquility exists and for a few moments time can stop. For me that place is the town of Saint-Emilion in the Bordeauz region of France.
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St. Emilion is renowned as much for its beautiful buildings and scenery as for its wine, this charming town is what French country dreams are made of. From the iconic 13th century Tour du Roy standing like a centinel above the city, to the steep, narrow, cobbled streets-- everything is a reminder of the rich history of the town.
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I have been in love with this town from afar for many years. It is my favorite long distance relationship. So much that when I wrote my first novel in college, this is where it was set. And once I had the perfect location the words just flowed naturally. Maybe one day the world will know of my love for this town through my words.
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The charming town named so in honor of the monk Émilion, a traveling confessor, who settled here in the 8th century, is best known today as a mecca of wine-making in the world. A business of commercial wine production that started by the monks who followed Émilion here. As a History major with a minor in European History, and as a wine lover and someone who appreciates food history, this place is the perfect place where all these three intersect.
A stroll through town would allow me to visit little stores, talk to the locals and make delicious food finds. And if I am really lucky, I would look through a window and spot the lovely (and my foodie inspiration) Mimi Thorisson from Manger, on a day trip to town as she peruses for new products. Of course she would take time to give me all her food photography secrets and recommendations on new cheeses to try. ;)
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In this wine enthusiast's dream, I get the opportunity to tour the town's best chateaux vineyards and leisurely stroll through them learning all about the history of the place.
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In underground lime caves I would be able to learn about how a particular vineyard came to be, how this particular terroir affects the flavor of a wine, what food pairings go best with a particular wine from the region. This would be living wine education at its best. The foodie in me would have a heart bursting with excitement at trying the cuisine from the region. And if these images from My French Heaven are not enough to pique you appetite curiosity I do not know what will.
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Lastly I want to touch on fashion. One of the things I love the most about people in the French country area is that effortless chic style. Remember Mimi Thorisson? I would definitely ask her about her style. I love it. It is simple yet classy. It is a style that says good living.
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I cannot tell you what fills me with this longing to visit this place. Perhaps it the pull of the blood from my French ancestors who came to America from the region. Perhaps it is because history, beauty and tranquility move me in a completely different plane that other things do. Whatever the reason, to be able to visit Saint-Emilion one day would be my dream come true. And if I could bring Jack, my Wheaten Terrier, with me.... then I probably would never return to America. :)
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Not many people know about this dream of mine. But now I have shared it with you-- others with the same wanderlust and longing as me. For those of us that dream of a place away from home that in our imagination makes us feel like we are indeed at home: keep dreaming. You never know when the distance between your dream and reality are only a plane ticket away. Au revoir, mes amis.
I have the pleasure to be joining Anita from Castles, Crowns and Cottages for her Europe: Simply Irresistible Link Party all this week for more travelers and stories of wanderlust. Have a beautiful week!
Lovely to discover your blog and many thanks for visiting mine.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your French post and all the reasons why we like France so much - thanks for sharing.
so much to see and do there.
Have a great new week
Carolyn
Thank you for stopping by, Carolyn.
DeleteOh my goodness, what a gorgeous dream!
ReplyDeleteMon amie, this is a post NOT to be missed; I so hope that the party-goers will catch this because this is a beautifully composed post and the music, it is ethereal and sets me right into a French novel. There is that "Je ne sais quoi" about the country of France and it's that which led me to study the language and teach it. You have chosen well, Mimi is the epitome of an artful juxtaposition of elegance and simplicity. When one thinks of elegance, opulence and over-the-top comes to mind, but Mimi shows us that elegance starts with the fruits of the earth, the gifts of La Terre....dream on, and make your lovely presence known if you have the time, so the others can see your post is live. JUST GORGEOUS! Anita
ReplyDeleteAnita, thank you for your kind words and love that you love Mimi also. She is such a classic beauty and has that air of casual sophistication. She is lovely and talented.
DeleteBonjour Chere Maria! I thank you so much for leaving a lovely comment on my Cotswolds post...and I am having such a fun time visiting all of the brilliant participants...thank you dear Anita... :)
ReplyDeleteMaria...your post is gorgeous. This music...along with your love letter to St. Emilion...this brought tears to my eyes! May your dreams come true!! I wrote my post on England (and I really love it) but my heart will always be in France...my first love...
And Mimi is just fabulous...I subscribe to her blog as well!
Thank you for this touching and glorious journey...
xoxo,
- Irina
Irina, thank you for your sweet words. I am so happy the post moved you as it moved me while I wrote it. I think when you write from the heart it comes through and that is what I aimed at doing. And yeay for another Mimi fan! :) Have a lovely day.
DeleteWhat a dream! Between the music and the glorious food and sights, I'm ready to be there... I there!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm excited that you will also be in Norway and marrying into a Norwegian family. The traditions, flavor and culture of Norway are woven into who I am. I am from California, but married a Texas, so I love all 3 places dearly! Alice Waters?? YES to her food, her salmon and wild rice salad will be in my kitchen this week.
I'm so glad I came over here and dreamed to the music as we visited the Bordeaux region of France. Perfect!!!
Love sight seeing over here with you my dear, such flavors of France and the connection to the beauty within.
ReplyDeleteLove the walls of crusty old and the rich rustic living. Oh my dear how grand you dream.
Thank you for gracing your beautiful self over at my place to enjoy my French home life in the purest of tone on tone. I can so relate to my French roots when dreaming of a life in France.
Beautiful post,
Xx
Bisous
Doré
Thank you Dore. Your words are always so kind. It is amazing how in our dreams we can go anywhere, isn't it? :-)
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