How I Learned French History Piece by Piece. If you’ve ever wanted to trace the entire history of France from prehistoric firelight to modern-day République, but didn’t know where to begin … I suggest starting with a 2,000 piece jigsaw – in French. Headfirst into history, I finished the jigsaw puzzle titled “Histoire de France” by Les Jolies Planches (The Pretty Boards), a 69 cm x 98 cmContinue reading “How I Learned French History Piece by Piece”
Category Archives: Opal Hush
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #3: City and Country
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #3: City and Country. Bienvenue to Martina’s French Ways — a corner of the site where I share the little rituals, objects, and routines that shape my writing life here in Paris. A Glimpse of Paris A rail trip to Normandy in the north of France in the late days of May was spentContinue reading “MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #3: City and Country”
Part 4 Audio Series: If Paris Were My Lover – now available
Part 4 Audio Series: If Paris Were My Lover – now available. Read by the author … If Paris Were My Lover is available as a 6-part audio series – read by the author (myself) – on my Substack exclusive for paid subscribers. Part 4 is available now with Chapters 18-23. If Paris Were My Lover began as a questionContinue reading “Part 4 Audio Series: If Paris Were My Lover – now available”
Cherries are cherries
Cherries are cherries. France has over 100 varieties of cherries. Vaucluse and Rhône produce the most cherries in France. In French markets, you’ll find: The cherry tree photographs are from a property in Normandy where an aunt lives. It is an old hybrid tree, likely self-seeded and wildish, but every year it performs with loyalty. NoContinue reading “Cherries are cherries”
A brief departure from Paris: a train trip to rural Romilly
A brief departure from Paris: a train trip to rural Romilly. Paris offers endless charm, but sometimes it’s great to getaway to the countryside of rural France. Romilly, a quiet town in Normandy, is not a tourist destination. It doesn’t boast a château or a market square packed with tourists, although they can be found a drive away. It’s a world away from Haussmannian facades and caféContinue reading “A brief departure from Paris: a train trip to rural Romilly”
A forgotten French treasure by Jean-Adrien Mercier
A forgotten French treasure by Jean-Adrien Mercier. I found a treasure in a Parisian bric-a-brac fair. Tucked between antique poetry volumes and faded black-and-white portraits on a table, a dreamy blue hardcover book caught my eye: young girl in powdered curls gazing downward, a robin perched like a crown in her hair, surrounded by blossoms.Continue reading “A forgotten French treasure by Jean-Adrien Mercier”
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #2: Productivity and Pleasures in Paris
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #1: Writing & Little Pleasures in Paris. Bienvenue to Martina’s French Ways — a corner of the site where I share the little rituals, objects, and routines that shape my writing life here in Paris. In each post, I’ll bring you with me on morning walks, market finds, creative breakthroughs, and of course, theContinue reading “MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #2: Productivity and Pleasures in Paris”
A night at the Odéon in Paris
A night at the Odéon in Paris. Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a performance of L’Hôtel du Libre-Échange at the Odéon–Théâtre de l’Europe in Paris. This experience was an immersion into the world of classic French vaudeville, set against the backdrop of one of Paris’s most historic theatres. Located in the 6th arrondissement, near the Luxembourg Gardens, theContinue reading “A night at the Odéon in Paris”
Parts 1-3 of the Audio Series of If Paris Were My Lover now available
Parts 1-3 of the Audio Series of If Paris Were My Lover now available. Read by the author … If Paris Were My Lover is available as a 6-part audio series – read by the author (myself) – on my Substack exclusive for paid subscribers. Part 1: Introduction, Chapters 1-5. PART 2: Chapters 6-11. PART 3: Chapters 12-17. If ParisContinue reading “Parts 1-3 of the Audio Series of If Paris Were My Lover now available”
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #1: Writing & Little Pleasures in Paris
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #1: Writing & Little Pleasures in Paris. Bienvenue to Martina’s French Ways — a new corner of the site where I share the little rituals, objects, and routines that shape my writing life here in Paris. Many of you have asked: What does a day in your Paris life look like? What inspires you?Continue reading “MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #1: Writing & Little Pleasures in Paris”