st valentine and romance in paris

by Sharon Santoni

 

A big thank you to everyone who sent me pictures of Paris … I loved reading the tales of love and marriage proposals and surprise weekends … it is indeed a city that inspires a romantic mood.

Here are most of the assembled shots I received  (I couldn’t include any with recognisable faces), and in between you will find extracts of the lovely tales that accompanied the pictures …. hope you enjoy!

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Katherine of Glamour begins at Home writes:  “ I can’t think of a more romantic spot than Paris.  When I started dating six years ago, I was surprised when he announced he would like to take me to Paris for my 50th birthday.  We hadn’t been dating very long, so I was overwhelmed with the promise.  I came to understand his motto of living life to the fullest.  While planning the trip he read an article about the  Hotel des Saint Pères, where there is a bedroom whose ceiling is decorated with a more than 300 year old fresco, painted by the  school of Versailles.

He decided this would be the perfect spot to stay – a truly romantic way to celebrate my birthday.   Waking up and seeing the fresco ceiling was a beautiful start to each morning.  Romance was born in Paris and being there exploring the beauty together was memorable”

 

Laura Wilson of La Dolcevitaculinary.com writes: ”  Here is a shot of the December window at Repetto, and also an evening picture of the Eiffel Tower.  I was walking home and whoa! it totally caught me off guard.  I like these pictures taken with my phone right at the moment of awe”

[Note from editor!  this Repetto shot was so lovely I used it again and again!]

Michelle from Illinois writes:  “My husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in fall of 2011.  In our planning I teased him that I had to be kissed under the Eiffel Towers, and that if he didn’t want to , I was sure I’d find a French man to help me out!   That being said he was happy to help with the picture, and as soon as we were under the tower he asked , what about that kiss?    The second pictures we were on the stairs at Montmartre after having an artist draw our picture.   We have the drawing framed and hanging in our living room.   Over a year later, our pictures still bring us great joy and fond memories of the trip.  We are currently saving to come back!”

Sharon in Australia sent me pictures she took while walking through Paris last summer:

Linda from Indiana also wrote:

“I visited Paris in April 2012 for a few days .  My husband had no interest in this visit to France so I invited my  daughter to accompany me.  The love affair I describe here is with the city.  We  were able to walk to many destinations, we enjoyed conversations with Parisians at local bars, and we shopped at the antique market, Bon Marche, Galleries Lafayette and everything in between.  We fell in love with the architecture and personality of this magnificent large city.  The time spent on this adventure with my grown-up daughter was priceless.  I know that we will return…just the two of us”

Alison writes:         “My new husband and I were honeymooning in Paris this past July. Here are a few of my romantic pictures.      I spent the day learning to make croissant at Le Cordon Blue while my new husband roamed around the Louvre. I had a few hours to myself after the class so I did a little shopping. Of course Laduree was my first stop – and then some Parisian lingerie. Nothing in the world compares to the feeling of romance and confidence when you put on a piece of lingerie purchased in Paris – to this day I love putting it on and being brought back to that day. Also – I loved spending a few hours to ourselves with the anticipation of re-uniting to share the days treasures.

 I really loved the market – I just can’t believe the beauty of the flowers that were for sale – in such quantities and for such a good price that i can’t imagine why anyone living there wouldn’t have a fresh bouquet in the house at all times.

The last picture was the view from our bed at the Westin Vendome in Paris – nothing says romance like an open window with a breeze blowing open the light curtains.”

Jeanne of I Dream Of writes:

“to me, the florists there display their blooms with a flourish that is seen nowhere but Paris. And the graffiti always fascinates me. On my last trip, it seemed like love was everywhere – in bloom on the sidewalks, on the walls – the most unexpected of spots, which is something I just love about the city.     ……     The second is more iconic. To me, the little green park chairs are symbols of Paris. I spied these two in the Tuileries and they reminded me a long-married couple, content just to sit together in the park on a chilly winter afternoon. Not needing to hold hands or speak, but just happy share the day. I was solo in Paris this trip, but they made me think of my husband and the time we sat together in the Tuileries as newlyweds on our honeymoon.”

I hope that you are all finding a moment of love and romance today, no matter which form that takes, Joyeux Saint Valentin!

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13 comments

Jeanne McKay Hartmann February 14, 2014 - 2:52 pm

So lovely, Sharon. Thanks so much for including me and for pulling together this lovely celebration of the romance of Paris. Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day! XOXO

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Colleen Taylor February 14, 2014 - 3:20 pm

Beautiful Sharon, there’s nothing quite like true love. The love of someone who knows everything about you good and not so good and still makes you feel like no one else on this planet can feel. Someone who will always and forever be there not just when you want them to be but when you truly need them without ever a fail.
Happy Valentines Day! XXX

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Michelle - Germany February 14, 2014 - 4:20 pm

Thank you so much!! Just loved these stories and pictures…..we havent been to Paris since the 8os and I feel a strong urge to return asap! Watching a marvellous film with Michael Cane yesterday set in and around the city made the longing even stronger!

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Michelle - Germany February 14, 2014 - 4:21 pm

Yes! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY x

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Suzanne de Cornelia February 14, 2014 - 8:13 pm

Beautiful, Sharon. Brought tears of love for Paris. My son went to graduate school there, became a French citizen and remained. I want to move permanently to France ASAP. First to the Ile St. Louis for a time, and then to the Merlin Forest for a project, and on through Brittany.

Did you know that Paris has the oldest bee keeping school in the world? And that bees kept on rooftops all over Paris produce far greater per hive than in the rest of France? The difference is that bee-killing chemical sprays are not allowed in Paris.

Happy Valentine’s Day. Thank you for the heart-warming post!

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Sally February 14, 2014 - 9:44 pm

My dear Sharon , the pictures of Paris are so divinely beautiful….isnt it just where the whole world goes to fall in love?

I couldnt send you a recent picture or story of Paris as I have been in the cote d’azur most often these last years, but I do some freelance event floristry work there ( and here in England ) and the flowers in France are to take one’s breath away………..which is one of the reasons I love love your blog so much……..

So my dedication of love today is for flowers…..in Paris…in France…and everywhere in the world

Sally xx

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Mariecapucine February 14, 2014 - 10:08 pm

Thank you Sharon, it’s beautiful !!!
Ah ! Paris in Love or Love in Paris !!!!! ♥♥
Happy Valentine’s Day for you,
A bientĂ´t !

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Katherine February 15, 2014 - 2:49 am

Sharon, Thank you for letting me share my experience in Paris. It is truly magical and romantic there, I dream of returning with my sweet man.

wishing you a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

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Sharon February 15, 2014 - 8:19 am

Thank you Sharon for sharing my images of Love in Paris and the link to my blog. Beautiful Paris is so far away from us here in Australia. I loved seeing all of these gorgeous photos and reading people’s stories.

Happy Valentine’s Day

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Bonnie Gutierrez February 15, 2014 - 1:23 pm

Although I didn’t share any pictures these brought back some wonderful memories! We are planning to return again soon and my husband keeps reiterating that famous quote. You know the one: “we’ll always have Paris”

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sylvia Faye February 17, 2014 - 4:10 am

Thank you for the lovely blog in honour of St. Valentine. It is such a shame that the public at large forget to give the honour of Saint to this dear and holy bishop of the Catholic Church and he is also a matyr for the Faith.
I, unhapply have only been in the airport in Paris but we flew Air France and what a wonderful airline. I would use them again and the food….yummie!

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ann pauley February 19, 2014 - 4:35 am

i think more people should know about st. valentine, the martyred saint who gave his life for christ. love is what we will be judged by…

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