TWOBOOMERSABROAD

Located in a somewhat rough and tumble suburb north of central Paris, Saint-Denis has a long and rich history. The story of Saint-Denis is long and complex. After all, it's a church, a museum and a necropolis all in one. The French name for it is Basilique cathédral Saint-Denis. So it's a basilica and a cathedral? I had to refresh my memory as to the difference, so I turned to Google. It says, "A cathedral is the principal church of a diocese, serving as the seat of a b

This church has never been on my radar but I'm so glad to have discovered it thanks to a French friend who suggested I visit it. It couldn't be more of a contrast to most of the other churches in Paris. History Paris experienced a huge population growth during the second half of the 19th century, including in the 12th arrondissement where Saint-Esprit is located. The parcel of land that the church occupies was purchased in 1927 by Cardinal Louis-Ernest Dubois, Archbishop of

Walking along the relatively unassuming pedestrian passage in front of the church, passersby could easily dismiss it. But enter the church and you'll be struck by the beautiful stained glass and spacious interior. History The church was built by a decree of Emperor Napoleon III and dedicated to his wife, Empress Eugénie. It was meant to serve the growing population of the Faubourg Poissonnière district which at that time was just outside of Paris and which is now part of

Located on a busy corner in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, the Church of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette is an imposing structure. Don't let the Neo Classical exterior put you off; enter the church and be awed by its beauty. History The current church replaced one just to the north built in the 17th century as the population of the neighborhood grew and required a larger place to worship. The original church was demolished and construction began on the current one in 1823 under the

Often overshadowed by Notre Dame Cathedral less than a mile away, Saint-Sulpice is a jewel in its own right. A Bit of History The church is dedicated to Sulpicius the Pious, a 7th century bishop. To this day, Sulpicians are an order dedicated to the formation of priests through seminary education. Construction of the current church began in the mid-17th century. Anne of Austria, mother of Louis XIV, laid the first stone in 1646. Mathys Schoevaerdts , Public Domain It was

Nestled in a picturesque corner of the 5th arrondissement of Paris, under the shadow of Notre Dame Cathedral, St.-Julien-le-Pauvre, a   Melkite Greek Catholic church   is one of my favorite Parisian churches. As soon as you walk in you feel transported to a prior century and enveloped in its warmth, whether that's due to its small size or the glow of its soft light, it welcomes you. History The current building replaced a 6th century chapel which served as a hospice for pil

On April 15, 2019 at 6:18 pm a fire broke out in the roof of Notre Dame Cathedral. The world watched in horror as over 400 brave Paris...

After MANY years of traveling to France, I'm embarrassed to say that this was my first visit to Giverny. Better late than never, I guess!...

Nestled among the rolling foothills in the Burgundy region of eastern France, Dijon is an easy day trip from Paris. You can reach Dijon...

If your ideal destination offers history, charm and stunning scenery, Annecy should be high on your list. With the Alps as a backdrop, a...

Have you been dreaming about taking that trip of a lifetime to Paris? It's finally becoming a reality and you've booked your flights. ...

Perched on a hilltop about 1,500 ft. above the sea below in the Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France, Èze is as charming as...

The belle époque or beautiful era, which occurred in France between 1871 and 1914 marked a period of great political, socio-economic and...

As if Colmar isn't charming enough, it becomes a winter wonderland during the month of December. This city of about 70,000 is located...

After visiting the Christmas market in Strasbourg, it's no surprise that it's designated the Capital of Christmas! Strasbourg boasts the...

With a population of about 100,000, Mulhouse is a largely industrial city located in the Grand Est region of France only about 20 miles...

Perched atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the expansive and beautiful valley below, Les Baux-de-Provence certainly lives up to its...

As a longtime, devoted lover of impressionist art, the Saint-Paul de Mausole Monastery was high on my list of places to visit during a...

As a lifelong francophile, I devoured British author Peter Mayle's books written when he and his wife lived in the south of France. I...

Cézanne's Studio Paul Cézanne was born into a well-to-do family in Aix in 1839 and except for occasional periods in Paris, lived most of...