It’s a French Thing

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It’s a French Thing

Erica Labous 🇺🇸
Licensed Tour Guide in Paris. Demystifying the French & France for your travels Are you planning your dream trip to France? Francophile? Mais oui.
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Have you spent these last months during the pandemic vowing to hop on the first plane you can to Paris? Do you dream about someday moving to France? Welcome to your real life guide to France – from someone who actually lives here! Beyond the travel books I’m passionate about learning the all the when, where, whys and how comes about this beautiful culture and people. Diving just a little deeper in

to the tapestry of French society and history will make your visit so much richer. This blog aims to shed light not only on the sights you must see (Louvre, Eiffel Tower, etc) but also on the customs, habits and behaviors that sometimes leave us perplexed yet always charmed.

À bientôt, j’espère (Until soon, I hope)

09/25/2024

Some familiar faces 🎨

https://youtu.be/kWaRCCfbJpE?si=J6UGb2aEJGPXcY8E

Time for a folie à deux.

08/11/2024

08/04/2024

💗 Surprise in the sky on my way to the last day of men’s competition and medal ceremony. 🏅 ⛳️

07/28/2024

07/27/2024

Rue de Rivoli 9.30pm. 24 hours after the ceremony of a century.

07/26/2024

This is the theme song of Paris 2024. It’s called Parade and composed by Victor le Masne. It’s has accompanied the flame along its journey. I heard it on repeat at the golf course (it’s very catchy!) and you’ll be hearing it tonight at the opening ceremony and throughout the next 2 weeks! 🎶🏅🎉

07/24/2024

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/24/world/olympics/paris-history-change.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9k0.TDKG.ldsi8310doAu&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

The Games will usher visitors through France’s history, with events at the Grand Palais and Versailles. But, as host, Paris is also becoming a new city.

07/23/2024

https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/23/travel/video/paris-olympics-travel-tourists-ldn-digvid?cid=ios_app

This summer the French capital is expected to welcome 15 million tourists while it hosts the Olympic Games. In a city seven times smaller than New York, it’s easy to stand out. CNN’s Saskya Vandoorne provides some expert tips to avoid the clichés and navigate Paris like a local.

07/21/2024

It was like Christmas in July for me yesterday when I got to see Chardin's Le Panier de Fraises (Basket of Strawberries) at the Fine Arts Museum in Brest. I have a special relationship with this painting as I was one of 10,000 donors who helped the Louvre acquire this masterpiece. Brest is my husband's hometown, and l'm a Bretonne in my heart. 🍓
Why Brest? Since the 19th century, has had strong links with the Louvre. From the summer of 1870, with the threat of a Prussian invasion, 293 works were secretly evacuated from the Louvre to the arsenal of Brest to ensure they were adequately protected. In return, Brest was able to benefit from the support of the Louvre to develop the collection of the municipal museum, which opened in 1877. The history continued with the reconstruction of the museum, which was bombed during WWIl. The new museum opened in 1968, and the relations between Brest and the Louvre proved to be fruitful in the development of the collection.
Le Panier de Fraises by Jean Siméon Chardin was recently added to the collections of the Louvre. A unique work, it was classified as a "national treasure" in 2022. This designation, given by the Advisory Commission of National Treasures, allowed this work to be kept on French soil while the Louvre gathered the funds required for its acquisition. The President-
Director of the , Laurence des Cars, wanted this masterpiece to be exhibited at the heart of the permanent gallery of the Brest Museum of Fine Arts.
The exhibition of Le Panier de Fraises will be in Brest from July 2 to September 22, 2024.
The freshness of the work holds a unique chromatism in its blend of the intense red of the strawberries with the delicate white of the carnations. Exhibited for the first time during the summer of 1761 in the Salon Carré of the Louvre, this composition is one of the last still life works by . Both a portrait and genre painter, he devoted himself to still life from the 1750s, and Le Panier de Fraises is an important milestone of the genre.

07/08/2024

Everyone involved in getting Notre Dame Cathedral ready to open on December 8, 2024 deserves a gold medal!

The refurbishment of the 800-year-old symbol of French history and culture is nearly 90% complete after five painstaking years of restoration following the f...

06/20/2024

The Phrygian cap has long symbolized liberty and freedom, originating from the ancient Phrygians in Anatolia. Over centuries, it evolved into a potent emblem of revolutionary spirit.
This cap is famously depicted in Eugène Delacroix’s masterpiece, “Liberty Leading the People,” where it adorns the head of Liberty herself. Similarly, it appears on the seal of the US Senate, representing the enduring principles of liberty and democracy.
🏅Fast forward to today, the Phrygian cap is making a modern comeback as the mascot of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Named “Les Phryges,” this vibrant figure embodies the spirit of revolution, celebration, and inclusivity bridging history with contemporary culture.

06/18/2024

A lot of these were new to me and pretty funny!

Worried about how to communicate on your visit to the Games? Here are some fun and useful sporting expressions that will make you feel at home at Paris 2024.

05/22/2024

I had the honor of guiding a group of 14 people yesterday at the Musée d’Orsay and I’m always excited to show Cassatt’s Young Woman Sewing in a Garden. It’s in part to my trips to the Detroit Institute of Arts growing up that I’m a guide today. Happy Birthday to the most « Américaine » of the impressionists.

🌺🎨 Let's celebrate the birthday of the remarkable Mary Cassatt on May 22! Immerse yourself in her masterpiece "In the Garden," painted in 1903 or 1904, which captures a moment of peaceful reflection amidst nature's beauty. On view at the Detroit Institute of Arts in Modern, Level 2, Central Wing, this painting invites you to experience the joy of simple pleasures and the tranquility of the outdoors. Join us in honoring Mary Cassatt's legacy and artistic vision!

05/16/2024

Another reason why I love France! ❤️🇫🇷

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/16/world/europe/france-paris-olympics-louvre.html?unlocked_article_code=1.sU0.k-Lg.jRgU1MCfQyvZ&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

The Louvre is joining in the celebration for the Olympics by opening up for dance and exercise classes early in the morning. Tickets sold out in a flash.

05/12/2024

💐 Happy Mother’s Day in the USA! A photo of my mom at her baby shower wearing a Le Bébé t-shirt! ❤️ somehow destiny knew that Le Bébé (me!) would end up in Paris, married to a Frenchie, become a Frenchie, have my own Les Bébés (twins!) and have a career as a licensed tour guide in France. I couldn’t have done any of this without her as a role model of strength, optimism and love. I love you mom! Happy Mother’s Day and see you soon 🇺🇸 and lucky me I get to celebrate 2x because Mother’s Day in France is May 26. 🇫🇷

05/02/2024

04/21/2024

The Paris Games organizers say the Olympics rings will be displayed on the Eiffel Tower this summer

04/17/2024

The history and secrets of the Grand Palais.

CNN gains rare access into the empty, cavernous halls of the Grand Palais in Paris, as the first phase of unprecedented restoration work is finalized just in time for this French landmark to take on a new role: hosting Olympic sports.

04/16/2024

03/13/2024

Spirits are high on top of Notre Dame!

Talented French craftsmen and women have completed the roof framework by using medieval carpentry methods with oaks from France’s forests.

Almost five years after the devastating fire, one of the most iconic monuments of the Parisian skyline is on track to reopen on Dec. 8th, 2024.

03/09/2024

The marriage between Napoleon and Josephine was celebrated on March 9, 1796. According to records, they both were 28 years-old. In reality, she was 32, while he was 26 years old. Here is the story of a love affair for the ages with a special nod 🥰 to guide extraordinaire
Josephine de Beauharnais (1763 – 1814) first encountered Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 – 1821) in 1795. Josephine was a widow and mother of two. Her noble lineage held little significance and she had large debts.
Napoleon was deeply infatuated with Josephine, refusing to consider marrying any other woman. She didn’t reciprocate this ardor, viewing marriage as a matter of convenience rather than affection. Their differing expectations became apparent through their correspondence, where Napoleon’s declarations of love sharply contrasted with Josephine’s indifference. Despite their initial passion, marital discord arose as Josephine’s extravagance clashed with Napoleon’s desire for financial stability. Their bond, though unconventional for its time, reflected a blend of aristocratic tradition and emerging bourgeois values.

02/26/2024

On October 28, 1886, the statue of "Liberty Enlightening the World" was officially unveiled on Ellis Island. The day's wet weather (like today in Paris) did not stop 1 million New Yorkers from turning out to cheer for The Statue of Liberty.
She was completed and assembled in Paris between 1881 and 1884 at 25 rue de Chazelles, 75017. The statue was presented to Levi Morton, the U.S. minister to France, on July 4, 1884 in Paris, it was then disassembled and shipped to the US aboard a French Navy ship. I love these old photos of Lady Liberty being built. It must have been quite a sight to see! 🗽🇫🇷🇺🇸

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Discover the enchanting Old Mill of Vernon, perched above the Seine with its quaint half-timbered facade. Built in the 16th century on a 12th-century bridge, it survived floods, wars, and time itself. Restored by locals after WWII, it stands as a symbol of Vernon’s history. Artists like Claude Monet have immortalized its beauty. #Vernon #OldMill #normandy #ilovefrance #francophile #HistoricLandmark #ArtInspiration

Fun to be interviewed Friday by BFM about the occasional complications tourists face in Paris 🗼🇫🇷 #guideconferencier

Foundry where Statue of Liberty was constructed

On October 28, 1886, the statue of "Liberty Enlightening the World" was officially unveiled on Ellis Island. The day's wet weather (like today in Paris) did not stop 1 million New Yorkers from turning out to cheer for The Statue of Liberty. She was completed and assembled in Paris between 1881 and 1884 at 25 rue de Chazelles, 75017. The statue was presented to Levi Morton, the U.S. minister to France, on July 4, 1884 in Paris, it was then disassembled and shipped to the US aboard a French Navy ship. I love these old photos of Lady Liberty being built. It must have been quite a sight to see! 🗽🇫🇷🇺🇸

Paris Advent Calendar- Day 6: Crafted by Charles Garnier in 1875, this iconic Parisian gem isn’t just a venue—it’s a time capsule of 19th-century grandeur. From hosting legendary performances to witnessing societal shifts, it’s soaked in history. Think the grand chandelier, tales of the Phantom—Opera Garnier is a living, breathing story. ❤️🎄

Paris Advent Calendar- Day 3. The Louvre. Once the home of kings and queens and now the home of the world’s greatest works of art. 🎄 #parisadventcalendar #parisindecember

Day 1 of my quintessentially Paris Advent’s Calendar.

Gift the Magic of Paris! 🎁🇫🇷 Unwrap unforgettable memories, iconic landmarks, and personalized experiences. Perfect for anyone on your list who has planned a trip to France or hint, hint wants one! La Compagnie des Guides. #Paris2024 #parisisalwaysagoodidea #paristourism #paristours

Exploring the rich history of finance and architecture at the Banque de France 🏛💶 as part of the Journées du Patrimoine. This iconic institution, founded in 1800, not only safeguards the nation’s wealth but also boasts stunning neoclassical design. From its majestic columns to the grandeur of its halls, it’s a testament to Parisian elegance and economic prowess. ⚜️ #BanqueDeFrance #ParisianHeritage #ArchitecturalGems #europeanheritagedays

The long awaited Ramses II exhibit opened yesterday in Paris. I got to see the expo this morning and it’s wonderful. It’s a multi sensory exhibition showcasing 181 objects which explore the life and accomplishments of Ramses II. Many of these artifacts have never before been seen outside of Egypt. The expo is on until September 6, 2023

Baraz Breiz = Ballads of Brittany. Breathtaking Saturday evening at the Basilique of St Denis. The sounds of the instruments (bombarde, biniou, saxophone and organ) and voices pierce right through you. All this with the backdrop of the basilica dating from 1135 and the tomb of Anne de Bretagne looking on.

Oh la la French crepes!

America has got the groundhog but every year on Feb 2, France observes La Chandeleur, a day dedicated to eating crêpes. The christian holiday is 40 days after Christmas, but it also has origins in an older pre-Christian holiday celebrating the harvest and marking the midway point of winter. As a result, the current La Chandeleur is a mix of both of these traditions, which eventually evolved into a day revolving around the crêpe. Are you more a of sweet or savory crepe type? Or both?! #crepes #chandeleur #frenchfood #ilovefrance