Aix-en-Provence (finalement!)

I have been in Aix for two weeks now! Everything is going quite swimmingly. My host family is super nice, musical, and large....everything I was hoping for. I have two host sisters, and another girl from the Wellesley program in the house. There's a grand piano, and there's pretty much always someone playing it from 9h-21h.

We also have a pool!

Aix is an incredibly picturesque and sunny city! The cathedral is really beautiful, and is home to a 12th century cloister. I got a private tour of the cloister from an elderly french lady who works at the cathedral. She explained every detail of the carvings.

Outdoor markets are always popping up. I have been to many food markets, but have not yet made it to the clothes market. At the market you can find anything from olives to spices to flowers to cheese. 

Bisous,

Fiona

Paris - la deuxième partie!

The rest of my time in Paris was just as thrilling as my first moments there.

Despite all of the millions of things to do in the city, I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Giverny and Versailles!

Giverny is where Claude Monet lived and painted from 1883 to his death in 1926. Using water from the Seine and plants and aesthetics from Japan, Monet created a natural utopia in which to work.

Here I am in front of loads of nymphéas (water lilies):

Here is Monet's front garden:

Les nymphéas encore:

After visiting Monet's gardens, water lilies, and house, I visited his tombe in the village cemetery:

Versailles was astonishing, as expected. The crowds were shocking (despite being forewarned), but the gardens were truly mind-blowing. The fountains, rows of perfectly groomed trees, intimate passageways, and grand views...

I visited on the perfect day, because many of the fountains were in full bloom, featuring water displays accompanied by various pieces by Lully. 

Me looking a bit exhausted after escaping the crowds in the palace. The famous Galerie des Glaces:

Entering the gardens (imagine hearing one of Lully's overtures as you walk past these mythical sculptures): 

Everything I did in Paris has stuck with me. I hope that the images never fade...

À bientôt mes chères,

Fiona