Walking in the Footsteps of My Heroine by Marie Laval
Marie Laval returns to my blog this week to tell readers about her recent visit to Paris to walk in the footsteps of the heroine from her novel A PARIS FAIRY TALE published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books. Over to Marie …
A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to enjoy three days in Paris with my daughter. It was her first time there, and I was hoping to show her some of the most beautiful sights of the French capital and revisit a few of the places where I used to hang out as an eighteen year old student.
At the time I had left my family and my hometown Lyon, and lived in a hall of residence managed by Mexican nuns in the lovely rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs near the Saint Germain district – yes, that’s right…Mexican nuns! My father was anxious for my safety and keen for me to focus on my studies, but I am ashamed to confess that I did find ways of escape the good nuns’ watchful eyes, stay out late and enjoy myself a little too much…
It was of course nostalgic to retrace my steps some forty years later, all the more than not very much had changed, at least not in the city centre, except from Notre Dame being rebuilt of course, and the many bike lanes all over the place which are great, even if I would never be brave enough to venture on a ‘velib’ – a bike you hire for a short ride.
As for the cafés I used to spend so much time in, most of them looked just the same. However I did find the waiters a touch more friendly.
What was lovely was to walk in the footsteps of historian Aurora Black, the heroine of my romantic novel A PARIS FAIRY TALE. I have always wanted to visit the Opera Garnier where Aurora attends a ballet and a champagne reception, and it was wonderful to finally be able to do so, walk up and down the incredible main staircase and sit in the theatre.
It may appear silly but the place was so beautiful I felt quite emotional. Our guide Stephanie was fun and knowledgeable and made the whole experience even more enjoyable.
On my ‘to-see’ list was also the tiny and charming square du Vert Galant at the very end of the Ile de la Cité near Notre Dame, where Aurora meets up with intrepid reporter Cédric Castel, and the Pont des Arts – the stunning footbridge between Le Louvre and the Bibliothèque Mazarine where Aurora studies illuminated manuscripts. This is the bridge where people used to attach love locks to the railings until a few years ago when all the locks were removed for safety reasons as they made the railings too heavy and in danger of collapsing into the river.
Of course one cannot go to Paris and not enjoy the food. Just like me my heroine loves patisseries and has a predilection for lemon tarts, so I just had to have one in her honour!
It was such a lovely trip I can’t wait to return. There are so many more places I would like to see, museums I want to visit, and so many cakes I cannot wait to sample!
How lovely to be able to share these memories with your daughter. Mx
About Marie Laval
Originally from Lyon in France, Marie has lived in the Rossendale Valley in Lancashire for the past few years. She writes both historical and contemporary romance.
Her contemporary romance novels include best selling contemporary romantic suspense novels LITTLE PINK TAXI and ESCAPE TO THE LITTLE CHATEAU, which was shortlisted for the 2021 RNA Jackie Collins Romantic Suspense Awards, as well as A PARIS FAIRY TALE, BLUEBELL’S CHRISTMAS MAGIC and HAPPY DREAMS AT MERMAID COVE.
Marie also contributes to the best selling MISS MOONSHINE anthologies together with eight author friends from Authors on the Edge.
You can get in touch with Marie on Facebook or Twitter
About A PARIS FAIRY TALE
Does Prince Charming exist only in her dreams . . . or maybe Paris, too?
Workaholic and socially awkward art historian Aurora Black has been hired by a Parisian auction house. They want her to authenticate a legendary medieval manuscript lost over a century ago. She meets journalist Cédric Castel, who is nearly hot enough to melt her seemingly icy exterior . . . Aurora clashes with him immediately. But even though she’d never admit it, Aurora is a romantic at heart. She secretly dreams of Prince Charming and the knights’ missions in her medieval manuscripts.
Cédric is on a mission to uncover art thieves in the city. But what does this have to do with Aurora? And the closer Aurora gets to Cédric, the more they struggle to hide their increasing attraction to each other.
Life for Aurora isn’t about fairy tales and happily ever afters. But maybe just this once, it can be?
To buy A PARIS FAIRY TALE click here
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Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
