Ode to my little Flat in Vanves, France

So, I thought I would blog about my flat, my petite studio (it's really more like a room if you want to know the truth) in Vanves, France. Why? Just for memories, for my memoirs. So that I can remember that it happened if ever I am no longer here.

As of this writing, I have been living in this flat for four years. It has gone through many different looks and moods and changes with my whims.

Because it is so small, obviously, I have a limited number of options of where I can put things and how much I can rearrange the furniture.

This particular incarnation is very arty. All the walls are filled with ALL of my art. I have artworks bursting out of the ceilings even. There is no white space left. Even in the bathroom, the walls are covered with art. In the hallways, on the side of bookshelves and armoires (I have two of these) are covered in art. I even have some art piled up against the

wall with nowhere to put them.

Have I outgrown this little flat? I probably could use more space, no question. But based on the realities of my life, as far as finances, for example, I don't see anything changing anytime soon. And so for the foreseeable future, if I stay in France (that is of course always a question mark for numerous different reasons) I will have no other options but this little flat.

I love this little flat. I would buy it if I could. It is not the most convenient when I start to get 'old" and can't climb up to my bed, for example. My bed is like this bunk bed setup whereby I have to ascend steps to get to it. It is an ingenious way to save space in a small flat, but it is probably better suited to a teenager or young adult than a middle aged woman like myself. For now, being that I am such a "youthful" old gal, it is not a problem. But I can totally see that for an old woman, this is not going to be a good setup. I will need something else. Something more practique. 

Like what? How about a charming little cottage? I do secretly dream of a cottage where I can have a garden. A mini little Tasha Tudor type garden. Is that in the cards for me? Let's see what develops.

For now, I do love this little flat in Vanves. I think I have created a little dream life here for myself. My little hidden cave. Where only I know the password to get in. I love it.

Below find some photos I took of my little flat in Vanves on March 31 2019.

Ode to Lille. A Vibrant, Dynamic College Town in France Near the Border with Brussels

Hah. I am letting my nails dry while I update the blog. It could be a mess...

So, Lille. I was in Lille yesterday to check it out and I have to say, it was a very pleasant little trip. Of course, I took the Flixbus out of Bercy Seine in Paris at the crack of dawn and took the 3.5 hour ride out to Lille. The views were of course scenic and the landscape green and lush. I always like that aspect of the trips I have taken on Flixbus. The relaxing ambiance and then, the scenic views. Of rolling green meadows and sometimes a hill, often a few animals like horses, and the panorama of open, endless sky. I don't get that in Paris so it is very nice to have it when I go off on these little adventures.

I am really loving my little adventures, including the journey there on Flixbus. So far, excellent with Flixbus. I just can't believe how easy and agréable this mode of transportation has been so far.

 Lille did not disappoint. It is a charming, interesting little city. I would say it was one of the easiest to get around. Very comprehensive. Very clear. Even I could not get lost in a city like Lille. Simplicity and clarity of directions. A metro that makes sense and is not a labyrinth like the one in, say, Brussels. And I say that with all due respect to Brussels which is a fine city but the Metro is a freaking labyrinth and does not make intuitive sense. In Lille, the metro makes intuitive sense. I would have absolutely no problem in Lille in terms of mobility - getting around Lille.

So the bus pulled up at the Gare de Flandres  I hit the square like a ton of bricks cause I wanted to make the most of limited time. It was still kind of early on a Sunday morning when we arrived so the streets were not overflowing with people yet; that would happen by the time I was leaving around 6 pm. So I had a relaxing time just taking in the architecture and taking my pictures for Instagram. All the shops were closed on Sunday in Lille so that was a bit, shall we say, weird for a New Yorker like myself. Even in Paris shops are starting to be open on Sundays but it is still a thing in France to have shops closed on Sundays.

Anyways, I really wanted to check out this massive flea market in this part of town called Wazemmes. I had read on line that it is pretty formidable. And it is. I think maybe it is the biggest flea market I have ever seen so far in terms of just stalls. The stuff was not really antiques though. Although, maybe I did not get to see that part of the market. It is all stuff like the flea market at Boulevard Brune in the 14th so I did not buy anything because I can get the same things in Paris. Except for these knives. I saw a guy selling dinner knives and I liked them and picked up four. The price was right and I think they add to my collection without duplicating what I already have. So that was a do.

Right after that, I stopped in at a little art gallery in the same area to check out an exhibition. They were serving wine and cheese and as soon as I stepped in, I was of course the center of attention. Inside, I found myself giggling because why do I have this effect on people where they look at me as if I have seven heads just to go into an art gallery to view the art? Am I really that unusual?? I can't possibly be that atypique.

After the flea market and art gallery, I got back on the Metro and came off at Beaux Arts where their biggest eponymous museum is located. Turns out there was a special event that rendered the museum free of charge to enter. Usually it is free on the first of the month but yesterday, due to extenuating events, it was free so good for me. I was able to go in and see their collection. It was very nice and I took a ton of snapshots in there too.

After, I checked out a band playing in front of the museum and then I got back on the Metro to return to the main part of town. Once there, I visited the cathedral which is majestic! I could not believe the architectural details in there. For a country with so many atheists France has some of the most magnificent and stunning places of worship I have ever seen in my life.

Most of the rest of the afternoon I spent strolling around the Vieux Lille quarter and taking snapshots. The city reminded me of Brussels (no wonder they say there is a heavy "Flemish" influence in Lille) but also it reminded me of Vienna, Austria. But in the end, it definitely has a character of its own and from my perspective, is a very charming little city.

Lille is full of young people and students so it has a very young, dynamic energy - even on a Sunday afternoon. I can totally see why everyone thinks it is a university town. It has a cool, youthful vibe to it and I really liked it.

At the end of the afternoon, I stopped in at this little café called Nothingham Café for a slice of cake and some tea and before you know it, it was once again time to return to Paris. So I went back to the Gare to pick up my bus. (Did I mention I LOVE Flixbus? I can't believe I get to visit all these amazing cities for the price they charge! I have a trip coming up in about a month that literally cost 99 cents each way. So 1,98 euros. In Paris, a bus ride is 2 euros one way. Flixbus is just freaking amazing. Really. It cannot be beat. At least, not for the moment.

In all, a very nice, very enjoyable Sunday adventure. I highly recommend a visit to Lille if you haven't already done so.