19-9-2010

19-9-2010
Originally uploaded by cspatrick

Sunday, September 19, 2010 Day 81
Avast, and shiver me timbers – it’s Talk Like a Pirate Day! Brwaack! Polly want a cracker? … Oh, wait. That’s for Talk Like a PARROT Day.

We wanted to continue Les Journées du Patrimoine as these places are available only once a year and we will not be here next year to see them. First we stood in line for almost an hour to be able to climb 80 steps to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, from which we had a lovely view. We could look in one direction and see the Peyrou with its water tower at the end, and in another direction and have a view of the Mediterranean Sea. A French friend named Elisabeth suggested that we go to see two “folies” this afternoon as part of Les Journées du Patrimoine. A “folie” is "small house built in a leisure garden. . . and intended for short stays" and poetically, a "little house under the trees." Yes, well, these “little houses under the trees” are rather grand residences, at least in the city sense. They are not sprawling country chateaux; however they are large enough – much larger than most houses around, I think, with lovely gardens. The two we visited were called Hôtel Haguenot and Hôtel Guidais. An explanation here about the term Hôtel as it is used in France (or at least as nearly as I can tell!): The term seem to get tossed around a lot. Besides being the obvious place to spend a night or two, it appears also used to describe administrative offices (Hôtel du Ville is always “City Hall”) and additionally some historic estates or mansions. Both Hôtel Haguenot and the Hôtel Guidais are what used to be country homes, but the city grew up around them. They are large walled private houses in beautiful settings of peaceful gardens. Hôtel Haguenot was rather museum-like in that part of the interior which we saw – it is hard to believe that the owners relax and put their feet up in the splendidly-decorated rooms. Hôtel Guidais was a bit more relaxed and informal, although not casual by any means. We only toured limited areas of both houses, then most of the gardens. I had museum legs by this time, so we headed home.