Join me for a virtual tour of paris Taking in The locations in my novel, HOTEL DÉJÀ VU.
In 2012 , I fell in love with the 5th arrondissement, The Latin Quarter. I was strictly a Right Bank girl before that, but, on a ‘girls’ trip, I was lucky enough to stay in this area, in a beautiful bed and breakfast on rue de Bièvre. I will never forget how wonderful it was to arrive at this gorgeous door after a 24 hour flight from Australia. I pressed the intercom and Anne buzzed us up. Waiting for us on the enormous farmhouse dining table (which also features in the novel) was a delicious breakfast of all kinds of bread and pastries, fresh squeezed juice, and COFFEE! My first novel Hotel Deja Vu was born during this two week stay. Below is a picture of the real ‘blue door’ that faces the pretty laneway.
“She could either walk around the block via the quai or through the busy Sunday market to get to the front door, the old carriage entrance that now served as the entry to the house. Deciding to brave the quai rather than the crowded marché, she hesitated in the alleyway, surveying the crowds of people strolling along under the plane trees. Completely forgetting her bed-sheet skirt, she stood staring at the crowded street. Had the war ended overnight? Had the explosion somehow caused the enemy to turn tail and go back east? Confusion gave way to joy as she smiled at the happy people. It was delightful to see Paris as it should be – teeming with tourists and locals enjoying the beautiful city. She tore herself away from the glorious vision and turned towards Rue du Bièvre, and home.”
“Lying back down on the sofa she opened the text and found herself hoping it was an invitation for dinner but already worried she would be forced to enjoy herself. The guilt brought on by enjoying herself wasn’t worth the effort. It wasn’t an invitation. It wasn’t like any message she had ever received from Marie. It simply read, “Have a lovely day with your American group, my dear friend. Remember to take your umbrella.”
Rachel stared at the unusual text. It was odd and the more Rachel thought about it, the odder it seemed to get. In more than ten years of knowing Marie, she had never given her a weather report, nor shown anything other than cursory interest in her groups. She stared at the screen. It was kind of her friend to wish her a happy day…
‘What are you up to?’ she said out loud, staring at the phone.”
“One by one, the women emerged from the salon cocoon as beautiful butterflies to stand in front of the photographer. They were awkward at first, but within minutes each lady was smiling and relaxed, striking poses that would make a supermodel proud. Fabien and his team had outdone themselves this time, Rachel told him. He begged her to let him ‘have his way with her’ and winked. She knew he meant he wanted to style her. She winked back but declined, promising that next time, she would let him do whatever he wanted. Fabien loved a bit of innuendo. In fact, innuendo was one of his favorite English words.”
“Sara walked with her mother, topping up champagne and making introductions. Marie typified French elegance even while cooking breakfast or sweeping the foyer and as her eyes finally arrived on Paula, she blanched visibly.
‘The car will arrive in five minutes, perhaps everyone should finish preparing for the evening?’ Marie spoke to the room, but everyone knew the comment was meant for Paula.
‘Well, I’m ready. This ensemble is a la mode, very in, according to my personal shopper at Galeries Lafayette,’ Paula said sweetly, looking Marie directly in the eye.
Smiling her most charming smile, Marie shook her head ever so slightly. ‘Yes, it is very in at the moment, for the young girls, but not really intended for ‘les femmes d’un certain age.’
Paula feigned shock. ‘Clothes have an age? Betty would disagree! I couldn’t afford clothes like this when I was young. I’m slim and have great boobs that cost a fortune, so why shouldn’t I enjoy them?’
Heads nodded all around and Marie put her hands up in defeat.
The elevator dinged softly, and the doors slid back. Betty emerged in a stunning white pants-suit and black patent stilettos, a huge crystal at her throat and a gold Chanel clutch. Her eyes scanned the room to ensure Janet was there, happy, drink in hand, and she walked forward smiling at Marie, arm outstretched in greeting. Having shaken their host’s hand, she turned and gave Paula a once over while everyone held their breath. ‘Chop, chop, girls,’ she commanded. ‘Paris isn’t going to paint itself red!’”
“The group walked under the trees catching little glimpses of the Eiffel tower through the lush green foliage. Emerging into the bright sunlight they stood and watched some tourists playing Boules. No one seemed to know the rules and they had already lost the jack, so they simply bowled the balls from one end of the open space to the other between sips of wine directly from the bottle. They seemed to be enjoying themselves. Alex and Sara stood under the trees ahead waving to the group.
When they caught up, Rachel handed the basket to Alex. He bent to kiss her. The group gave a little cheer, then followed the pair through the trees to a long trestle table. It was set with a pale-yellow tablecloth, mismatched white crockery and glasses, and simple wildflower centrepieces.
Versailles is a special place for Rachel. As a tour guide she loves the history and grandeur of the chateau but it is bittersweet for her after Alex… and before… has she met him before in this life, or another?
Heat was radiating from the cobblestones by the time they reached Versailles and it wasn’t even nine. Emotions were running as high as the temperatures as the tired, mostly hungover group reached the entrance, all trying to push through to get out of the sunlight. Recent terrorist activity had tightened security at Versailles, restricted vehicular access to the palace forcing the over-dressed party to sweat their way to the cool of the security check point.
‘Can we get a cold drink before we start, Rach?’ Georgia begged, to a chorus of nodding heads and groans of agreement.
‘We will be starting our visit to the Chateau de Versailles with morning tea at Ore, the Ducasse restaurant,’ Rachel said to the relieved group, who obediently followed her to the gloriously cool space.
Rachel made sure everyone was seated and had ordered and then sat quietly to one side and took out her phone. As usual for this stage of the tour, the conversation was subdued and many of the women were deep in thought. Paula was standing at the bar with an espresso and after drinking it, tucked her headphones in her ears and left the restaurant without looking back. Rachel sighed. The phone buzzed in her hand, startling her.
It was a text from Wendy. ‘Can we have a chat about coming back to Paris?’
Rachel’s head snapped up and she found Wendy in the busy dining room. Wendy smiled and tapped her watch. Rachel nodded. She knew exactly what Wendy wanted to talk about.
Dinner at the Jules Verne restaurant on the eiffel tower.
“As they made their way to the elevators, Judy stopped to look out over Paris as the silent tears slid down her cheeks, but she smiled regardless. To be standing here on the Eiffel Tower, on her fiftieth birthday, dressed to the nines with her daughter, dinner at the world-famous Jules Verne restaurant. It was a real bucket-list moment. As tactless as Paula could be, Judy had found Wendy’s poise inspirational. If she could handle that conversation with such dignity surely Judy could handle a thoughtless text from Grant. Pulling a tissue from her clutch she daintily dabbed the tears while her daughter mocked her, mimicking the dainty hand movements. They both burst into laughter, the wind plucking the tissue from her hand, it disappeared into the inky black Paris night.
‘See mum, Paris is telling you that you don’t need to cry anymore!’ Georgia said hugging her mother. Judy pushed her now windswept hair behind her ear.”
Reviews and comments about Hotel Deja Vu
And the comment below – A fan of Hotel Deja Vu commenting on my second novel, Alia Henry and the Ghost Writer.
