La Chapelle-Saint-Luc
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 93: Shivering in my boots here in La Chapelle-Saint-Luc! It’s -1.03°C, but feels like a biting -2.99°C. I’ve seen mist before, but this? It’s like being in a cloud’s personal space. The humidity is at 93% – even my jokes are damp! Add the 1.54 m/s wind and I’m a frosty gnome-sicle. Note to self: knit gnome-sized thermals.
Seine-ic Route Stomp!
In classic Oliver style, I didn’t just take the most direct route. Non, non, non! I decided to take the scenic route – because why not? The journey was as much a feast for the eyes as a French croissant is for the taste buds. But the highlight of the journey, the pièce de résistance, was crossing the beautiful Seine river.
As I stood on the banks of the Seine, I was reminded of a quote by the French philosopher, Gaston Bachelard, “Le droit de rêver n’est pas le plus clair de nos droits humains. C’est le plus obscur” – “The right to dream is not the clearest of our human rights. It’s the darkest.” How apt it seemed, as I gazed at the dark, mysterious waters of the Seine.
La Chapelle-Saint-Luc welcomed me with open arms and the smell of freshly baked baguettes. The town is known for its vibrant culture and warm people. I’ve made a few friends already and they’ve promised to teach me some local songs.
So far, I’ve been on the road for 92 days and traveled a total of 2437.0 kilometers! Imagine that! From the medieval town of Provins to the city of Romilly-sur-Seine twice, to La Chapelle-Saint-Luc and Bar-sur-Seine, I’ve seen so much and met so many wonderful people.
I’m signing off now, but not before sharing a nugget of local wisdom with you, “Qui n’avance pas, recule” – “He who does not go forward, recedes.” Until next time, au revoir!
Wandering La Chapelle-Saint-Luc’s Streets
Gnome’s Enthusiastic Doodles
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of La Chapelle-Saint-Luc.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Gide’s Giggle, Gothic Gables!
Firstly, this city is the birthplace of the notable poet André Gide, who once said, “On ne découvre pas de terre nouvelle sans consentir à perdre de vue, d’abord et longtemps, tout rivage” (One doesn’t discover new lands without consenting to lose sight, for a very long time, of the shore). It’s a quote that resonates with my own journey, as I leave the familiar behind in pursuit of the unknown.
Secondly, the city’s architecture is a blend of old and new, with the Chapelle Saint-Luc being a highlight. This 12th-century chapel boasts a stunning Romanesque style, standing as a testament to the city’s long and storied past. It’s as if Claude Debussy’s “La cathédrale engloutie” (The Sunken Cathedral) is played out in stones and mortar, a symphony of history for your eyes.
So, come, lose sight of your shore and find new lands in La Chapelle-Saint-Luc.
La Chapelle-Saint-Luc: Gnoming Around the Marché!
In La Chapelle-Saint-Luc, there’s a unique tradition called “La Fête de la Sainte Patronale”. It’s a yearly festival held in honor of the town’s patron saint. Enough merriment to shake a gnome at, I say! Activities include a grand marché (market) and a cavalcade (parade), with locals decked out in traditional attire. You know, a gnome like me could almost blend in, if not for my shiny red hat! The highlight, though, is the repas partagé – a shared meal. “Partager un repas, c’est partager un moment” as the locals say – “Sharing a meal is sharing a moment”. A gnome couldn’t agree more!
Gnome’s Guide to Chapel Charms
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 