Paris – A Personal View
I AM DELIGHTED TO present a new piece in my Paris – A Personal View series.
For each piece in the series I invite a guest who lives in Paris to visit one of their favourite places or a place in the city that has a special meaning for them. With access to a microphone and sound recorder the guest talks about the place and tells us why it’s special to them.
Today my guest is Monique Wells.
Photo by Kim Powell
A native Houstonian and 21-year resident of Paris, Dr. Monique Y. Wells wears several professional hats. She is a consultant in preclinical safety assessment, a time management/productivity expert, and an expert on African Diaspora Paris. She owns two small businesses – one as a solopreneur and the other with her husband. A writer and editor in multiple disciplines, she enjoys investigating her topics thoroughly with an eye for the unusual, untold story. She is also passionate about travel and about food and wine.
As an African-American woman living in France, her interest in African Diaspora history and culture in Paris led her to create Discover Paris!’ Entrée to Black Paris™ Afro-centric walks and activities. It also inspired her to found the French non-profit association called Les Amis de Beauford Delaney. Having successfully placed a tombstone at the previously unmarked grave of painter Beauford Delaney, the principal goal of the organization is now to increase awareness of Delaney’s work.
And Monique’s chosen place? The Jardin du Luxembourg …
©Monique Wells at the Jardin du Luxembourg:
Preparing to record in the Jardin du Luxembourg
Photo: © www.discoverparis.net.
The photographic exposition of the Tour de France on the gates of the Jardin
Photo: © www.discoverparis.net.
Palais du Luxembourg – The Luxembourg Palace
Le poète ou Hommage à Paul Eluard (1954)
Ossip Zadkine (1890-1967)
Photo: © www.discoverparis.net.
The Apiary
Photo: © www.discoverparis.net.
Horloge, Palais du Luxembourg
Photo: © www.discoverparis.net.
L’Acteur grec, by Arthur Bourgeois and a view of the Panthéon in the summertime
La fontaine Médicis – The Medici Fountain
Photo: © www.discoverparis.net.
The first crocuses
Photo: © www.discoverparis.net.
I am very grateful to Monique for giving up her time on a blustery, early Spring day to visit and talk about the Jardin du Luxembourg.
Courtesy Note:
Unlike other sounds on this blog, the sound piece ‘Monique Wells at the Jardin du Luxembourg‘ is not covered by a Creative Commons license. The copyright for this piece rests jointly and exclusively with Monique Wells and Des Coulam. It follows therefore that the downloading of this piece for any purpose is not permitted without the express permission of both Monique and Des. We have no wish to spoil your enjoyment of this piece but simply ask you to respect that the work is ours. Thanks for understanding.
Soundlandscapes' Blog 
Jardin du Luxembourg is one of my favourite gardens in Paris. Many fond memories of having lunch (i.e. sandwich / whatever I brought from home) with friends and walking through it after class : )
Thank you Angelina. Yes, the Jardin has something for everyone. I thought I knew it quite well but Monique introduced me to things I didn’t know were there.
That’s the beauty of Paris – always something to be discovered : )
Wow! What a wonderful piece you and Monique have created! Like you, I thought I knew a thing or two about this emerald jewel of a garden — but I stand corrected. Monique really knows her culture and history! So thank you to you and Monique for a thoroughly engaging, thoroughly interesting “sound guide” to the Luxembourg. You’re creating something quite extraordinary with this series, Des!
Thanks Heather. I’m so pleased you enjoyed this piece. Yes, Monique is certainly very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about this garden and its associations. All the people who have taken part in this series have brought their own special insight to their chosen place … and they’ve all taught me things I didn’t know before! That’s what makes producing this series so fascinating and enjoyable.
What a creative concept! I look forward to reading all the posts, listening to your sounds, and revisiting Paris with Soundlandscapes as my guide. Thank you for making my day!
Thank you Kathleen … and you’re comment has made my day too! I’m so pleased that you like what you’ve found here. You might like to take a look at this which is another way to look at Paris. http://www.soundlandscapes.eu/paris%2Dsound%2Dmap
The Jardin is also nice even in a mist or lite snowflakes, that’s the magic of Paris.
How true!