The Paris Postcard: History, Art, Faith and Joie de Vivre

le 25 septembre 2026

Bonjour à toutes et à tous. Your Paris Postcard is here, bringing you the latest happenings from our favorite city.

This week, Paris and the surrounding region offer a wonderful mix of history, art, faith and, as always, a little bit of joie de vivre. From Versailles to Chatou, and from a very special papal visit to a major Monet exhibition, there is plenty to put on your calendar. Whether you’re in Paris now or simply dreaming about your next visit, a few things have caught my eye this week. Here are the highlights. .

Marie Antoinette, by Sofia Coppola

If you loved Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, you won’t want to miss this. The Château de Versailles is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the film with a new exhibition at the Petit Trianon, running from September 22 through January 24.

Created in collaboration with Coppola, the exhibition explores the making of the film, its distinctive visual style and its enduring cultural influence. And what better place to revisit Coppola’s interpretation of Marie Antoinette than the Petit Trianon, one of the places most closely associated with the queen’s private world?

The exhibition brings together costumes, photographs, film elements and other objects connected to the movie. For anyone who remembers those gorgeous pastel interiors, elaborate costumes and, of course, that soundtrack, it should be a particularly fun trip back in time.From there, I would head over to the Hameau de la Reine, the little country village built especially for the Queen. It’s absolutely charming and a must see stop.

Pope Leo XIV Comes to Paris

Paris will be in the international spotlight today and tomorrow as Pope Leo XIV makes his first visit to France. His Paris itinerary includes UNESCO, Notre-Dame de Paris, and a prayer vigil with young people at the Stade de France on Friday evening. On Saturday, he will celebrate Mass at Place de la Concorde before continuing on to Lourdes.

There will be a very special welcome throughout France today. At 10 a.m., church bells across the country will ring in unison for seven minutes to mark Pope Leo’s arrival. In Paris, the bells will ring again at 5 p.m. as he makes his way through the city toward Notre-Dame. I love the sound of church bells, and I can only imagine how beautiful it will be to hear them ringing throughout France in welcome.

And, I have to admit, this visit feels a little personal for me. Pope Leo grew up in Dolton, Illinois—just about 10 miles from my childhood home. I love that connection and knowing we share similar reference points from our respective childhoods. Who would have imagined that someone who grew up so close to where I did would one day become Pope and be visiting Paris? It certainly makes his arrival in France a little more special to me.

If you’re in Paris this weekend, keep in mind that the visit will mean significant changes to traffic and public transportation, particularly around Notre-Dame, the Champs-Élysées and the Stade de France. Check your route before heading out.

Foire de Chatou

Also beginning Friday, September 25, is one of my favorite events in the Paris region: La Foire de Chatou, the twice-yearly antiques and brocante fair held on the Île des Impressionnistes.

I went in March, and I have to admit, I’m yearning to return. There is something irresistible about wandering through row after row of antiques, vintage treasures, furniture, jewelry, linens and all sorts of things you didn’t know you needed until you spotted them.

This year’s fair brings together more than 300 exhibitors from across France and runs through October 4. If you love brocante as much as I do, Chatou is definitely worth the trip outside Paris. It’s super easy to get there by taxi, Uber, or RER A. Fair warning: Go with an open mind—and perhaps a little room in your suitcase!

Monet at the Musée de l’Orangerie

The Monet exhibit, Peindre le temps at the Musée de l’Orangerie, opens on September 30, marking the 100th anniversary of Claude Monet’s death.

There couldn’t be a more appropriate place for this celebration. The Orangerie is, of course, home to Monet’s magnificent Nymphéas, and the new exhibition explores the artist’s relationship with time and the way his work evolved throughout his career.

If you’re planning a fall visit to Paris, I’d put this one on the list. After all, there are few experiences more quintessentially Parisian than spending an afternoon with Monet at the Orangerie.

MES COUPS de CŒUR

A classic glen plaid blazer with a hint of blue, a navy scarf, a pair of brown loafers, and a newly released fall fragrance are wonderful ways to ease into fall. This new interpretation of Guerlain’s iconic 1912 fragrance blends powdery iris and jasmine with warm vanilla and soft musk, creating a scent that feels both luminous and enveloping. It’s sophisticated, feminine and unmistakably French.

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#ICYMI

If you missed my latest post, takes you on a visual tour of French Wine Bottles: What the Shape and Color Can Tell You. Who knew that just looking a bottle could reveal what’s inside.

For a bit of nostalgia, here is a post from May 2015 entitled, The Antique Markets of Paris. Yes, even back then I spent weekends touring antique markets – some things never change