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Saturday, January 16, 2021

SAXON HENRY

Author | Journalist | Content Strategist | The Modern Salonnière
SAXON HENRY
Author | Journalist | Content Strategist | The Modern Salonnière
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Tag: France

France is one of my favorite countries to visit and not just the city of Paris, which often wins hands down to any other destination, but points far and wide.

Cannes is on my bucket list so when I received photography of the updated interiors of the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic designed by Kirei Studio, I decided to transport myself there by way of a fictive vacation for two of my favorite writers—Edith Wharton and Henry James. I chose the Christian Dior Suite for their literary design adventure. Not only would they enjoy the 180-degree views from the terrace overlooking the Mediterranean and the storied location in the heart of the French Riviera, I reasoned; they’d adore the comfortably elegant furnishings and the airy sophistication achieved by the Parisian-based design firm.

It would simply be a bonus that they are staying in the only suite in Europe infused with the famous Parisian label’s panache. He was in his fifties and she was in her thirties when they wrote their first letters to each other. Once they met, it was a May/December affair of the intellectual kind, a bond the two passionate writers treasured. Their correspondence was filled with explorations of literature, as well as advice, support and excitement concerning each other’s work. I used these letters to create dialogue between the two and had a blast doing it! I have a number of posts under this tag so I if you enjoy stories set in France, both real and fictive, I hope you’ll stop by and read a few.

Julian the Apostate presiding at a conference of sectarians, by Edward Armitage, 1875.
Architecture Cultural Explorations Mythology

The Paris of a Pagan

Saxon Henry July 27, 2020 architectural storytellingbooks of lettersclassical antiquityFranceGreek deitiesParisroyal palaces

This essay examining the military career of the last pagan emperor while he resided in Paris is included in my most recent book The Modern…

View More The Paris of a Pagan
Jim Morrison of the Doors
Books Cultural Explorations Travel

Jim Morrison Irreverent Scribe

Saxon Henry July 20, 2020 FranceParispoetryThe Literary Adventurer

This essay exploring Arthur Rimbaud’s influence on Jim Morrison is included in my most recent book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in the book…

View More Jim Morrison Irreverent Scribe
Django Reinhardt Jazz Genius
Cultural Explorations Films

Django Reinhardt Hot-Jazz Genius

Saxon Henry May 30, 2020 authenticityFranceParispopular movies

This essay delving into the gypsy ways of Django Reinhardt is included in my most recent book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in the…

View More Django Reinhardt Hot-Jazz Genius
Lady Hamilton as Ariadne
Art Cultural Explorations Mythology

The Fashionable Grecian Supper

Saxon Henry May 1, 2020 classical antiquityFranceFrench aristocracyMarie AntoinettememoirsnobilitypaintersParisRoyal Courtierssalonniere

This essay about a fashionable Grecian supper held by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun is included in my book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in…

View More The Fashionable Grecian Supper
Honore de Balzac
Creative Writing Cultural Explorations Literature Travel

Balzac as a Human Comedy

Saxon Henry April 11, 2020 books of lettersfamous writersFrancenovelistsPariswriting desks

This essay channeling Balzac in Paris is included in my new book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in the book feature similar literary adventures…

View More Balzac as a Human Comedy
Detail of the cover of the first edition paperback of “Tropic of Cancer”
Books Creative Writing Travel

Henry Miller the Paris Years

Saxon Henry March 29, 2020 Beinecke Libraryfamous writersFrancekeeping diarieslibrariesLost GenerationnovelistsParisYale University

This essay about Henry Miller in Paris is included in my new book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in the book feature similar literary…

View More Henry Miller the Paris Years
Abelard in his tomb at Pere La Chaise in Paris
Creative Writing Cultural Explorations Travel

Medieval Calamities in Paris

Saxon Henry March 7, 2020 books of lettersFrancejournalsMedieval TimesmemoirsParisphilosophers

This essay about the calamities of Héloïse and Abélard is included in my book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in the book feature…

View More Medieval Calamities in Paris
The reading room of the Bibliothèque Mazarine
Architecture Creative Writing Travel

Libraries Are My Temples

Saxon Henry February 19, 2020 architectural storytellingBaroque EraEmotionality of ArchitectureFrancelibrariesLouis XIVParisroyal palaces

This essay about the legacy of Cardinal Mazarin, which includes several libraries, is included in my book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in…

View More Libraries Are My Temples
Painting Napoleon Crossing the Alps
Books Creative Writing Literature

The Emperor’s Displeasure

Saxon Henry December 16, 2019 famous writersFranceNapoleonnovelistsParissalonniere

This essay about Napoléon’s displeasure with Germaine de Staël is included in my new book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in the book…

View More The Emperor’s Displeasure
Café de la Rotonde in Paris.
Cultural Explorations Literature Travel

Café Society as Cultural Interpreter

Saxon Henry July 22, 2018 American poetsBritish poetsdead poets societyErnest Hemingwayfamous writersFord Madox FordFranceLost GenerationmemoirsNew York Citynonfiction writersnovelistspaintersParissummer reading list

What do the Paris and New York City cafés that served as historical backdrops for some of the world’s most brilliant creatives say about the…

View More Café Society as Cultural Interpreter

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