Il n’ya qu’un bonheur dans la vie, c’est d’aimer et d’être aimé.
George Sand
There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved. February 14th, Saint Valentine’s Day, St. Valentin. During the Middle Ages, it was noted that birds paired off at the first blush of Spring. This observation was eventually translated into the language of love and the custom of giving small tokens and cards, cartes d’amities, to your lover became tradition. The first recorded valentine was sent in 1415 by the Duke of Orleans to his wife in France, while he was being held in the Tower of London.
Paris, Notre Dame
The city of Paris is synonymous with love., but why? Is it the charm of the city and its history and culture or its famous writer’s and lovers? To me the answer is that the City of Love is also the City of Light. and love has always been coupled with light and vision. Coup de foudre, love at first sight. The name Paris, itself, evokes the story of Helen of Troy and her lover, Paris, who waged the nine year Trojan War for the woman he adored.
Musée d’Orsay, “Woman Biten by Snake”, Clessinger
The French tradition of love can be traced back to the 10th century Troubadors who sang suggestive songs of love in the courts as well as the cafés, arousing the libidos of Queens and peasant girls alike. Even today, romantic songs are sung and proposals of marriage are offered on the top of the Tour Eiffel, Eiffel Tower.
Eiffel Tower
But, if the spell is broken and the truth be told, “Paris” is actually a word that means “marsh” and is a reminder of the former city before its iconic fame. Nowhere in the world is the transformative splendor of a city so apparent.
Elixir d’Amour – Red Wine Sorbet
9 ounces fine sugar
3 +1/2 ounces orange juice
1 cup light colored red wine
Place sugar in boiling water and stir until it is completely dissolved.
Add orange juice and red wine.
Pour into a plastic freezer box, cover and freeze. Stir every 30 minutes for 2 hours with a whisk to break up ice crystals and give it a nice texture.
Cover with plastic wrap under and on top of the lid. Freeze until ready to serve. Garnish with raspberries and rose petals.
