East of Paris: Sketches in the Gâtinais, Bourbonnais, and Champagne

Wandering beyond the familiar sights of Paris, the narrator invites listeners on a gentle tour through the quieter corners of eastern France. From the looping Seine around Melun to the ivy‑clad towers of Larchant, each stop is rendered with a painter’s eye for light and a storyteller’s affection for local folklore. The prose captures the rhythm of river‑side promenades, bustling market squares, and the subtle charm of historic inns where travelers of all classes pause to breathe.

Interwoven with anecdotes about past visitors—Balzac’s haunt in Nemours, Sévigné’s favored retreats, and the lingering echoes of royal and revolutionary pasts—the sketches bring the region’s layered history to life without rushing toward grand revelations. Listeners will feel the texture of cobblestones, taste the scent of vineyards, and hear the soft murmur of the Loire, all while the author’s reflective voice maps a personal journey through France’s understated beauty.