The fleeting moment when day transitions into night, or night into day. Across the sky, a natural phenomenon occurs when the sky and all that the lingering light rests upon, or the first light begins to appear, casting a blue glow, regardless of the color of the buildings, fields, or objects, onto its recipients.

This deep blue-hue-scatterings of the last remnants of daylight, or before the day begins, reminds us each to soak up its beauty or carve out time to do something ever so ritualistic to savor it all the more.

I was first introduced to this term by Susan Hermann Loomis, who shared in our conversation on episode #192 that it was a regular ritual of hers to go for a bike ride when the blue hour arrived. Taking a regular circuit around her small hometown in Louviers, up in Normandy, even though it was the same route, the experience, the light, the beauty, was uniquely different each time. Have a look at her quote below:

A bit of history about this term. Occurring when the sun is at a significant depth below the horizon, so the glowing orb of light isn’t visible, but leftover or hints of light appear on the horizon. Known as the Rayleigh Scattering when the color that is splayed across the horizon and onto the land and sea differs from the color of the sky on a clear day.

The term itself, coined by the French, has its origins in the art world, as landscape painters, specifically Impressionist painters, were observing and capturing how the natural light created different shapes, forms, and colors. Since the 19th century, it has gone on to be a term that perfumer Jacques Guerlain chose for his perfume of the same name to convey his love for his favorite time of day having said, “It’s the suspended hour… The hour when one finally finds oneself in renewed harmony with the world and the light…when the night has not yet found its star”, created in 1912 (see below). The term is also tied to Paris just before WWI, a period described as being one of relative innocence.

A phenomenon that can be witnessed year-round, so the time of day will be different depending on when the sun rises and sets. It is quite special to witness, and wherever we live in the world, we can experience its magic.

The secret to finding the most magical exhibition of this light, which typically only lasts between 20-30 minutes, is to find constrasts – where the ‘cool’ tones of the blue light meet warm features on the ground – think brass, gold or anything ‘glowing’ from the sun hitting it – windows for example. Monet demonstrates this capturing of cool and warm tones perfectly in his painting below found in his series of the Rouen cathedral. Find those locations, and what you will observe will be quite awe-inspiring.

Below are a few ideas for how to savor it, exercising our ‘marveling’ muscle as we explored the five different ways to deeply, and with thoughtful intention, savor in the four-part seasonal savorings series posted throughout this past year. I would also include it in the ‘luxuriating’ section, as we take in this magical sight with our sense of sight.

L’Heure Bleue dans le soir

1. Taking a walk, a stroll with eyes gazing to the horizon and all that the light touches.

2. Wherever there is an expanse of water – ocean, lake, a river – especially if the water meets the horizon, make a point of being near it to experience the full ‘blue’ of twilight.

3. Photographers, make a date with Mother Nature or the town and city you find yourself to seek out the sparkling natural effects on objects, capturing them with your lens.

4. Especially during summer, when the sun sets late into the night, make a ritual to entice you to go to bed all the more. Maybe you have the namesake perfume from Guerlain, so why not spritz it on your sheets or bed linens to welcome you to bed? Any soothing scent – lavender, sandalwood, you choose – and a restful night of slumber awaits.

5. If in Paris or any city with stunning architecture, especially bridges over vast waterways, plan to stroll through the rues and boulevards and over the Seine to observe the effects of the light on the buildings.

6. Speaking of water, plan to be atop the water on a water cruise, or any boat on any water and still yourself to watch as the light gently fades to sleep.

7. If you have a balcony that looks west, or know someone who does, or perhaps a restaurant or public place has a terrace to view the sun setting, be sure to be outside at this fleeting moment.

8. While visiting one of the many châteaux throughout France, linger in the evening to see the light dance on the architecture, moats, lakes, and water features.

L’heure bleue à l’aube

9. If you are in Paris, wake up early and head to the stairs at Sacré-Cœur. The sun will creep above the stairs and cast its ink-blue light down the steps.

10. Will you be in Normandy at Mont St. Michel? All of that water makes for a magnificent l’heure bleue in morning or evening.

12. Spend time in a garden, yours or a garden open to the public. Step outside or arrive early and discover Mother Nature perfectly illuminated, fresh, and soothing to the senses as the gentle light hints at the day to come.

13. Watch the sun’s light slowly inch to the horizon over the lakes of Annecy found in the Alps.

14. Watch Tte morning light in Provence draped over the lavender in early summer.

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Please do share how you enjoy savoring L’Heure Bleue in the Comments’ section below.

Explore all of the Posts shared during this year’s French Week