It seems like heaven here in Bordeaux, where I arrived last Saturday, when I think of Paris! You can have no conception of the kindness and devotion of this family [Laussot]. It consists of the young married couple and the wife's mother, an Englishwoman who, however, like the husband, speaks German as well as we do. There is besides a whole colony of Germans here, rich families all, and they all honour me very highly. What else am I to say to you but that I am very happy to have got to know in this way these kind people, whose one desire and object is to make myself and my good, hardly tried and faithful wife as happy as they possibly can? It is a rare and unheard-of piece of good fortune which has befallen me. The young husband, an amiable and frank young man, was quite inexpressibly glad to see me come. My works are known here down to the last note and everyone knows how the matter stands, and is proud of being able to help me so much. In spite of this excellent family, however, I would not exchange Switzerland for Bordeaux at any price and am thoroughly homesick for Switzerland.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 170