The week wrapped with Valentino's swan song on the grounds of the Musée Rodin. With a front row that included Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu and Miuccia Prada, the show began with pastel daywear, followed by floral prints and then exquisite gowns. He saved his signature shade for the finale: Images of models clad in red gowns were projected onto the tent walls, moving to the tune of Annie Lennox's No More I Love Yous. Suddenly, an phalanx of live models in identical dresses appeared. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Backstage was chaotic with press. Valentino joined me in a cozy makeshift room. "I knew I had to be calm and strong," he said. "But I have to tell you, I am so very happy now. I only wanted to show the world all that I could do. Now, I'm ready to go and enjoy my life."

As I ventured off into the Paris night, the frenzy quieting down, I thanked the fashion gods for the chance to have known Valentino and witness first-hand not only the end of an era, but the relentless passion and inspired creativity inherent in being one of the world's great couturiers.

More on Jeanne's take of Paris Couture Week to come...