EXHIBITION – FASHION IN THE 18TH CENTURY
The very beautiful exhibition “Fashion in the 18th Century. A Fantasized Legacy” presented by Continue reading “EXHIBITION – FASHION IN THE 18TH CENTURY”
FONTAINEBLEAU CASTLE
A major place in the history of France, the Fontainebleau castle has been one of the residences of French sovereigns since King Francis Continue reading “FONTAINEBLEAU CASTLE”
ALAÏA & DIOR
Let’s speak not of one, but of two intertwined exhibitions devoted to two geniuses of haute couture: Alaïa and Dior Continue reading “ALAÏA & DIOR”
MAILLOL MUSEUM – PARIS
A famous sculptor during his lifetime, Aristide Maillol nevertheless begins his career as a painter, engraver, ceramicist, and tapestry artist Continue reading “MAILLOL MUSEUM – PARIS”
LA GRANDE BELLEZZA
“The Great Beauty”, directed by Paolo Sorrentino in 2013, follows the Roman wanderings of an ageing journalist, Jep Gambardella Continue reading “LA GRANDE BELLEZZA”
PALAZZO COLONNA – ROME
Far from the crowds that haunt the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, the Colonna palace is defined by its Continue reading “PALAZZO COLONNA – ROME”
MARIE-ANTOINETTE STYLE
The stunning exhibition “Marie-Antoinette Style” presented by the V&A Museum in London until March 22, 2026, offers a dazzling overview Continue reading “MARIE-ANTOINETTE STYLE”
THE HOUR OF THE PREDATORS
“The Hour of the Predators” by Giuliano da Empoli, published in 2025, is a politically incisive and sadly Continue reading “THE HOUR OF THE PREDATORS”
EXHIBITION – SARGENT
The exhibition “Sargent: the Paris Years” dedicated by the Orsay Museum to the painter John Singer Sargent and running until January 11 Continue reading “EXHIBITION – SARGENT”
EXHIBITION – THE CLEOPATRA MYSTERY
The exhibition presented by the Parisian Arab World Institute until January 11, 2026, titled Continue reading “EXHIBITION – THE CLEOPATRA MYSTERY”
EXHIBITION – RICK OWENS
Taking advantage of a professional cocktail event at the Palais Galliera, I now find myself standing before the works of Rick Owens Continue reading “EXHIBITION – RICK OWENS”
ALBERT-KAHN GARDENS
The Albert Kahn Gardens are part of the museum of the same name, dedicated to the conservation and promotion of Continue reading “ALBERT-KAHN GARDENS”
LOUVRE PALACE – PARIS
Behind the largest museum in the world (whose security is notoriously lax, as we know from a certain infamous jewelry theft) lies a palace Continue reading “LOUVRE PALACE – PARIS”
EXHIBITION – PAUL POIRET
The exhibition running until January 11, 2026, at the Parisian Musée des Arts Décoratifs, titled “Paul Poiret – Fashion is a Feast” recreates Continue reading “EXHIBITION – PAUL POIRET”
SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM – LONDON
Sir John Soane’s Museum in London is the former home of the neoclassical architect John Soane. Continue reading “SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM – LONDON”
PELICOT TRIAL – THE END
Media time does not always align with judicial time.
A year ago, under the full glare of the spotlight, the Pelicot trial began. France held its Continue reading “PELICOT TRIAL – THE END”
EXHIBITION – GREUZE
The exhibition dedicated to Jean-Baptiste Greuze at the Parisian Petit Palais, running until January 25, 2026, restores to the spotlight a painter Continue reading “EXHIBITION – GREUZE”
THE PARISIAN DEPARTMENT STORES
The Parisian department stores appear on the avenues newly opened by Baron Haussmann Continue reading “THE PARISIAN DEPARTMENT STORES”
THE PARISIAN COVERED PASSAGES
Built between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, the covered passages Continue reading “THE PARISIAN COVERED PASSAGES”
EXHIBITION – GIVEN MOMENTS
A major retrospective dedicated to French photographer Robert Doisneau is on view at the Maillol Continue reading “EXHIBITION – GIVEN MOMENTS”
RIVIERA DEI FIORI
The Riviera dei Fiori (the Riviera of Flowers) occupies the Western part of the Italian Riviera which runs along the Gulf of Genoa Continue reading “RIVIERA DEI FIORI”
CINQUE TERRE
The port city of Genoa marks the border between the Riviera di Ponante (which itself includes the Riviera dei Fiori) and the Riviera Continue reading “CINQUE TERRE”
BIENASSIS CASTLE – BRITTANY
The Bienassis castle presents a very complete set of stately buildings, transformed over the centuries Continue reading “BIENASSIS CASTLE – BRITTANY”
EXHIBITION – WORTH
An English-born founder of a Parisian fashion house that becomes the ultimate symbol of Parisian luxury, Charles Frederick Worth Continue reading “EXHIBITION – WORTH”
FORT LA LATTE – BRITTANY
Fort La Latte, also called De La Roche Goyon castle, is a fortified castle located on the rocky tip of La Latte, near Cap Fréhel. Continue reading “FORT LA LATTE – BRITTANY”
VAL-ANDRÉ – BRITTANY
Val-André is a pretty little seaside resort in Brittany, born in the 1880s at the instigation of the then mayor Arthur de La Goublaye Continue reading “VAL-ANDRÉ – BRITTANY”
EXHIBITION – LOUVRE COUTURE
The “Louvre Couture” exhibition, which punctuates the rooms of the Richelieu wing Continue reading “EXHIBITION – LOUVRE COUTURE”
EXHIBITION – GOLDEN THREAD
The exhibition presented until July 6, 2025, at the Quai Branly museum in Paris, “Golden Thread: The Art Continue reading “EXHIBITION – GOLDEN THREAD”
EXHIBITION – ARTEMISIA
The exhibition proposed by the Jacquemart-André museum until August 3, 2025, “Artemisia, Heroine of Art” sheds light on the life Continue reading “EXHIBITION – ARTEMISIA”
EXHIBITION – PARIS, CITY OF PEARLS
The exhibition “Paris, City of Pearls” proposed by the Parisian School of Jewelry Arts Continue reading “EXHIBITION – PARIS, CITY OF PEARLS”
CHANEL & DEAUVILLE
Here I am in Deauville, Normandy, in front of the gorgeous drawing of Gabrielle Chanel executed in 2011 by Karl Lagerfeld on the wall Continue reading “CHANEL & DEAUVILLE”
PALACIO DE VIANA – CÓRDOBA
The Andalusian patio, a legacy of the Roman culture of the atrium and the Arab culture always in search of Continue reading “PALACIO DE VIANA – CÓRDOBA”
CÓRDOBA
Thanks to its historic center, its mosque-cathedral and its patios, Córdoba is the city that has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Continue reading “CÓRDOBA”
THE BARMAN OF THE RITZ
Philippe Collin’s historical novel “Le Barman du Ritz” (The Barman of the Ritz) is a fictionalized account of the Parisian life of Frank Meier Continue reading “THE BARMAN OF THE RITZ”
NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS
Notre-Dame de Paris, as we know, has come a long way. Ravaged by a violent fire on April 15, 2019, the building lost that night Continue reading “NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS”
EXHIBITION – DOLCE & GABBANA
The travelling exhibition “From the Heart to the Hand: Dolce & Gabbana” presented at the Grand Palais Continue reading “EXHIBITION – DOLCE & GABBANA”
COURMAYEUR
If on the French side mountaineering was born in Chamonix, it is the village Courmayeur which gave birth to it on the Italian side Continue reading “COURMAYEUR”
EXHIBITION – STAGE JEWELS
“Scintille, diamant, miroir où se prise l’alouette” – “Glitter, diamond, mirror that catches the lark”: this line from Continue reading “EXHIBITION – STAGE JEWELS”
EXHIBITION – CHIHARU SHIOTA
The poetic work of Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota is presented at the Parisian Grand Palais until March 19 Continue reading “EXHIBITION – CHIHARU SHIOTA”
VERSAILLES ROYAL OPERA
It took some seventy-five years to complete the extraordinary Versailles Royal Opera House. Enamored with ballets, festivals Continue reading “VERSAILLES ROYAL OPERA”
EXHIBITION – BORGHESE COLLECTION
The “Masterpieces from the Borghese Gallery” exhibition proposed by the Parisian Continue reading “EXHIBITION – BORGHESE COLLECTION”
EXHIBITION – LESAGE
The “Lesage, 100 years of fashion and decoration” exhibition retraces the one hundred years of Lesage, the famous French embroidery house Continue reading “EXHIBITION – LESAGE”
CATHEDRAL AND GIRALDA – SEVILLE
The Cathedral Saint Mary of the See of Seville is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 Continue reading “CATHEDRAL AND GIRALDA – SEVILLE”
PALACIO DE LAS DUEÑAS – SEVILLE
Built between the 15th and 16th centuries, the Palacio de Las Dueñas in Seville takes its name from Continue reading “PALACIO DE LAS DUEÑAS – SEVILLE”
CASA DE PILATOS – SEVILLE
The Casa de Pilatos is a beautiful aristocratic palace from the 15th and 16th centuries Continue reading “CASA DE PILATOS – SEVILLE”
WALLACE COLLECTION – LONDON
It is at first glance surprising to see one of the world’s first collections of French decorative arts in London Continue reading “WALLACE COLLECTION – LONDON”
CERRALBO MUSEUM – MADRID
Here is the astonishing Cerralbo museum in Madrid, where I dragged a colleague Continue reading “CERRALBO MUSEUM – MADRID”
CASTELLO ARAGONESE
The islet of the Aragonese castle, a small volcanic island which dominates the town of Ischia Ponte from its height of 115 meters, Continue reading “CASTELLO ARAGONESE”
ISCHIA
Ischia is a small volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples formed by the lavas of Mount Epomeo which today peaks at 787 meters Continue reading “ISCHIA”
GRANVILLE – UPPER TOWN
The Upper Town of Granville closes the immense bay of Mont-Saint-Michel to the North and administers the nearby islands of Chausey Continue reading “GRANVILLE – UPPER TOWN”
LUCERNE D’OUTREMER ABBEY
The Lucerne d’Outremer Abbey, nestled in the Thar valley in Normandy since the 12th century Continue reading “LUCERNE D’OUTREMER ABBEY”
MONT-SAINT-MICHEL
“The Couesnon river in its madness put the Mount in Normandy. And when the Couesnon river regains its sanity, the Mount will become Breton Continue reading “MONT-SAINT-MICHEL”
EXHIBITION – PARIS 1874
The exhibition proposed by the Parisian Orsay museum from March 26 to July 14, 2024, “Paris 1874 – Inventing Impressionism” Continue reading “EXHIBITION – PARIS 1874”
DIOR GALLERY – PARIS
We already mentioned here the childhood of Christian Dior and the Rhumbs villa in Granville, in which he grew up Continue reading “DIOR GALLERY – PARIS”
LES RHUMBS – GRANVILLE
The villa Les Rhumbs, which takes its name from the thirty-two points of the compass rose, is a beautiful pink Belle-Époque building Continue reading “LES RHUMBS – GRANVILLE”
AMSTERDAM
Capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam owes its name to its original configuration, that is to say the dike (“dam”) on the Amstel Continue reading “AMSTERDAM”
NEW WORLD MUSEUM – LA ROCHELLE
In order to properly talk about the New World museum of La Rochelle, it is necessary to evoke Continue reading “NEW WORLD MUSEUM – LA ROCHELLE”
VERSAILLES CASTLE
After several articles dedicated to Trianon and the gardens, it was about time to evoke the flagship of the royal domain of Versailles Continue reading “VERSAILLES CASTLE”
CLOS LUCÉ
Clos Lucé, known to be the final home of Leonardo da Vinci, is a very pretty brick and white stone castle located in Amboise Continue reading “CLOS LUCÉ”
EXHIBITION – WEEGEE
The exhibition “Weegee, Autopsy of the Spectacle” presented by the Parisian Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation Continue reading “EXHIBITION – WEEGEE”
GENEVA – OLD TOWN
The largest historic city in Switzerland, the Old Town of Geneva overlooks Lake Geneva and its 140-meter-high Water Jet Continue reading “GENEVA – OLD TOWN”
CARNAVALET MUSEUM – PARIS
Opened to the public in 1880, Carnavalet is the oldest museum in the French capital. Continue reading “CARNAVALET MUSEUM – PARIS”
CHAMONIX
Considered the capital of mountaineering, Chamonix shares with Saint-Gervais-les Bains and Saint-Véran the record Continue reading “CHAMONIX”
GUSTAVE MOREAU MUSEUM – PARIS
The Gustave Moreau Museum, located in the New Athens district of Paris, is unique Continue reading “GUSTAVE MOREAU MUSEUM – PARIS”
EXHIBITION – ALAÏA COUTURIER AND COLLECTOR
On the occasion of the exhibition “Azzedine Alaïa, couturier collector” Continue reading “EXHIBITION – ALAÏA COUTURIER AND COLLECTOR”
EXHIBITION – JULIA MARGARET CAMERON
Julia Margaret Cameron’s photographs, which are the subject of an exhibition Continue reading “EXHIBITION – JULIA MARGARET CAMERON”
EXHIBITION – IRIS VAN HERPEN
I have just come out of the exhibition dedicated by the Parisian Museum of Decorative Arts Continue reading “EXHIBITION – IRIS VAN HERPEN”
ORANGERIE MUSEUM – PARIS
Who could believe that the serene Orangerie museum hides a recent sulfurous history Continue reading “ORANGERIE MUSEUM – PARIS”
MAURICE DENIS MUSEUM
The Maurice Denis museum is nestled in a beautiful building surrounded by a beautiful park Continue reading “MAURICE DENIS MUSEUM”
EXHIBITION – ALAÏA/GRÈS
For the very first time, an exhibition brings together the works of Azzedine Alaïa Continue reading “EXHIBITION – ALAÏA/GRÈS”
NOUVELLE-ATHÈNES – PARIS
The Nouvelle-Athènes district, birthplace of Parisian Romanticism, was born in 1820 Continue reading “NOUVELLE-ATHÈNES – PARIS”
PEREIRE MANSION – PARIS
The Pereire mansion – Del Duca Foundation opened its doors to the public for the first time in 2023 Continue reading “PEREIRE MANSION – PARIS”
ŁAZIENKI KRÓLEWSKIE – WARSAW
When it comes to Łazienky Królewskie, I don’t know whether to speak of a park, a castle Continue reading “ŁAZIENKI KRÓLEWSKIE – WARSAW”
THE BOUQUINISTES – PARIS
I realize little by little that I am reporting here on a world that may no longer exist in a few decades. Continue reading “THE BOUQUINISTES – PARIS”
LAKE MAGGIORE
Here are some postcards of Lake Maggiore. Between Lombardy and Piedmont, the lake, which is located Northwest of Milan Continue reading “LAKE MAGGIORE”
BORROMEAN ISLANDS
The enchanting Borromean Islands take their name from a Milanese family, whose surname is derived from “buon romei” Continue reading “BORROMEAN ISLANDS”
MENTON
Is Menton French, Monegasque or Italian? Even if the Italian influence is evident in this pretty French city Continue reading “MENTON”
MATISSE MUSEUM – NICE
The Matisse Museum located in Nice, dedicated Continue reading “MATISSE MUSEUM – NICE”
MALMAISON CASTLE
Malmaison castle may have entered the History of France in 1799 Continue reading “MALMAISON CASTLE”
SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE
Even if the history of the city of Saint-Germain-en-Laye dates Continue reading “SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE”
LE MARAIS – PARIS
The Marais area, which is today one of the most appreciated historic districts Continue reading “LE MARAIS – PARIS”
EXHIBITION – SARAH BERNHARDT
The exhibition proposed by the Petit Palais museum in Paris Continue reading “EXHIBITION – SARAH BERNHARDT”
LONDON
London. How many times have I been to London? How many times have I walked up and down Continue reading “LONDON”
MUCHA MUSEUM – PRAGUE
The Mucha Museum brings together many works by the man Continue reading “MUCHA MUSEUM – PRAGUE”
THE KILL – ÉMILE ZOLA
Re-reading your literary classics at 48 is quite good. Especially when it comes to French writer Continue reading “THE KILL – ÉMILE ZOLA”
SAINT SAVA – BELGRADE
Sava, son of a Serbian king, born in 1169 or 1174 and died in 1236, is the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Continue reading “SAINT SAVA – BELGRADE”
MONTMARTRE MUSEUM – PARIS
The Montmartre museum is located at the top of the Parisian hill Continue reading “MONTMARTRE MUSEUM – PARIS”
LA MADELEINE – PARIS
The Sainte Marie-Madeleine church hardly resembles a church and this is explained by a chaotic construction Continue reading “LA MADELEINE – PARIS”
MAHJ MUSEUM – PARIS
One of the most beautiful mansions in Paris – the Saint-Aignan mansion – has housed the immense collections Continue reading “MAHJ MUSEUM – PARIS”
PARIS BY NIGHT
Built in two years by fifty engineers, adorned with two million five hundred thousand rivets Continue reading “PARIS BY NIGHT”
EXHIBITION – FRIDA KAHLO
The exhibition presented by Parisian Galliera Museum until March 5, 2023 Continue reading “EXHIBITION – FRIDA KAHLO”
EXHIBITION – FUSELI
Henry Fuseli (born Johann Heinrich Füssli), to whom no exhibition had been dedicated in Paris since 1975 Continue reading “EXHIBITION – FUSELI”
CLUNY MUSEUM – PARIS
The French Museum of the Middle Ages, located in the heart of Paris, is nestled in the Hôtel de Cluny Continue reading “CLUNY MUSEUM – PARIS”
HOLY CHAPEL – PARIS
I have already spoken here of the chapel of the Saint-Germain-en-Laye castle, which prefigures the Parisian Holy Chapel. Continue reading “HOLY CHAPEL – PARIS”
CHANTILLY CASTLE
The Chantilly castle as we can admire it today is a reconstruction dating from the 19th century Continue reading “CHANTILLY CASTLE”
HÔTEL DE LA MARINE – PARIS – PART 2
After the splendor and solemnity of the large reception galleries Continue reading “HÔTEL DE LA MARINE – PARIS – PART 2”
GUIMET MUSEUM – PARIS
We owe the creation of the Parisian Guimet museum, otherwise known as the National Museum Continue reading “GUIMET MUSEUM – PARIS”
GRAND MOSQUE – PARIS
In order to pay tribute to the tens of thousands of Muslim who fought and died for France Continue reading “GRAND MOSQUE – PARIS”
EXHIBITION – SCHIAPARELLI
Was Elsa Schiaparelli an artist or a fashion designer? Her great rival Continue reading “EXHIBITION – SCHIAPARELLI”
VILLA KERYLOS
Talking about Villa Kerylos, located on the French Riviera in Beaulieu-sur-Mer requires a small detour Continue reading “VILLA KERYLOS”
IMPERIA – LIGURIA
Principality for many centuries, Imperia is a charming coastal town in Liguria, formed in 1923 Continue reading “IMPERIA – LIGURIA”
CERVO – LIGURIA
Elected among the “most beautiful villages in Italy”, Cervo is a small medieval town Continue reading “CERVO – LIGURIA”
DOLCEACQUA – LIGURIA
The very picturesque medieval village of Dolceacqua, which is located in the Nervia valley Continue reading “DOLCEACQUA – LIGURIA”
VILLA EPHRUSSI
Here is a place out of time, out of space, out of everything: Villa Ephrussi. Continue reading “VILLA EPHRUSSI”
CITÉ DES FLEURS – PARIS
In the 17th district of Paris hides an absolutely charming street Continue reading “CITÉ DES FLEURS – PARIS”
DELACROIX MUSEUM – PARIS
In a beautiful courtyard hidden Continue reading “DELACROIX MUSEUM – PARIS”
BALZAC MUSEUM – PARIS
Of the many Parisian residences inhabited by the great French writer Continue reading “BALZAC MUSEUM – PARIS”
HENNER MUSEUM – PARIS
The Henner Museum, located in the 17th district Continue reading “HENNER MUSEUM – PARIS”
EXHIBITION – STEVE MCCURRY
The exhibition presented by Continue reading “EXHIBITION – STEVE MCCURRY”
VICTOR HUGO MUSEUM – PARIS
If you walk around Place des Vosges Continue reading “VICTOR HUGO MUSEUM – PARIS”
SALOMON DE ROTHSCHILD – PARIS
The ultra-confidential Salomon Continue reading “SALOMON DE ROTHSCHILD – PARIS”
SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE CASTLE
I have been maintaining this website for six years and it’s now time to tell you about the castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye Continue reading “SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE CASTLE”
MARMOTTAN MONET MUSEUM – PARIS
If you like the Impressionists Continue reading “MARMOTTAN MONET MUSEUM – PARIS”
SAINTE-GENEVIÈVE LIBRARY – PARIS
The Parisian Sainte-Geneviève Continue reading “SAINTE-GENEVIÈVE LIBRARY – PARIS”
EXHIBITION – VIVIAN MAIER
The Vivian Maier exhibition Continue reading “EXHIBITION – VIVIAN MAIER”
EXHIBITION – BOTTICELLI
After almost twenty years of absence in France Continue reading “EXHIBITION – BOTTICELLI”
EXHIBITION – ILLUMINATED EVOLUTION
Instead of the Christmas windows Continue reading “EXHIBITION – ILLUMINATED EVOLUTION”
PANTHEON – PARIS
As Josephine Baker is about to become the first Black woman Continue reading “PANTHEON – PARIS”
ARC DE TRIOMPHE – PARIS
Lately, there has been a lot of talk about the Arc de Triomphe Continue reading “ARC DE TRIOMPHE – PARIS”
LA RUCHE – PARIS
La Ruche is an absolutely confidential, totally bucolic Continue reading “LA RUCHE – PARIS”
HÔTEL DE LA MARINE – PARIS
The “hôtel de la Marine” rises Continue reading “HÔTEL DE LA MARINE – PARIS”
CHAGALL MUSEUM – NICE
Born in 1887 in Russia and naturalized French in 1937 Continue reading “CHAGALL MUSEUM – NICE”
FRENCH RIVIERA
The term “Côte d’Azur” (“Riviera” in English) was coined in 1887 by a lawyer Continue reading “FRENCH RIVIERA”
ANNECY
Annecy, “The Venice of the French Alps”. Annecy, “The Pearl of the French Alps”. Continue reading “ANNECY”
GIVERNY
Giverny would probably not exist if Claude Monet had not had an affair with a married woman. Continue reading “GIVERNY”
MONTE-CRISTO CASTLE
Here is a wonder nestled on one of the hills of Port-Marly, about 20 kilometers from Paris Continue reading “MONTE-CRISTO CASTLE”
JARDIN DES PLANTES – PARIS
The Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants was created in 1635 Continue reading “JARDIN DES PLANTES – PARIS”
SACRÉ-COEUR – PARIS
When it comes to the Sacré-Coeur basilica, my feelings are more than mixed. Continue reading “SACRÉ-COEUR – PARIS”
AIX ISLAND
The French Aix island is located in front of the estuary of the Charente river Continue reading “AIX ISLAND”
MONCEAU PARK – PARIS
Here is the final article of my series dedicated to Haussmannian Parisian parks Continue reading “MONCEAU PARK – PARIS”
PETITE CEINTURE – PARIS
La “Petite Ceinture” is one of those Parisian places out of time Continue reading “PETITE CEINTURE – PARIS”
MONTSOURIS PARK – PARIS
Here is another very pretty park that we owe to Napoleon III Continue reading “MONTSOURIS PARK – PARIS”
LES BUTTES-CHAUMONT – PARIS
The Buttes-Chaumont park, so charming today Continue reading “LES BUTTES-CHAUMONT – PARIS”
LA BUTTE-AUX-CAILLES – PARIS
The Butte-aux-Cailles has preserved its village atmosphere Continue reading “LA BUTTE-AUX-CAILLES – PARIS”
VERSAILLES BY NIGHT
Every Saturday evening during Summer, Versailles displays a fairytale show Continue reading “VERSAILLES BY NIGHT”
MORTEMER ABBEY
In the heart of Lyons forest lies Mortemer Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery. Continue reading “MORTEMER ABBEY”
TROUVILLE BOARDWALK
Nicknamed the Queen of Beaches, Trouville is one of the oldest seaside resorts in Normandy. Continue reading “TROUVILLE BOARDWALK”
ETRETAT & MAURICE LEBLANC
Stopover in Etretat, on the breathtaking Alabaster Coast Continue reading “ETRETAT & MAURICE LEBLANC”
VEULES-LES-ROSES
A stopover in one of the most beautiful villages in Normandy: Veules-les-Roses. Continue reading “VEULES-LES-ROSES”
TRIANON – VERSAILLES
Marie-Antoinette’s domain has always been my favorite part of Versailles royal domain. Continue reading “TRIANON – VERSAILLES”
CHAALIS
Chaalis is an ancestral domain on which you will find the ruins of a royal abbey Continue reading “CHAALIS”
GEORGE SAND
The Museum of Romantic Life was Dutch painter Ary Scheffer’s residence Continue reading “GEORGE SAND”
ZADKINE MUSEUM – PARIS
Zadkine museum is one of the rare sculptors’ studios – along with that of Antoine Bourdelle Continue reading “ZADKINE MUSEUM – PARIS”
LA PAÏVA HOTEL
The Païva hotel is a Parisian townhouse built between 1856 and 1866 on the Champs-Elysées avenue. Continue reading “LA PAÏVA HOTEL”
BOURDELLE MUSEUM – PARIS
Born in 1861, Emile-Antoine Bourdelle was a prolific and influential French sculptor. Continue reading “BOURDELLE MUSEUM – PARIS”
MUSEUM OF ROMANTIC LIFE – PARIS
The Museum of Romantic Life was Dutch painter Ary Scheffer’s Continue reading “MUSEUM OF ROMANTIC LIFE – PARIS”
FLEA MARKET – PARIS
Who knows the Parisian flea market, where previously-owned treasures can be found? Continue reading “FLEA MARKET – PARIS”
VAUX-LE-VICOMTE
50 kilometers Southeast of Paris is the matrix of every classic European castle: Vaux-le-Vicomte. Continue reading “VAUX-LE-VICOMTE”
YSL MUSEUM – PARIS
In 1974, the Yves Saint Laurent fashion house moved to a Parisian townhouse dating back to the Second Empire, 5 Avenue Marceau. Continue reading “YSL MUSEUM – PARIS”
MONTMARTRE – PARIS
And here is Montmartre as I like it: a desert Montmartre with no one in sight, early in the morning. It feels like a quiet village. Continue reading “MONTMARTRE – PARIS”
CITÉCO – PARIS
Three lives, one palace.
That’s what I’ve named the Palais Gaillard, isn’t that fabulous? The Palais Gaillard is a jewel of neo-gothic, neo-Renaissance Parisian style Continue reading “CITÉCO – PARIS”
BAGATELLE – PARIS
Bagatelle is the result of a crazy bet. In 1777, Marie-Antoinette challenged the Count of Artois to build a small palace in less than a hundred days. Continue reading “BAGATELLE – PARIS”
CERNUSCHI MUSEUM – PARIS
The Cernuschi museum was founded in 1898 by the French banker and economist Henri Cernuschi Continue reading “CERNUSCHI MUSEUM – PARIS”
CERCLE INTERALLIÉ
You understand the name of the Parisian Cercle Interallié when you know its full name: Cercle de l’Union Interalliée, founded in 1917 when the USA entered into World War I. Continue reading “CERCLE INTERALLIÉ”
LUXEMBOURG GARDENS – PARIS
We say the Monceau Park, the Montsouris Park and the Buttes-Chaumont Park but the Luxembourg Gardens, which are treasured by many Parisians, deserve their particular appellation. Continue reading “LUXEMBOURG GARDENS – PARIS”
LES INVALIDES – PARIS
Les Invalides complex dominates the Parisian skyline and encapsulates two major moments of French history: Louis XIV and Napoleon’s reigns, my favorite French dictators (kind of). Continue reading “LES INVALIDES – PARIS”
GALLIERA – PARIS
How could I be a decent parisienne who loves the history of fashion and not talk about the Galliera Palace? Well, I couldn’t, because it’s Paris fashion museum.
I couldn’t for several reasons. Continue reading “GALLIERA – PARIS”
EXPIATORY CHAPEL – PARIS
I would like to talk to you about a monument only few people know about, although it is truly worth the visit: the “Expiatory Chapel” dedicated to French King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette. Continue reading “EXPIATORY CHAPEL – PARIS”
LANGEAIS
And here I am, a little provocative, in my vintage Old England cape, visiting a medieval French castle which was the subject of bitter battles between France and England: the castle of Langeais. Continue reading “LANGEAIS”
MEGÈVE
The name Megève is very much associated with the Rothschild, and for a simple reason: the skiing station was created by them after the First World war, as they refused to cohabitate with the Germans during their stays in Swiss stations. Continue reading “MEGÈVE”
GARNIER OPERA HOUSE – PARIS
I am always extremely moved by what the Garnier Opera house represents.
Besides the fact that the building is of an absolutely decadent beauty and that it reunites many arts in its midst (Lyrical art! Dancing! Painting and a Chagall ceiling! Literature and the phantom of the Opera! Architecture!), the Opera house perfectly illustrates the rule of will. Continue reading “GARNIER OPERA HOUSE – PARIS”
PALAIS ROYAL – PARIS
You often see me wearing these pants with these shoes. There are two reasons for this.
I like these pants. And I like these shoes.
I’m kidding.
Well, kind of. Continue reading “PALAIS ROYAL – PARIS”
RÉ ISLAND
The island of Ré is full of treasures: the beach and farniente, the architecture, the history, an ancestral and yet diversified local life. The whole place is still rather wild and authentic thanks to the action of the local political actors (and to a 16€ toll on the road that gives one access to the island during high season). Continue reading “RÉ ISLAND”
AZAY-LE-RIDEAU
I’ll quickly paraphrase Balzac because I find his formulation very accurate: Azay-le-Rideau is a “multi-cut/faceted diamond crimped by the Indre river”.
Azay is a true Renaissance gem, its finesse makes it look like a little ornament floating on the water. Continue reading “AZAY-LE-RIDEAU”
CHENONCEAU
This may seem strange but the castle of Chenonceau left me with mixed feelings of amazement and sadness. The place is utterly gorgeous but something (other than the hoards of tourists) creates an atmosphere of utter melancholy, which might have something to do with its history. Continue reading “CHENONCEAU”
CHRISTIAN DIOR EXHIBITION – PARIS
The Parisian Arts Décoratifs museum celebrated in 2017 the 70th anniversary of the creation of the house of Dior. This lavish and comprehensive exhibition invites visitors on a voyage of discovery through the universe of the house of Dior’s founder and the illustrious couturiers who succeeded him : Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and, most recently, Maria Grazia Chiuri. Continue reading “CHRISTIAN DIOR EXHIBITION – PARIS”
DEAUVILLE
Deauville is first and foremost the crazy story of a financial coup.
In only four years, thanks to the funds of powerful Second Empire businessmen, who had seen the juicy potential of the project, Deauville sea resort emerged from the swamps and from 1864 to this day, the rich Parisian society enjoys spending time in the « town of pleasures ». Continue reading “DEAUVILLE”
GUEDELON
Guédelon is a crazy story: in northern Burgundy, a team of experts have taken on an extraordinary challenge: building a castle using medieval techniques and materials.
This explains why Guédelon celebrates in 2017 its 20th birthday. Continue reading “GUEDELON”
NISSIM DE CAMONDO MUSEUM – PARIS
This museum is an early 20th century mansion, built and decorated by a banker who loved the Age of French Enlightenment.
It’s my favorite museum in Paris. I have been visiting it regularly for the past twenty years, like I would an old friend, just to make sure it hasn’t changed and everything is fine. It is a place outside of time, both magnificent and tragic. Continue reading “NISSIM DE CAMONDO MUSEUM – PARIS”
ON THE WATERFRONT – PARIS
Those who know Paris are aware that its docks are full of life. Full of life first of all… because people live there, on barges, which are often charming and graceful.
Full of life also because, depending on the spot, you’ll find either an astonishing number of bars and restaurants, or simply a welcome solitude. Continue reading “ON THE WATERFRONT – PARIS”
SIDE-CAR – PARIS
Although I am a Parisian, I never get bored of exploring my city and I particularly love showing it to the children. And discovering Paris from a side-car is kind of a dream, isn’t it? Continue reading “SIDE-CAR – PARIS”
POMPEII
If there is one place where time froze for eternity, that place is Pompeii (no bad pun intended).
The town was destroyed during the eruption of the terribly close Vesuvio volcano in 79 CE, under the Roman Empire. It was burried in over 7 meters of volcanic sediments for 15 centuries. Continue reading “POMPEII”
SEINE AVENUE – PARIS
Another way of admiring Paris and its monuments, from the Seine…
The Seine, the unconscious division between the Rive Gauche and Rive Droite. Continue reading “SEINE AVENUE – PARIS”
JACQUEMART-ANDRE MUSEUM – PARIS
I absolutely love the Jacquemart-André museum, which I have already talked about. The fact that it was an actual place of life before being turned into a museum always moves me in a special way. Continue reading “JACQUEMART-ANDRE MUSEUM – PARIS”
RODIN MUSEUM – PARIS
To be totally honest, what I prefer at the Rodin Museum is Camille Claudel.
Although I admire the great sculptor’s art, I have always been more moved by Camille Claudel’s work, that is full of delicacy and fragility. Continue reading “RODIN MUSEUM – PARIS”
LA ROCHELLE
I have a certain tenderness for La Rochelle.
There, I find the remanents of the beautiful protestant citadel it once was, besieged and isolated. Bled dry because it was protestant but also resiliant, dignified, noble, commercial and flourishing because it was protestant. Nowadays remains a magnificent historical center, simply majestic and quite impenetrable. Continue reading “LA ROCHELLE”
COURCHEVEL
There is simply everything in Courchevel. It is the only place 1850 meters high where you can find luxury, skiing, classified architectural heritage and an active nightlife. The International Festival of Pyrotechnic Arts is even held there. That’s something.
GALERIE VIVIENNE – PARIS
Some places firmly resist the passage of time: the Galerie Vivienne is definitely one of those places. Built in 1823, filled with shops, far from the urban commotions, it was the ideal place for wandering Parisians. Continue reading “GALERIE VIVIENNE – PARIS”
IRELAND – COUNTY KERRY
“If there were no clouds, we should not enjoy the sun”. No surprise for those who know the country, this is an Irish saying.
Indeed, Irish clouds have a certain way of playing with the sun, a thousand different lights pour down on the land which is at once arid and generous. Continue reading “IRELAND – COUNTY KERRY”
MITTELEUROPA – A TALE OF THREE CITIES
To achieve a beautiful journey through time, a historical immersion in Vienna, Prague and Budapest is highly recommended.
The tour of these three Central European jewels enables to travel through time in a few days only from medieval period to Art Nouveau, by going through the baroque era. Continue reading “MITTELEUROPA – A TALE OF THREE CITIES”
NEW YORK CITY
Beyond the skyscrapers, the yellow cabs and urban frenzy which are the soul features of this city, one can find a more subdued New York, where you will spot numerous architectural beauties, provided that you raise your eyes. Continue reading “NEW YORK CITY”
CAPRI
If Paradise exists on Earth, it is in Capri, for me at least.
In just a few square kilometers, far from the continental frenzy, Capri conciliates and magnifies History (both big and small), splendid Mother Nature, urban pleasures, local handicraft, culinary arts and absolute kindness, basically the dolce vita you dream of. Because Capri is a sweet dream. Continue reading “CAPRI”
MILAN
Let’s admit it, Northern Italy and Southern Italy are – under certain circumstances, including business – two different countries, in view of their respective functioning, mentality or in the explicit (and especially) implicit rules governing them. Continue reading “MILAN”