Monthly Archives: February 2012

Visuals in Paris – Musée Cluny stained glass windows

It’s super late and I have to do this with rapid speed  – I need to wake up again in four hours for a fun day trip across the Channel. Canterbury, here we come!

I really wanted to share these photos of stained glass windows in the Musée Cluny, the Musée national du Moyen Age in Paris. More photos to come from the visit later.

Apart from being blown away by the sublime beauty of the tapestries, I found it quite remarkable the lack of children that were present, school holidays and all. Mine were full of questions, ranging from the ruins of Notre Dame that are at the musée,  to the look and clothing of people in the 14th century. It isn’t a huge museum and thus nor is it overwhelming, it was a perfect discovery to undertake en famille.

Practical info:

Musée de Cluny – Musée national du Moyen Âge
6 place Paul Painlevé
75005 Paris

Open everyday except Tuesday 9 h 15 à 17 h 45

 

 

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France in focus – Etretat

I’m smitten.

If this wasn’t enough to convince you, there are plenty more examples here of why I’m smitten with Normandy.

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Champagne – celebrating France, life, and a region with bubbles (part I)

2012 is on path to be a good vintage. A celebration of life, a time of change, a step forward on the projects of 2011 and breaking ground on new ones ahead.

Yes, it is full of bubbles, spark, and much good company, including those to have recently passed through Paris; Norma of My Beautiful Paris, Mary Ann, Priscilla … and of course, ‘Fraussie’ –  from my tiny and remote  corner of Australia who also happens to be loving the life here in France.

Ahead lies a discovery of France from both within and outside the Peripherique, sometimes well away from the limits of Paris, at times crossing borders and finding a side that is often overlooked for the big city sister.

It means we’re finally winding the clock forward and starting the movement of the hands that have been frozen for the past three years. We’re going to think about selling, buying, and renovating – learning from the lessons of three years ago and dreaming bigger than before.

It’s going to be an amazing time ahead, and I’m so happy you’re here for the journey.

There can only be one drink and one place to celebrate…..Champagne.

 

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Snow fit for a Queen – Versailles under white Part II

Whilst Parisiens woke this morning to a new dusting of snow on the streets and chimney pots, we remain surrounded by a layer of white that covers the ground. It’s the most beautiful white ever as it keeps the house  full of non-stop giggles from children spending their day making snow angels or romping up the hills to speed back down on toboggans.

 

With the white is a cold, one that penetrates the warmest of coats and leaves toes and fingers frozen. The giggles, the pink cheeks and little fingers wrapped around sweet hot chocolates do their job and defrost everyone. Hope is that it isn’t about to end, with more cold and possible snow on the way for next week.

In the meantime, here are more photos of snow in Versailles along with some favourite places to visit if you are in the area:

Delicious lunch in an art school / gallery / restaurant : Esprit d’Atelier

Traditional french cuisine and an incredible steak : XXL Café

Hard to plan so far ahead, but Versailles celebrates Molière the entire month of June.

Pick your own fruits and vegetables near Versailles

Warm up with a kick-butt Vin chaude

More snow photos here

We’re also on Twitter and Facebook - come say Hi.

 

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Snow fit for a Queen – Winter in Versailles – part I

I’m staying housebound and not heading out to take crazy amounts of photos of the late winter dumping of snow this year,  instead I give you photos from December 2010 when snow fell frequently and a blanket lingered beautifully over the Yvelines.

You can see pictures of this past Sunday’s snowfall and how it is outside our windows here.

Come back tomorrow for part II of Winter in Versailles.

 

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Arctic temperatures and a kick-butt Vin Chaud

Brrrr. Everybody is talking about it, the cold that is. Minus 10degrees celcius this morning! In our eleven years in France, it’s the coldest we’ve seen the temperatures drop to, and it is showing on the streets. Outdoor café tables and chairs that are normally filled with smokers, sit empty as everyone has taken to the indoors.

Given that it is forecast to remain well into the negatives until next week, we’re staying in, wrapped up with a kick-butt vin chaud simmering away. I’ve experimented with lots, but the cognac in this one gives it the extra buzz needed on a chilly day like this. Continue reading »

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