J'Adore France

At the Grand Palais in Paris until February 21

2016-02-01T23:37:00.001+01:00

Looks like fun:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/15/travel/louis-vuitton-paris.html?hpw&rref=travel&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region&region=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well&_r=0

energy from cheese?

2015-12-23T03:22:00.003+01:00

And we are not talking feeling energetic after eating it. Can you light up a town with cheese? Apparently, in France, naturally they can. Bon appetit:

http://www.grubstreet.com/2015/12/france-cheese-power-plant.html#

Paris 2015

2015-09-24T20:17:00.000+02:00

Wishing I was healthy enough to travel, this article suggests some fabulous spots, old and new, on the Right Bank. Everything from Museums to restaurants and hotels. In my mind, I'm ready to pack, fly and walk.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/27/travel/what-to-do-in-36-hours-paris-right-bank.html?hpw&rref=travel&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region&region=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well

French ovaltine?

2015-07-28T21:25:00.001+02:00

since I am drinking ovaltine every morning for extra iron and vitamin D content, we did not want to take a chance and brought some with us along with lovely new container of Marshmallow Fluff. Although the Ovaltine survived TSA at the airport, Fluff was seized and did not make it onto the plane. As we then learned upon arrival, one can purchase Ovaltine in France called Oval-malt or something similar. Marshmallows are nice but not as good as Fluff.

A new sculpture garde in Le Muy

2015-07-27T20:10:00.002+02:00

Interesting article - art director is grand nephew of former French PM Mitterand. Something to look forward to in the fall or next spring:

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/24/arts/domaine-de-muy-sculpture-park/index.html

Fragonard expansion

2015-07-26T22:08:00.001+02:00

Over the last few years I have watched as my favorite perfumerie has expanded and grown, including new stores and housework merchandise in Marseilles and Cannes, and additional locations in Paris. The younger generation has truly taken over and changed this 150 year old business. It appears now they are opening a store in Avignon too. Although I enjoy getting the extra goodies they send with my mail order packages, a shop in Avignon would be nice for the housewares that we have not yet explored, much of which has a flair from Morocco, and even from Asia and Vietnam. We know it will always smell good. The scent I have worn for 30 years.

Tesla in Aivgnon

2015-07-26T22:03:00.003+02:00

Traveling to Provence is never easy. Maybe that is what makes it so special, that is hard to find, hard to get there, but once you are there, perfection.

We were rather surprised this visit when we left the train in Avignon near the car rentals was what appeared to be a dealership for Tesla. It may be seasonal but we will find out. It is so new it is not yet on the Tesla website, but how fabulous that the French and Tesla are in the future now and here.

Dreamcatchers in France

2015-07-26T21:56:00.000+02:00

At home in the native American communities we see dreamcatchers, designed to have near your bed when you sleep to catch your dreams and fulfill them.

This year at our weekly village market there was a new vendor who seemed to be Peruvian with many dreamcatchers, catching le reve of Provence and holding it nearby, ready to be lived and fulfilled as it has been for me and my family. I know this year I was only able to be here for a short time, but my dream continues to return and breath the Provence air, see the light, eat the wonderful food and experience the joy and serenity.

France in Phili

2015-07-23T10:53:00.003+02:00

Looks like a beautiful exhibit in Philadelphia for those who love impressionist painting and cannot travel overseas.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/arts/design/paul-durand-ruel-the-paris-dealer-who-put-impressionism-on-the-map.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=Moth-Visible&module=inside-nyt-region&region=inside-nyt-region&WT.nav=inside-nyt-region

A French Castle for the bucket list

2015-07-10T20:21:00.003+02:00

Although Avril is now too old to travel back to her country, the Vendee region of her origin has places to go and people to see, and of course, food to eat.

It also has a restored castle where one can stay at a reasonable price during a future trip. September?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/travel/a-french-castle-now-open-to-all.html?hpw&rref=travel&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region&region=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well

Fabulous exhibit in Paris- Musee Marmottan

2015-06-23T22:21:00.001+02:00

Right now is a different exhibit that ends July 5 which is largely impressionists the art of the toilette. For the fall, this one opens in September:

http://marmottan.fr/uk/exposition_à_venir-musee-2590

Reopening of the Lambert Collection

2015-06-19T17:53:00.000+02:00

It has taken several years, but the Lambert Collection of Modern Art is reopening in its enlarged space in Avignon. Described as one of the best contemporary art collections in France, it features more than 1200 works from the 1960s. For more information, hours etc. www.collectionlambert.fr

Summer 2015 - dates

2015-06-19T17:49:00.002+02:00

It's here summer 2015, and so are the sales and festivals.

Sale dates: June 24 to August 4, 2015.
Provence sales may not be starting until July 1, 2015 so check locally where you are staying.

The annual Avignon theater festival, always exciting and fun just to walk in the city and see the performers, will run from July 4 to July 25, 2015. Parking is difficult so be ready to walk.

For a setting brought to us by Pierre Cardin after his restoration of the castle belonging to the Marquis de Sade you can also try the Festival de Lacoste - not about alligator clothing but about the music and dance. Runs from July 9 to July 24, 2015. Reservations recommended - 0892-68-36-22.

Bon voyage

Fitzgerald's Antibes

2015-05-10T01:07:00.000+02:00

As the summer approaches, we begin to dream of Provence and other travels. Apparently so did the New York Times in this lovely piece about F. Scott Fitzgerald and his love of the French Riviera and his former home in Juan Les Pins which has been a art deco hotel the Belles Rives for many years. Worth reading and worth visiting, to have a drink and read "Tender is the Night"

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/travel/on-the-french-riviera-fitzgerald-found-his-place-in-the-sun.html?hpw&rref=travel&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region&region=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well&_r=0

Another spot on outskirts of Paris to visit

2015-04-01T01:53:00.001+02:00

Sounds worthwhile:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/09/opinion/a-complicated-future-for-a-banlieue-on-the-outskirts-of-paris.html?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Feditorial-observer&action=click&contentCollection=Opinion&module=Collection&region=Marginalia&src=me&pgtype=article

Paris' Canal St. Martin

2015-02-07T00:21:00.002+01:00

Looks like some great spots in this trendy neighborhood, to eat, to style, to linger over cafe'. Exchange rate is still good. Travel soon?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fodors/ultimate-guide-to-pariss_b_6623000.html

je suis charlie

2015-01-07T21:08:00.002+01:00

View Photo

The French mint building - magnifique

2015-01-07T18:00:00.000+01:00

this looks like a fabulous spot to visit in paris with the best restaurant when it opens. Wish I could get on a plane soon to check it out, as the US mint in Washington is not a highlight.

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/06/monnaie-de-paris-guy-savoy-restaurant/?_r=0

exchange rate - Travel Now

2014-12-31T21:14:00.005+01:00

As with the costs of oil, the EURO has dropped significantly in value. If you can afford it, and have the time for it, now is definitely the time to travel and shop. The sales will start in Paris in a few days, the Euro is at its lowest rate against the dollar in years. If only I was well enough, but perhaps this summer. We can hope.

Simplicity in Provence

2014-12-31T21:10:00.002+01:00

Over the years, reading books written by outsiders about Provence, about decorating in a French Country style, or Provencal cooking, and so on, I've concluded most are missing the point. Most are too complex, too busy, just trying to hard to be something they are not and don't really want to be. Spending time in Provence comes down to my mantra in life, keeping it simple. Not complicating my existence with unnecessary things, just what we need. We have gotten there, but it has taken us a long time to achieve it, to understand it, to really live it. Maybe we will never live in a "tiny house" but we will continue to work on this forever.

French romance

2014-12-31T21:03:00.002+01:00

I think we all recognize that romance in France is different than in the US. Somehow it feels more romantic just being in France, the atmosphere, the food, the air, the light. But it is just the perception of an American in France?

So, here is an article about a young French woman in the US discussing dating. Very interesting. We can both learn from each other.

https://www.yahoo.com/style/how-to-date-like-a-french-girl-lola-rykiel-106545311843.html

Fun at Galeries Lafeyette

2014-12-21T18:21:00.001+01:00

Saw this article at it capture my imagination, to sleep in the iconic store and get up bright and early with a personal shopper, money to spend, from the first moment of the January sale - had I know about the contest I would definitely have entered. Would think it requires spending the night planning the next day's attack, put if you're going to put in an all nighter, sounds much better than school or work.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/shoppers-win-sleepover-iconic-paris-store-article-1.2051955

New anti-smoking efforts

2014-09-30T22:39:00.000+02:00

smoking in France is so entrenched the efforts previously made by the government had made progress for a few years but are now failing, 73,000 smoking related deaths a day. So new legislation is being proposed in parliament:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/26/business/international/france-proposes-tough-antismoking-measures.html?ref=health&_r=0

hope it makes it easier to breath the fresh air of Provence, and sit in the cafes.

Fall 2014 in Paris - Art is in the air

2014-09-09T22:23:00.002+02:00

Some fabulous exhibitions, reopening of several museums including Picasso, all fabulous. Here's a good rundown of what to do and where to go this fall in Paris:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fodors/fall-2014-guide-to-paris_b_5792108.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

A selfie free zone

2014-08-24T17:02:00.001+02:00

We've been to this beach many times but before the selfie days, thank goodness. As we know most French are very big on privacy and tend toward being low-key and not ostentatious so going selfie- free on the beach is expected since many of the photos are probably taken by etranger (an outsider).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/24/beach-selfie_n_5699171.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592