FRENCH FOOD CAN ALWAYS BE APPRECIATED....

Headed straight to Le St. Regis on Ile Saint Louis no traffic (no gas), no people (tourists hate rain)....

This gentleman has been here forever and is ever SO French!

A few other French treats experienced ....lunch with my treasured friend after viewing real estate.. a stunning meal at Chez Mademoiselle...

Mozzarella to die for...

Crab tarte superb!

After lunch a special treat served at the table to warm us up so to head back into the elements...Merci messieurs! Honestly...how can you not love the French!!

 

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RECORD RAIN.....THE SEINE ABOUT TO OVERFLOW....

This is the scene of the Seine.....

Paris remains on HIGH alert as this scene is common everywhere....

 

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WHERE IS THE SUN KING NOW?

Sometimes you just have to give in! Rain predicted every day this week...strikes now hitting the metro and trains so delighted to have this great book to enjoy....ever so peaceful.

 

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FRENCH OPEN RAINED OUT AGAIN!

After likely mortgaging your home and life...the best way to see the finals is at this nearby bar and staying dry! The military were in full force as we waited for the skies to clear...

Fans from around the world gathered at this welcoming spot that catered to very wet tennis fans!

This is RAIN!

 

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ALBERT-KAHN JARDIN

On the edge of the Seine in Boulogne Billancourt lies a magical little museum (under renovation like many others this trip) and a garden that few go to visit.

Albert Kahn (1860-1940) was a banker and philanthropist and clearly a visionary.

Eight acres of gardens which include a Japanese, English and French jardin were a treat to discover along the forest pathways while breathing fresh air. This garden celebrates cultural diversity and had to be sold after the market crash in 1929...no doubt heartbreaking to a man who lost everything.

 

 

 

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CHARMING MONTFORT-L'AMAURY

In spite of the continuing rains for this trip (and promise not to stop) this town is a little jewel!

Full of rustic charm, cobblestone streets and stunning flower shops....easy to see why the likes of Charles Aznavour made it his home being a mere 40 minutes by train to Paris.

* Porte Bardoul, once the gateway to Montfort's former chateau...

 

 

 

The unusual cemetery which resembles a cloister...

 

There can never be enough flowers especially in the rain!

 

 

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RAVEL MORE THAN A BRILLIANT FRENCH COMPOSER....

A dream realized to go to Maurice Ravel's home 'Le Belvédère' à Montfort l'Amaury. It was here he wrote 'Boléro' and given he was considered a very private and timid man, must have been a surprize to hear his break from classical structures; combining Baroque, neoclassicism and jazz.

This "bicoque" house was referred to as a slice of Camembert and he did all the decorating himself!

Salle à manger

Salon

The view from his balcony overlooking his lovely garden and opening on to the town and countryside was an immediate appeal, mais he complained that the church bells from nearby Eglise Saint-Pierre de Montfort-l'Amaury (17th Century and a favourite of Catherine de'Medici) were a disturbance.

Noisy church bells ( and in fairness they were loud! ) as heard from the Eglise as seen on the far left.

 

 

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BROCANTE PARISIAN STYLE...

I am looking for a footstool (preferably one Marie Antoinette had in her bedroom!)....the search is not for the feint of heart. Make this a Friday of a long weekend, major demonstrations in the morning (did I mention the tear gas?), a nasty fuel strike and I come during the lunch hour that lasts 2 hours with NO interruption!

Some people love this.... MILES of booths...mais pour moi the French owners were worth the walk!

 

Happily my favourite hideaway is nearby...a jardin that few attend. Few signs of blooms can be found given the late Spring...such a lovely contrast for the soul.

 

A charming conversation with a French woman who expressed en française how Paris has been changed...the Parisians feel so deeply and I feel for them!

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CURRENT TOPIC....

Washrooms and their use are a hot topic at the moment...with a number of US states ready to sue the Obama administration over approval of transgender use.

This piece of art as created in 1917 was seen at Centre Pompidou....seems another kind of debate had already begun.

 

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PYRAMID DISAPPEARS....

Multi-media Parisian artist JR made the Louvre Pyramid disappear today. Best known for his large-scale photographic collages that have graced the walls of cities around the world.

Certainly something to ponder...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A GEM!

 

God the French do exhibitions well! Never been to Les Arts Decoratifs before and they are holding two exhibitions....one for Barbie..this was a difficult decision (not) and the other - Fashion Forward - 3 centuries of fashion...

 

This was nothing short of perfection and had to hold back the endless number of photos as every gallery was sumptious !

 

 

 

It is all in the cut!

Believe me designers from around the world were here taking notes!

 

My top pick...j'adore! par Balenciaga.

 

Now I ask you ....Barbie or the perfection of these French dolls...detail, detail!

 

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