Category Archives: francophilia

tour de france

tour de france

In honor of the first day of summer, what I most look forward to this season-the Tour de France! Allow me to explain-I am not a cyclist, nor do I own a bike.  I am not a big sports fan and do not watch any other sport as closely as this one. But the first time I watched it, about 10 years ago, I was hooked. I watch the entire Tour…including flat stages and rest days with continuing coverage.  It would be easy to conclude my obsession is due to my francophilia, but no-it is an exhilarating sport! Glimpses of far reaching towns, gorgeous countryside, challenge, and cycling tradition…bring it on.

 

(image courtesy of www.letour.fr)

chateau de chambord

Chambord

 

Chambord…amazing just in it’s size, is a treat. I would have liked to have seen more furnishings, but it never was fully furnished. Francois I built it as a hunting lodge and rendezvous point for his, ahem, mistress. Under construction for twenty years, from 1519-1547, it had many inhabitants. Built in the Renaissance style,  the roof was intended to look like the skyline of Constantinople. Not Istanbul…Constantinople. The incredible double helix staircase is rumored to have been designed by Leonardo Da Vinci…still a mystery. I just recently learned that Chambord liqueur was named after the region and the raspberry liqueur popular there in the 17th century. Maybe I should have done some more research on that before writing this post…or during!

 

proust q & a…little brown pen

little-brown-pen

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Little Brown Pen was one of the first blogs I fell in love with. Capturing life beautifully and soulfully, Nichole Robertson’s writing and photography are an inspiration to me. We share a love of Paris, and butter. So, without further ado…her Proust questionnaire….and many thanks to Nichole for getting this off to a poignant start.

 

Your favourite virtue.

Honor

Your favourite colour and flower.

White and tulips

Your idea of happiness.

The ten minutes before a thunderstorm. The breeze, the menacing sky, the barometer drop, the anticipation, and the smell of the first drops of rain on a hot pavement.

Your idea of misery.

Having too many plans

Your favourite food & drink.

cake and coffee

Where would you like to live?

Wherever my husband and sons are

Your favourite qualities in friends.

Self-deprecation, quick wit, humor, equally at home whether they are living large or slumming it

Your biggest flaw.

Impatience

Your chief characteristic.

Optimism

Your favourite poets.

Rimbaud, Wordsworth and Keats

an idea of paris…

Casablanca1

 “Humphrey to Lauren: We’ll always have Paris. Me to Humphrey: Wrong, Humph. 

You’ll never really have Paris, Humph. Paris is too potent for that.” 

 

I love this excerpt from an article by Jon Henley (French correspondent for The Guardian, London) in the 2006 Hermes catalog. Yes, I saved it that long…it’s a bit lengthy to share here and I cannot find it online anywhere unfortunately. He writes of the idea of Paris…of the mind, of memory. It was thought provoking for me, and I agree that Paris is an IDEA. Paris is not to be HAD. Do you agree with this, and what are you thoughts?

 

marie laurencin

space

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I happened upon this beautiful original artwork the other day at a local shop-it literally stopped me in my tracks on the sidewalk. I did not know about Marie Laurencin before this, I am slightly embarrassed to say. Born in Paris, she ran in the circle of Picasso, and became known as one the few female Cubist painters. These particular sketches were done in 1946, 10 years before her death, when she was experimenting with more feminine styles. I’m coveting the one on the left. ;)

(Thank you to Acorn Cottage in West Chester PA for letting me photograph these!)