À la rentrée

 FocusOnParis.com will be returning in September.

Enjoy the rest of the summer! - BPJ

 

Flashback Friday

 

I've always had a thing for châteaux. Exploring the French countryside by car over the years, whenever I saw that there would be one on our route (in France roadside signs signal approaching castles, villages, and cheese), I'd make sure we'd make time in our trip to stop. 

Then, years later, I found myself assigned to write up some of the most beautiful castles in France, which meant staying as a wined-dined guest - all part of the job, mind you - and one of the most memorable was the magnificent Château de Courcelles. On the edge of a medieval commune within the sights of the Champagne region, the château is renowned for its history, elegance, beauty and for years, gastronomy. While there have been some changes since, even so, these photos hopefully give but a glimpse into its timeless luxury. - BPJ

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From, "A Château for All Seasons" © Barbara Pasquet James

 "...The first clue that this was to be no ordinary séjour was our room – a spacious, beautifully decorated suite off the main building, its tall windows and thick wooden beams giving it a charm reminiscent of an artist’s atelier or hunter's lodge. No detail – from the jacuzzi-like oversized bathtub, heated towel racks, sumptuous bathrobes and cozy slippers to period style wallpaper (which matched the upholstery) and writing desk – had been overlooked. The view over the garden tempted us to settle in with the cozy fire that had already been lit and partake of the welcome basket bursting with fresh fruit and champagne from one of the region’s vineyards, but we were eager to explore the château and its sumptuous grounds, and learn more of its rich history as we let ourselves be transported into a time of kings, courtiers and courtesans.


 The Château de Courcelles dates to the late period in the long reign of Louis XIV, le Roi-Soleil. Built in 1690, it has seen a parade of illustrious visitors - philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, French film star Daniel Auteuil (Jean de Florette, La Reine Margot) to name but two. Indeed, Courcelles-sur-Vesle is where Napoléon Bonaparte was to first set eyes on the young Marie-Louise, Josephine’s successor and great niece of executed Marie-Antoinette, when she arrived by carriage from Austria, already his wife by proxy...."

 Château de Courcelles
8 rue du Château
02220 Courcelles-sur-Vesles - France

 Member: Relais & Chateaux Group

(click photos to enlarge)

 

An old favorite

Back in the swing of things at Angelina, rue de Rivoli.

Summer sunset

 Summer rains, clouds, a color-splashed sky.

A summer terrace

 

Quiet August days, time to chill with coffee and morning papers.

Craquer

 Amélie prend goût à des plaisirs simples, comme faire craquer la crème brûlée avec une cuillère.- "Amélie takes a liking to simple pleasures, like cracking crème brûlée with a spoon."

Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain a film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (France 2001)

Art and architecture

 Surrealism and art nouveau combine to create an incomparable exhibition.

 Catalán artists

Salvador Dalí - Antoni Gaudí

 

Above: Ascension (Dalí)

(click to enlarge)

 

Below: La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona (Gaudí)

L'Atelier des Lumières

Until January 2, 2022

 

Going green

 

Summer zucchini and fennel in a local supermarché await a clever cook.

(click to enlarge)

Concert in the round

Classical concert at the foot of the Basilica.

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Paris in August: What to do

Closed for August

 

Storefronts shuttered for the annual congés d'été.

Season of the spritz

 

Rain or shine summer in Paris is Aperol Spritz time.

Fiddling

Every fiddler he had a fiddle, and a very fine fiddle had he. - Old King Cole, British nursery rhyme

Aperitivo

 Time for an aperitivo on the Left Bank.

Sunset and windmill

 

Every sunset brings the promise of a new tomorrow.

 

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Then, at last, Madeleine’s luck turned. She came across Montmartre. With its windmills, its clear air and the old-fashioned, village feel of its higgledy-piggledy houses perched on a slope.... - Catherine Hewitt, Renoir's Dancer: The Secret Life of Suzanne Valadon

View from a window

 Chimneys and rooftops over Paris.

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The chief danger about Paris is that it is such a strong stimulant. - T. S. Eliot

Peachy keen

 Peaches are back in season.

 

Above: farm-picked peaches ready to be turned into confitures

 

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Cueillir your own fruits / vegetables / flowers 

Bests farms and orchards near / around Paris

 

To Terry

 

On the ball

Performing high up over the city at the foot of the Basilica.

Mona Monday

 Yet another Mona Lisa smiles from the side of a building in the Latin Quarter.