A walk through Paris’ flower market. French decor with hydrangeas.
Located on Île de la Cité between the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle, the flower market has attracted avid Parisians and tourists since 1800s.This is one of Paris' hidden gems.The market is mainly formed by pavilions. Their selection is huge, seasonal flowers, exotic flowers, orchids, plants, etc. A unique place in the middle of the city. What I love most about this market is their hydrangeas, all different colors depending on the pH of the soil.The symbolism of this flower is quite a big one: gratitude, grace, and beauty. Due to the large number of flowers on every Hydrangea stem, the flower also stands for sincerity and wealth. Hydrangea flowers keep changing color on the plant until the moment the grower cut the flowers. The blossoms of the same plant can turn from pink to blue, or the reverse, if you modify the soil’s acidity. Hydrangeas are called hortensias in French, so named by Empress Joséphine in honor of her daugher Hortense de Beauharnais. Joséphine was indeed a passionate botanist and cultivated hydrangeas in her gardens of Malmaison. it is to Joséphine’s cultivation of hydrangeas in the very early 19th century that the plant owes its initial popularity in France. Today it is the flower of choice for many Parisians and French. They are the perfect addition to almost every room in the home. They can brighten a dull living room, add extra freshness to the bathroom and even bring elegance to the bedroom. Back to the French connection...After Napoleon and Josephine's marriage, Hortense was forced to wed Napoleon's younger brother, Louis, a horrible husband, from whom she separated after eight years of marriage. She bore four children, but only two survived to adulthood.Hortense's life had certain compensations, however. During Napoleon's reign, she had magnificent jewels, including the fabled Hortensia diamond, a 20-carat peach-colored stone that was one of the crown jewels of France.
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French country decor Ideas to transform your home:
For sale, free of agency fees, beautiful mansion in the south of france
For sale by owners in Ribaute les Tavernes, near Anduze and the Cévennes, Superb property composed of a mansion and an adjoining house to renovate.
16 rooms in total, 4 large bedrooms, 1 antechamber, 1 study, 1spacious living room, 1 dining room, 1 kitchen with scullery, 1 bathroom and 1 shower room, 1 attic room and 6 rooms to renovate.
Beautiful belvedere, patio and indoor terrace, cellar and garage.
Enclosed garden of 200m ², 2 wells.
Beautiful arches, tile cement, fireplaces. Character and authenticity ...
More info and photos:
A Saturday in Les Cévennes, France
This Saturday I had the opportunity to go to a Country Festival high in the mountains of the Cévennes here in the South of France about a 30 minute drive from Mas Pinet where I am currently staying. It's an annual event called Les Transhumance when Sheep Herders from the region bring thousands of sheep into the mountains to graze for the season.
My full on taste of French Country!
YeeHa! (French translation unknown)
Best Restaurants in La Rochelle, France
La Rochelle Food Guide. MUST WATCH. We have sorted the list of Best Restaurant in La Rochelle for you. With the help of this list you can try Best Local Food in La Rochelle. You can select best Bar in La Rochelle.
And Lot more about La Rochelle Food and Drinks.
It's not the Ranking of Best Restaurants in La Rochelle, it is just the list of best Eating Hubs as per our user's ratings.
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List of Best Restaurants in La Rochelle
Restaurant Christopher Coutanceau
A 2 Pas Du Marche
La Kase
Omelette Delice
L'Entourage
L'Astrolabe
44 Cafe
Le Jardin du Marche
Le sakura
La Villa Blanche
Camping Campéole La Côte des Roses - Suncamp holidays
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Camping La Côte des Roses is located on the Mediterranean Sea in the South of France.
Mas La Tour - Uzès - Gard - France
Located at the entrance of the beautiful village of St Siffret, 4 km from Uzès (approx 30 km from Avignon & Nîmes), Mas la Tour hosts 2 splendid residences.
The tower is a medieval hunting dwelling from the 16th century. It has been fully refurbished. The tower has a vaulted ceiling in the living room and a small kitchen. One large bedroom with independent WC + 3 small bedrooms (2 double & 1 single with sloping ceilings) with a complete bathroom and WC. It can accommodate 6-7 people.
The ‘mas’, an 18th century ‘ferme fortifié’ has 2 floors 150 m² each, recently renovated. Large open-plan kitchen/dining room. 2 large bedrooms & 2 medium bedrooms. The ‘mas’ has 2 living rooms: 1 with a fire place (25m²) and a large one (60 m²).
Every building has its own private garden framed by old stones (1.800 m²). The whole property is 8.000 m². The private swimming pool (12 x 4 m) is located outside the private gardens and it is common to the tower and the 'mas'.
The two villas are surrounded by a charming friendly garden. Swimming, reading, playing badminton, cooking with fresh products of bustling local market badminton playing... Both houses are ideal for a group of friends or family. Both properties have a common swimming pool with splendid sunbathing spots.
If you love fruit trees and organic farming, this is the place for you. Property has olive trees, prune trees, cherries, peaches and mirabelles. The local countryside boasts ancient vineyards and olives trees...Take part in olive tasting at special olive oil producers.
Enjoy the splendid local market of Uzes where you can buy the finest food, truffle, fois grass, lavender products and local crafts.
If you want to enjoy some wine tasting, there are different wine cellars close by where you can enjoy delicious local wines.
The Property is situated around 500 m from horse riding centre where adults and kids can ride or enjoy professional training. For a unique view of Pont de Gard, and a great outdoor experience you can kayak the river Gard just 4 kilometres from the property.
If you want some cultural activities, go to Arles, with impressive Roman arena and theatre. Avignon with the Pope's castle, and Nîmes with its Roman ruins are only at half an hour away by car.
Properties can be rented separately the whole year except July and August.
Camping de l'Arche / Chalets
Camping de l'Arche / Réservations :
The Camping de l'Arche offers 5 types of chalets.
All our chalets are located on the best spots of the campsite.
Some are facing the Gardon river & the bamboo forest, some others are at the heart of the campsite next to the playground, the swimming pool, the hammam, the sauna & the squash course.
Check our discount pricelist for mid-seasons and enjoy our welcome aperitive on arrival !
Camping de l'Arche / Réservations :
Fête des lumières (Festival of Lights) 2010 (Lyon - France)
(EN) The Festival of Lights (French: Fête des lumières) in Lyon, France expresses gratitude toward Mary, mother of Jesus on December 8 of each year. This uniquely Lyonnaise tradition dictates that every house place candles along the outsides of all the windows to produce a spectacular effect throughout the streets. The festival, which includes other activities based on light, usually lasts 4 days, with the peak of activity occurring on the 8th. The two main focal points of activity are typically the Basilica of Fourvière which is lit up in different colours, and the Place des Terreaux, which hosts a different light show each year.
The origins of the festival date to 1643 when Lyon was struck by plague.The municipal councillors (échevins) promised to pay tribute to Mary if the town was spared. Ever since, a solemn procession makes its way to the Basilica of Fourvière on this day to light candles and give offerings in the name of Mary. The event thus commemorates the day Lyon was consecrated to the Virgin Mary.
In 1852, it became a popular festival when a statue of the Virgin Mary was erected next to the Basilica, overlooking the city. Now a focal point of the festival, the statue was created by the renowned sculptor Fabisch and was sponsored by several notable Lyonnais Catholics. It was then accepted by Maurice Cardinal de Bonald in 1850. The inauguration of the statue was due to take place on September 8, 1852, the day of celebration of the Virgin . However, the flooding of the Saône prevented the statue from being ready. The archbishop, with the agreement of a committee of lay people, therefore chose to move the date back to the 8 December.
By 1852 in Lyon, December 8 had already been a celebration for the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin. Leading up to the inauguration, everything was in place for the festivities: The statue was lit up with flares, fireworks were readied for launching from the top of Fourvière Hill and marching bands were set to play in the streets. The prominent Catholics of the time suggested lighting up the façades of their homes as was traditionally done for major events such as royal processions and military victories.
However, on the morning of the big day, a storm struck Lyon. The master of ceremonies hastily decided to cancel everything and to push back the celebrations once more to the following Sunday. In the end the skies cleared and the people of Lyon, who had been eagerly anticipating the event, spontaneously lit up their windows, descended into the streets and lit flares to illuminate the new statue and the Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière, later superseded by the Basilica. The people sang songs and cried Vive Marie! until late in the night. This celebration was then repeated from year to year.
Thus, tradition now dictates that every family in Lyon keep, along with its Christmas decorations, a collection of stained or clear glass in which candles are burnt on windowsills on the 8th of December. These stout, cinnamon-coated candles can be found in shops towards the end of November.
Nowadays, the city's council puts on professionally-run performances. The people of Lyon's participation remains strong as evidenced by numerous façades lit up in the traditional way and by the throngs of people wandering the streets on December 8.
Historians and sociologists note the rather misinformed notions that the people of Lyon have concerning the celebration's origins: confusion over the thanks given to Mary, as well as the dates involved, leads people to think the celebration commemorates the establishment of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière or a wish granted after a plague supposedly struck in the 19th century. (Wikipedia)
Map for tourists:
VALPARD FILMS
Fête des lumières 2009:
Fête des lumières 2010:
Camping La Vallée Verte - Suncamp holidays
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A remarkably beautiful campsite in the Ardèche region in the South of France.
Frankrijk, Corsica To Sant'Antonino.
Sant'Antonino -- Exploring La Balagne
Sant'Antonino is an ancient circular village on the northern coast of Corsica, perched on a rocky hilltop that overlooks the ocean and the Balagne region. At one time the Balagne was considered the Garden of Corsica for its olive trees, fruit orchards and fertile soil.
Cars and buses can drive up to the village and there are plenty of parking spots, under the shade of trees, next to the main church. The houses in this village seem to be fused to the rock. On every corner there's a panoramic view of the ocean......or the surrounding valleys below. This is one village that is completely off limits to cars. Sant'Antonino has a chapel and a church and there are a few artisanal shops selling souvenirs, crafts and gastronomic specialties. After Bonifacio, this is one of my favorite places in Corsica where I can wander through a maze of circular passages and archways and admire the awesome views and the local architecture. There are two restaurants: La Taverne Corse located at the entrance and La Belle Vue on the opposite site of the village. Both offer traditional Corsican dishes at a reasonable price (charcuterie, brocciu omelets, cheeses and other local specialties). Depending on the time of year or the time of day you may find some businesses are closed so it is best to always come prepared with a picnic. It is worth stopping at La Maison du Citron (located near the entrance) for a glass of freshly squeezed citron juice or a muscat.
Sant'Antonino is perfect for a day trip, just 10km away from Algajola and 15km from Île Rousse. On a future post we will visit Algajola, a picturesque sea side village located about 15 minutes from Calvi by car.