2 heurs á Paris

When on holiday, I am always on the lookout for colour. Trouville, a seaside resort next to Deauville on the other side of the river Touques, has it in abundance. From the striped beach huts, the aqua coloured boats to the beautiful murals on houses and hotels.

We liked Trouville very much. It's the place to go to with a family. To lay on the beach, watch the boats in the harbour and stroll around the town eating ice cream. It does have a bit of the grandeur of Deauville, but is far less expensive and more 'down to earth'. When you visit Normandy this year, do visit Trouville. Preferably on a warm sunny day, when the sea, the sky, the beach.... it all looks amazing :-)

Wish you all a Happy Sunday!

LOVE,

Madelief x

Parisian riviera

It's the time of year to start thinking of 'where to go to' for summer. Last year we spent two glorious weeks in France. 

Deauville in Normandy was one of our holiday destinations. The old and chique seaside resort is often referred to as the Parisian Riviera. The words do the town justice. Deauville still has the elegance and splendour of a bygone era.

When you have a lively imagination, it's not difficult to see the ladies dressed in the latest fashion, walking the wooden boardwalk The planches. Covering their faces from the sun with a parasol. While the gentlemen make their way to the Hippodrome, to see the horses race.

Since the 1900s Deauville has been a popular holiday destination for the rich and famous. You can still see signs of it in the old town, were the most beautiful villas line the streets. Plaques are attached to houses, to say the danser Isadora Duncan or the fashion icon Coco Chanel 'Once lived/worked here'.

Each year the town plays host to the American film festival. Along The Planches you can see beach closets which are dedicated to famous actors and film makers.

We enjoyed the town very much. Not only for it's history, the beautiful beach, great shops, but for it's lovely terraces and the delicious seafood as well.  The neighbouring town Trouville is worth a visit too. I will show you some photo's another time.

This year we plan to go to The Cotswolds in England. Where will you be going for your summer holiday?

Enjoy your day!

Madelief x

 

A toutes les gloires de la France

When walking on the forecourt towards the entrance of the palace of Versailles, one of the first things you notice are the words 'A toutes les gloires de la France' on one of the buildings. The words were added during the reign of Louis Philippe, who was king of France from 1830 to 1848, and turned the palace into a museum dedicated to the glory of France. The palace itself dates back to the 17th century and was expanded over the years. What began as Louis XIII hunting lodge turned into Louis XIV's palace, as we know it today.

We visited at the height of summer, which really isn't the best period to visit if you want to see all the rooms properly. It was terribly crowded. Especially at the beginning of our tour the only thing we could see was other people's backs. Later on, when smaller rooms turned into big halls, there was much more space to enjoy the splendour of the palace; the painted ceilings, the huge chandeliers, exquisite fabrics, the marble and 'gold' everywhere. There is so much to take in. One day is not enough to see it all. We decided to return one day, in spring or autumn, to take a better look.

In one of my earlier posts, I showed you around parts of the castle that had a connection with  Marie Antoinette. Today some more photo's of the castle, like the famous hall of mirrors, and the amazing gardens.

Happy day!

Madelief x

 

 

Let them eat cake

It is said that the words in my title were spoken by Marie Antoinette, when a famine affected France during the reign of her husband Louis XVI in the 18th century. If the words were really hers, she must have been a funny lady.........

Have you seen Sophia Coppola's film about part of her life? The girls and I did. Although it probably doesn't have much of a plot, we loved the setting, the colours, the amazing costumes and the 1980s punk music in the background! The amazing shots of the Palace of Versailles and it's gardens, inspired us to go there and see it for ourselves.

We admired her bedroom in the palace, where the walls are covered in the most beautiful floral fabric. Couldn't believe the beauty of all the wall decorations, the marble floors, the statues, the mirrors and chandeliers. We walked through Le Petit Triatnon, the house she received as a present from her husband, and crossed the great park to see the Le Hameau de la reine .

The Queens Hamlet is like a fairy tale, with farm buildings, a vineyard, a dairy, a dove cote, surrounded by beautiful fields full of wild-flowers. It was a real working farm, of which the products were used in the palace kitchens. Marie Antoinette loved to visit the place. Well, enough about Marie now, let me show you around!

Oh, before I forget. I would love to welcome my new followers and thank you all for participating in my giveaway. I had not expected such a huge response................. I wish I could thank you all in person, but with a job and three girls at home for the holiday's, I simply cannot find the time. I hope you will forgive me.

Wish you all a lovely Wednesday!

Lieve groet, Madelief x