Of course ,cannot be too far from my beloved France. So here I am back with my regular news, hope you enjoy them this is like my 222 post on the series! I can’t believe either lol! Today was mostly sunny and temps went up to 13C so nice day to be out ,on this later post.
Let me tell you about my France as lovely as it is and more.
Heritage Lotto, 2nd year! After the success of the first edition last year, Stéphane Bern, the Heritage gentleman chosen by Emmanuel Macron, and the minister of Culture, officially launch the new campaign this past Monday morning in Aisne (dept 02). Last year, the operation had reported 22 million euros for the restoration of 269 monuments in peril. This year, no fewer than 865 files were deposited with the Bern mission in the hope of being helped. Eighteen, are the ones that will appear on the scratch tickets, have already been selected. A great work of Stephane Bern who I happened to meet and doing a great job of preserving our heritage. More here in French : France Culture on heritage lottery
After the Père-Lachaise cemetery, 6 other Parisian cemeteries-not all located in the perimeter of the capital-are going to be grassed this year. But unlike the terrain of the 20éme arrondissement, the result will not be visible immediately since in these other cemeteries the grass will be planted by sowing. Intra-Muros, seeds will be planted in Vaugirard (15éme) and Montmartre (18éme). The aisles will gradually grow green. Extra Muros is also the case of Àthiais (Val-de-Marne dept 94), Bagneux (Hauts-de-Seine dept 92) or Pantin (Seine-Saint-Denis dept 93), where the largest cemetery in Paris will host 5000 m2 of seedlings. In the long run, the city of Paris aims to bring all its 20 cemeteries to the green lawn. More on cemeteries of Paris here: City of Paris on cimenteries in French
And why not going to my pink city of Toulouse, many visits , family all around it and with many friends ,as well as a gorgeous town. But did you know about the Japanese!
Greenery, sushi counter, Asian art collections or a specialized bonsai store, the Occitan capital (Toulouse) is a good-hearted opening to the traditions imported from Japan. The Japanese Garden Pierre-Baudis extends its 7 000 sq meters in the charming district of Compans-Caffarelli, between the exterior and interior boulevards that surround the city center. As for the Japanese themselves, they are about 400 to have settled in Toulouse, whether for personal or professional reasons. It is to them and the tourist office , that I owe these addresses, among the most interesting of the city. Tourist tourist office of Toulouse webpage: www.toulouse-tourisme.com
Raw fish at Motchiya; 10 rue Palaprat. Formula starter-flat around 17€, house dessert at 3.50€. Open Monday to Friday from 12h to 19h. More at: www.motchiya.com
L’Arbre en pot . In Toulouse, offers a choice of bonsai trees and private classes to maintain them. Nestled in the heart of a courtyard in the historic district of Saint-Etienne, this store is visited as a garden. 12, rue Tolosane. Open Tuesday to Friday from 14h.to 19h, Saturday from 10h to 12h and from 14h to 19h. More at www.arbreenpot.com
The Gourmet deli Tokaido Ya, where to find typical food from Japan, but also take out dishes. This Cambodian own opened in 2001 one of the oldest Japanese grocery stores in France. Four years ago, Asia Délices, renamed Tokaido Ya, moved from rue d’Austerlitz to La Colombette, but the offer is still as large. Located at 31, rue de la Colombette. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10h to 13h. and from 14h to 19h More at www.tokaido-ya.fr
At the Georges-Labit Museum , the sculpture of the Amida Buddha, depicted standing on a lotus flower. In 1893, Georges Labit, the son of a wealthy Toulouse entrepreneur, built this Moorish-inspired villa near the Canal du Midi to house the pieces acquired during his innumerable voyages. After his death, the museum guides its collections towards the arts of Asia and Egyptian antiquities. The section dedicated to Japan is rich in the Edo era golden-wood Buddha Amida, scary Noh theater masks or forty prints in free consultation. Located at 17, rue du Japan. Open every day except Tuesdays and public holidays from 10h to 18h from June to September (17h from October to May). More info here: www.museegeorgeslabit.fr
To Toulouse from Paris is very easy , inexpensive, and you should enjoy a full day at the pink city of Toulouse; by train: A/R from Paris-Montparnasse with TGV prem’s from 50€ trip is about 4h20. By plane: A/R from Paris-Orly with EasyJet, from 70€.
At the hotel Negresco in Nice, the death of Jeanne Augier at 95 years, of which 60 reigned over the most emblematic of the Nice palaces was in itself a surprise. For a year, Madame, as everyone else calls her there, no longer came out of her apartment nestled in the lofts of the sixth floor of the hotel. But from there to die in the midst of Christmas holidays while the establishment shows an occupancy rate of 80%..! The grand hôtel of Nice is the scene of a strange judicial affair. At stake, the fate of the last 100% French capital establishment of the Riviera. More on hotel here: Official hotel Negresco Nice
And yes we have visitors who does these things… With its breathtaking view of the Iron Lady, the Metropolitan Hotel Eiffel Suite has become the most instagram room in Paris. The hotel located on the 6th and last floor of the Le Metropolitan Hotel, a few steps from the Trocadéro. The suite 611 Eiffel Tower has become the new playground for influencers. The reason for its success? A huge ox-eye window with a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower. As a result, hundreds of guests book the room at 640€ a night (just that), only to take the pose in front of the famous window. You will still have to wait at least 4 months before you can take advantage of the suite and make (finally) inflate your instagram account. More on hotel here! Hotel Metropolitan Paris
The theater théâtre de l’Œuvre was born in 1893. At the beginning, it was only a small concert hall initiated by the Duc de Grama: the Salle Berlioz. It was on December 22, 1912 that Lugné-Poe moved to the Salle Berlioz, which became the théâtre de l’Œuvre. It creates a different theater, in an intimate atmosphere, without pub or star, among friends… At the Paris liberation (WWII), more and more works will be created there, making this place a must in the capital. Adapting to its time, the theater will present classic and then more contemporary pieces, like those of Camus or Sartre… Many will be rewarded by one or more Molières. The théâtre de l’Œuvre is more than 100 years of history, and very diverse shows. Nice to stop by. More here: Theatre de l’Oeuvre Paris
The theatre Le Ranelagh is more than 120 years of history. Concert hall, theater, cinema, this high place of French culture has seen many great artists parade. Imagine a theater all made of wood, with moldings coming from another time, with vintage traps and unsurpassed acoustics. Known for its projections of cult films like the Children of Paradise to name only one, it is a multi-cultural place. The theatre has 300 places held and preserved by Catherine Develay hosting numerous shows. From concerts to Ranelagh children, there will be for everyone. It’s up to you to choose your favorite show. Theatre Le Ranelagh, 5, rue des Vignes 16éme. Another off the beaten path beauty for the theater incline. More here: Théatre Le Ranelagh Paris
We will have to wait until May 21 for the inauguration of these 13-meters-high fountains, which promise real spectacles of water and lights. Until then, there is nothing to stop us from observing them as they will soon be put on the road. Located all along the Champs-Elysées, these crystal fountains are designed to make its sumptuousness to the most beautiful avenue in the world. And for cause, these are luminaires mounted on bronze mats of 13 meters high that are installed, to which come attach 3060 facets of Swarovski crystal designed to make the water of the fountains sparkle! All illuminated by led lighting, just that. More on the official Champs Elysées site: Champs Elysées on the Crystal fountains in English
And a nice easy recipe we are doing on today; like to share some French cooking once in a while as we are not good cooks lol! And now one of my favorite and a nice simple recipe me think for even the amateurs in our house. La Tartiflette en gratin!
Preparation time: 30 min Cooking time: 2 hours, difficulty: easy; Ingredients for 6-8 people
1.2 kg firm-fleshed potatoes , 150 g smoked bacon cut into bacon, 1 large farmer’s reblochon cheese, 400 g thick raw cream ,4 onions , ½ glass of alcohol type Madeira, yellow wine, or cognac (to deglaze), Butter,Salt, pepper to taste. Then,
Step 1: The onions , Peel and chop the onions. In a frying pan, make them come back with a big nut of butter and then add the bacon. When onions and bacon are translucent, deglaze with alcohol. Out of the fire, add the raw cream, mix, salt very lightly (little, because of the bacon and the Reblochon), Pepper generously.
Step 2: Potatoes, Peel the potatoes, cut them into very thin strips using a mandolin.
Step 3: assembly ; In a buttered gratin dish, place a layer of potatoes, then a layer of the onion-bacon-cream mixture, then a layer of potatoes… In the manner of a napoleon (millefeuilles). Finish with a layer of potatoes. Cut the recoating into two halves, then cut them in along their thickness. Cover the potatoes with the pieces of the crust up. Bake at 180 C for two hours. Serve with a crunchy, red-or romaine-style salad, and a Jura chardonnay white wine. Bon appétit!
And I leave you today with the top most visited sites in Paris, you may find a surprise there. This is voted by visitor and local surveys in order from 1 to 10.
Notre-Dame Cathedral, 6, Parvis de Notre-Dame 4éme. Sacré-Coeur Basilica of Montmartre, 35, rue du Chevalier-de-la-Barre 18éme. Louvre Museum, Rue de Rivoli 1éme ; Eiffel Tower ; Champ-de-Mars ,5, Avenue Anatole-France 7éme. Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges-Pompidou ;Place Georges Pompidou 4éme ; Musée d’Orsay ; 62, rue de Lille 7éme. Cité des sciences et de l’industrie, 30, Avenue Corentin-Cariou 19éme. Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Médaille-miraculeuse (Notre-Dame-of the Miraculous Medal Chapel) ,140, rue du Bac 7éme. Jardin des Plantes (with the national Museum of Natural History and the Menagerie) ,57, rue Cuvier 5éme. And the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile, Place Charles de Gaulle 8éme.
Enjoy my belle France and gorgeous Paris. And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 