Archive for November, 2022

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November 30, 2022

The Palais Brongniart of Paris ,part II !!

I like to add a second part to this wonderful monument of my eternal Paris using new text and older pictures, I came to see many wonderful things in Paris some like this one not open to the general public and many more times pictures not allowed except on this one. Some lucky residents do visit  like me visiting the Palais Brongniart. Let me tell you again about the Palais Brongniart of Paris, part II.

paris palais brongniart front sep15

paris palais brongniart back sep16

Actually, at the time I was living there, you can still visited and it is only since 2008 that is off the general public. Once out of the Paris region, and living in the Morbihan Breton, I had the opportunity to visit 4 times already !!! The architect Alexandre Théodore Brongniart was appointed,to do it , and for reference is also the architect of the famous Lycée Condorcet (high school) and of the plans of the Père-Lachaise cemetery of Paris.

paris palais brongniart front parvis sep16

paris palais brongniart right side resto ent sep16

The original Palais Brongniart palace was done in a neoclassical style, the building originally appeared as a rectangle 69 meters long by 41 meters wide. Placed on a base of 2.60 meters, it is surrounded by a peristyle composed of 64 Corinthian columns. Its metal roof dates from 1815. In 1902-1907, two short wings to the north and south were added by the architect Jean-Baptiste Clavel, giving a Greek cross plan. On the Rue Vivienne side, the steps are flanked by allegorical statues of Commerce done by Augustin Dumont, and Justice done by François Duret, and on the Rue Notre-Dame des Victoires side, by Agriculture done by Charles Seurre, and Industry done by James Pradier. Inside, the main staircase leads to the floor formerly occupied by the former room of the Commercial Court. On this floor, a glazed gallery overlooks the former large trading room or corbeille room located on the ground floor. Among the decorations, grisailles by Abel de Pujol and Charles Meynier depict cities in France.

paris palais brongniart left side sep15

A key and essential monument of Parisian heritage, the Palais Brongniart was built by the architect Brongniart at the instigation of Napoleon Bonaparte. By laying the first stone in 1808, the Emperor wanted to bring together all stock market activities in one place, a real innovation at the time aimed at optimizing the existing system. Inaugurated in 1826, the place will indeed be the lung of the financial activity of the 19C, favoring the expansion of the railways, the steel industry, and the great industrial adventures, until 1996, date of the closing of the Stock Exchange at the Palais Brongniart.
paris palais brongniart resto ent sep15
It was indeed, the headquarters of the French Stock Exchange for nearly two centuries, the Palais Brongniart now hosts major events in the heart of Paris. This historic site is a privileged place to receive general assemblies, congresses, conferences, conventions, meetings, award ceremonies awards, product launches, exhibitions, receptions, gala dinners and cocktail parties…My trips here were all of the above !

paris palais brongniart ceilings sept15

Inaugurated in November 2018, La Place, a new 400 m² space integrated into the Palais Brongniart, is a symbol of the dynamism of Fintechs and a showcase for their innovations. A place open to all, dedicated to sharing major developments that are disrupting uses and revolutionizing the economy. La Place’s mission is to promote meetings between startups, entrepreneurs and investors in the fields of finance, banking and insurance, but also to familiarize the general public with Fintech and new trends in the sector. La Place webpage : https://www.laplace-fintech.com/?lng=en

The official Palais Brongniart : https://www.palaisbrongniart.com/en

The Paris tourist office on the Palais Brongniart: https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71378/Palais-Brongniart

There you go, now you have a better idea of the wonders of Paris even if off hands to the public, there are hundreds like these, just to show Paris is a living open air museum and still many secrets.  The area is wonderfully great for walks eat out and even shop; take a look. Hope you enjoy the post as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

Posted in France, Paris | 4 Comments »

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November 30, 2022

Memories of the Jardin d’Acclimatation of Paris !

This is a very nice garden/park in Paris. I had done a previous post on its history and rides but have found new cuite pictures of my boys and decided to add to my blog. After all, as said, this blog is my life’s history hopefully for a long time more. At the time, the boys were younger, early teens and they love it. I had my world HQ nearby so it was an easy walk there and then took the kids and mom there too. Let me tell you a bit more on the Jardin d’Acclimatation of Paris. Hope you enjoy the post, and thanks for reading me over these years !

Paris jardin d'acclimatation PF et twins oct05

As you might know, France has thousands, and Paris hundreds, some are historical wonders, and others follies to sink in, this one is for the dreamer the kid in all of us. I have enjoy each time here even if just for walks on meetings breaks; it is wonderful and it has gotten better over time me think. The pictures are older the text is new.

The Jardin d’Acclimatation garden park for small children offers more than 40 attractions for children from 1 year old, an educational farm and restaurants on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne at the gates of Paris. A total of 42 attractions, including 17 new ones with 4 large roller-coasters, 500 animals (exotic birds, goats, rabbits, mouflons), 16 restaurants and 18 hectares of nature await you. Including the brand new Toupie which opened its doors on April 2, 2022.

Paris jardin d'acclimatation kart ride RF oct05

Paris jardin d'acclimatation kart ride XF oct05

Among these, we can dwell on: The steam engine: one of the 4 roller coasters in the park; The Clock Tower: A drop tower for children; Goat River: A Log Circuit; The Big and the Little Carousel; The Gondolas: A Music Express-style ride…pony rides, a zip line and an acrobatic course. It is also possible to visit the large aviary and discover the shows at the Guignol theatre.

Paris jardin d'acclimatation horse ride XF oct05

Paris jardin d'acclimatation horse ride RF oct05

The 18 hectares of nature have been redesigned so that the attractions blend into it. It is therefore a green park where nature remains very present that reveals itself to us. Large expanses of grass allow you to relax in the sun, while the small farm invites children to meet the animals.

Paris jardin d'acclimatation boat ride RF et XF oct05

The Jardin d’Acclimatation emblematic dragon takes on a new face and the roller coaster takes on the appearance of a steam engine. Among the novelties announced, a 12-meter-high bobsleigh, turbine-style aircraft is born as well as flying boats. For a trip back in time, the attractions are designed in a retro-futuristic Steampunk style, a marriage between the world of Harry Potter and that of the Lord of the Rings or even between Jules Verne and Victor Cabret.
In summer, water games are part of the game. So we go to take advantage of the misters and other fountains available to have fun and cool off.

Paris jardin d'acclimatation petting zoo pig et RF oct05

How to get there: Metro line 1, get off at “Les Sablons” station, exit 2, then take rue d’Orléans to the entrance to the Jardin d’Acclimatation 150 meters further on. There are several bus lines such as 43 – 73 – 82 – 93  that I know of and taken elsewhere in Paris. For those bikes there is a Velib station on Boulevard des Sablons. My choice is the Car park VINCI at the Palais des Congrès. Just go over the Porte Maillot and take the Petit Train, and it will take you free witha paid admission, through the woods to the Jardin d’Acclimatation.

Paris jardin d'acclimatation railway oct05

Paris jardin d'acclimatation petit train RF et XF oct05

The official Jardin d’Acclimatation: https://www.jardindacclimatation.fr/en

The Paris tourist office on the Jardin d’Acclimatation: https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71282/Jardin-d-Acclimatation

The wonderful Petit Train of the Jardin d’Acclimatation: https://www.jardindacclimatation.fr/en/attractions/le-petit-train

There you go folks,  a wonderful garden park of many family memories and open to all.  The Jardin d’Acclimatation  needs to be visit,  it is great ,and now better than ever. If you have children or young teens this is a must indeed in your travels to Paris.  Again, hope you enjoy the post as I,

And remember, happy travels, good health ,and many cheers to all !!!

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November 30, 2022

Châtelet !!!

Well for lack of a better name or my creative mind ,I believe one word is enough to describe this beauty of a transports hub and gorgeous surroundings in my eternal Paris. Never too far away it from it and one area I have visited zillions of times over the years, even if the transports there have been a lot fewer. This will be in my black and white series, no pictures. Nevertheless, let me tell you a bit more on Châtelet station of Paris !!!

The Châtelet station opened on August 6, 1900, more than two weeks after the first section of line 1 between Porte de Vincennes and Porte Maillot was put into service. The station takes its main name from its proximity to the Place du Châtelet, which is set up on the site of the Grand Châtelet, a former fortress which served as a prison and court under the Ancien Régime (monarchy), before being demolished in 1802 during from the reign of Emperor Napoleon I, In everyday language, the name of Châtelet is today used to designate not only the eponymous square, but also the RER station of Châtelet – Les Halles, or even the whole of the hypercenter of Paris.

The Châtelet station has lines 1, 4, 7, 11 and 14 of the Paris Metro, located in the 1éme and 4éme arrondissements of Paris. The Châtelet station is the largest underground station in the world ! The network to be served by five metro lines is the nerve center of the Paris metro and is part of a more global exchange hub integrating the Châtelet – Les Halles station as well as the Les Halles metro station. At peak times, you can see up to 120 trains per minute ! The station is located under the huge shopping center of Les Halles, which benefits from the largest cinema in France: the UGC Ciné Cité-Les Halles, with its 27 rooms. This incessant whirlwind even inspired the singer Florent Pagny for his album “Châtelet les Halles” released in the year 2000. (one of my favorite singers, he is now battling lung cancer).

The Châtelet station consists of two parts connected to each other by a long corridor equipped with two conveyor belts. They serve under Place du Châtelet ; Line 7 under Quai de Gesvres ,between Pont-Neuf and Pont Marie; and Line 11 under Victoria Avenue ;terminus preceding or following Hôtel de Ville station. It, also serve, line 1 under rue de Rivoli ; between Louvre – Rivoli and Hôtel de Ville; line 4 under rue des Halles ; between Les Halles and Cité; and line 14 diagonally between these two previous streets, parallel to line 4 ; between Pyramids and Gare de Lyon stations. The station is connected, from the northern part, by another corridor comprising three conveyor belts, to the RER station of Châtelet – Les Halles ; served by lines A, B and D, and through this, at Les Halles metro station on line 4. It is also one of the few major interchange hubs to have no service connection between the various metro lines that intersect there.

A brief introduction to the laberynth of stations here, which I have taken as needed but try to avoid as much as possible and recommend all do, The whole of the Châtelet – Les Halles station is comprise of the following lines

On the Forum side area you have the RER A line St-Germain ou Cergy ou Poissy / Boissy ou MLV Chessy, The RER B line Aéroport Roissy CDG  ou Mitry / Robinson ou St-Rémy, and the RER D line Creil ou Orry-la-Ville / Melun ou Corbeil ou Malesherbes, Also, metro line 4 Porte de Clignancourt / Bagneux – Lucie Aubrac with exits/sorties 1 Porte Marguerite de, 2  Porte Berger Forum,  3 Porte Lescot Forum, Centre Georges Pompidou, 4 Porte Rambuteau Forum , 5 Porte Saint-Eustache Forum, 6 Porte du Pont Neuf Forum, 7 Porte du Jour Forum, 8 Porte du Louvre Forum, and 9 Rue Montorgueil.

On the rue de Rivoli side area you have metro line 1  La Défense / Château de Vincennes, metro line 4  Porte de Clignancourt / Bagneux – Lucie Aubrac, and metro line 14 Mairie de Saint-Ouen / Olympiades, with exits/sorties 10 Place Sainte-Opportune, 11 Rue de Rivoli, 12  Rue Bertin Poirée, 13 Rue des Lavandières ,and 14 Rue Saint-Denis.

On the Seine river side area, you have metro line 7 La Courneuve / Mairie d’Ivry or Villejuif Louis Aragon, and metro line 11 Châtelet / Mairie des Lilas, with exits/sorties 15 Théâtre du Châtelet, 16 Place du Châtelet, 17 Théâtre de la Ville, 18 Avenue Victoria, and 19  Rue Saint-Martin.

A bit more details on the metro lines found at Châtelet station:

Metro line 1 of Paris (see post) ,The first line was done and started on July 19 1900 to be exact on 3 wagons from  Porte Maillot to Porte de Vincennes. This line is almost all underground;   except at  Bastille stop, in 1934 it was extended to Chateau de Vincennes, and by 1937 to Neuilly-sur-Seine. This line is now an automated line without driver that is computer controlled. The Châtelet Metro line 1 stops are : La Défense→ Esplanade de la Défense Pont de Neuilly Les Sablons Porte Maillot→Argentine→Charles de Gaulle-Etoile→George V→ Franklin D Roosevelt→Champs-Elysées – Clemenceau→Concorde tuileries→ Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre → Louvre – Rivoli→ Châtelet→ Hôtel de Ville→ Saint Paul→ Bastille→ Gare de Lyon→ Reuilly – Diderot→Nation→ Porte de Vincennes→ Saint Mandé→ Bérault→ Château de Vincennes.

Metro line 4 of Paris (see post), It links the north and the south of Paris, the line was progressively built starting in 1908 and not all station connected until 1910. Not before complaint from the scholars at the Institut de France of the noise, and the line diverted to Châtelet and ile de la Cité. the line was enlarged in 1977 with the station Les Halles ,dug 30 meters deep to accommodate the RER train line. It has been enlarge with the extention to mairie de Montrouge. The Châtelet Metro line 4 stops are : Porte de Clignancourt →  Simplon →   Marcadet – Poissonniers→  Château Rouge → Barbès – Rochechouart→  Gare du Nord→  Gare de l’Est Château d’Eau →  Strasbourg – Saint-Denis→  Réaumur – Sébastopol→  Etienne Marcel →  Les Halles→  Châtelet→ Cité → Saint-Michel→  Odéon→ Saint-Germain-des-Prés →  Saint-Sulpice →  Saint-Placide → Montparnasse – Bienvenüe→  Vavin →  Raspail →  Denfert-Rochereau→ Mouton-Duvernet →  Alésia → Porte d’Orléans→Mairie de Montrouge.

Metro line 7 of Paris (see post). This line has 18.6 kms, took 70 years to do all stations and is completely underground. It criss cross Paris from north east to south east with 38 stations, the first station was done in 1910 from porte de la Villette to Opéra. It has two directional segments at Mairie d’Ivry and Villejuif-Aragon. The Châtelet Metro line 7 stops/exits are: La Courneuve – May 8, 1945 → Fort d’Aubervilliers → Aubervilliers – Pantin – Quatre Chemins → Porte de la Villette → Corentin Cariou → Crimea → Riquet → Stalingrad → Louis Blanc → Château-Landon → Gare de l’Est → Poissonnière → Cadet → Le Peletier → Chaussée d’Antin – La Fayette → Opera → Pyramids → Royal Palace – Louvre Museum → Pont Neuf → Châtelet → Pont Marie → Sully – Morland → Jussieu → Place Monge → Censier – Daubenton → Les Gobelins → Place d’Italie → Tolbiac → Maison Blanche, Blue branch: Le Kremlin-Bicêtre → Villejuif – Léo Lagrange → Villejuif – Paul Vaillant-Couturier → Villejuif – Louis Aragon, Yellow branch ): Porte d’Italie → Porte de Choisy → Porte d’Ivry → Pierre and Marie Curie → Town Hall of Ivry.

Metro line 11 of Paris (see post), This line is totally underground, and is 6,2 kms long, being the shortest regular metro line. Also,none of its stations have change name since its beginning in 1935. It goes from Chatelet to Marie des Lilas. The station Telegraphe is cement reinforce of more than 20 meters deep, from 1944-45 it was under direct control of the Nazis. The line 11 was the first metro line in the world to have pneumatics material done so in 1956. The Châtelet Metro line 11 stops/sorties are :Châtelet → City Hall → Rambuteau → Arts and Crafts → Republic → Goncourt → Belleville → Pyrenees → Jourdain → Place des Fêtes → Telegraph → Porte des Lilas → Town Hall of Lilas.

Metro line 14 of Paris (see post). This is the most recent line in the Metro de Paris as it opened in October 1998. It bring together Saint Lazare at the train station to Olympiades. It replaces an older line 14 that linked the stations Invalides to Porte de Vanves and eliminated in 1976 while fusion with line 13. The current Line 14 has nothing in common with the old line. It is an automatic line, The Châtelet Metro line 14 stops/sorties are : Saint-Lazare→ Madeleine→ Pyramids→ Châtelet→ Gare de Lyon→ Bercy→ Cour Saint-Emilion→ Bibliotheque François-Mitterrand→ Olympiades.

The Châtelet station is, also , served by the following RATP bus lines : No, 21,  38, 47,  58, 67, 69,  70, 72, 74, 75,  76,  85 ,and 96 , As well as Noctilien night bus lines N11,  N12,  N13,  N14,  N15,  N16,  N21, N22, N23, N24 ,and N122.

The official Paris transports RATP ( Régie autonome des transports parisiens)  :https://www.ratp.fr/en/vos-lignes/vos-stations/chatelet

The official IDF region transports Transilien : https://www.transilien.com/en/page-deplacements

The Paris tourist office on public transports in Paris : https://en.parisinfo.com/practical-paris/how-to-get-to-and-around-paris/public-transport

There you go folks, hope it helps get you thru the Châtelet station of Paris. A wonderful city, I agree, the most beautiful city in the world !!! And public transports to boot; Châtelet is the king of its stations. Hope you enjoy the post as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

Posted in France, Paris | 14 Comments »

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November 29, 2022

Again ,Saint Guigner Church of Pluvigner !!!

There, I am back to showcase our main church in town, This is a must for us in town, we have been inside several times and past by it zillions times yet only briefly mentioned in a couple previous posts in my blog. And looking at my vault, found several older pictures not yet in the blog, so therefore, its time for me to tell you more about the  St Guigner Church of Pluvigner !!!

plu ch st guigner entr side apr13

plu ch st guigner altar c apr13

plu ch st guigner ceilings sep13

First, my town of Pluvigner (French) is Breton language by the name of Pleuwigner.  The name comes from the Breton PLOE meaning Parish and GUIGNER , the Saint; therefore, the Parish of St Guigner or Pleuwigner or Pluvigner ! Get it ! We do more than French here!!! All streets, names trafic circles are bilingual and the City/town hall newsletter as well.

Pluvigner had its patron saint as Saint Guigner, under whose name was placed its parish church. Hibernois of origin and son of a small king still peasant, this saint had embraced the Christian religion. Back in his homeland, he renounced the throne left vacant by the death of his father ,and he went to today’s Great Britain, to work there for the conversion of the Saxons who had invaded this country: Barely landed, circa 455 , he was put to death, with all his companions. Fleeing the Saxons, a band of Christians who lived in the neighborhood where these martyrs had plucked their palms; and taking with it the body of Saint Guigner, crossed the sea, and came to settle, in the territory of the ancient Vénètes (Celtic tribe who gave the name to our capital city Vannes or in Breton Gwened) in an almost deserted canton, and was distinguished from other similar bands, by taking the name of Plou de Guigner or parish of Guigner, from which came naturally, later, that of Pluvigner, given to the parish formed, by these emigrants,

The highlight of the town of Pluvigner, is the Saint Guigner Church , our main church. There was a chapel next door called the Notre Dame des Oties b 1426, touches the parish church and communicates with it through the sacristy.

plu ch st guigner front belltower apr21

plu ch st guigner belltower side ent apr21

Only the rather crude south door and the large bell tower in the style of the pseudo-classical Renaissance, with superimposed orders, have been preserved, which was built in 1781. The tower and the bell tower date from 1781. The stained glass windows, date from 1932-1933 and represent the events of the life of certain famous figures of the parish, such as Saint Guénaël, Saint Guigner and the penitent Kériolet. A lintel carries the group of the Crucifixion, composed of Christ surrounded by the Virgin and Saint John. The lectern rests on three griffin legs and at its top is an eagle perched on a terrestrial globe. The church contains the relics of Saint Guigner and houses a statue of Saint Guigner. The painting entitled “Assumption”, a work by Philippe, dates from 1770. The painting entitled “Donation du Rosaire”, a work by Charles Milcendeau, dates from around 1900.

plu ch st guigner organ nave apr21

plu ch st guigner baptismal font apr21

plu ch st guigner tresor left apr21

plu ch st guigner tresor right apr21

The City of Pluvigner bilingual on the St Guigner Church : https://www.pluvigner.fr/eglise-paroissiale-saint-guigner/

The local Bay of Quiberon tourist office on Pluvigner: https://www.baiedequiberon.co.uk/pluvigner

There you go folks, my main church in town. Just enjoy it as we have come to do in our newer little corner of our world. This is the Saint Guigner Church of Pluvigner, in my beautiful Morbihan dept 56 of my lovely Bretagne, and my belle France!

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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November 29, 2022

How about a government building in Versailles !

This is unusual but as said government building can be nice and full of history as to its previous occupants This is the case of the préfecture or local government building in my dear Versailles, capital of the Yvelines dept 78 in the Île de France region.  The city as often I mentioned is a lot more than a castle/palance/museum! There is so much history here, lots of things to see. Today will tell you for the first time about an interesting building.

Let me tell you a bit on the Préfecture des Yvelines in Versailles. This is the regional government building and it has many functions one of them is issuing the initial carte de séjour resident card to my parents on the adminstrative side. I will tell you about the historical part that is only open on heritage days or journées du patrimoine. Next will be September 16-17, 2023 !

versailles-prefecture-ave-de-l-europe-dec16

A bit of history I like: From 1800, the first Prefect of Seine-et-Oise (now Yvelines dept 78) occupied in Versailles the old building of the furniture repository of the Crown, built between 1780 and 1796, and located at 11 rue des reservoirs (nearer the palace/museum). During the summer of 1859, the general council of Seine-et-Oise adopted the principle that a new prefecture would be built, the buildings having become too small for the administrative needs of the time. The general council of Seine-et-Oise buys, on March 26, 1861, the old Chenil du Roi,(the Royal hunting dogs kennel)  built in 1685 behind the Grandes écuries (big stables) , The proposal was selected, among 38 other candidates, and in September 1863, the work began. The installation will take place at the end of 1866, and the inauguration on June 19, 1867 at the current site today by the Avenue de Paris, and ave de l’Europe.  During the Franco-Prussian conflict, from September 20, 1870, the Prince Royal of Prussia, Frédéric-Guillaume, then from October 5, the King of Prussia, Guillaume Ier, occupied the Prefecture until March 6, 1871. The offices on the ground floor of the Prefecture were chosen to serve as a post for the battalion guarding the Prince. Thus, at the top of the Prefecture, the Prussian flag flew in place of the tricolor flag. During this period, the Potager du roi supplied the King of Prussia with fruit and vegetables.  Adolphe Thiers, (third Republic) Head of the executive power, also had his choice of residence on this building. He settled on March 18, 1871 and occupied the entire left wing of the building with his wife and sister-in-law Félicie Dosne. His successors, Marshal Patrice de Mac-Mahon( Count of Mac Mahon and Duke of Magenta), then Jules Grévy,(both Third Republic) did the same. In this way, the current Préfecture of Yvelines was the seat of the French Government for eight years (from March 18, 1871 to January 30, 1879). In 1880, the building again became Préfecture of Yvelines dept 78.

A bit of description on the construction : After the main gate visible from the avenue de Paris, and at the end of the main courtyard, you reach the main body of the préfecture. Two wings in reverse square which determine the main courtyard. Beyond the main building, we can see the design of an English garden. The building also fits into the grand French style breathed since the early 1850s by architects of public administration, like the National Library and the Sorbonne. As for, paintings, furniture. art bronzers suppliers of furniture for the Crown, ministries and the Seine prefecture. The latter will equip almost all reception rooms with chandeliers, most of which are still in place. The main body of the Préfecture des Yvelines, both on the ground floor and upstairs, is reserved for representation functions. The facade is designed accordingly, with a balcony carried by consoles and adorned with neo-18C ironwork, two busts of Ceres and Mercury, allegories of agriculture and commerce and a sculpted tympanum representing, on both sides of an escutcheon carrying the imperial “N”,(for Napoléon Ier) the figures of the Seine and the Oise joining their waters cross the hall, then the waiting room, one can discover the facade on the garden side . The sculpted iconography of the central body adapts to the landscaped environment of this facade with the busts of Vertumne and Pomone and the representation in the triangular eardrum of the triumph of Flora and Céres.

The inside description only seen in heritage days or journées du patrimoine, and no photos allowed. The Prefect’s hearing office. A recent painting, dated 1991, represents the basin of Neptune in the park of the Palace of Versailles, while the four allegories of Arts, Sciences, Commerce and Agriculture decorate the tops of the door. The beautiful double-sided desk, Louis XV period, was used by Mac-Mahon, during his stay in Versailles. On the mantelpiece, the pendulum symbolizing “Study and Philosophy”, from the Louis XVI period. Waiting room or Erignac room. Located in the center of the building, its decor illustrates two of the decorative art trends of the time, neo-classicism and a return to the past. The ceiling, divided into three panels decorated with stylized plant ornaments and acanthus scrolls, interprets the arts of Louis XIV’s past. Since 1998, this salon has been renamed “Salon Erignac” in tribute to the Prefect Claude Erignac, assassinated in the exercise of his functions, on February 6, 1998. The Small lounge, currently secretarial room. This room served as a billiard room as evidenced by the chandelier with two suspensions. On the ceiling, in a sky framed by a stone balustrade, four loves support garlands which meet at the ring of the chandelier. The over-doors represent the four seasons on canvas. Salon Thiers, currently meeting room. This living room retains its original decor: background with leafy sky, cornices painted with still lifes. The first two show flowers, game and fruit in veneer associated with fabrics. Ribaillier-Mazaroz furniture was designed for this room. The two-part glazed sideboard with sculpted still lifes at the bottom, with motifs of fruit and game, mixes Renaissance and Louis XIII styles. The Escalier d’Honneur or staircase of honor. The upper floor is accessible by a large staircase made up of a first central straight flight and a second double flight. Its walls are clad in colored stucco-marble. Upstairs, there is a decoration with iconic pilasters and two imposing canvases, “La Seine à Suresnes” (1867), by Émile Lambinet,(see post on musée Lambinet de Versailles); and a “Vue de Capri” by Félix Lanoüe. The wrought iron railing is inspired by the Louis XIV style. Note the figure of the old Seine-et-Oise formed by two intertwined Ss and an O. The General Council room, currently deliberation room of the departmental council. The general council room has a ceiling in the sky surrounded by a flowery balustrade, a cornice enlivened by musical loves, fire pots and birds, in relief. The monumental fireplace was originally decorated with a bust of Napoleon I replaced by a bust of Marianne and a pendulum of Chaumont-Marquis, still in place. Opposite, a painting by Guillaume Dubufe , “Allegory of the Seine and the Oise”, replaces the portrait of Napoleon III. The Grand salon called Salon des Aigles (Eagles’ room). The Salon des Aigles occupies the entire first floor of the front part of the central pavilion and is opened by six windows. Pilasters and columns with Corinthian capitals, in stucco-marble whose original color is no longer visible, enliven the whole. A chimney in purple breach evokes the living room of Hercules of the Palace of Versailles. On the ceiling, the Four Hours of the Day by Ernest Augustin Gendron are symbolized by four young life-size women flying in the sky. The Morning pours the contents of an urn, the South spreads flowers, the Evening holds an hourglass, the Night is stretched out on a cloud.  The highly decorated cornice is highlighted at the angles of four golden eagles with outstretched wings posed on a geometric decoration. In the center of the arches, the four Seasons are represented. They are personified by life-size women seated and wearing their attributes, from right to left: Winter, with green drapery, Spring, with pink drapery, Summer, with blue drapery and Autumn, with the red drapery. The Louis XV style furniture is due to Ribaillier-Mazaroz. As for the large cartel pendulum with two female heads and the gilt chased bronze cartridge dial, it was delivered in 1867 by the Maison Chaumont-Marquis. The Empress Salon. It takes its name from the portrait of Empress Eugénie,(wife of Napoleon III), which was there. On the ceiling is painted a sky framed by a balustrade, on which are sitting eight loves playing with birds. The cornice is marked on the corners with the crowned imperial emblem “N”. Two allegories, “Poetry and Music”, are represented in the overcoats. The fireplace trim a large white marble scroll pendulum console with chiselled gold ornaments and two white marble egg vases with bouquets of lilies with ten candles. On the ground, the “Le Jour” carpet comes from the national furniture collection and was produced by the Manufacture national de la Savonnerie in 2001. The Large dining room. It is covered with stucco-marble paneling imitating certain decorations of the Palace of Versailles. The cornice, adorned with three cardboard-stone friezes, highlights the ceiling painted by Dominique-Henri Guifard (1838-1913), representing a sky background framed by a gallery with balusters, in the middle of which branches of foliage and flowers run. On the fireplace, a pendulum from the First Empire period on its base Orpheus in Hell: recognizable by his lyre, he arrives in front of Hades seated on a throne, at the back, stands veiled Eurydice led by a little love who wears a quiver.

The Yvelines dept 78 on the building : https://www.yvelines.fr/publication/brochure-hotel-du-departement-de-la-prefecture/

The Préfecture des Yvelines government building on the foreign services/immigrants : https://www.yvelines.gouv.fr/Demarches-administratives/Accueil-a-la-Prefecture-des-Yvelines

For info as I have a picture but hope none need to come here is the Tribunal Judiciaire de Versailles (palais de justice building) at 5, place André-Mignot. This is the judicial courthouse!  A bit of history I like; from the outset, it was occupied by the former stables of the Queen. These were first those of King Louis XIV who acquired the land in 1672. He had built a body of buildings intended to accommodate the squires. , pages, saddle horses and carriages. But, from 1682, Louis XIV had other stables built opposite the château, which were larger and more comfortable. He then donated his old stables to his wife Marie-Thérèse of Austria. The stables accommodated the crews of Queen Marie Leszczynska, then those of the Dauphine of France, Marie-Antoinette, Archduchess of Austria . During the French revolution, the premises were transformed into a remand center. At the Restoration, the royal guard settled there. Then various regiments took up residence there. The army did not separate from the building until 1968 for the benefit of the Ministry of Justice, which installed certain departments of the High Court and the Regional Computer Production Center there. The Court of Appeal will gradually take their place.versailles-palais-de-la-prefecture-back-rue-jean-a-houdon-jul06
There you go folks another dandy historical , architecturally stunning monument in my dear Versailles. Hope you enjoy this post on the off the beaten path government buildings of Yvelines, and a very popular Versailles.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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November 29, 2022

The Palace of Versailles in WWII !

I have to tell you about the Palace of Versailles during WWII, using my black and white series no pictures, Recently the palace had made in French a recollection of this period and I am translating at best their post here in my blog, Therefore, here is the story and I hope you enjoy it as I.

A huge date of June 28, 1919 was signed the Treaty of Versailles in the palace, Signed on the anniversary of the Sarajevo bombing that triggered WWI, the Treaty of Versailles put a definitive end to the conflict, and defined the sanctions taken against Germany. The choice of location is also symbolic: it is in the Hall of Mirrors where the German Empire was proclaimed in 1871, that the Allied and German signatories meet ! An eventful day for the future on January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellery of the Weimar Republic, As this was becoming real, in 1933, the Ministry of Fine Arts asked all museums in the Île-de-France region to draw up evacuation lists for their works in the event of a conflict. The operation is supervised by Jacques Jaujard, Deputy Director of National Museums. At Versailles, Charles Mauricheau-Beaupré begins to draw up a first plan. In September 1933, he gave Jacques Jaujard a report of around twenty pages. In 1935, the chief architect Patrice Bonnet submitted his first conclusions to the Direction des Beaux-Arts. From the summer of 1936, the Department of National Museums worked on prospecting buildings likely to house the evacuated works. If many names circulate ,including that of the Château de Chambord ,everyone recognizes the need to keep these places secret.

On August 29, 1939 , the Palace of Versailles had part of its collections evacuated by truck to the castles of Brissac and Chambord. They carried a total of 494 paintings, including 283 in boxes, 32 tapestries and carpets, 52 hangings, 85 works of art, 32 pieces of furniture, including the monumental clocks by Passement-Caffieri and Morand, as well as furniture by large dimensions, particularly precious, such as Louis XVI’s desk and Marie-Antoinette’s jewelry holder , A number of works are nevertheless stored on site, notably in the Orangerie. By September 1939, the construction of shelters for the staff of the castle is done. Unable to build a shelter under the Cour de marbre or marble courtyard, the architect Patrice Bonnet built a first shelter, a blockhouse of earth bags on the terraces. The second shelter is under the vault of the bosquet de la Salle de Bal or ballroom grove, which can accommodate 300 people. At the end of the month, a new shelter is set up in the grotto of the bosquet des Bains d’Apollon , behind the sculpted group. October 4, 1939: the Grand Canal is dried up, Only the Pièce d’Eau des Suisses or swiss water piece is left in water.

On July 21, 1938 was the official visit to Versailles by British sovereigns. In this troubled political context, the British sovereigns went to France, and in particular to Versailles in July 1938. On this occasion, King George VI and Queen Consort Elizabeth were invited by the President of the Republic Albert Lebrun to dine in the Hall of Mirrors. Also, around this date, Gaston Brière leaves his position as chief curator of the National Museum of Versailles. He is replaced by Pierre Ladoué, former assistant curator of the Luxembourg Museum. By September 24, 1938 it was installed anti-aircraft defense machine guns on the roofs of the palace, On April 5, 1939: election of Albert Lebrun as President of the French Republic, In the spring of 1939, the exhibition “At Versailles in 1789” opens on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the French revolution. President Albert Lebrun, newly elected, solemnly inaugurates the exhibition. The Jeu de Paume room is refurbished, Madame de Maintenon’s apartment ​which hosts the exhibition is completely repainted.

By Autumn 1939, the windows of the Palace of Versailles are obstructed, Inside the castle, the wide entrances to the Hall of Mirrors are sealed off with thick brick walls. The sculpted decorations are dismantled, numbered and packed; the fireplaces , which cannot be transported ,are fireproof. In order to ward off possible bombardments, the windows overlooking the city and the gardens are obstructed by thick wooden panels fitted with fire shields, reinforced with sandbags. In the fall of 1939, the Palace of Versailles plunged into darkness. By September 3, 1939, France and Great Britain declare war on Germany, During the month of September, the park is closed to the public and the works it contains (statues, vases, gilded lead from the Bosquet de la Salle du Bal…) were sheltered in the Orangerie or evacuated to the grounds of the Vaux-de-Cernay abbey, like the statue in the Latona fountain. In the winter of 1939, the castle was no longer heated. The panes of the windows, which have been removed to allow the installation of dirt bags , allow the cold to pass inside, and it freezes in several rooms of the palace/museum. At the beginning of 1940, the thaw caused serious damage as the ceilings were pierced and the water ran down the walls and onto the paintings, particularly in the galerie des Batailles or gallery of battles, On March 27, 1940, the woodwork of the Chamber of the Queen, the Cabinet of the Pendulum and the Cabinet of the Council were evacuated.

In May 1940, faced with the advance of Nazis troops, the French population fled south. At Versailles, a dozen guards who remained in post left the castle and retreated to Brissac castle with their families. The staff remaining on site are spread over the estate: Ladoué and Bonnet are stationed at the palace, while Mauricheau-Beaupré oversees the Grand and Petit Trianon; they still benefit from the help of about twenty guards, still present. But a wind of panic is blowing over Versailles…On June 3, 1940, nazis aircraft bomb Versailles. Three shells fall near the Royal Opera, in the Avenue de Paris, and in the rue des Reservoirs. By June 9, 1940, the majority of the museum agents leave Versailles and withdraw to the south (Chambord, Brissac, Valençay) , on June 13, 1940, start the exodus of the population of Versailles.

By June 14, 1940, the Nazis entered Versailles. They take possession of the premises, hoist the swastika flag on the roofs of the palace. In the weeks that followed, a large number of soldiers and officials invaded the castle, visited the premises, and sometimes damaged certain rooms. The implausible has happened ; Versailles has fallen into the hands of the Third Reich… Between 1941 and 1943, the Palace of Versailles lived under Nazis occupation ; the headquarters of the Gestapo is installed rue des Saussaies. Quickly after their arrival, the Nazis troops criticized the state of destitution of the castle, and demanded the repatriation of the collections, still stored in the deposit castles. It was organize the partial restoration of the museum. The castle is still very popular with Nazis troops, but on the French side, there are fears for its future, especially as the bombardments in the French sky are getting closer and closer. In February and June 1944, the city suffered heavy bombardments targeting the Gare des Chantiers and the Satory camp. By August 25, 1944, Versailles is liberated by General Leclerc’s troops. Faced with the Allied advance, the Nazis fled the city. Versailles is safe and sound. From one army to another, Versailles offered itself to the eyes of the British and American troops, who invested the place, visited the castle and the Hall of Mirrors where, 25 years earlier, the Treaty of Versailles was signed. After the Liberation and until 1946, the works were gradually repatriated from the places of deposit, and put back in place in Versailles. There were camps of interntment for Jewish and others at the Saint-Pierre prison, Satory camp, and Borgnis-Desbordes barracks. After WWII, Versailles was in a rather catastrophic state. For this reason, a safeguard plan was initiated in 1952 by André Cornu, Secretary of State for Fine Arts. The Friends of Versailles society contributes to this plan in favor of the museum. And life went on as today !

The Palace of Versailles during WWII : https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/key-dates/versailles-during-second-world-war#a-palace-under-occupation

There you go folks, a sad period but gladly the Palace of Versailles came out ok for all future generations to enjoy. Thanks to some smart , alerte ,and hero folks around here. Hope you enjoy the post on Versailles during WWII as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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November 28, 2022

A train station at Houilles !

I have found me another old picture of our boys and parents using public transport in the Paris area and why not included it in my blog. Part of family memorabilia and using public transport as not always on the road warrior mode in my belle France. The town of Houilles is located 7 km from Paris (Porte Maillot) and about 8 km from Saint-Germain-en-Laye, It is in the dept 78 of the Yvelines and in the Île de France region,

This was in the Houilles-Carriéres sur Seine train station, and I was there with my twin boys coming from Paris I believe or going to Paris, The Houilles – Carrières-sur-Seine train station is on the Paris-Saint-Lazare line to Le Havre,and is located on the territory of the town of Houilles, near Carrières-sur-Seine which it share ownership, The station is listed at 80, place André Malraux ,but if you go there like me it is really at 7 Rue Robespierre.

Houilles train station twins oct05

The station is served by RER line A trains running on branches A3 (Cergy) and A5 (Poissy) and by Transilien lines J and L. RER A trains are from or to Cergy-le-Haut or Poissy on one side, and from or to Boissy-Saint-Léger, Torcy or Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy (Disneyland) on the other, Line L trains come from or go to Maisons-Laffitte or Cergy-le-Haut on one side, and Paris-Saint-Lazare via Nanterre-Université on the other side, . Line J trains come from or go to Mantes-la-Jolie on one side, and Paris-Saint-Lazare on the other. The fastest Paris journey from Gare du Nord to Houilles Carrières-sur-Seine takes 25 minutes. This route takes you with only a single change at Châtelet – Les Halles station. The complete route passes through 8 stations, The exits here are on the RER A
St-Germain or Cergy or Poissy / Boissy or MLV Chessy, exit/sortie 1 Place de la Gare, 2 Rue du 4 Septembre ,3 Rue Robespierere ,and 4 Rue Maurice Berteaux.

The things to see here which I have not are the Saint-Nicolas Church, dating from the 19C. The City center has nearby the country house of Victor Schœlcher,and where he died on December 25, 1893. He was a French journalist and politician, He is known to have acted in favor of the definitive abolition of the slavery in France, via the decree of abolition, signed by the provisional government of the Second Republic4 on April 27, 1848. He was also elected deputy of Martinique and then of Guadeloupe. His father sent him to Mexico in 1828, the United States and Cuba in 1828 until 1830 as a sales representative for the family business. When he is in Cuba, he is revolted by slavery. This house, acquired by the City of Houilles in December 2011 is at the old Rue d’Argenteuil, which was renamed Avenue Schœlcher in tribute to its illustrious resident.

The official Transilien public transport of Ïle de France region on the station : https://www.transilien.com/fr/gare/houilles-carrieres-sur-seine-8738640

The town of Houilles on the station and connections : https://www.ville-houilles.fr/deplacements

The town of Houilles and its history : http://www.ville-houilles.fr/lhistoire-de-la-ville

There you go folks, a simple passage of time and more memories into my blog. This was territory we by passed by train and car and glad I have the Houilles-Carriéres sur Seine train station in my blog. Hope you enjoy the post as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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November 28, 2022

My boy REX, our dog!!!

This is a memorable opportunity to talk again about my faithful companion, men best friend indeed, This is the saga of Rex, our dog, I like to update this older post on him and for him, He came into my life in a sad moment and he has been magical, I like to tell you a bit about Rex, the dog !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.

plu house patio barbecue Rex and his ball apr22

I always had dogs in my single life; and even as I was married back in 1990 with my Frenchie Martine. As we began to have kids, it was difficult to handle both and my previous dog was almost 12 yrs old and became a bit jealous been female and aggressive so my parents kept her until her last days and me went on without a dog for years.

plu Rex in terrace looking out going out feb22

As my boys became older, the need to have a dog grew , but my wife wanted none of it. Finally, we convince her as the boys also wanted a dog. She was very enthusiastic once the decision taken, and was the first one to go and buy him a bed ,and ball toys etc. We are customers of Maxi Zoo stores, and visited the ones in Séné, Vannes, and Auray. The closest store to us is in Auray but photo is from Séné. webpage : https://www.maxizoo.fr/stores/maxi-zoo-auray/

sene maxi zoo for rex mar18

Unfortunately, for us, my Martine could only enjoyed Rex, our borador dog for 19 days before she went into the hospital and finally passed away last April 30th 2018 19h from cancer. We will missed her tremendously, and no words can describe my and the boys pain. However, we have Rex.

plu house Rex on guard duty at home apr22

Rex is our boy ,and her legacy with us. We love him very much, and he is very active and well behave. I have my three young men to help me out doing everything with me. Rex will go on as a memorial to Martine, and warm and happy moments we had. He will go to sea at Honfleur Normandie as her and us.

plu Rex sleeps in canape feb21

As said, Rex is a borador, that is pure mix Border Collier and Labrador Retriever taken from a cattle/milk farm nearby in Moustoir Ac. He is now fully up to date on all his needs with the former Clinique Vétérinaire du Chêne in our town. Already 5 years old and 28 kg or about 62 lbs, The clinique vet now under new management and same friendly service name the Clinique Vétérinaire de Pluvigner (GASB) also with several locations, webpage : https://www.gsab.fr/clinique-veterinaire-de-pluvigner.html

Pluv clinique vet du Chenes front apr18

There you go folks, a nice memorable post on our dog Rex, we love so much. For all animal lovers out there , this is Rex , our dog !!!.  And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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November 28, 2022

Wines news of Spain III

As we are sitting in the middle of Fall 2022, its time to tell you once again on the wines of my dear Spain, As said, this goes back from my beginnings ,and I still go for them everywhere, Therefore, will try the monumental task of telling you about my favorites anecdotes and news of Spanish wines and hope to continue this series as my others with your blessing and likes. Here it is ,again coming back at you my wines news of Spain III !!

The Gourmet Wine Guide (GVG), one of the best and most complete winegrowers’ manuals in Spain, which has recently published its latest edition, the “37 Gourmet Wine Guide 2022”. Some of the best and known/tasted by me are the Dalmau 2017 (Marqués de Murrieta) DOCa Rioja, Pingus 2018 (Dominio de Pingus) DO Ribera del Duero, Tío Pepe Cuatro Palmas (Bodega González Byass Jerez) DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, Vega Sicilia Único 2012 (Bodegas Vega Sicilia) DO Ribera del Duero The D.O Ribera del Duero has risen as the Best Red Crianza, specifically, the wine from the Tinto Pesquera winery.

In the last twelve interannual months to September 2022, (October 2021 to September 2022), the latest update available by the OEMV, Spanish wine has achieved a new record figure in wine exports, close to 3,000 million euros in turnover. In addition, this achievement is even greater if we take into account that it has been achieved by reducing the volume exported, that is, by charging more for its wine, as the French and Italians do. However, the average price stands at 1.40 euros per liter, a figure that is still far from 3 euros/liter for Italians and almost 8 euros/liter for French. Bottled wines represent 83% of the total turnover of Spanish wine exports, and bulk wines the remaining 17%, although more than half of the wine exported (55%) is in bulk.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) has just published the 2021 Organic Production Statistics. In Spain there are around 4,000 wineries and wine bottling companies, of which 1,334 are related to organic production. MAPA offers the area of ​​organic vineyards by provinces and by autonomous communities. According to these data, Castilla-la Mancha is the community with the largest organic vineyard area in 2021, with 62,270 hectares (-0.7%). It is followed by Catalonia, with 27,161 ha (+14.3%), the Valencian Community, with 16,691 ha (+22%), and Murcia, which closed last year with 13,267 ha and an increase of 16.7%.

By country, according to OEMV data, there are 13 main markets that represent 72% of the value and 71% of the total volume of world wine imports made year-on-year to June 2022, with 7,677.6 million liters ( -1.9%) and €26,143.6 million (+12%). The most notable is that the USA surpasses Germany as the world’s leading wine importer in volume, thus becoming the world’s leading wine market, both in value and volume. Too bad the consumption per capita is still one of the lowest around 11 liters!France 46 Spain 24.fyi

Last May, the Airbnb platform presented a new way to search through its categories, including vineyards, where 120,000 accommodations are found worldwide and whose number of hosts increased by 60% in the first semester. of 2022 compared to the same period of the previous year. By region, the ones with the highest revenues were the Balearic Islands (around 8 million euros), Catalonia (around 8 million euros), Andalusia (around 3 million euros), the Canary Islands (around 2 million euros) and Valencia (1 million euros). of euros). Followed by the Basque Country (about 520 thousand euros), Galicia (about 493 thousand euros), La Rioja (about 144 thousand euros), Castilla y León (about 72 thousand euros) and Navarra (about 43 thousand euros).

Bodegas Tío Pepe stands out for its wine tourism proposal One of the best wine tourism destinations in the world is closer than many think… In fact, it is not necessary to leave Spain, just travel to the province of Cádiz, specifically Jerez de la Frontera, to find one of the most unique wineries on the planet. This has been proclaimed in the list published by “The World’s Best Vineyards” which has climbed to sixth place from the ninth place it acquired in the previous edition for its authenticity, emotion, personalization and sustainability. When you walk through the winery, it is a unique opportunity to discover the world of Jerez, the culture, history, heritage, landscape and gastronomy of the territory. In addition, the firm belonging to González Byass, the family winery founded in Jerez in 1835 and dedicated to the production of wines and spirits, organizes numerous activities every year to publicize its great potential and create unforgettable memories such as the experiences “Veranea en la bodega” or “Tío Pepe Festival”, as well as its gastronomic proposal from the Pedro Nolasco Restaurant. And for all those who want to rest after visiting the winery or touring its patios and old trellised streets inside, they can do so at the Bodega Tío Pepe Hotel, the first Sherry Hotel in the world located inside the winery, which has 27 rooms and It is located a few meters from the Cathedral and the Alcázar de Jerez. With this great wine tourism offer, Tío Pepe becomes the second Spanish winery in the ranking and the only one in DO Jerez. Webpage: https://www.tiopepe.com/es-en/home

One of my all time favorites Bodegas ENATE is the best definition of what Somontano was and is today, a land of wines that perfectly define the environment where they are born. An environment that has allowed some of the best and renowned French varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah or Chardonnay to feel at home. ENATE is a winery and museum. It is both a wine bar and an exhibition hall and has defined its personality in the exquisiteness of both. Webpage: https://www.enate.es/en/

In Spain there are currently 96 different protected designations of origin (DOP). Among them, we find another higher classification level that differentiates us between Vinos de Pago (VP), Wines with Qualified Designation of Origin (DOCa), Wines with Designation of Origin (DO) and Quality Wines with Geographical Indication (VC). There are 3 super zones such as Protected Denominations of Origin of supraautonomous scope: DOCa Rioja, DO Cava and DO Jumilla.

Then, there are: Protected Designations of Origin in Andalusia: DO Condado de Huelva, VC Granada,
DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry: VC Lebrija, DO Málaga, DO Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda, DO Montilla-Moriles and DO Sierras de Málaga

Protected Designations of Origin in Aragon: VP Aylés, DO Calatayud, DO Campo de Borja, DO Cariñena, and DO Somontano
Protected Designations of Origin in Asturias: DO Cangas
Protected Designations of Origin in the Canary Islands: DO Abona, DO El Hierro, DO Gran Canaria, VC Islas Canarias, DO La Gomera, DO La Palma, DO Lanzarote, DO Tacoronte-Acentejo, DO Valle de Güimar, DO Valle de la Orotava, and DO Ycoden-Daute-Isora

Protected Designations of Origin in Castilla-La Mancha: DO Almansa, VP Calzadilla, VP Campo de la Guardia, VP Casa del Blanco, VP Dehesa del Carrizal, VP Dominio de Valdepusa, VP El Vicario, VP Finca Élez, VP Guijoso and VP La jaraba
DO La Mancha; VP Los Cerrillos, DO Manchuela, DO Méntrida, DO Mondéjar, VP Pago Florentino, DO Ribera del Júcar and DO Uclés
DO Valdepeñas: VP Vallegarcía

Protected Designations of Origin in Castilla y León: DO Arlanza, DO Arribes, DO Bierzo, VC Cebreros, DO Cigales and DO León
DO Ribera del Duero: DO Rueda: VC Sierra de Salamanca, DO Tierra del Vino de Zamora, DO Toro, VC Valles de Benavente and VC Valtiendas

Protected Designations of Origin in Catalonia: DO Alella, DO Catalunya, DO Conca de Barberà, DO Costers del Segre, DO Empordà, DO Montsant. DO Penedes: DO Pla de Bages. DOCa Priorat: DO Tarragona and DO Terra Alta

Protected Denominations of Origin Extremadura: DO Ribera del Guadiana

Protected Designations of Origin in Galicia: DO Monterrei. DO Rias Baixas: DO Ribeira Sacra: DO Ribeiro: DO Valdeorras

Protected Designations of Origin in the Balearic Islands: DO Binissalem and DO Pla i Llevant

Protected Denominations of Origin in Madrid: DO Wines of Madrid

Protected Designations of Origin in Murcia: DO Bullas and DO Yecla

Protected Designations of Origin in Navarra: DO Navarra: VP Pago de Arínzano, VP Pago de Otazu and VP Prado de Irache

Protected Designations of Origin in the Basque Country: DO Chacolí de Álava – Arabako Txacolina, DO Chacolí de Bizkaia – Bizkaiko Txacolina and DO Chacolí de Getaria – Getariako Txacolina

Protected Designations of Origin in the Valencian Community: DO Alicante, VP El Terrerazo and VP Los Balagueses
DO Utiel-Requena: DO Valencia and VP Vera de Estenas

There you go folks, another wonderful post on my dear Spanish wines, Hoping for a long lasting memories of my dear Spain and its wine news, An area already shining for several years, and getting better me think, Hope you enjoy the new series of wines news from Spain as I

And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!

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November 27, 2022

Wines news of France XXXVIII !!

Well, we are right into mid Fall season , and November 2022 ,is coming along fine, the temps will be colder come Decemberer so say the so call experts. Anyway, always good to bring the best of Wines news of France. First ,thanks to all my readers and/or followers! Oh yeah, the wines of France are just super simply awesome and a great tradition. Often imitated, some time equaled ,but never surpass! Let me give you some news shall we. I have taken several old posts into one for the memories’ sake. Hope you enjoy it as I.

Wine consumption in France in 2022: the French drink less, but better, A Kantar survey published on the occasion of Beaujolais Nouveau by RTL tell us. The budget allocated to the purchase of a bottle of wine is constantly increasing in France: 56% of people surveyed in 2022 by the Sowine agency, say they regularly buy bottles between 11 and 20 €, compared to 22% in 2013. Oh yeah less and better of course or more and better me think

According to a study carried out by the online cellar building and management site Cavissima in partnership with Ifop, investing in wine is a safe and profitable investment investing in wine tempts nearly one in four people (24 %). This is at least what emerges from a survey carried out last October by the site Cavissima, in partnership with Ifop. Greater interest among young men (25-34 years old), The future of wine looks good !

The 2022 list of the most influential Champagne houses on social networks Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn ! In this list dedicated to the communication of 61 major champagne brands through four social networks; Philipponnat is positioned in the forefront in the promotion of a 20-hectare vineyard founded in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in 1522. For a hundred years, the Clos des Goisses, hillside of 5, 5 hectares facing south on a terroir of pure chalk, produces champagnes faithfully acclaimed by connoisseurs the size of Philipponnat, 600,000 bottles per year, The house is even an outsider in 5th place overall after Taittinger, in number 1, the winner in all categories, Bollinger in the lead on Facebook Veuve Clicquot which crushes the competition on Twitter and LinkedIn and Laurent Perrier in 4th position. On Instagram, Philipponnat is simply number 2. Yes great Champagne house indeed, webpage : https://www.philipponnat.com/en/

The cru bourgeois are making their revolution with new colorful banner (brand identity), new coat of arms (logo) and new motto (baseline): “Quality with the eyes closed”. But in substance, they return to the old regime, distinguishing “crus bourgeois exceptionnels”, “crus bourgeois supérieurs” and “crus bourgeois“. Because, in this immense and very diverse family of XXS or XXL vineyards, family properties, belonging to private or institutional investors, or even active in large groups, which represents 31% of the production of the Médoc with 28 million bottles, the chateaux enjoying a brand as strong as the label threatened to secede. Owners and traders deplored the volatile nature of the annual classification: how to explain to the markets which abhor the uncertainty that a same vintage is bourgeois in this year and loses this quality the following year. Consumers, themselves, wondered about a price range varying from simple to triple depending on the prestige of the appellation and the reputation of the chateau with prices generally pulled down. The L’Alliance des crus bourgeois du Médoc,( Médoc Crus Bourgeois Alliance) has therefore clarified its offer. The new protocol, validated by the public authorities, introduces a return to prioritisation with constraints and independent controls specific to each category. And stabilizes the offer with a classification valid for five years, enough to sustain trade relations. They need to adapt to an ultra-competitive global market, while the quality level has generally gone up. This revised classification sounds a new start for the cru bourgeois wines. Those who today would be unhappy with their fate still have the opportunity to appeal. As for the coexistence of these three categories, on the need for collective promotion, mention or not in titles. To be seen now the public reaction and welcome of these labels and properties. There are in general a very good price quality ratio to had. The L’Alliance des crus bourgeois du Médoc : https://www.crus-bourgeois.com/classement-2020/

Take part in the next Figaro Vin lunch which will take place on Wednesday November 30, 2022 with the emblematic Châteaux Beauregard and Smith Haut Lafitte, served in the private rooms of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann on the seventh floor a magnificent view of Paris, The Château Beauregard, located on the exceptional terroir of Pomerol, is one of the jewels of the appellation, notable for its wines of admirable freshness and elegance. Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Grand Cru Classé de Graves in 1959, is recognized for its great wines from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, for its whites with an exceptional aromatic palette and for its fine and gourmet reds. The lunch at 12h15 on Wednesday November 30, 2022, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, 40 Bd Haussmann, 9éme, Price: €210 Webpage Reservation:https://boutique.lefigaro.fr/produit/135395-les-dejeuners-du-figaro-vin-chateaux -beauregard-et-smith-haut-lafitte

A masterclass led by the head of cellars, Alice Tétienne from the house of Henriot, who will present 5 cuvées: Henriot Brut Souverain, Henriot Blanc de Blancs, Henriot Cuvée Hemera 2006, Henriot L’Inattendue 2016, Henriot Mémoires millésime 1971. Apolline Henriot founded the Maison Henriot in 1808 with the desire to illuminate its lands by creating a great champagne. For more than two centuries, Maison Henriot has continued to pay tribute to him by perpetuating his vision of vines and wine. Monday, November 28,18h30. Hotel Le Meurice, 228, rue de Rivoli, 1éme Price:79€ Reservation webpage: https://boutique.lefigaro.fr/produit/135248-masterclass-animee-par-la-maison-henriot

On the one hand, Lady Gaga as a party ambassador for Dom Pérignon. On the other, the natural beauty of Roederer. Two different philosophies magnified by the respective social networks of each brand.

Lady Gaga and Dom Pérignon were made to meet. From this meeting was born the Queendom, In 2021, the association was inaugurated with a numbered series of 100 bottles, 50 copies of Dom Pérignon Vintage 2010 in a metallic silver bottle, 50 of Dom Pérignon Vintage 2006 in a shiny pink case. And, 110 sail-shaped sculptures specially created by Nicola Formichetti, whose piece N° 1, signed by the hand of Lady Gaga, was put on sale for the benefit of Born This Way, the charitable foundation of the singer. At the end of 2022, the limited edition Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2008 is adorned with a metallic box matching the violet accents of the 100% Pinot Noir cuvée. Tagged by the champagne house owned by Moët Hennessy (LVMH) On the heights of Los Angeles, the villa Sheats Goldstein is one of those extraordinary residences dug into the hill facing the panorama of the city which shines with all its lights. Decor, guests and, Queen Gaga in black batwing dress, platform shoes. The party continued at Club James, the Sheats Goldstein’s in-house nightclub. DJ Hana and Lady Gaga mixed together Webpage : https://www.domperignon.com/fr-fr/inspirations/lady-gaga-eoy

Radical change of style with the Roederer house. In gold, black, firecracker pink and the stars of the Hollywood party, staged by the post of October 27, 2022, chose, on the same date, to publish a 6.13-minute didactic video to present its Brut Millésimé, the Vintage Late Release. A blend of the best cuvées over 30 years, from the top of the mountain of Reims, in particular the terroir of Verzy, more particularly still, the plot of Bayon, 1.71 ha of pinot noir in the heart of the domain. Aerial view of the ocean of vines on the mid-slope around the Verzenay lighthouse, First of all, the unique singularity of Roederer, which is based on its historical attachment to the terroir Roederer is one of the last great family and independent champagne houses. The biodynamics of Louis Roederer is the first champagne house engaged for more than twenty years in practice. Today, the vineyard is in organic certification on 115 ha historical, in biodynamic certified on 9 ha. That is 124 out of 242 ha. Roederer’s strategy is therefore based on the creation of a social network, the architect of the Cristal cuvée, shares his daily life and behind the scenes of the house. He shoots his videos himself, takes the photos, has them sent to him by the heads of sector, posts the messages, replies to them personally.Webpage : https://www.louis-roederer.com/en

There has always been a huge misunderstanding about Champagne. For most consumers, it is a drink to be enjoyed as soon as purchased. It is no doubt the fault of the people of Champagne themselves, who constantly proclaim loud and clear that, unlike other wine-growing regions, the producers make the effort to keep the bottles in the cellar long enough for them to arrive. to maturity with their clients. The appellation requires, in fact, that a brut without a year remains at least 15 months on the slat, and 3 years for a vintage, some houses even highlighting prolonged aging. But it is probably forgetting a little too quickly that Champagne is first and foremost a wine like any other. Why Chardonnay or Pinot Champenois could not produce great wines for laying down in the Marne or Aube, as is the case, for example, with its neighbor Burgundy. This taste for old champagnes was first initiated by the Nordic countries and Great Britain. It is now international with amateurs in Asia , The wine then gains in roundness, in smoothness and on the other hand, it will lose in effervescence. The older the wine, the less bubbles it has , Because each house, or almost, has its own vision of old vintages. Some, like Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot or Moët & Chandon, set a part of each vintage apart to age them longer. on the market. Those who have known a greater ageing, around fifteen years, will also keep their capacity intact for fifteen years. Do not hesitate, from now on, to let your Champagnes spend some time in your cellar, you will thus be able to discover a new sensory experience and taste ! Indeed !!! Champagne webpage: https://www.champagne.fr/en

And for the season to be merrier coming up for 2022 here are some general suggestions yours truly. Enjoy them fully without moderation !!!

The plain oysters go well with a Sèvre-et-Maine muscadet. For my part, I will choose the Château du Cléray, flagship of the Domaines Sauvion. This cuvée, coming from the sandy and loamy soils of the Pays Nantais, is first expressed by notes of green fruit (kiwi, apple), and more muted aromas of mint; on the palate, the structure is invigorating and refreshing. One of my all time favorite property know the owners and in laws and had plenty , enjoy it. More info : www.sauvion.fr

At the table or for the aperitif, with old-fashioned scallops. This white with a captivating nose flirts with exotic fruits. In the mouth, it is lively – very lemony – and gives a boost to the taste buds. Ideal with an iodized dish in sauce to counterbalance the oiliness. Cœur de Charmes Mâcon-Lugny, https://cave-lugny.com/boutique/produit/33/coeur-de-charmes.html

With a stir-fried veal dish. This cuvée is a real treat, an explosion of fresh fruit. Ultra delicious, it can be enjoyed around 10-12 ° C, at the table with white meats. Château La Genestière, Cuvée Château, Tavel 2018 right off the press try it in your area here is the 2017. http://www.chateau-genestiere.com/fr/produit/aop-tavel-rose/

One of my favorite dishes is an orange duck breast. This gamay – aged 16 months in concrete egg and barrels – is surprising. It is a cheerful blend of licorice and coffee, blackberry and spices. Domaine de la Pirolette, Le Carjot, Saint-Amour. Domaine de la Pirolette St Amour

With a foie gras toast .This sweet wine has a bewitching bouquet of honey, quince paste and roasted pears. The mouth is balanced. Its sweetness does not weigh down the palate. Château La Vieille Bergerie, Quercus, Monbazillac 2014, https://www.vieille-bergerie.fr/fr/catalogue_et_commandes.html?a=82

With sea shells seafood: Domaine Laporte, owned by the Bourgeois Family, cultivates 21 hectares organically. This Sancerre comes from a part call Le Rochoy – de Silex ( flint). Ultra mineral, it has a lemon zest present on the nose. The palate is more enveloping, and you can almost perceive the yellow flesh fruits. Le Rochoy, Laporte, Sancerre. https://www.laporte-sancerre.com/maison/le-rochoy.html

With a hare stew or a doe roast . The first Saint-Estèphe vineyard to have obtained the organic label, Château de Côme is renowned for its elegant wines. This cuvée – an equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot – proves it. Its intense color, its flavors of wild berries and its fine tannins give a lot of relief to its tasting. Château de Côme 2015, Saint-Estèphe. More here : https://www.chateaudecome.com/boutique/produits/chateau-de-come-2015/

With a Bucco Osso. 100% Cabernet Franc, from vines over 58 years old planted on the most beautiful plots of the estate, this wine has spent 18 months in half-muids. A bit austere with its tight tannins at the start, it only gains by flourishing on a traditional dish in sauce. Eclipse n ° 12, Frédéric Mabileau, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, as coming closer to this region more I enjoy their wines, house wine par excellence chez moi. Just out not in webpage yet! More here: http://www.fredericmabileau.com/?page_id=11

With calf’s sweetbreads. Peach, white flower, apricot … Evocations multiply with the aromatic reading of this champagne. Without forgetting its finesse which makes it a good companion for generous dishes. Champagne Devaux, Grande Réserve. Champagne Devaux

There you go folks, another wine episode of my belle France! The wines of France that is, superbe, sublime, wonderful, gorgeous, enjoy without moderation but accompanying a meal, family table just perfect. See you in the vineyards of France

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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