Paris1972-Versailles2003

This is my latest from my belle France; And it is a quicker post as things are happening fast in my belle France, the year of the Olympics ! Therefore, time again to tell you my latest rants about some news from France. An eventful post in my blog that I have enjoyed together with you for the last 14 years , And for those non Roman CCCXCVII is 397 ! ,Of course, chosen by me; there are many others. Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The 14 towns selected for the 2024 edition of the “Village préféré des Français”  or favorite village of the French are: Cléron , this small town in Doubs, populated by 295 inhabitants, nestles in the Loue valley. An exceptional geographical environment in which a castle dating from the 13-19C resides. Grignan surrounded by the lavender fields, observed by the Château de la Marquise de Sévigné, this town in the Drôme has several strings to its bow. The L’île-Tudy between land and sea, this town of the Pointe du Finistère (29) is distinguished by its old stones and its picturesque port. Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire bordered by the Loire, this town of 1,138 inhabitants located near the castle of Chambord exhibits an impressive architectural heritage. Aregno ,this small village in Haute-Corse celebrates the majesty of the Corsican mountain and the beauties of turquoise waters. Deshaies protected from the mountain, this small Guadeloupe island city is made up of boxes and displays a certain charm, thanks to its traditional port. Monthermé nicknamed “La Perle des Ardennes”, the town is on the edge of the Meuse, and presents historical assets, Thomery near the Fontainebleau forest, this small town of 3,400 inhabitants, located in Seine-et-Marne (77), is built on a hill overlooking the Seine.(it gest my vote!) Ry ,this village of Seine-Maritime, located in a shimmering setting in Normandy, would have inspired the writer Gustave Flaubert for the novel Madame Bovary. Villeréal, this bastide of Lot-et-Garonne corresponds to the plans established in the 13C by the designers of these villages typical of the southwest of France. Houses with half -timbered houses are still present. Collioure, this town in the Pyrénées-Orientales enjoys a very pleasant climate and a kyrielle of aesthetic buildings, Mer-les-Bains below the splendid chalk cliffs, this seaside resort of the Somme seduces many tourists each year. Sallertaine classified as “Ville et métiers d’art” or city and crafts, this Vendée commune of 3,000 inhabitants crosses the Breton marsh and reveals passages full of charms.and Gassin, this Var commune, built in the Middle Ages, exhibits a certain Provencal beauty, which results in breathtaking landscapes. I guess you can vote even from abroad? Webpage: https://www.francetelevisions.fr/et-vous/participer-a-une-emission/le-village-prefere-des-francais-5247

The Eiffel Tower will again be closed this Tuesday February 20 2024 , for the second consecutive day, due to a strike launched by the two staff representative unions who denounce the management of the site, a CGT representative confirmed to AFP. The town hall of Paris, the main shareholder of the operating company of the Eiffel Tower (SETE), “refuses to negotiate for the moment”, The City/town hall of Paris, the main shareholder of the operating company of the Eiffel Tower (SETE), “refuses to negotiate for the moment”, the two unions, who had already triggered a strike leading to the closure of the Iron Lady on 27 December,2023 the day of the hundredth anniversary of the disappearance of Gustave Eiffel, criticize the City/town hall a “search for profitability at all costs and in the short term”. They asked to be “reasonable in terms of its financial requirements in order to ensure the sustainability of the monument and the company that manages it”. The amount of the fee that the SETE pays back to the City/town hall, the price of the entries and the work budget, three essential financial parameters, are being reviewed with an amendment to the public service delegation contract which runs until 2030.The avenant must be validated by summer at the Council of Paris. The planned track is to increase the prices by 20%, but the interpretations differ in the royalty and the work envelope. The official SETE webpage: https://sete.toureiffel.paris/en/sete

The portrait of Fayoum, a work of the Saint-Remi museum in Reims dating from the Roman era is part of a set of portraits of mummies found in the oasis of Fayoum, a place in Egypt. These are very realistic paintings dating back to the Roman era. He represents a young man and requires significant consolidations. A suspicion of infection by a fungus is also to consider, The restoration of the work should not start until next September 2024 ,however by next April, experts will benefit from an exclusive visit to the Reims Museum Conservation Center. A secret place that conceals more than 50,000 treasures in its reserves, including the famous portrait of Fayoum. Webpage : https://musees-reims.fr/fr/musees/musee-saint-remi/

The intriguing Swiss chalet of the painter Gustave Caillebotte in Yerres (Essonne 91), will regain his former brightness. The building, inspired by the mountain houses of the Bernese Oberland region, needed to be renovated since its restoration in 2007-2008 the “cut-to-date” wooden balcony building, adorned with scaffolding for the last , A stage of its renovation, is about to regain its atypical look among the palladian inspiration architectures of the house and the orangery. Webpage: https://www.maisoncaillebotte.fr/le-domaine/le-parc-et-les-fabriques-451.html

Paris could become a European Las Vegas !: will the casinos soon land? These establishments have been prohibited for more than a century in Paris. Only game clubs have been experienced since 2018. Seven game clubs exist in the city. They offer so -called “table” games, such as poker or Punto Banco ,are the subject of strict controls. All the staff working in the game circles, must be approved and are the subject of searches of the central races and games service commission. However, there are talks about a new regulation that could evolve in the coming months Stay tune, Paris is on the move again! But for aficionados of slot machines, rest assured, one of the largest casinos in Europe is in Enghien-les-Bains, just 15 minutes from Paris by public transport.

In the world of my books, Patricia Lyfoung belongs to the category of artists who have found their place after having had the feeling of being “seated between two chairs” for a long time, in her terms. Its flagship series, La Rose écarlate or the scarlet rose, whose twentieth volume appeared in November 2023 at Delcourt editions, is the best illustration. The 47 -year -old author is indeed one of the first French comics to openly claim a manga influence , A time when the genre was neither so flourishing nor plethora on the hexagonal market. The adventures of Maud de La Roche, a volume of which appears on average each year, were a success without appeal: in 2015, the series had exceeded 1.2 million copies sold in French. Official Editions Delcourt: https://www.editions-delcourt.fr/jeunesse/series/serie-la-rose-ecarlate

The L’école Duperré school, an art setting for the taste of M Festival in the 3éme arrondissement of Paris, this major public establishment of applied arts is a reference in training in artistic professions and among its former students of renowned creators like the shoe maker Pierre Hardy, the comic book Moebius, the stylist Julien Dossena or the ceramist Roger Capron. On March 23 and 24, 2024 it will host the very first Festival du Goût de M or Festival of the taste of M, which will celebrate fashion, design, gastronomy, crafts and culture. The school is located in a large glass, steel and brick building, located rue Dupetit-Thouars, but which occupies a whole pâté de house. An architectural treasure built in the early 1910s to accommodate two municipal schools of applied arts for boys, Today, we meet young students carrying large drawing boxes. Their shared outfits, deconstructed, sometimes stained with plaster or paint bursts, can make people sitting at the terraces of the surrounding cafes. In Duperré, you are formed by bachelor’s and master’s equivalents in the professions of fashion and textile creation, ceramics, tapestry and embroidery, scenography, photography and engraving. There is even a preparatory class for the grandes écoles d’Art, Design or Cinema. Webpage: https://duperre.org/

In one of the rarest and prestigious passages in Paris hides a charming tea room where to taste pastries from another world. If you are passing near the Louvre, I will tell you to take a well -deserved gourmet break in this hidden tea room, and which has been able to keep over the years an ultra authentic decor. This place, which is also a brasserie or brewery at lunchtime, offers a refined and gourmet slow food culinary experience The Passage Vero Dodat has been one of the most charming covered passages in Paris since 1826 and has been one of the rare to have preserved its authenticity with neo-classical architecture. Bordered by elegant shops and antique dealers where art and crafts meet, the passage offers a real enchanted getaway over time! The Vero Dodat, 19, Galerie Véro-Dodat 1ér, Webpage : https://vero-dodat.fr/fr

This past Friday, February 16,2024 opened the new exhibition season at the Palais de Tokyo, which will take place until June 30. One of my favorite spots in Paris coming here since neons ago, Among the exhibitions see the retrospective of Mohamed Bourouissa, signal, explores collective stories imbued with bitterness, the mat in matches of Hadi Rahnaward evokes the contemporary history of Afghanistan, while the archives of the family center of young people and the Anti-imperialist documents of Past Disquiest offer unique prospects on various subjects. The new season of Exhibitions: dislocations, worried past, touch the fool, signal ! Palais de Tokyo 13, avenue du President-Wilson 16éme to June 30, 2024,Webpage : https://palaisdetokyo.com/

See the Luminiscence at the Saint-Eustache Church ! The immersive experience Luminiscence arrives in Paris to set you out. Until May 25, 2024, on the occasion of its 800th anniversary, the Saint-Eustache Church will change the time of a spectacle with around forty minutes, where the walls of this 16C church color and come to life. Luminiscence at the Saint-Eustache Church, 2, Impasse Saint-Eustache ,1ér, to May 25, 2024 and from Tuesday to Saturday from 19h30. Webpage : https://feverup.com/m/148903/en

Through around sixty models from the designer’s collections, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum invites us to apprehend the materials, to immerse ourselves in the heart of one of the creator’s favorite subjects: transparency. Here, lace, muslinas and tulles become the stars of the Parisian institution, to create mystery and poetry. All the genius of Yves Saint Laurent finds himself exposed here, to the delight of real fashion lovers, but also Sunday fashionistas. We discover sublime clothes of delicacy and voluptuousness, in dialogue with photos, drawings and videos, once again highlighting the immense talent of this large house. Yves Saint Laurent: Transparences. Le pouvoir des matières or Transparencies. The power of materials at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, 5, avenue Marceau 16éme Up to August 25, 2024 Webpage  : https://museeyslparis.com/en/exhibitions/yves-saint-laurent-transparences

It is in the sublime decor of the Conciergerie that Turkish photographer Ahmet Ertuğ offers us to discover his works. Straight shots, which offer us an unprecedented visit to Europe through its most beautiful monuments. Libraries, churches, palaces and museums parade before our eyes in a series of photographs as poetic as wonderful. The opportunity for the artist, by choosing certain very specific architectural details in each place, to show us what his ideal museum would look like. Games of dizzying perspectives, which immerse us in an almost one world, and above all breathtaking beauty. Voyage dans les pierres et la lumière, photographies d’Ahmet Ertuğ or Travel in stones and light, photographs of Ahmet Ertuğ, Conciergerie,2, boulevard du Palais 1ér Up to May 20, 2024 Webpage : https://www.paris-conciergerie.fr/agenda/voyage-dans-les-pierres-et-la-lumiere-photographies-de-l-artiste-ahmet-ertug

We found a restaurant in Plougastel-Daoulas (Finistére 29) now closed that for a couple of years celebrated the birthday of my sons there with their and mom favorite dish the Yassa chicken, Now is coming a rave in my Paris ! This was our love story with Yassa chicken ! This emblematic dish of Sénégal composed of a delicious chicken simmered in a spices, mustard, onion and lemon sauce on a bed of basmati rice , the chicken is ultra tender and you will shout with pleasure, before making you come back. In Paris try it at BB Restaurant, 8, rue Pierre-Semard 9éme Webpage: https://www.bbrestaurant.fr/

Another one , more classic and cher is by the place de l’Opéra, the decor of Villa Maasai fits perfectly. Twisted colonnades, stucco and marble decorations dress this magnificent place of 600 m2 The classic Poulet-DG is revisited in the chef’s sauce, John Houssou. He totally reinterpreted this stew still served with a cocktail of plantain bananas. The Yassa will rub shoulders with you in the evening, twice as expensive as in most small African canteens, but the taste is there. The most: the address is frequented by the cream of the diaspora: the footballer Samuel Eto’o or the famous singer of the Congolese rumba, Faly Ipupa,etc, Villa Massai, 9, boulevard des Italiens 2éme,Webpage: https://villamaasai.fr/en/

Take the air in TER train ride as plenty of getaways from Toulouse in an hour or less, the TER trains allows you to reach the edges of the Tarn, for charming walks, offering magnificent views of the surrounding countryside, here take a nice short ride to Rabastens, city and medieval frescoes (see posts),

Take the air in TER train as plenty of getaways from Bordeaux ; trips in a day around the Girondin capital, Go to Pauillac (see posts) in TER train which leave to the interior of the land, reserving charming surprises on the Gironde estuary in Pauillac,see a panoramic walk.

Nestled only 35 km from Versailles and 56 km from Paris, the sumptuous Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu welcomes you for an escapade surrounded by nature, as poetic as they are bucolic. It is in the heart of the Yvelines, (78) in a 12-hectare wooded park, the Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu open its doors to you. In this house which is a property of the group Les Maisons de Campagne, You will especially appreciate spending a time by the fire in one of the salons of the house, after having offered you a relaxing break in the 700 m2 of well-being spaces available. If we loved the charming rooms of the castle, which we cannot prevent ourselves from thinking the salons. Places of conviviality and sharing par excellence, we liked lounging there in the morning to drink a tea while enjoying the first rays of sun. Sublime ,visit the Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu, Les Maisons de Campagne, Rue du Center-78770 Villiers-le-Mahieu, Webpage : https://en.lesmaisonsdecampagne.com/villiers-le-mahieu

For 2 years, in 2022 and 2023, the Holidu site erected the Gironde capital , Bordeaux as the most romantic city in France. The annual classification, made by the online comparator, is established according to the volume of research linked to the feast of lovers: “jewelry”, “florist”, “chocolatier”, “st valentine” or “romantic restaurant”. The analysis of his data allows him to discern the title of French capital of love. But it would seem that this year, Bordeaux is preceded by La Rochelle, also in New Aquitaine region. Bordeaux still arrives in 2nd position, followed from Rouen, Annecy and Cannes which complete the Top 5. 2024 not yet on their site lol ! I am good, webpage : https://www.holidu.fr/magazine/top-10-villes-francaises-romantiques

According to a Zenpark study, park in Lyon will now cost you an arm, or even a little more. On average, you have to pay the tidy sum of 111.10 euros per month to access a piece of bimese where to place your racing car in public parking lot ! An exorbitant sum which even increased by 11% compared to last year, making Lyon the 3rd most expensive city in France to park just behind the Ogres in Paris ( 207.50€ per month) and Marseille (151.50€ per month). Lyon has nothing to envy to the parking stars, proudly displaying its bronze medal.In France, the average monthly cost of renting a parking space amounts to 87.95€. Webpage : https://zenpark.com/blog/mobilites/barometre-zenpark-2024/

The Machines de l’île or island’s machines of Nantes have reopened since February 10, 2024 with the added bonus of a nice surprise for this new year. Once a month, from 19h to 22h, you can discover the site from a very different angle: in the evening at dusk. Machines de l’île Parc des Chantiers, bd Léon Bureau, Webpage : https://www.lesmachines-nantes.fr/en/

Eleven agglomerations in France have set up areas with low mobility emissions (ZFE-M) restricting gradual access to the most polluting vehicles. Grand Paris, Lyon, Aix Marseille, Toulouse, Nice, Montpellier, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Rouen, Reims and Saint-Etienne. By 2025, 43 agglomerations of more than 150,000 inhabitants must have established a ZFE-M. The Crit’Air vignette has been established to classify vehicles and makes it possible to distinguish those authorized in the ZFE of those not respecting not standards. Move in a low mobility emission zone (ZFE-M) with an unauthorized vehicle or without Crit’Air sticker is sanctioned by a fine of up to € 450. In general, this is a flat -rate fine of € 68. Webpage : https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/simulation

Next March 24 2024 at about 14h11 precisely ! The city will be adorned with its most beautiful attire to celebrate carnival, be at the party, confetti and disguise! The Strasbourg carnival parade promises to be grandiose! All punctuated by wild music that will make you want to dance in the streets. The exact course is not yet revealed, but one thing is certain: the show will be there! Webpage : https://www.strasbourg.eu/-/appel-a-projets-carnaval-2024

Prepare to make Zinzin and original aperitifs now, because the French Aperitif Federation (FFA) arrives in Strasbourg with its new store which promises to be memorable and gourmet as desired! Open at 44 Grand Rue. After having conquered Paris, Lille or Lyon, it is Strasbourg’s turn to discover the art of French aperitif. Pens in craft and local products, the store offers more than 400 different products. Alsatian products will of course be in the spotlight as Alsatian wines, countryside, aperitif cookies or even sausage and beer! The La Fédération Française de l’Apéritif , 44 Grand’rue Webpage : https://www.ffaperitif.com/nos-boutiques/

The 5th edition of the list of cities where life is good in France in 2024 was unveiled by the JDD (journal du dimanche). The famous study class 34,808 cities and towns of France according to criteria divided into several categories. Mandelieu-la-Napoule made one of the 10 largest progressions in the ranking. Mandelieu is now found in 239th place in the ranking, in largely well classified for such a small town. For the fourth consecutive year, three Basque cities come to the top of the record: Bayonne, Biarritz and Anglet, respectively in 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions after Angers, 1^st , the undeniable medieval city of the Pays de la Loire. Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the classification by stratum for cities of 10,000 to 20,000 inhabitants, Bidart, for cities of 5,000 to 10,000 inhabitants, and Guétary, for villages of 500 to 2,000 inhabitants, I must brag that my Breton cities faire well with Lorient, Rennes, Brest, Saint Brieuc ,Quimper, Vannes, and Nantes in the top 50 as well as my sentimental Versailles in no, 44, JDD webpage : https://www.lejdd.fr/societe/exclusif-decouvrez-le-classement-2024-des-villes-et-villages-ou-il-fait-bon-vivre-en-france-141537

What if a tourist train soon linked Nice to Milan? In any case, this is the wish of Trenitalia. Better still: It in fact wishes to create not one but 2 rail lines to connect the Côte d’Azur to Italy! And it is not an unattainable dream since Trenitalia has already launched its Paris-Lyon-Milan line recently. According to France 3 TV news, Trenitalia is already projecting itself strong with a desire to deploy its trains between France and Italy this summer 2024! And the second line would be effective by 2025 and would concern a train connecting Nice and Turin. Voilà Europe is getting closer, Webpage : https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/provence-alpes-cote-d-azur/alpes-maritimes/nice/video-trenitalia-veut-creer-deux-trains-touristiques-dans-la-roya-et-entre-milan-la-cote-d-azur-et-marseille-2921811.html

How about a dinner aperitif at 46 meters high with a 360 ° view of Dijon? It is possible with the aperitifs of the Tour Philippe le Bon! Two formulas are offered: The Before at 18h30 to prepare to party. And the after at 20h to enjoy a magnificent sunset. We will have to climb the 316 steps of the tower, to enjoy the most beautiful panorama of downtown Dijon. Do not panic, it’s pretty easy! From up there, you will see many bell towers, the Notre-Dame de Dijon church, the slate roofs of mansions, and many other historic monuments of the city … Every Friday and Saturday evenings from June 4 to October 30 inclusive. Webpage : https://en.destinationdijon.com/moments-to-experience/my-panoramic-experience-from-a-height-of-46-metres/

In the heart of Dijon, hides a magnificent apartment entirely in the colors of Harry Potter. The Appartement du Sorcier is decorated by two unconditional fans of the saga and collectors, the accommodation is garnished with dozens of objects found around the world and made by international craftsmen. The perfect setting to accommodate up to 4 travelers around a good Bièraubeurre … The apartment consists of a living room inspired by the Gryffindor common room, with a fireplace as well as a comfortable sofa; A bedroom with a ball bed, a fully equipped kitchenette, a bathroom with walk -in shower and even free parking space to visit this beautiful city of Dijon with ease. Inside, we find Hedwige, Fumseck or Mandragore for total immersion while Bièraubeurre await you wisely in the fridge. Tons of small references are hidden and children will even be able to take advantage of disguises, games and magic wands to dream in apprentice wizards …Webpage : https://appartementdusorcier.com/contact-2/

There you go folks, my latest round of my some news from France coming to you freely by the road warrior travel guy . Again, hope you enjoy this post as I,

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