Paris1972-Versailles2003

Oh this is wonderful unique Gothic in France. I am thrill to tell you it is in my beloved city of Meaux and a place never missed when in town, and we have been there so many times as it is the native town of my dear late wife Martine. I have written several posts , but this new text and pictures from this week so therefore, here is my take again on the cathedral . Always more on the Cathédrale Saint Etienne de Meaux !!!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The current Cathédrale Saint Etienne was built on the site of an old Romanesque cathedral. It is now impossible to date precisely the beginnings of the reconstruction of the cathedral, following the destruction of the archives of the bishopric in 1793-94 (during the French revolution). However, it can estimate that it began around 1175.  The construction of the Cathédrale Saint Etienne began in the 12C and was completed three centuries later with the construction of the north tower at 60 meters high. The cathedral thus combines the different phases of Gothic, from the classical style of the end of the 12C to the flamboyant style of the 15C.

The south tower, also nicknamed the Tour Noire or black tower, is intriguing. The 60-meter-high north tower is the last completed architectural element. A second tower should have been erected on the south side. Pending the work, a tower made of wood had been installed to temporarily install the bells.  Five centuries later, the one nicknamed the black tower is still in place and has become definitive.  It has many things to see but the most remarkable are the stained glass of the Crucifixion (14C), the grand Rosary window (15C), a wonderful organ (17C) The original organ dates from the 17C and the buffet is from 1627 and was one of the most important of its time. The Saint Stephens Cathedral has dimensions of 85 meters on the interior. The height of the North tower: 60 meters, (against 69 for N.D.de Paris). The height under the vault of the nave: 31 meters.

The interior of the St Stephens’ Cathedral is remarkable for its luminosity and the delicacy of its sculpted ornamentation. One of the most important characteristics of the sanctuary, which is found nowhere else in another Gothic cathedral, is the height of the vaults of the aisles which reach more or less 15 meters, half that of the main nave. T hese being equipped with high bays, the light penetrates in abundance in the heart of the cathedral and thus reveals the color of the stone of Varreddes, used in the construction.

The nave and the choir have 5 nerfs, as in ND de Paris. The central nave is bordered on either side by 2 aisles or collaterals. It is only at the level of the apse that the ambulatory is reduced to a single nerf in a semicircle, which follows the internal ambulatory of the rectangular part of the choir, the external part of the latter being replaced by the radiant chapels 5 in number. The reverses of the facades of the transept are particularly remarkable and of great beauty, especially in the southern transept. They are richly decorated and feature real fabrics or stone embroidery. They are partly inspired by N.D.de Paris, but the style here is more refined and the ornamentation is richer.

The height under the vaults, at the place of the choir, reaches up to 33 meters. Saint Etienne, to whom the cathedral is dedicated, is represented on the portals of the south and north transepts. Other themes are also illustrated: Last Judgment on the tympanum of the central portal, Life of the Virgin and Saint John the Baptist on the south portal. A single 13C glass roof adorns the high window of the apse and represents Christ on the Cross, the martyrdom of Saint Etienne and the beheading of Saint Denis. .

The cathedrals of Meldoise (locals Meaux) and Paris maintain close relations. The southern gate of that of Meaux is a copy of the southern gate of that of Paris. Construction of the Parisienne only began twelve years before that of the Meldoise, in 1163 and 1175 respectively. The framework is original, as was that of Notre-Dame de Paris. These are two closely related cathedrals. The frame, in old oak, is particularly watched , The firefighters of Meaux pay great attention to the Cathédrale Saint Etienne de Meaux. They make four to six visits per year and one maneuver per year to train, in the event of a disaster.

The Meaux Marne Ourcq tourist office on the Cathédrale Saint Etienne: https://www.meaux-marne-ourcq.com/decouvrir/les-incontournables/cathedrale-basilique-saint-etienne/

The Diocese of Meaux on the Cathédrale Saint Etienne (St Stephens): https://www.catho77.fr/le-diocese-de-meaux/la-cathedrale-de-meaux/

The city of Meaux on the cathedral : https://www.ville-meaux.fr/ma-ville-et-actualites/tourisme/balade-a-meaux/la-cathedrale

There you go folks, again,more of the always more wonderful Cathédrale Saint Etienne of Meaux ; the beautiful cathedral is a marvel of France and a must visit. Again, hope you enjoy the post as I

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

Oh this is wonderful unique Gothic in France. I am thrill to tell you it is in my beloved city of Meaux and a place never missed when in town, and we have been there so many times as it is the native town of my dear late wife Martine. I have written posts before on the cathedral per se , but this is new on given credit to a beloved personality of the city the Bishop Bossuet and the  Cathédrale Saint Etienne de Meaux!!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The Saint Stephens Cathedral has dimensions of 85 meters on the interior. The height of the North tower: 60 meters, (against 69 for N.D.de Paris). The height under the vault of the nave: 31 meters. The most famous, the Eagle of Meaux Jacques Bénigne Bossuet name bishop of Meaux by king Louis XIV in 1681, The Brilliant eagle of Meaux, according to Voltaire gives sermons that shook the Cathedral on several occasions, During his 22 years of office he criss cross the countryside to speak the gospel to all while given a solid administration in Meaux.  The Bishop Bossuet, the eagle of Meaux and confesseur to king Louis XIV. He lived on what is today the museum from 1682 to 1704 as Bishop of Meaux , A room is dedicated to portraits representing Bossuet.

 Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet (1627-1704) was the most famous of the bishops of Meaux. Particularly renowned for his eloquence, he preached repeatedly before the king and the court and was even instructed to instruct the Dauphin, son of Louis XIV, for ten years. In 1681, he obtained the Siege of Meaux, which had the advantage of being close enough to Paris and of Versailles to allow it to maintain its ties with the court, while ensuring the direction of his diocese. It was also dubbed the Eagle of Meaux as opposed to Fénelon, the “Swan of Cambrai”, whose style was more suave. The two prelates are fought on the question of “quietism”, a mystical approach to the divinity of which Bossuet obtained the condemnation. He was one of the most ardent proponents of the conversion of Protestants, imposed by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. In the context of the administration of his diocese, Bossuet sought to combat anything which, in his view, threatened the greetings from the faithful. He was fiercely hostile to the puppets and the dance that distracted his flock.   Comparing his condemnation with the position of the Church towards the actors like what happened to Molière’s death at the same time.

After a slow and painful agony, Bossuet dies in a house currently located at 46 Rue Bossuet in Paris on April 12, 1704 of the formation of kidney stone disease. The funeral services were done at the Church of Saint Roch in Paris.  The Cathedral of Meaux houses the tomb of Bossuet, located near the high altar, as well as two monuments in white marble erected in memory of the famous bishop. The most imposing of these sculptures, installed in 1911 in the north side of the nave, at the top of a pedestal flanked by four characters: Henriette de France, for which Bossuet did the funeral prayers of the Dauphin of which he was the Bossuet teacher , Louise de La Valliere, mistress of Louis XIV who entered the convent of Carmel on the advice of Bossuet and Turenne; converted by Bossuet . On the reverse is also carved a bust in medallion, with the inscription Rocroi ;   showing the event of the Prince of Condé who won the Battle of Rocroi in 1643 under the influence of Bossuet.

Jacques-Bénigne BOSSUET men of the Church, predicator, and writer; bishop of  Meaux  from 1682-1704.  He participated in the writing of the  Déclaration des Quatre Articles (1682) about the liberties of the Church and author of  Sermons sur la mort(1662), Oraisons funèbres(1669, 1670, 1683, 1685 and 1687, the most famous of speeches about death), Histoire des variations des Églises protestantes (1688), and Discours sur l’histoire universelle (1681) , and Politique tirée de l’Écriture sainte (posthumously in 1709).

The city of Meaux on the museum Bossuet: https://www.ville-meaux.fr/ma-ville-et-actualites/culture/musees/musee-bossuet

The Seine et Marne dept 77 archives on Bossuet: https://archives.seine-et-marne.fr/fr/jacques-benigne-bossuet-1627-1704

The Diocese of Meaux on the Cathedral: https://www.catho77.fr/le-diocese-de-meaux/la-cathedrale-de-meaux/

There you go folks, again,more of the wonderful Cathedral Saint Etienne of Meaux ; the beautiful cathedral is a marvel of France and a must visit.  The Bishop Bossuet is an integral part of the history of the city , France and at least Europe. Again, hope you enjoy the post as I

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

I used to lived not far from it and came to do market shopping as well as sightseeing on weekends just to see something different, I like to tell you a bit more of royal Saint Germain en Laye, a wonderful town that should be visited more, easy from Paris on the RER A trains, A great historical and architecturally stunning town with an old castle ,beautiful museum ,and nice church. I found me ,again, some pics not in my blog and they should. Therefore, here is my take on my again Saint Germain en Laye !!!, Hope you enjoy the post as I.

I have several posts on it so will keep it short and sassy ! The Château of Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a former residence of the kings of France. The current castle was built under François Ierfrom 1539. Enlarged several times by his successors, it was a royal residence until 1682, when Louis XIV left it definitively for Versailles. On March 8, 1862, an imperial decree acts the creation in the castle of a Museum of Celtic and Gallo-Roman Antiquities ,later renamed Museum of National Antiquities, then recently , and still today the Museum of National Archaeology.

However, the during the French revolution, the castle is seized as national property and sold to the former manager who demolishes it, subdivides the land and sells the materials. Today, only the Henri IV Pavilion (a nice restaurant today see post) , the Garden Pavilion, the Sully Pavilion at nearby Le Pecq, a terrace and its two ramps at the end of rue Thiers which overlooks the avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny and some vestiges in the cellars of the district ,one at 3 rue des Arcades remained. Pic from Pavillon Henri IV to castle back.

There is a nice Saint-Germain Church  was called at the beginning of the 18C Saint-Germain-de-Paris. Located in front of the castle, this current Church built in 1824, in a neo-classical style inspired by the Paleo basilicas, was restored from 1848 to 1854. The present Church is however closer to Saint-Philippe-du-Roule in Paris. The present Church is the fourth built on the site.It houses the Mausoleum of the King of England, James II (Stuart), exiled to France and greeted by his cousin king Louis XIV. He resided and died at the Château de Saint-Germain,across the street.

The Castle/Museum of National Antiquities:https://musee-archeologienationale.fr/en/collection/archaeological-collections

The Seine Saint Germain en Laye tourist office on the castle/museum:https://www.seine-saintgermain.fr/en/file/706136/discovering-historical-secrets-the-musee-darcheologie-nationale/

The Seine St Germain en Laye tourist office on the Church : https://www.seine-saintgermain.fr/en/file/4877143/eglise-saint-germain/

There you go folks, do not miss it next time, worth your time there. Wonderful Saint Germain en Laye, many memories especially from the sights just to come to the market for goodies with the family. The royal town is part of the history of the city and my belle France, Again, hope you have enjoy the post as I

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

I am coming back at you in my fable Fontainebleau to update this older post on a memory of France, The Château de Fontainebleau is a wonderful property that know very well and is very sentimental for us. Of course, as usual, I have written before on several parts of it but feel needs more and have more. The equisential property of the kings and emperors of France surely deserve it. Therefore, let me tell you on the wonderful beautiful and architecturally stunning Château de Fontainebleau, where else! in France, better for me Seine et Marne dept 77 of the Île de France region of my belle France. This post is on the famous Cour du Cheval Blanc and the escalier Fer-à-Cheval.

The Cour du Cheval Blanc, (courtyard of the white horse) also known as the Cour des Adieux (courtyard of the goodbye) or Cour d’Honneur (courtyard of honor) is in a rectangular form, was an old poultry yard then a service courtyard, which very early became a parade court. It acquired its name thanks to a plaster cast of the equestrian statue of Marc Aurèle at the Capitol, installed between 1560 and 1570, disappeared in 1626, and of which a small slab, in the central alley, recalls the location. This courtyard was originally closed by four wings of the castle, the west wing of which, known as the aile de Ferrare or Ferrara wing, was destroyed and replaced by an honor grid with Napoleonic decor such as golden lead eagles, ornaments around the entrance portal , etc made in 1808.

The buildings at the back of the courtyard of the white horse retain, from the reign of François I, the sandstone and coated rubble stone constructions, adorned with pilasters and dormers with triangular pediments. From left to right: the pavillon des Armes or   Arms pavilion where the Royal armory was found, the tour de l’Horloge or Clock tower, pavillon des Orgues or the Organs pavilion, the three neighboring spans, and the fourth pavilion. At the level of the pavillon de l’Horloge or Clock pavilion, we can see the Chapelle de la Trinité or Trinity Chapel. The North wing, built around 1530, known as the aile des Ministres or Ministers’ wing, was greatly restored in the 19C. The central pavilion is decorated with  a salamander , a 1878 reconstruction,  and the fireplaces bear the figure of François I. Opposite,  the l’aile Louis XV  or Louis XV  wing which  replaces, in the 18C, the sumptuous gallery of Ulysses designed  by Primatice, the ground floor of which housed shops rented to the privileged merchants who followed the Court. At the southern corner of the entrance gate remains the pavilion which shelters, on the garden side, the grotte des Pins or the cave of Pines. The pillars consist of four rustic Atlanta’s as captives of the rock, put out of harm’s way, and its three arcades sketch triangular pediments.

The famous escalier Fer-à-cheval (horseshoe stair) was built in 1550 by Philibert Delorme, but was redone between 1632 and 1634 by Jean Androuet du Cerceau. It has an appearance comparable to that of the Château d’ Anet (see post), also created by Delorme.

Built at the request of Louis XIII between 1632 and 1634 ,the Fer-à-cheval staircase, with atypical shapes, allows to stage the access to the François I gallery and at the Grands Appartements of the castle. From the reign of king Louis XIV, the staircase served as a grandiose setting to welcome princesses coming to marry a son of France such as the Duchess of Burgundy in 1697, Marie Leszczynska in 1725, Helène de Mecklenburg-Schwerinen in 1837. On April 1814 that the Horseshoe stair becomes legendary and is definitively inscribed as the emblem of Fontainebleau by becoming the theater of the famous farewells of Napoleon I to his guard.

The Cour d’Honneur, closed on three sides and facing west towards the town since the fourth wing was demolished and a gate was created in 1809-1810. This vast courtyard with a uniform layout from the 16C gradually became the main courtyard at the château. Known as “White Horse Courtyard” since it was built, after a horse statue at its center, it is bordered to the east by the iconic Horseshoe staircase wing punctuated by five pavilions which were built between the 16C and 19C. In the north, the Ministers’ wing, built in the 1530s bears the initials of Francis I and his salamander. Facing it, the Louis XV wing, which is taller and boasts brick and stone façades maintains the harmonious colour palette of the courtyard. Construction of the Louis XV wing started in 1739 on the ruins of the Ulysses gallery to house accommodation for the court, and it was only completed in 1773-1774. Since Napoleon I bid farewell to his Old Guard, on 20 April 1814, this courtyard which became the most famous view of the Château de Fontainebleau, was also known as the “Cour des adieux” or goodbye courtyard. See me on top of stairs !

The castle of Fontainebleau on the horseshoe stair: https://www.chateaudefontainebleau.fr/en/become-a-patron-chateau-de-fontainebleau/completed-projects/the-horseshoe-staircase/

The Fontainebleau tourist office on the castle’s history and heritage: https://www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/en/discover-the-region/patrimoine-2/the-chateau-a-grand-history-book-of-france/

For info Friends of the castle or Amis du Château de Fontainebleau: https://www.amischateaufontainebleau.org/adhesions/

There you go folks, an absolute must to visit while coming to France and a must for all lovers of France on its history. I am a proud Friends of the Castle since 2003 !! Again, hope you enjoy the post as I

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

This is difficult to write as many wonderful moments with my dear late wife Martine visiting the castle and town of Fontainebleau in her region of Seine et Marne 77, and becoming Friends of the Castle since 2008. However, I like to bring them to life for memories’ sake. This is new text using older pictures from my vault, This time is on a special bedroom , the one of Anne of Austria ! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The Château de Fontainebleau, a major place in the history of France and an essential monument of French heritage. This royal, then imperial residence, extends its history over more than 8 centuries, and has hosted all the French sovereigns from the Renaissance to the Second Empire, The bedroom/room of Queen Anne of Austria, which is located on the 1st floor of the castle , in the apartment known as the Queens Mothers. This apartment is located in a wing built under François 1er to connect 2 buildings between the Cour d’Honneur and the Cour Ovale. Henri II will convert it into an apartment which will be occupied by his widow Catherine de Médicis , then by the second wife of Henri IV and Queen of France, Marie de Médicis , and finally by Anne of Austria, wife of Louis XIII and mother of the future King Louis XIV.  It will then welcome the Dauphin under Louis XIV, then distinguished guests, to then be occupied by Mesdames Henriette, Adélaïde and Victoire, the daughters of Louis XV. Split in two under Louis XVI, these apartments will house the Count of Provence, brother of Louis XVI and future Louis XVIII. In 1804, before his coronation on December 2 of the same year, Napoleon I had them fitted out for Pope Pius VII. Then, King Louis-Philippe of the 1st July Monarchy lodged his son there, while Napoleon III welcomed his cousin there. This is an older picture …you can see the same as the newer above.

It is a piece that I find above all impressive. It is very well preserved in its original version from 1660, decorated by Charles Errard and Jean Cotelle for the Queen. It shows what a royal apartment of the 17C was like, with a lot of very beautiful furniture and decors loaded, yes, but really sumptuous. Above the door, notice the portrait of Marie-Thérèse of Austria, wife of Louis XIV and Queen of France, which faces that of Anne of Austria, her mother-in-law done by Gilbert de Séve around 1660. This former bedroom of Anne of Austria has a ceiling and paneling painted with polychrome grotesques by Jean Cotelle. On the walls, two tapestries by the Gobelins of the Triumph of the Gods series: The Triumph of Mars and The Triumph of Religion, on cartoons by Noel Coypel after Jules Romain. The furniture consists of a carved walnut set: a four-poster bed, two bedside tables, two chests of drawers, a console, a sofa, six armchairs, six chairs, two foot stools, delivered in 1860 by the Fourdinois house. The pedestal table ,the work of the Italian marble worker Pietro Martinori in the center of the room, was offered by Pius IX to the Prince Imperial, his godson, and was presented at the Universal Exhibition of 1867. The circular top is covered with a mosaic of marbles found on Palatine Hill (Rome) . In the center of the composition are the arms of the pope. Under the Second Empire, this room was used as a living room. The carved oak bed and seats date from this period and reflect the Renaissance style, while the carpet, also from the 19C, is in the Louis XVI style. The tapestries of the “Triumphs of the Gods” after Noël Coypel were woven at the Gobelins royal factory around 1700.

The official Château de Fontainebleau on the royal apartments:  https://www.chateaudefontainebleau.fr/en/explore-the-castle-and-gardens/fontainebleau-rooms/the-grands-apartments/royal-apartments-fontainebleau/

There you go folks, this is special, a must to visit while in France; the Château de Fontainebleau that is. So much history of France and Europe , and the World is here, as well as loving architecture. For me is sublime and the bedroom of Anne of Austria is awesome !!! Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.

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

I am still around familial and sentimental territory, and I like to update this older post on a curiosity really but worth the detour me think, I tell you a bit on the Municipal Theater ,a nice property very near the famous Château de Fontainebleau. This is the nice Italian style Municipal Theater, which written bits before, but really needs a post of its own. Therefore, here is my take on the Municipal Theater of Fontainebleau. Hope you enjoy the post as I

The Municipal Theater or Théatre Municipal is located at 6, rue Denecourt, corner of rue de Richelieu in Fontainebleau very near the Castle.

Built from 1905 in a Louis XIII style combining brick and stone, the theater is inaugurated in 1912. Outside of Paris, it is one of the few Italian theaters and one of the most beautiful in the whole Île de France region. The building consists of a foyer, a curvilinear theater room, a reception hall with possibilities for organizing specific cultural events, a home and ancillary rooms. The Municipal theater has a 650-seat capacity Concert Hall and a Ballroom. Classical and imposing, strongly integrated in the urban landscape, the theater is a major pole of attraction and cultural and artistic identity within the city. Indeed is very nice, something different and cultural to see while in Fontainebleau.

The Fontainebleau tourist office on the Municipal Theater :https://www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/en/file/734616/theatre-municipal/

The City of Fontainebleau on the Municipal Theater : https://www.fontainebleau.fr/bouger-et-sortir/decouvrir-fontainebleau/symbole-de-l-identite-culturelle-de-fontainebleau-464.html

There you go folks, this is a nice architectural and historical Municipal theater of Fontainebleau, This one is worth a detour away from the castle. Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.

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