Parc, the Brasserie of Philadelphia.

The Brasserie Restaurant Parc, recalls the chic brasseries of Paris, serving traditional bistro French cuisine in a charming and comfortable space.

Vaux le Vicomte, before Versailles.

The 17th century masterpiece, Vaux-le-Vicomte was the backdrop to many major historical events and witnessed the tragic eviction of its creator, Nicolas Fouquet, who was imprisoned following an extraordinary trial.

The architect Louis Le Vau  was already enjoying widespread recognition when Fouquet called on his services in 1653. As Principal Architect of the King, he had already erected many Parisian mansions including the Hôtel Lambert. Considered the greatest ambassador of the Italian style in France,

Benoit Castel, what a nice place in Paris.

Do not expect a fancy place, it is more a kind of a loft of the Bakery itself and this give a fantastic ambiance and a relaxful place where to go for a Sunday brunch. I adore as well to go there for daily bread that is made like in the old days and the pastries are delicious. I have a cruch for the Tatin…

Soon you enter the store, you realise that the staff is happy here. They are lucky to work at Benoit Castel. Lots of fantastic pastries, wonderfull Croissants and awesome bread, this is what you will get there.

A delightful brunch idea for Sunday. Climb on the Hauts de Belleville and discover the former bakery Galal taken over by Benoît Castel. This Breton from Redon, who was a pastry chef at Hélène Darroze and Jean-Louis Costes, but also at the Grande Epicerie, proposes in a spacious, relaxed, open-style baker’s loft, a quality buffet, every week-ends.

Scrambled eggs with herbs, pizzas, salads, macaroni, quiche with vegetables or cheeses, without omitting a choice of quality cheeses, sweets in scrounge (chocolate fudge, identical mousse, strawberry mousse, rice pudding) are worth more than one Back and forth. Not to be neglected, homemade confectionery delights, such as the famous custard tart blending custard and whipped cream, with a Saint Honore on a shortbread, plus a cheese cake, a fine lemon tart or an exquisite cheese cake. Take as much as you want from the very generoous buffet. You might have to wait if you arrive late…

Country bread, walnuts, cereals also of quality  baguette. Add exquisite leaky juices (apples, pears, oranges…) and a delectable coffee. Nice atmosphere.

Gold show of New York

Weehawken is in New Jersey but just the other side of the Hudson river and gives you  the very best view of Manhattan. Go there at the end of the afternoon and wait. When the sun goes down behind you, the skyline turns gold.

Le Louvre in Paris.

french ideas

The Louvre, in its successive architectural metamorphoses, has dominated central Paris since the late 12th century. Built on the city’s western edge, the original structure was gradually engulfed as the city grew. The dark fortress of the early days was transformed into the modernized dwelling of François I and, later, the sumptuous palace of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Here we explore the history of this extraordinary edifice and of the museum that has occupied it since 1793.

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Stunning Chenonceau.

french ideas

It is certainly one of the most romantic place in the Loire valley. We call the Chateau of Chenonceau, le Château des dames, The chateau of the Ladies. It was builded in 1513.

Chenonceau Castle has an exceptional museum collection of the Old Masters’ paintings: Murillo, Le Tintoret, Nicolas Poussin, Le Corrège, Rubens, Le Primatice, Van Loo… as well as an extremely rare selection of Flanders Tapestries from the 16^th century.

Property of the Crown, then royal residence, Chenonceau Castle is an exceptional site not only because of its original design, the richness of its collections, its furniture and its decorations, but also because of its destiny, since it was loved, administrated and protected by women, who were all extraordinary and who, for the most part have marked history.

For the historical background, the “Château des Dames” was built in 1513 by Katherine Briçonnet, and successively embellished by…

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Chitchen Itza is to be visited.

I was dreaming to go and visit the Mayan site of Chichen Itza (Mexico).

Visit the carriage museum of Versailles.

For me the best one is in Lisbon, Portugal. The only one that has a coach  from the XVIth century. Then Vaux le Vicomte shows a beautiful museum but I just discovered the one in Versilles that is absolutely stunning.

Food shopping at a French market.

At the beginning it coould look like a duty, but soon you arrive at the market, it turns to be a pleasure.

Books Books and Books

I am a greedy reader and I go back to my books very often. I started a collection of old books, some from the 18 th century.