Let’s go back to one of the most ridiculously over the top places that I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. I’ve covered Palais Garnier over several posts and they can be found here and here (and here and here and here and here and here).
Tag: Art
Paris Street Art – Rue de Louvre
During my most recent trip to Paris, I decided that I’d finally check out illustrious E. Dehillerin. For those unaware, E. Dehillerin sell cooking supplies. It’s got 2 floors jam packed with kitchen items that you’ll likely never have a need to use them at home. For someone who loves to hoard kitchen toys (guilty as charged!), it’s heaven on Earth. I’m working on a post to sum up my visit .. hopefully it will be ready later this week. Continue reading “Paris Street Art – Rue de Louvre”
Galleria Umberto I
I love the pattern of this domed roof at Galleria Umberto I in Naples, and had to take a photo as soon as I saw it.
Vaux-le-Vicomte, Tapestries & Cabinets
I shared a post a few days ago which featured a few of the smaller details that make Vaux-le-Vicomte a treat to visit. Today I’ll focus on some of the larger ones; striking tapestries and ornately designed cabinets.
Happy Victoria Day to my fellow Canadians. Stay safe!
Bonne journée!
Marla
Vaux-le-Vicomte, It’s in the Details
It can be a bit overwhelming wandering through a French château. There’s usually so much going on around you that it starts to feel like your eyes might just fall out of your head. It’s so easy to miss the little details amongst the grandeur.
Vaux-le-Vicomte, The Desks
During this global pandemic, I’ve been fortunate to continue working. Of course, my computer set up looks very different here at home with a makeshift table set up as my desk.
Vaux-le-Vicomte, The Room with All the Gold
I’ve completely lost track of what each room is at Vaux-le-Vicomte. Normally I can find the information in brochures I’ve held onto and bulk it up with help from online. Unfortunately I can’t find any papers in my stash and details for Vaux-le-Vicomte online are limited.
Continue reading “Vaux-le-Vicomte, The Room with All the Gold”
Vaux-le-Vicomte, The Dining Room
The fanciest of dining rooms I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating in have been at nice restaurants or hotels. At the time, I marveled at the decor of each location. But none of them could compare to sitting down for dinner in the dining room at Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Just imagine being a guest here. Where would your eyes land? There’s so much to take on and you’d know that you were in for a treat.
The large mirrors play a trick on your eyes, making the room feel much larger than it really is.
James just looked over my shoulder as I’m proofing this post, and asked why I don’t decorate our place like this. That sounds like an absolute dream but I wouldn’t even know where to start.
Bonne journée!
Marla
Vaux-le-Vicomte, Looking Up
I took a lot of photos during my visit to Vaux-le-Vicomte. Of course I did. So many, in fact, that I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with where to start. I have decided that looking up is as good of a place as any, and am sharing an assortment of ceiling photos.
If I’ve learned anything from the amount of times I’ve walked away with a kink in my neck, it’s that these fancy French chateaux rarely have a surface untouched.
Bonne journée!
Marla
North Vancouver Street Art – Lonsdale Quay
Along an exterior wall at North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay Market you’ll find a 100 foot long mural titled Coastal Energy.
Designed by local students and painted by artist Dennis Creighton, Coastal Energy is part of a city-wide series of public art called Studio in the City.
Its purpose is to give local youth the opportunity to apprentice in the arts, while working on various canvases throughout North Vancouver.
If you’ve visited Vancouver as a tourist, chances are you’ve seen this mural. Lonsdale Quay is often a stop on visitor’s lists of local places to check out.
Bonne journée!
Marla
G is for .. Stained Glass
G is for Glass. Stained glass. Said like a certain famous fictional spy who likes his favourite beverage shaken, not stirred.
Yes, that’s right. In this installment of my Alphabet series, we’re headed to Reims to visit Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims.
Paris Street Art – Rue de l’Éperon
Looking through my photos last night, as I’m doing a lot more frequently thanks to Coronatimes, I rediscovered this piece by French artist, Fred le Chavelier (Fred the Knight).
l’Abbaye de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe – The Statues
Today we’ll take a look at statues on display at l’Abbaye de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe. I’m not religious – or knowledgeable on Christian figures – but I enjoyed each these figures. Each is featured in its own alcove, surrounded by painted brick effect, and lit by light coming in through beautiful stained glass windows.
Continue reading “l’Abbaye de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe – The Statues”
Abbaye de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe – The Murals, Part 2
Yesterday we looked at my first set of mural photos from Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, and today we’ll continue.
Continue reading “Abbaye de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe – The Murals, Part 2”
Abbaye de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe – The Murals, Part 1
As I mentioned yesterday, Abbaye de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe received UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983.
The Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe is a masterpiece of the murals of the 11th and 12th centuries. Its outstanding character is due to its extraordinary decor, testimony to the art of representing and painting in western Christian medieval civilization.
– UNESCO
Continue reading “Abbaye de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe – The Murals, Part 1”
Abbaye de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe
Thank you to everyone who voted yesterday. The winner by a landslide is, “Look up!”.
So today I’m going to share with you a beautifully decorated church in France. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, l’Abbaye de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe is often referred to as the Romanesque Sistine Chapel because of its impressive murals (many of which are on the church’s ceiling).
Hence the Look up!
But before we head inside, let’s take a wander to appreciate the exterior of the church.
The history is a bit unclear to me but the story goes that it was originally founded under the rule of Charlamagne. The bodies of two 5th Century martyrs, Savin and Cyprian, were discovered and a church was built above their crypt to protect these Holy relics.
The church was later rebuilt in the 11th Century, expanded in the 13th Century and the spire we see here was added during the 14th Century.
The building is very imposing, and made me feel quite small in comparison.
The rear of property runs along a portion of the River Gartempe, separated by an impressively old stone wall. It’s also home to a vegetable garden and a selection of fruit trees.
I think it’s time we head inside to see what really brought us here. Oui?
See you tomorrow!
Bonne journée!
Marla
Palais Royale – A Very Quick Spin
Street Art – New Westminster
It’s Friday! After another trying week, I’d like to share what I believe is the perfect spirit lifter to take us into the weekend.
It’s bright, colourful and happy – just what the doctor ordered (along with social distancing and washing our hands, of course).
I discovered this mural accidentally, but fell in love with it immediately.
Thursday Doors – Paris
Remember when I shared photos from my visit Musée Marmottan Monet earlier this week? While I was preparing those posts I came across a photo of a fantastic door that I passed near to the museum entrance, and knew that I’d have to show it off today.
I’m nothing if not a cat fanatic, so of course I fell in love with the door’s design. Take a closer look..
How amazing is that?
Bonne journée!
Marla
Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world. Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing your link in the comments section over at Norm’s blog, anytime between Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time).
Musée Marmottan Monet – The Supporting Acts
The obvious draw for most visitors to Musée Marmottan Monet is to see paintings by the master himself. But what was surprising to me was the wide range of paintings by other well-known artists.
Continue reading “Musée Marmottan Monet – The Supporting Acts”
