Metro Station

July 31, 2010

Share:

Monks' Marshes of the Middle Ages

We have begun our trip south. Our halfway point is La Vendee, an agricultural region in the central west part of France. This is also the “Green Venice” of France as there are 300 kilometers of marshes dug by the monks during the Middle Ages. We took a river boat tour of the marshes with a shy young guide who had never had an American take this trip. We are definitely off the beaten path!

The...

View full article →

July 30, 2010

0 comments

Share:

By French Metro Antiques on 2010-07-31

Today’s highlight was a nocturnal visit to Mont Saint Michel in Brittany. This mountain rises out of a bay that opens up onto the English Channel. The medieval abbey at the top is one of the architectural wonders of the world. Although I have been to Mont Saint Michel several times over the past thirty years, I have always wanted to see this beautiful place at sunset.

We arrived at 9:45 p.m....

View full article →

July 29, 2010

0 comments

Share:

Fête en Bretagne

We ran across a Brittany fete (party) in the village of Vitre.

Harrison seemed less interested in the dancers for some reason.

View full article →

July 28, 2010

0 comments

Share:

Medieval Musings

We did a bit of shopping this morning and found this stunning Louis-Philippe book matched walnut chest, c. 1830.

Then we visited the Chateau de Fougeres, the largest medieval castle in Europe. We are in Brittany now and are learning much about the history of Brittany and their constant battles with the English and the French as they sought to maintain their independence. Brittanyfinally became an...

View full article →

July 25, 2010

0 comments

Share:

D-Day and Beyond

A visit to the D-Day museum at Arromanches.

Remains of the Allied Forces’ portable piers and harbor pulled across the English Channel from Great Britain can still be seen.

We also stopped at the village of Saint Mere Eglise where American paratroopers of the 101st and 82^ndairborne divisions tragically landed in the town center occupied by the Nazis. The American paratrooper John Steele who landed...

View full article →

July 24, 2010

0 comments

Share:

Wanderings through World War II

“Sorrow broke me…Brotherhood lifted me up again…From my wound has burst forth a river of liberty.” These are the words on the walls of the Memorial de Caen, a museum that retraces the history of World War II through French eyes. We spent five hours here and were overcome with all kinds of emotions—sadness, anger, pride, admiration…

From Caen, we drove to Omaha Beach, one of the two beaches...

View full article →

July 22, 2010

0 comments

Share:

Art for Art’s Sake

Today was another day for paintings. Wow! Absolutely incredible nineteenth and early twentieth century oils.

We also found a beautiful walnut Restauration period armoire, c. 1820

As well as two amazing c. 1850 liqueur caddies with all of their original crystal glasses.

And a fun mid-nineteenth century faience barrel for French mustard and pickles!

Camille stopped to water flowers in the "rond point"... View full article →

July 21, 2010

0 comments

Share:

Let’s get to work!

The next week will be solid work now with some socializing mixed in with French friends. Today’s finds included two fabulous paintings.

A short break for some wonderful French coffee and the kids’ favorite drink Orangina, a carbonated orange drink that comes in a bottle whose classic shape is a part of every French childhood.

View full article →

July 20, 2010

0 comments

Share:

The Hunt Continues...

Today’s finds include pretty windows, pretty chairs, and a fabulous mirror.

And visits with old friends along the way.

A coffee and Orangina break at the end of the afternoon.

View full article →

July 18, 2010

0 comments

Share:

Let the Shopping Begin!

Each trip to France has its own special flavor. Shopping with Camille has been a special time. She loves the hunt for good art and has an opinion about every choice. We love our choices. I would hang any one of these paintings in my own home.