July 23, 2007

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The Bretagne Coast



A drive down the peninsula of Quiberon gave us spectacular views of the wild Brittany coast….



and me quite a scare when the kids climbed out to a natural rock overlook.



Our son Harrison waves from a German gun emplacement left over from World War II.



Prehistoric alignments at Carnac add to the mystery of this isolated region of France.



Fishing boats in the port of Trinité-sur-Mer.
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July 22, 2007

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The Islands of Bretagne

We’ve arrived in Bretagne and our first visit is to an island called the Ile aux Moines.




The houses are made of stone and sometimes have thatched roofs.




The shutters take on deep shades of blue, mirrors of the sea which is all around us. The Bretons have their own language and culture and have much in common with the Celts of the British Isles.

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July 21, 2007

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Faire la Fete!



The French know how to throw a party! Our friend Francois celebrated his half century mark with a sit down dinner for 80 friends and family members. Appetizers, six courses, wine, champagne...



…Oh, and Mexican hats for everyone just for fun!



Dancing until the wee hours…As I said, we are now on vacation!
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July 20, 2007

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I Love Paris in the Summer...When it Sizzles...



Back in Paris for a visit to the Louvre today…



French women have a sense of style even just riding a bicycle!



The Paris beaches…Yes, they haul in sand for a month in the summer to create a beach for the Parisians along the Seine River.



And we can’t leave Paris without photos of our logo…Vive le Metro!


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July 19, 2007

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Pack it Up! Let's Celebrate!

Our container is being packed today!






Wow! Did we really buy that much? And is it going to all fit? We left our shipper to do his job. We are now officially on vacation!




A visit to the Chateau de Dampierre in l’Ile de France.




This one is still occupied by the descendants of the noble line.




Dinner this evening at the home of dear friends near Paris where Camille helped select the wine from the wine...
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July 18, 2007

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Our Final Treasures!

Our very last day of shopping! A few last goodies…




A pair of matching hand carved cornices with sunflowers to be placed above doors or windows.





A nineteenth century hand carved walnut wedding box commissioned for the bride and groom with their names.



A hand forged iron window that was originally part of an entry door.



A visit to the Chateau de Maintenon where the favorite of King Louis XIV lived. Mme...
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July 17, 2007

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Ile de France

Today was an intensive day of shopping in the Ile de France, the region around Paris. Here are a few highlights…




A hand carved oak church bench, c. 1880.




A grain coffer with a lift up top. The brass mechanism below has a door that lifts up to release the grain used to feed the farm animals.




A custom lamp made from a regule figure of a little boy who has captured a rooster.



A hand carved oak...
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July 16, 2007

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Ma Belle Normandie

Back to work today…







An incredible Louis XV period walnut armoire with chapeau de gendarme top, c. 1780.




And a wonderful iron chandelier with crown and keys.




Our last day in Normandy…




No doubt our favorite region of France…




A bientot!
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July 15, 2007

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Ma Belle Normandie



This is what Normandy is all about…long stretches of green and houses with colombage…




Profuse blooms of flowers…




Apple trees…




And close-knit families that gather on Sundays to enjoy good food, good wine, and good company.




Little girls have a language of their own…Camille and her new French friend Julia discovered theirs and spent a happy Sunday together.
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July 14, 2007

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Ma Belle Normandie



A short stop at a perfectly symmetrical Louis XIV castle owned by a local noble in the 17th century…




And a wink and a nod at this whimsical figure in a Normandy village…




Our day was complete when we found an amazing matching pair of armoires that had been made by a local artisan for a hotel in the early 1900’s. The photo above is of one of them.




Detail of armoire.






Our last find of the day is a first...
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