The city of Lille inaugurated a major cultural festival called “Europe XXL” on March 14 with a massive parade, the burning of giants papier-mâché falla sculptures (a heritage of the time when the city was part of the Spanish Netherlands), … Read More
Summer Parking The new Parc Clichy Batignolles is a huge success in park-starved Paris. The promenade plantée, an elevated park built on top of the Viaduc des Arts along the Avenue Daumesnil in Paris, is now a familiar part of … Read More
Culture in the Land of the Ch’tis The Lille post-office tower sports a Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis banner. Photo: J. Gascoigne After the runaway success of the film Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis, set in the north of France very near … Read More
Eclectic Estate Big changes are afoot at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, a Loire Valley château/estate best known for its annual garden festival. Formerly the property of the French national government, the entire estate was recently devolved to the Centre … Read More
Eclectic Estate The “Eloge du Compost” garden includes a “dry toilet” (in the structure in the background). Photo: Eric Sander pour le Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire Big changes are afoot at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, a Loire Valley château/estate best known … Read More
Treasures of Troyes Inside the Troyes cathedral. If you are considering a day or two away from Paris, Troyes is the ideal town to visit, only an hour and a half away by train and full of pleasant surprises. In … Read More
From the Garden To the Plate “la Dune aux Escargots” garden designed by Max Sauze. Photo © Paris Update The good news for regular visitors to the annual International Garden Festival at the Château Chaumont in the Loire Valley is … Read More
Faded Roses The Salon Doré in the Château Malmaison. Photo: Thierry Vidal Known as Rose until Napoleon gave her the new first name that would follow his empress into history, Josephine (née Marie-Joseph-Rose de Tascher de la Pagerie) loved her … Read More
Leaf Peeping in France The Fontainebleau Forest is a rock climber’s paradise. What better time to take a walk in the Fontainebleau Forest than in the fall, when the air is scented with the earthy smell of wild mushrooms (notably … Read More
