Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts

Wednesday, 14 December 2011

Old Mill Guesthouse

My messege yesterday might have been a bit confusing so I'll explain my comings and goings again: I'll be posting every day until this Friday, then there will be a couple of posts next week before Christmas. After Christmas and until January 24th I don't think I'll be able to post. C'est tout!

And today we are visiting a restored mill in France. It has been turned into a guesthouse by Annie and Francois who also have a restaurant just steps away.Although some of the rooms have a modern edge which I really don't fancy, the rest of the house, the exterior and gardens are beautiful.
It is located in Alsace, close to Strasbourg, on the edge of the Vosges Natural Park.





























Francis and Annie pose on the bridge while Napoleon and Cythare couldn't care less.


Hope you enjoyed! See you tomorrow, my friends!

Photography by Dozel Bernard.
All images from here.

Wednesday, 30 November 2011

Autumn Colours in Gascony

A glorious garden in Gascony in the southwest of France reminiscent of the Tuscan scenery. It was designed and made ​​by the owner, Madelaine, in terraces to link with the surrounding nature.












This sculpture by Joachim Van Den Hurk echoes the verticality of the cypress. The iron rod on the top turns in the wind.







Photos Perdereau Mon Jardin & Ma Maison.
All images from here.

Sunday, 27 November 2011

Christmas at Château d’Ansouis

The Château d’Ansouis has been standing for over a thousand years, overlooking the village of Ansouis and the Valley of the Aigues, in France.

The history of the castle is marked at the beginning of the XIII century by Elzear de Sabran and his wife Dauphine - or Delphine. Their wealth did not stop them from devoting their lives to God and helping the poor. Elzear was canonized in 1369 and Dauphine was beatified. Since then, every year in September, a procession celebrates the mystical love and the love of the humble they incarnate.

Gérard and Frédérique Rousset-Rouvière acquired Château d’Ansouis in January 2008 and appointed designer Jean-Jacques Bourgeois to renovate its interiors.

These photographs show the Château, ready for Christmas.


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Beautiful stone stairs.

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Under a large chestnut tree, the terrace overlooks a boxwood garden.

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To continue with tradition, on Christmas eve, before midnight mass, a light meatless meal is served in the kitchen. The table is set on three layers of white tablecloths, which are successively removed during the meal, and adorned with three large white candles representing the Trinity.

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A variety of thirteen desserts are served, in remembrance of the Last Supper, Jesus surrounded by his twelve apostles.

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This eighteenth century Provencal cupboard maintains its original green patina.

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This 18th century piece of furniture is called a "love letter" and was made for just that: love letter writing. It also served as fireplace screen.

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Octagonal alcove on the second floor.

All images from here.

Monday, 21 November 2011

Classic Garden

Second post for you today, beauty seekers. Sometimes I come across stunning homes and gardens, and even if we cannot see the interiors (and, oh, how I'd love to!) I believe they are worth showing.

This 17th century manor house is located in Loiret, France, and is known as the Grand Courtoiseau. The magnificent grounds bear the label "Remarkable Garden" awarded by the French ministry of Culture.

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Photography by Georges Lévêque
All images from here.

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Guest Home in France

Good morning, my friends. My husband and I are leaving tomorrow on a 12 day work and holiday trip to Switzerland. We will be visiting Venice too the weekend before we come back. This is my second visit to Switzerland and my first to Venice. If any of you have suggestions of places I shouldn't miss or things I should do please leave a comment here. I would very much appreciate it!

Today I'd like to show you a restored eighteenth century barn which is now a guest house. Located in the village of Saint-Hilaire-sur-Helpe, in France, it was decorated by its owner Chantal in very relaxing tones of grey, sand, and brown. Scandinavian style all over.

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By the way, I'm leaving tomorrow evening so I hope to put up my last post tomorrow morning. I doubt very much that I'll be able to post while I'm away. Oh, and I'll be back on the 15th. Hopefully, I'll see you tomorrow.

Photography by Corinne Schanté-Angel.
All images from here.