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Lucian Freud Exhibition at the Pompidou Centre in Paris

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:17:54 +0000

The Centre Pompidou is holding an exhibition of the unique work of Lucian Freud.

Opening on March 10th, the retrospective will present an overview of Freud’s output including his almost obsessive treatment of his portraits and the nude being drawn, and his desire to make his paintings to look like flesh.

in addition to aboutabout 50 large works of art, visitors will also be able to peruse photos of the artist’s London studio and a selection of graphic works. The exhibition sees some of his most famous paintings, such as Leigh Bowery and Big Sue, arranged around a 900 metre squared space in a studio theme.

Freud, who is still alive today at 88 years old and is the grandson of the famous psychiatrist Sigmund, has not had a retrospective at the Centre Pompidou since 1987 and this show is a real tribute to an important artist.

Tickest for the Freud exhibition can be bought online online or at the box office for €12 (£10.84), with the doors opening at 11:00 and closing at 21:00 (local time) every day except Tuesdays until July 19th.

Website – http://www.centrepompidou.fr

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Villas in St Tropez

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:48:49 +0000

Going to the south of France on the French Riviera is a dream vacation. St. Tropez has been the playground for the rich and famous for many years including in the 1950’s when Brigitte Bardot made films there and made the resort known all over the world.

The warm Mediterranean waters and golden sand beaches are well-known for their sunbathing as well as water sports such as sailing, water skiing, and fishing. It is easy to rent the necessary equipment for canoeing, windsurfing, jet biking, power boating, and more. If you happen to be there in October, there is a special regatta that draws many yachts to the area.

The Quartier de la Ponche is the most beautiful section of St. Tropez. You can stroll through its cobblestone streets and admire the tall historic buildings with their unusual large lanterns as well as shops, homes, restaurants, and hotels.

The restaurants are unique with both local and international cuisine. Chez Joseph may be small and tucked away, but is very popular and requires reservations. The view of the city from its glassed-in porch is spectacular. Three brothers own the Caprice des Deux, and they boast of their authentic cuisine including Duck Comfit With Rosemary and the classic Creme Brulee dessert. For elegance you can go to the Cafe de Paris with its red velour sofas, gold-framed mirrors, and excellent food.

The Citadelle is hexagon-shaped and was built in the 16th century as a defender. Now a naval museum which holds cultural events, it also offers a spectacular view from its main terrace.

Built in the 17th century, the Chapelle de la Misericorde in the old town has amazing high stone walls which are topped by a tiled roof with swirls of greens, blues and gold accents.

Accommodations go anywhere from small villas in St Tropez to large ones that can sleep 10 to 14 people. Many of the latter are restored buildings from the 18th century set in vineyards, manicured gardens, wooded hills or pine forests. There are refurbished farmhouses and seafront luxury mansions available for rent, also. Some of the castles have their quarters made into smaller apartments for rental.

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Creative breaks in South West France

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:35:59 +0000

If you are looking to learn a new creative skill in a beautiful environment then Les Soeurs Anglaises may be you. With stylish accommodation in South West France and delicious home cooked meals using local produce accompanied by hand picked wines, what could be more conducive to getting those creative juices flowing?

Katie Elliott Armitage (whose wine buff husband selects the wines!) is opening her home and newly converted barn for a series of three and five day textile, creative writing, and dance workshops led by internationally renowned artists/teachers. The 2010 programme includes a ‘Poetry in Motion’ five day workshop led by internationally respected poet Roger McGough, as well as screenwriting, crime, and creative writing courses – all led by masters of their genres. These workshops are in addition to the proven textile and dance workshops amongst which is included Rachel Hazell’s ‘Extraordinary Expandable Sketchbook Journal’ workshop in collaboration with the prestigious Selvedge Magazine.

Les Soeurs Anglaises’ maison de maître sits in magnificent, and mature gardens alongside a burbling stream. The glorious house boasts a heated pool set against the idyllic countryside of South West France in the Perigord Vert region of Aquitaine, situated half-way between the bustling towns of Angoulème and Perigueux, not far from the historic villages of Brantome and Aubeterre.

With intimate groups of between eight and 16 participants the LSA workshops make ideal affordable breaks for anyone interested in learning or improving their skills – not to mention, the perfect getaways for singles.

“I know I felt very privileged to have the pleasure of your wonderful home and garden whilst learning a new skill. I realise the seamless elegant delivery of meals and ambience is extremely hard work, How beautifully you manage it.’
Jacqui Mair – Southsea, UK.

More details at: http://www.lessoeursanglaises.com

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Blissful skiing in Megeve, France

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:27:15 +0000

The French village of Megeve offers a longstanding recipe for great ski holidays under the imposing Mont Blanc and just an hour away from Geneva airport making transfer times very tolerable, we all know about those “crack of dawn” starts to catch a ‘plane that is leaving around mid day! This pretty and chic village is paved with cobble stones and automobile circulation is banned, to the great pleasure of all that come to ski and shop in well known boutiques found in famous cities around the world.

Megeve boasts 445 km of marked trails, served by 81 integrated lifts, (and no t-bars) offering extensive terrain for skiers of all levels. Since opening in 1913, the resort has played its part in the development of the sport of skiing and regularly hosts World Cup races. Two snow parks and a half-pipe are available for snowboarding. In addition the resort has ice rinks, a swimming pool, acclaimed restaurants that are mentioned in top gastro guides. The resort is served by a modern, high-speed lift system that ensures a quick ride to the top. With an average of 200cm of snow falling every year, the trails are well covered. On the occasion when the snow cover is lacking, the resort has invested in more than 278 snow cannons to ensure that you can enjoy your skiing holiday. The skiing is wonderful and challenging on a huge domain called the “Espace Mt.Blanc” and the “Evasion” lift pass is valid in all of these areas. The domaine has a great majority of its runs cut in the trees which makes it the area to be in when there is a bad storm or “whiteout” conditions. In most ski areas above “treeline” one would have to stop skiing for safety in bad weather conditions but not in Megeve.

Because Megeve is in close proximity to Geneva, as well as Chambery, ski weekends and short breaks are extremely popular and this means that mid week breaks of 3, 4 or 5 days can be offered at greatly reduced prices, so why not look out for ski deals of this nature at your online ski holiday provider?

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Wine expert Joe Wadsack reviews Burgundy wines

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:57:04 +0000

Going abroad is when many people take the opportunity to try new gourmet food – sampling a gorgeous new drop of red or a new type of cured ham, so it’s no wonder if you haven’t taken a trip this year you may be feeling like you are missing out on the experience.

Whether you stayed at home or travelled to Europe and have the post holiday blues, worry not as some of the very best quality produce is available in the UK and readily at your fingertips.

In this video, wine expert Joe Wadsack gives you tips on making the most out of Port (and not just for Christmas), the wines of the Burgundy region in France and the Douro Valley in Portugal. He’ll also give advice to ensure you’re trying true top-quality European foods that have the PDO official stamp. Watch Joe’s video to find out how to have your own “Pinot Noir Epiphany” and the best way to serve and eat hors d’oeuvres like Parma ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

For more information visit: discovertheorigin.co.uk

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The French Climate

admin — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 12:03:11 +0000

While everyone knows that Paris is lovely in springtime, the truth is that Paris is lovely all the year long. While spring is pleasant due to the smaller crowds, blooming flowers, and temperate weather, so is autumn. The hottest months, July and August, are the least comfortable; winters are mostly chilly, but Paris is relatively dry and rarely sees snow. May receives the least rainfall.

Throughout the rest of France, climate and temperatures vary by region and altitude. In Lyon, for example, with an elevation of 200 metres, average July temperatures are 21 degrees. Bordeaux, at an elevation of 47 metres, averages 19 degrees in July. The coastal areas are the most moderate, due to the sea breezes. The rainiest area is in Brittany, which receives a lot of rain from October to December.

In the south, along the Mediterranean coast and encompassing the cities of Nice, Marseille, and Cannes, rain falls more in the spring and autumn than it does in the rest of the year. In the summer, it is generally hot and dry. Strong winds, each with their own characteristics, are particular to many areas. In Provence, the strong winds are known as Le Mistral, which blow in from the north and bring with them dry and often clear weather. The wind can be felt throughout the Rhone Valley and along the Cote d’Azur; it also affects parts of Italy. Other strong winds in the area include the Sirocco, which is a violent wind that comes from the Sahara and brings dusty, dry weather with it.

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La Havre

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:36:35 +0000

One of the amazing cruise destinations that the country of France offers is Le Havre; Le Havre is the country’s biggest port. This town was unfortunately reduced to ruins during the bombardments of the Second World War and much had to be rebuilt. Le Havre is one of the few destinations in the world that is known as a World Heritage Site; UNESCO conferred this label on it in 2005.

After the war, La Havre became a lacklustre place, far from the interesting town it is today. The destination changed for the better with the help of its residents who gave La Havre back its vibrant and exciting atmosphere.

La Havre is located near Seine Bay and it is around 200 kilometres or 125 miles from France’s capital, Paris. Many of the cruise ships that leave the shores of France do so from La Havre.

Fortunately, the Notre Dame Cathedral was partially spared the ravages of war. The building was eventually repaired and it is now one of the most popular sights in Le Havre.

Cruise travellers can also enjoy exploring La Havre’s art galleries and museums. There are also beaches in La Havre where cruise travellers can have some fun in the sun. Other tourist sites include the Malraux Art Museum, the Japanese Garden, and the Saint Joseph’s church.

If you are going on a cruise in France, you will most probably need a short stay Schengen visa if you reside outside the EU. With a Schengen visa, you can travel across member countries freely, including France. The Schengen visa will allow you stay in any member country for 90 days. These visas are issued for vacations, business travel, and for visiting family.

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Paris

admin — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:32:20 +0000

Paris, which is also known as the city of lights, attracts people from all over the world because of its romantic cityscape, rich culture, great shopping, and the warmth of its people.

The most notable tourist attractions in Paris are the Eiffel Tower; The Musee du Louvre, Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris, Avenue des Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, and the River Seine.

The Eiffel tower has been the symbol of Paris for many years and offers tourists the best view of the city. You can take an elevator to the top or you can climb the stairs if you are physically able. The best time to visit is an hour before the sunset to witness the so called ‘golden hour.’ The Louvre is the oldest and the largest museum in the world, and features art from almost all cultures throughout history. The famous Mona Lisa painting is kept in this museum. The Avenue Des Champs-Elysees is filled with luxury shops that make it a great shopping destination for tourists.

A european visa must first be secured if you are travelling from a country outside of the EU. There are two airports in Paris, Charles de Gaulle and Orly. You can travel through the city via the Metro, a bus, or a taxi. There are six railway stations that serve Paris and the Metro is one of the best public transportation systems in the world. There are also taxis cruising throughout the city, but it is best to get a taxi at a stand. Although there are a lot of transportation options in Paris, a lot of interesting streets are best explored on foot.

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Paris Bridal Fair – 27th to 29th June

admin — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:50:08 +0000

People planning weddings over the coming months could be tempted to seek out some inspiration from arguably the most romantic city in the world in the next few weeks, as Paris plays host to the International Bridal Fashion Show.

More than 100 different companies will be showing off their wares at the Porte de Versailles in the French capital between June 27th and 29th.

From dresses to cakes, accessories to flowers and cars to honeymoon ideas, weddings take a huge amount of planning and preparation.

As such, visitors may well be tempted to take some of the stress out of getting ready for their big day by picking up a few ideas as they enjoy some quality time enjoying the sights and sounds of France – perhaps staying in a luxurious hotel in Paris – while also taking some time to iron out the details of their wedding.

Last year’s edition of the showcase saw more than 2,500 people attend over the course of the three-day events and this year promises to be even better, with organisers taking extra steps to meet the needs of visitors.

The event is free to attend and Port de Versailles is easily accessible from the centre of Paris.

Visitors are advised to secure their hotel rooms as early as possible to avoid disappointment. LateRooms.com offers over 350 Paris hotels ranging from serviced apartments to luxury hotels.

In particular Hotel Opera Vivaldi is offering double rooms for two adults from £104 per night. This is a three star hotel and has an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 86%.

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Carre Rive Gauche 2009 – 4th to 7th June

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:14:29 +0000

The 2009 edition of Carre Rive Gauche is only a few weeks away, giving visitors just enough time to book hotels in Paris to make the very most of the antiques event.

Located between Saint-Germain-des-Pres and the Musee d’Orsay, the fair will include wares from around 120 antiques dealers, inviting those attending to enjoy a fascinating walk through a wide array of rare objects chosen by the experts.

“Only Paris can offer such an exceptional range of furniture dating from the Renaissance through to the 21st century, as well as pictures, sculptures, far eastern and African art, curios, porcelain and earthenware,” the organisers explain.

The event is due to take place between June 4th and 7th and allows guests to splash out on a range of different items. Previous editions of the showcase have seen exhibitors show off busts, calligraphy, wood carvings, suits of armour and jewellery.

Carre Rive Gauche is located in the very heart of the French capital’s 7th arrondissement, an area steeped in history and culture.

Indeed, those keen to seek out the cultural attractions the city has to offer could head to the Eiffel Tower, the iconic cathedral of Notre-Dame, Monmatre’s Sacre-Coeur or the art galleries of Saint-Germain des Pres.

Visitors are advised to secure their hotel rooms as early as possible to avoid disappointment. LateRoooms.com offers over 350 Paris hotels ranging from bed & breakfasts to luxury hotels. Early bookers can save up to 70%.

Emeraude Medeleine Plaza is offering delightful double rooms for two adults from £143 and is located close to the Opera and right on the Palace de la Medeleine. The hotel has an excellent customer rating of 91%.

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