Do you like flowers and their smell? Then your next vacation should be in France, my favorite country:) Flowers are part of life everywhere, in cities, you probably won’t find houses that are not decorated with rose bushes and clematis that make a hedge.
And between the cities, endless blooming fields stretch, which not only delight the eye, but also generate income, since flowers are used in the production of essential oils.
Impressionist painting of orchid, the delicate and exotic at the same time.
An integral part of the French cultural heritage, these gardens are open to the public throughout the country. All year round, they are ready to share their secrets, especially during moments of exceptional events.
If you like castles in France, you will find lots of gardens and parks. One of my favorite is Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a small private palace of the 17th century, located not far from Paris. Popular for its sophisticated architecture and large surrounding park.
The gardens and parks were in perfect harmony with the architectural complexes from which they were laid out. Spacious alleys were lined with flowering flower beds
…and of course irises. Did you know that the depiction of a lily on heraldry in pre-revolutionary France is actually a stylised image of a yellow iris?
For France, irises are not only beautiful flowers that are a symbol, they are also an industry. France is famous throughout the world for its perfumes and eau de parfum, and it is in them that iris essential oil is actively used to create aromatic compositions.
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:) Stay healthy.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
Links
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Toronto is DeSerred, address is 130 Spadina ave, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tools used for my painting. Watercolour brands Van Gogh and Cotman. Paper Canson Mix Media album 28×35 cm (11×14 in.) and Canson Watercolour album 25×35 cm (11 x15 in.)
Paris is always the city in flowers. This city breathes in the scents of billions of flowers. Every day it explodes with a firework of floral colors. Winter, or summer, the season does not matter for flowers in Paris. The Luxembourg Gardens is the most “French” of all city parks, because only here you can see the true purpose of the green towns in Paris, how Parisians spend their free time… If you would like to become one of them, you might try their …Vivre la vie:) Going to one of the city parks, maybe sitting comfortably on a chair near the fountain, breathing in the aroma of roses and enjoying the freshness of greenery, hiding from such a distant and at the same time immeasurably close city center from one side.
Bright flower borders with soft ribbons frame the green lawns, and flowerbeds amaze with volumes and colors. Petunias, daisies, rudbeckia, sage, cereals, dahlias, chrys…it is the long list of flowers. Their consistent and continuous flowering pleases grateful spectators throughout the entire spring, summer and autumn seasons. Luxembourg gardens in Paris is my favorite one, flower beds are especially good at any season. It’s impossible to stop looking at them! I am enjoying to visit again and again:) you might see my previous post about Luxembourg gardens, link is below
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
Tools used for my painting. Watercolour brands Van Gogh and Cotman. Paper Canson Mix Media album 28×35 cm (11×14 in.) and Canson Watercolour album 25×35 cm (11 x15 in.)
My favorite art store in Toronto is DeSerres, address is 130 Spadina ave, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Paris is simply an amazing place for artists and photographs, especially in spring, summer and early autumn, when all the splendor of countless flower beds and shrubs is wrapped in luxurious blossoms of amazing flowers.
The way Parisians buy them in many stores and Sunday markets, sell and grow at home is worth of imitation:)
I bought viola tricolor, one of my favorite flowers, and did the paintings in this post in our Parisian hotel’s room. Did you know that in Roman mythology, the ancient gods turned men into violas, who secretly spied on the bathing goddess of love – Venus?:)
Parisians often spend leisure time, sitting down on benches with a bottle of water, a baguette, a book or just a cigarette to take a little breath, relax after a working day or bask in the sun, going to market and flower stories and bringing these little beauties in their rooms to continue receive a feeling of being in touch with the wonderful:)
My favourite art store in Toronto is DeSerred, address is 130 Spadina ave, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tools used for my painting. Watercolour brands Van Gogh and Cotman. Paper Canson Mix Media album 28×35 cm (11×14 in.) and Canson Watercolour album 25×35 cm (11 x15 in.)
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
Paris. In the city of love, all you need to do is go outside and look around – beauty and history surround you within architecture, monuments, street names, memorial plaques, restaurant signs … There is something unique to find at every street corner.
Do you think sometimes about a city as a flower or as color? I am continuing my series with flowers, even summer is over. This post is about a yellow thistle, bright and sunny flower with strong character that might survive in any location and condition. Why Paris represents this flower for me? Any artist might answer – just look at my paintings, they will explain everything:)
Thistle. Wildflower with colors of eggplant and gold petals. I would describe it as Parisian Luxembourg Gardens.
Thistle. Wildflower,sunny petals of colors pumpkin, orange and beetroot. Yammy, right? As traditional French cuisine itself, tender, homemade and is filled with flavor.
Thistle. Wildflower with petals of colors canary- yellow, spicy and burgundy. Reminds me about the Opera Garnier, one of the most elegant building in Paris:)
Thistle. Wildflower with petals of colors amber and purple. flower buds as big and small museums in the city center, Musée d’Orsay, Louvre, Musée de l’Orangerie, Musée Marmottan Monet.Musée Jacquemart-André,Musee de Cluny…
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission
Links
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
I did some kind of surrealistic and impressionist ink drawing for prompt CONNECTion in between past, current and future worlds. The painting shows an imaginary door with floral plume of daisy petals that leads into another world, a parallel reality of times past. A curious mind will always find a path, a door, a way to explore others worlds.
How was it to live in previous centuries? And what will our future look like? And where is that DOOR that lets us peek into the other realities? These are among many questions one could ask in a question of finding interesting answers.
“The most beautiful things we can experience is the mysterious” Albert Einstein.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Toronto Deserres, Spadina Ave
I am doing an ink drawing of one of fascinating sculptute in Paris. It is completed after the book “The man who passed through walls”/”Le passer muraille” by Marcel Aymé. It tells of the adventures of a “little” person in a ministry who realized that he can walk through walls:). He became a powerful man, what happened next? One day, the man was stuck in the wall… The sculpture’s figure coming out from a high wall, looks very intriguing… I recommend to read this book and visit the Place Marcel-Aymé in Monmartre’s Paris when you travel to Paris next time:)
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Toronto Deserres, Spadina Ave
For prompt Watch I was doing ink drawing of the interior clock of the D’Orsay museum in Paris. The clock is in between the museum building and sky, it looks out over the river Seine and garden Jardin des Tuileries. Looking through the clock, you can enjoy the magificient capital of France.
At first the Musée d’Orsay was a train station, the Gare d’Orsay built for the Universal Exposition of 1900. The clock is actually a reminder from the train station that overlooked the platforms of the rail station a century ago.
I love the D’Orsay clock because they’re so large, they also function as a window. How many important and romantic meetings have taken place under this clock, who knows?:)
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Toronto Deserres, Spadina Ave
For prompt Raven I was doing ink drawing of a raven sitting on a street lamp next to the Louvre museum in Paris.
It was an old and wise raven who was looking down on all the tourists queuing up at the museum. Perhaps this bird remembers events that happened in France 300 years ago, who knows?:)
And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Spirit.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Toronto Deserres, Spadina Ave
Suit is very important part of appearance of any person, it is showing the epoch when a person lived, their gender, society status, etc.
Well, my favorite 19 century and the city of Paris as a place will be my story’s drawing.
I need a time machine to go there and to do my drawing from their real life’s elegent suits, frock coats and cylinders for men and wearing long flowing dresses with high collars and puffed sleeves, skirts with layer upon layer of lace for women.
…It was an iconic era for France and fashion . Yes, France is famous for is fashion forever:)
For this drawing I chose using ink and Fabel Castell markers to add some vintage atmosphere.
And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Vessel.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Toronto Deserres, Spadina Ave
I hope to have a chance to enjoy a truly cozy Norman village again sometime in the near future. It is especially beautiful in the evening while taking a leisurely stroll along the main street, admiring the old farms, going to a small restaurant, having a glass of crisp apple cider with a slice of camembert.
I recently found that the word daisy is the french word marguerite , and in the Greek means “pearl.” The word “daisy” comes from Old English daeges eage, meaning “day’s eye.” Our word, “day,” comes from the word “dawn.” The term “day’s eye” refers to the way the flower opens its petals in the morning and closes …
Early summer morning, just before the sun lights it up, the moist grass appears almost black in the shadow.Watercolour painting of marguiritues, its called shasta daisy.
In my opinion, the ‘he loves me, he loves me not’ is wrong. it should go: “he loves me, he loves me dearly, he loves me tenderly, he loves me passionately, he loves me…” This way, your mood is guaranteed to be good, and the daisy is pleased that it was not in vain that she sacrificed her beauty to resolve your heart’s doubts. “Guess the right way, love and be loved”. And believe the daisy, because it will always confirm that … your person loves you!:)
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
Giverny. address 84 rue Claude Monet 27620 Giverny
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:) Stay healthy.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
Links
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
Shopping in open markets (marché) is one of the most popular and fun ways to find the freshest food in a city. Paris and its suburbs has lots of food markets. One of my favorite is on Rue Cler , just next to the Eiffel Tower block.
Pomegranate is deservedly called the king of fruits – and not only because of its unique composition and healing properties. There is a legend that the “design” of the royal crown was copied precisely from a garnet with its crown of sharp cloves. Interesting idea… who knows?
Another legend about pomegranate is the Abduction of Persephone by Hades. This is one of my favourite ancient Greek myth where a pomegranate plays a central role.
The goddess Demeter had only one daughter, her beloved Persephone. The god of the afterlife Hades fell in love with Persephone. On black horses in a golden chariot, the lord of the kingdom of shadows Hades appeared from under the ground, who grabbed the young, unsuspecting Persephone, and in the blink of an eye disappeared with her on his horses into the bowels of the earth. Horrified, Persephone only managed to cry out … However, apart from Helios, the god of the Sun, no one witnessed the kidnapping. Demeter was yearning for her daughter to return so much, and from het great sadness, the earth ceased to bear fruit. Then the great Zeus sent to his gloomy brother Hades the quick Hermes.
Hades agreed to let Persephone go to her mother, but previously gave her some pomegranate seeds to swallow – a symbol of marriage. Smart and prudent decision… pomegranate seeds played the important role in the story.
Persephone ascended the husband’s golden chariot with Hermes, and in the blink of an eye they reached Eleusis. With great joy, Demeter rushed to meet her daughter, wrapping her in her arms, and returned to Olympus with her. Then the great Zeus decided that two-thirds of the year Persephone would live with his mother, and one-third in the kingdom of her husband Hades.
The mystical role of the pomegranate affected the Goddess’ decision to travel between her husband’s world and the parents’ one:).
Anyway, I just love pomegranates, these huge, sun-like fruits with delicate, large, crimson grains and juicy flavours.
Bon appetite..
and Bon voyage! Until the next travel. Stay healthy.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Toronto is DeSerred, address is 130 Spadina ave, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tools used for my painting. Watercolour brands Van Gogh and Cotman. Paper Canson Mix Media album 28×35 cm (11×14 in.) and Canson Watercolour album 25×35 cm (11 x15 in.)
In the centre of Paris there is Luxembourg garden that contains over a hundred statues, monuments, and fountains, it is one of the largest green spaces in the center of Paris. In addition, you might read about Luxembourg gardens in the memoir “A Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway.
It was originally owned by the duke of Luxembourg, then purchased by Marie Medici, the wife of King Henry IV. The Queen requested that the garden should be in Italian style. The Jardin du Luxembourg features several noteworthy fountains. Fontaine Medici is the most famous romantic Baroque fountain.
Fontaine Médicis. It is located at the end of a small pond at the north east side of the park. A central sculpture group shows the Greek mythological figure of Polyphemus who observes the lovers Acis and Galatea. It is flanked by allegorical figures depicting the rivers Seine and Rhône.
The central niche is occupied by a marble group depicting Acis and Galathea lying under a rock at the top of which appears the colossal bronze figure of Polyphemus preparing to throw at his rival the stone that is to give him death. Galatea, in Greek mythology, a nereid who was loved by the Cyclops. Galatea, however, loved the youth Acis. When Cyclops discovered Acis and Galatea together, he crushed Acis to death with a boulder.
Above is a composition of three sketches. Left side is two men in office suites are spending their lunchtime, behind them the statue of Sainte Geneviève, she is the patron saint of Paris in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox. Right side is a man jogging in the park, behind statues from Greek mythology. In the middle a tourist is enjoying statue of Marie Stuart, the French Queen. Surrounding the central green space are twenty figures of French queens and famous women standing on pedestals.
Relaxing in the park during lunchtime, people are reading books, handing together, listening to the music, lots of students. This is also one of the parks where you can simply get hold of one of the many chairs and take it to the exact spot where you want to sit next to elegant statues around the park.
The park is popular with chess players and petanque players. I did some sketches on location.
In the middle of the park is a large octagonal pond Grand Bassin. Jardin du Luxembourg boasts many attractions such as pony rides, a large playground. Around the pond are nice lawns, paths, and some of Paris’s most beautiful flower beds. There’s also a tennis court, a music pavilion and an orangery in the park.
Next, just 15 min walking from Luxembourg garden might visit very famous restaurant La Coupole. It was one of my teen’s dreams to visit this famous place. Certain scenes were carried out at the legendary restaurant La Coupole with Sophie Marceau and Denise Grey, actress who played her grand-grand-mother. The Art Deco style, the massive counter and the chic brasserie spirit of the places is still in place.
La Coupole brasserie, it is one of the famous one and exist from 1927. On wall, you might see photos of their famous visitors Édith Piaf, Leger, Zadkine and others celebrities
I recommend trying some house specialities. And yes, I asked staff where is the table in the movie “La Boum” actresses were sitting; it was just next to our table 🙂
The painting was done during one of cozy pleasant summer evening in Paris’ bridge Alexander III with its chic street lumps. The gold, relaxing colours of evening’s sunset sky invited me to add some imaginary air balloons for my art.
Well, why I invite you to one of my favourite places in Paris? There are 5 reasons to visit the Luxembourg gardens: enjoying over a hundred sculptures in a free open air museum, read a book on a chair in any space you might choose to put it, jogging in the centre of Paris, enjoy French cuisine in any nearby cafe or have a snack with your colleagues or friends during your lunchtime and do urban sketching of local architecture and other many things…
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:)
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You might visit my personal website pages and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Pastel GrayPas Expressionist, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
Luxemburg Gardens. Address Rue de Medicis | Rue de Vaugirard Paris
La Coupole brasserie. address 102, boulevard fr Montparnasse, Paris
My family loves Paris, it was our tenth vacation in Paris for last decade, and my suggested itinerary is for advanced travelers and art lovers. In my post I will share information about 5 museums: Maillol, Orangerie, Modern Art and Palais de Tokyo and D’Orsay museums. All five museums are in the centre of Paris, from one to another will take approximately half of hour of walking or using public transportation.
Later, I will go back to previous trips with other museums in Paris, there are plenty of options with everybody’s interests.
The first museum in the itinerary is the Maillol museum, with permanent and temporary expositions.
Small house-museum of sculptor Maillol; he met the famous sculptor Rodin when he was already 40 years old. Rodin recognized the talent of the man and provided some support to Maillol. Address of the museum is 61, rue de Grenelle, it is just a couple of blocks from d’Orsay museum.
Three beauties that actually represent the same woman, the model was the artist’s muse Dina Vierny. She was depicted in different poses, running, standing, sitting and relaxing. Especially interesting is a small hall on the second floor. You should stand in the middle of the room and you get into a round dance of feminine sculptures made from black granite.
Museum’s one of relaxing sitting statue… Grace itself lives here!
In the museums you might see people copying paintings. It is artists who learn to work in the manner of great masters. This is my view of this piece of art.
A small cafe of Museum Maillol with some green cozy armchairs; I did the sketch while we had lunch. This time we started our visit to museum from attending the museum’s cafe. There are couple funny sayings such as “Theatre starting from a hanger” and “hungry belly is deaf for learning”:) I do recommend this cafe’s local food meals, salads and quiches, quietly enjoying not just the process of eating but also looking at the celebrities’ photos on its walls. The site of cafe will be provided at the end of this post.
Visitors in museum, mostly Parisians, not tourists, at least I think so…This hot July’s evening, on Friday, after long work week, these people went to the small museum, standing in quite long line to enjoy ART!
Some tips for artist. Try to do quick sketches on location, people and exponents are showing how close interests are matching and represent the museum itself, plenty of ideas… museum sketching is like taking a photo, only instead of a phone or camera might be a notebook and pencils or markers, and your own interpretation.
The museum’s temporary collection of Emil Buhre in 2019 represented non-typical paintings by famous artists such as Cezanne and Van Gogh. Some temporary exhibitions might surprise even sophisticated art lovers.
Next is Musée de l’Orangerie. The museum is famous with two Claude Monet Water Lilies galleries.
On the ground floor there is a permanent collection of Impressionist artists. One of my favourite artists is Marie Laurencin who painted Coco Chanel in a relaxed pose in blue and black with one shoulder bare, the flowing lines, delicately changing colours and Chanel’s dreamy expression are distinctive of Laurencin’s style. The legend says that Coco Chanel, already rich and famous, turned the painting down, saying it did not look like her. The museum bought the painting. I bought a silk scarf with this panting, but the version without the famous figure on it:)
I made a few sketches of visitors. One interesting couple of an elegant lady explained about the piece of art to her granddaughter about famous painting, and a tourist from Japan who is standing very close to painting and trying to understand how Monet was using the indefinite strokes of a brush, on the painting it makes such an organic picture from some distance.
Next museums are Museum Modern Art and Museum Palais de Tokyo.
Well, it is a special museum for people who like modern art. One of this museum’s painting I really liked was a picture of some human hands. They were painted from darkness and reflecting its true mood, temper and feeling. At this moment of this person’s character. I love Stefan Zweig novella “24 Hours of a Woman’s Life” that tells about one memorable day in the woman’s life. On this day she was watching only hands of the players in the casino. People might make a blank face, “mask” behind, however their hands will show people real emotions … if you are watching the hands, you might find some discoveries.
The Museum of Art’s only temporary exhibitions and their visitors are extravagant, similar to the paintings in this museum.
Museum Modern Art and Museum Palais de Tokyo are next to each other. They both have a stunning view to the Eiffel towel. Also, I might recommend having some rest in the museum’s very comfortable chairs, it’s one of the benefits of the museum after long day:)
And the last museum in this post is my favourite museum, D’Orsay. Every vacation we are visiting this museum. This year it was the exhibition of Berthe Morrisot.
Building of Museum D’Orsay is ex-train station, it looks like a boat from another side of the Seine river.
Temporary exhibition in summer 2019 had paintings of Berthe Morisot, one of seven main first impressionists. It was a vast selection of paintings; some were from art museums, some were from private collections. Berthe Morisot was born in rich family and produced art works the way she felt and enjoyed the process itself. One of Mme Morisot’s discoveries was painting of ladies’ private from high society, showing for example a morning of a lady with very delicate colours of paint. Some art works show ladies and children with a view from balconies; a space is neither at home nor outside.
Famous clock in the museum’s building, elegant and beautiful, it gives grace and style and matching with impressionism art in D’Orsay museum.
The sketch was done in D’Orsay museum’s restaurant. This museum has three options if you are hungry. The restaurant on the 2nd floor is the most elegant one. When you are sitting in museum’s restaurant and around you classic paintings and statues…you are enjoying life NOW:)
After long days, it is so nice to return to the original Parisian hotel de Varenne. Sometimes you might open for yourself an interesting art in relaxing atmosphere of a local garden, just in between two buildings in the centre of Paris.
Hotel garden’s sculptures of some little Cupidons:)
Sometimes we cannot explain what exactly is happening to us, but the soul seems to sing, and in the stomach “butterflies fly”. This feeling is usually called falling in love, or they say: Cupid’s arrows hit me, maybe this magic place might help you:)
Sketch of hunting dogs’ emblem on walls and cozy street lamps are in the hotel’s garden.
Lion statue in Paris. It seems like the Lion is floating above the city of Paris, sees everything and enjoys city’s sunrises and sunsets along with its residents and visitors.
And at the end of the post about my favourite city, Paris, I would like to confirm that life is what you make it!
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:)
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You might visit my personal website pages and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Paris Un Jour Un Artisan. address 31, La Motte Picquet Grenelle, Paris http://www.unjourunartisan.fr/
Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Pastel GrayPas Expressionist, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
Every year, French Nation celebrates the most important day for the country French National Day or Bastille Day.
July 14 in 2019 was year of 230 anniversary of Bastille and 130 years of Eiffel Tower. It was one of my life’s highlights and here are some tips how to celebrate the Bastille Day in Paris.
The most attractive bridge in Paris, Alexander III, that connects Artillery Academy and Concord square. It is eliminating during a day and night with their gold statues, gorgeous street lamps, relaxing and busy locals and visitors from all countries.
July 14, some sketches were done on location with fireworks, parade and street lamps on the streets of Paris.
I suggest watching Paris’ morning military parade down the Avenue des Champs Élysées, there are representatives of different military units. Interesting view when aircraft planes are painting the sky in a 3-color rainbow- red, blue and white.
Then, relaxing walking around city, it is nice holiday atmosphere. I made few sketches on location.
How about wedding in Paris? I did the painting of a bride on one of the Parisian bridge when a designer, groom and photographer were around this young lady in her white dress in one of important day in the life:)
In the centre, next to Grand Palais people are playing football or sitting and enjoying lunch on the grass waiting for the fireworks. I noticed there were no one unpleasant incident during a day even the city is full of people:)
There is young couple on scooters exploring the city, mother and a girl are playing games next to Paris Military academy, very relaxing feeling on this day.
Sketch done in our favourite restaurant Bouillon Chartier
The restaurant Bouillon Chartier,with its magnificent stucco molding on the walls, the majestic atmosphere where the waiters write the bill directly on the tablecloth according their customs since the opening in 1896, and the most important – its food, ingenious, homemade, varied, not very expensive, and there is always something to surprise and welcome their clients. There is even a song about this restaurant. The restaurant is mentioned in Albert Willemetz’s 1939 song “Félicie aussi”, sung by Fernandel. In Les beaux quartiers, Louis Aragon mentioned Le bouillonChartier: the young medical student character Edmond Barbentane has lunch there regularly…
And of course the highlight of this day- firework in the evening! We chose a place to watch firework on the bridge. We were standing in Parisian Babylon, admiring the view of Eiffel Tower, firework itself and the reflection of the city and the next bridge, Alexander III. People were shouting joyful exclamations, they were from different parts of the world, enjoying of this show there were people from the UK, China, Portugal, Russia, Japan, and us, from Canada:)
Well, there are 5 reasons to be in Paris in National French Day. Morning parade, relaxing or play football with your friends in the centre of Paris or rent a scooter and enjoy Paris with some speed, view Eiffel Tower with some snack, baguette is must-be, night fireworks and of course, urban sketching of happy life and architecture of old and young city Paris.
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:)
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You might visit my personal website pages and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
Tools used for my painting. Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Pastel GrayPas Expressionist, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
There are many options to do one-day trips from Paris. This time we chose a day trip to Fontainebleau & Vaux le Vicomte chateaus. The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is accessible by public transport but it will take a couple hours with subway plus train plus a local bus unless you drive by car.
Map to Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau châteaux
Map to two chateaus. Our one day trip’s itinerary is from Paris to Chateau de Veux le Vicomte and Fountenableau, back to Paris. We took a bus from Paris City Vision. Departure is from Paris’ centre, highly recommend this trip, just book it in advance:) In the middle of sketch is our couple, my husband and I, who loves travelling, art and architecture.
A view to stunning Vaux le Vicomte château that later inspired the famous Versailles. I imagined that beautiful ladies with little coloured umbrellas from 17th century are walking at the park.
The legend says that Nicolas Fouquet invited King Louis XIV and the whole court to the inauguration of the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. The owners organized a grand and luxurious party and a dinner, gold-plated gondolas glided through the channels, and gold salad bowls decorated its tables. The monarch, blinded by the brilliance of the stolen gold, refused to stay away for the night and went to Fontainebleau. The unlucky aristocrat who dared to cast a shadow on the Sun King was arrested by the musketeers on charges of fraud of the state treasury. Sentenced to life imprisonment and deprived of connection with the outside world.
Ladies who guard the family and peace. What is the most fascinating in the history of the chateau are their legendary ladies of Vaux les Vicomte chateaux. Just some of amazing legends. The first, Marie-Madeleinede Castille, the spouse of Vaux les Vicomte, continued supporting her husband, when he received instead of three months of initial detention, later it was changed to life one. Mme Fouquet fought for her husband for many years, and recovered their family property 10 years later. Another intelligent lady was Guyonne de Durfort who during the revolution, didn’t let the castle be plundered and kept the whole situation in her hands, having given the castle to the “disposal” of the revolutionary committee and …voila …the whole furniture is still in place. One more heroic lady Permisine Cas de Dorier set up a military hospital in the chateau during World War.
The history says that the castle was built by three masters. Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s Superintendant, brought together an architect, Louis Le Vau, a painter, Charles Le Brun, and a landscape gardener, André Le Notre, to execute jointly the entire project. The result of this fraternal union was a work of supreme gorgeousness.
By the way, a cafe in the chateau will appeal to any lover of French cuisine
Crews and fun were present at only during the first ball. You might feel ghosts everywhere…
Why do not buy a magnet and little spoons with little squirrels on top. Yes, squirrel is emblem of the family and chateau.
On summer evenings, costume candles are held here by candlelight, we will definitely return…
Next castle was Fontainebleau chateau, Stendhal called it the “architectural encyclopaedia” and Napoleon called the “House of Ages”.
Four French monarchs were born in the Fontainebleau palace, and for many rulers it was the main residence. At present, the palace has become part of UNESCO World Heritage, and its chambers, galleries, parks and gardens are simply amazing.
I’ve learned about the Fontainebleau’s garden from BBC “The Impressionists” where young Monet, Renoir and Bazille were painting Fontainebleau forest.
In the middle of the magnificent French-style formal gardens there is the Egyptian Sphinx statue of Chateau de Fontainebleau, Paris, France. Why did it appear here, in the majestic royal and imperial château in the heart of the forest of Fontainebleau.
The chateau was the first to be conceived as a residential complex and not a bastion. Kings were born here; Napoleon signed the abdication in this room, on this chair the great commander was sitting. According to the legend Napoleon said to his subordinates “Did you want to relax? You will get your rest”.
In the chambers of Napoleon, you can immerse yourself in the time of the great emperor, who was famous for his desire to go down in history.
Gallery of Diana. The Fontainebleau’s library bathed in the sun, thanks to Italian masters, the French Renaissance was born. In the middle of the library there is a vast globe. The library contains the originals of books dating back to the 13th century.
Well next time we might visit another chateau, maybe Versailles?:)
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:)
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
Links
You might visit my personal website pages and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Pastel GrayPas Expressionist, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
PARISCityVISION agency. address: 2 Rue des Pyramides, 75001 Paris. Trip to Fontainebleau & Vaux le Vicomte
Chateau de Vaux-Le-Vicomte. address 77950 Maincy, France
Chateau de Fontainebleau. address Pl. du General-de-Gaulle, 77300, Fontainebleau, France.
I will tell about the beauty of Provence based on our experience and long relationship of 10 years that we hope will continue for many years… We felt in love the Mediterranean coast of France and their towns at once and always come back here again and again.
Toronto- Paris- Antibes itinerary, 2019. Our voyage’s feeling always started from an airport door.
People are free from problems, little life concerns, they are in between countries, continents, air is full of vibrant mixture of cultures, customs, nationalities. (my favourite scene with Kevin Kline and Meg Ryan in movie “French kiss” the take off scene Everything is behind you…)
Freedom of speaking with temporary neighbours is everywhere on a road, at any airport especially during international flights is driving my happiness as the travelling artist.
This flight was with Air France. Especially I enjoy their safety movie with five young beauties that reminds me French movie Eight Women with Catherine Deneve, Fanny Ardant, Emmanuelle Bėart….classic chic madams and mademoiselles and their flared dresses and coloured shoes, beautiful and stylish, back in time.
The safety video shows in funny way usually regular boring but must-be learning process. Why not be entertaining and have safety training explanation at once? 🙂
You might enjoy watching this video “Consignes de sécurité Air France – Bienvenue à bord” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Fi4RS7aARSo
a view from airplane above Mediterranean Sea and colourful land near Nice airport
In Provence, south of France there are lots intercity buses, both speedy and local, between Nice airport and Cote d’Azur towns.
We took bus #250 that goes every 30 min from Nice airport to Antibes and then continues to Cannes, I highly recommend taking the express bus. It will save your time and energy especially on the first day of your vacation after flight.(information about the bus on the bottom of post)
I started to do my sketches right away 🙂 My watercolour painting is done with Provençal magic watercolour box Charvin. In the Nice’s store I hesitated to buy ALL of them. Finally, 12 clear sea and old Provençal roofs’ building colour paints were chosen, and the owner unexpectedly gave me one additional for luck:) Thank you, I will come back soon.
I will tell you about this wonderful place with some notes as traveller and my artist’s paintings and drawings of the Antibes, one of the Mediterranean French coast’s city with its legends, friendly people, museums, yummy food, sunny beaches, warm sea and the main important personally for me with artists’ paths.
Let’s start with one of the Antibes’ legends is about Napoleon’s family. Locals are saying that Napoleon’s mother and his sisters lived in Antibes. It is not confirmed in fact but the locals even added some explanation on a house’s sign, below is the photo from this place.
Antibes beaches with its mild colours, tender rose, blue and violet painting. I was painting this view of local houses and beach with hill surroundings. The long path leads to next town Juan les Pins, our favourite two long sandy beaches, Ponteil and Salis.
I was painting sea’s stones on Antibes’ beach. This type of sketches is relaxing time spending…
One day visited this small museum archaeological museum even without translation into English, I learned about the ancient history of this place. It was the former settlement of the Greeks, then the Romans, the Etruscans and then Galls. There are lots of underwater amphorae and wrecks off Antibes with once fine wine were raised from the bottom of the sea.
Another legend is the Etruscan learned to make wine residents of Provence’s French Galas. Interesting, isn’t it?:)
I drew one of their works of pottery’s art Etruscan vase.
10 years ago I felt for the Etruscan culture that had gone into oblivion and read some books about Etruscan culture by Jean-Paul Thuillier, Nemirovsky and Jean-Noel Robert. It opened my eyes to many things and historical events. After this we visited special Etruscan museum, villa Medici in Rome, also our local Toronto’s museum ROM has the Etruscan section has also some good exponents.
Etruscan faces on painting what remained of the exhibits expressed the display of the personality, individuality of a person’s traits. After the influence of Greek culture it started to be prettier but faceless personal features.
Another fascinated story of Antibes is about connection between the city of Antibes and Impressionism, the new art movement in 19th century. It started from Monet, my favourite artist and the creator of impressionism style. I have read book Monet and the Mediterranean book written by Joachim Pissarro several years ago that actually opened for me the city of Antibes.
Monet stayed in Antibes for 5 months in 1988 and painted lots of paintings from this place, “Antibes seen from La Salis”, “Morning at Antibes”, Gardener’s House at Antibes”,”Antibes seen from Plateau Notre-Dame, “The Gulf of Antibes”,”View of the Bay and Maritime Alps at Antibes” and others. Monet wrote to his wife Alice “What I will bring back from here will be pure, gentle sweetness.”
Winding paths, a view of the ancient city, the silver-violet color of the mountains that are visible in the distance, inviting for a romantic walk.
Old pines are handed close over the path, setting beyond the horizon highlights the sea and the city in distance.
There are some artists discovered this amazing city and landscape around it. Long path near Antibes is very popular among impressionists and post impressionists like Monet, Sisley, Cross, Signac. Their artworks made this town famous.
Everywhere on a long path you might see lots of reproductions of artists. They are standing exactly on the places where they created by different artists. This place inspired many artists and me, and might probably invite you to visit you for travelling and producing some art works.
Once came to France for our family summer vacation, my husband invented a new expression as “Gourmet Immigration”, such as a brilliant discover term. I hope we will implement it in the future.
Chocolate olives in chocolate, chic, isn’t it? Full impression that it is OLIVES. No, no, no, no, no, no! It is dark and milk chocolates in the form of black and green olives
Two ladies, maybe sisters or friends may offer any French chocolate treats. They seem like mistress of Antibes’ chocolate makers with mouth-watering chocolate or as legendary Mistress of the Copper Mountain that had everything who loves chocolate, only instead of minerals, their product made from chocolate.
Note. Mistress of the Copper Mountain is also known as the Malachite Maid, is a legendary creature from Slavic myths and a fairy tale character, the mountain spirit from the legends of the Ural miners and the Mistress of the Ural Mountains, she is depicted as a beautiful green-eyed young woman in a malachite gown.
I’m not really a fan of Picasso but his story of living in the Antibes is joyful. Picasso lived here after the Second World War when everybody’s feelings were happy because of the end of world war. Picasso drew local women Antibes, and one of his famous painting is Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (The Young Ladies of Avignon). Then suddenly he decided to learn something new, but again in his style. It was start of the new era of Picasso’s pottery.
My favourite Picasso’s expressions from this period are “I have spent my whole life knowing how to draw like a child” (J’ai mis toute ma vie à savoir dessiner comme un enfant) and “I do not seek, I find” (Je ne cherche pas, je trouve).
Picasso decided to learn how to make sculptures from scratch when the local pottery master visited Picasso’s exhibition. It turned out to be 7 years of relationship when the famous artist learned from very basic vases in his 70th at the local workshop that leaded to create the great and individual recognizable art works.
Picasso learned it for many years, and yes, it was free of charge training. However, from his side, the workshop might copy Picasso’s pottery art works originally made in this place for a certain number of times and sell this art works. They are saying that the agreement is still in force. Picasso began with simple vases, and then went on to do art in direction. Some sculptures you might see in the Antibes museum.
I’ve drawn and later finished with watercolours some of his vases. This is the advantage to being an artist, you might not allow doing photo but pencil sketch is fine for museum’s rules. Voilà!
Antibes’ locals love cats; there are some signs on the doors in the Old Town. I drew them on the location.
The market in the Antibes is particularly remarkable. Baguettes and croissants, handmade early in the morning, are sold at the market quickly. On the market you can buy real Antibes wine and Pâté de Foie Gras (goose liver) with coloured ripe vegetables and fruits Marche provencal . Address: 27 cours Massena, Antibes
Our favourite bakery was near our Royal Antibes hotel, great place that you might enjoy very close distance to Salis and private Royal beach with restaurant on it.
The bakery is just next to the beach, named La-brasserie-de-lillette. I would like to note that inside of the small store that sell croissants and other bakeries, customers are not allowed to be in their swimsuits even its a min away from the beach, please respect the “Queen” –French baguette.
Sunset in French Riviera, Antibes
You get up at 7 in the morning and you go to meet the dawn. Nowhere in the world there is no such beauty.
We visited more than 30 locations in Provence in last 10 years, and I am enjoying to paint on location, and Antibes is the city you might enjoy travel and paint with Joie de Vivre (a feeling of enjoyment of life)
Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Pastel GrayPas Expressionist, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
Below is information information for Nice express bus
For daily trips I recommend to buy the “Ticket Azur” that allow you to take two transport networks in succession, to complete a journey, including one change between one of the lines on the Departmental Council’s TAM network and a line on one of the following networks: Envibus (Antibes and surrounding area), Communauté de la Riviera Française (Menton and surrounding area), Sillages (Grasse and surrounding area), Bus Varmer (Carros and surrounding area), Ligne d’Azur (Nice and surrounding area), Bus Azur (Cannes and surrounding area)
Art and travel club 