It was one of those perfect late winter Sundays with sunny skies that held the promise of spring, mobilizing Parisians to get outdoors. Bundled up, the sun felt warm on my face, buffering the cold wind as I walked slowly up the very steep cobblestone hill, past the vineyard and Le Lapin Agile towards the Musée …
Museé Montmartre Celebrates Utrillo, Valadon and Utter Read More »
I love seeing all the different cows, goats, and sheep at the Salon de L’Agriculture and I thought that I would introduce you to some who are behind a few of the famous French cheeses. Since there is close to 1200 French cheeses, choosing which ones to present is a daunting and almost impossible task. …
Behind Every Famous French Cheese Is A Cow, Goat, Or Lamb Read More »
Wednesday looked about our best day to travel Iceland’s roads, given there wasn’t a snow blizzard nor gale force winds forecast, that kept us in Reykjavik Monday. Fresh snowfall the day before reflected like a mirror the sun that broke through as we started out with some trepidations and fear. In this land of fire …
I have been wanting to go to Iceland for a long time in hopes of seeing the Aurora Borealis and their beautiful geothermal lagoons and pools. Flying in on Valentine’s day, the blueness of the Atlantic against the vast stretches of snow made it look like images of the North Pole. The crisp frigid air …
Louis Pasteur would certainly be back in his laboratory in a flurry of urgency over the recent surges of dangerous viruses lurking around today. The father of bacteriology, microbiology, vaccinology and the germ theory of disease has more discoveries to his credit than any modern scientist. He totally revolutionised world wide medicine, veterinary science, the …
I love January in Paris because it is Galette des Rois time! For me, it is something to look forward to that almost makes me forget the inevitable bitter cold wind, grey skies and drizzle. Those luscious disk shaped mounds of buttery puff pastry so unimaginably crisp and flaky, filled with various pastry creams, are heaven …
Deborah de Robertis has done it again. Visitors at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris Saturday got more than they bargained for under Eduard Manet’s Olympia. The performance artist stretched out nude below the painting with a camera in hand in order to record people’s reaction. Security agents quickly closed the special exhibit of Splendour and …
Exhibitionism Is Not Art, Deborah de Robertis Nude Again Read More »
After an hour of waiting in line holding up my umbrella in a steady cold rain, my feet felt icy enough to prompt me to leave. The fact that this would be our last chance to see the rarely visited and intriguing Hotel de la Marine, seen below on a prettier day; for the next …
I generally only buy lobsters once a year, for the New Year’s holiday, and however much I love the taste, the ordeal of preparing them for the pot even once a year is enough. I am envious of those of you who probably don’t give such things a second thought. For a native Louisianian who …
Paris is totally breathtakingly beautiful year round, but at Christmas it is even more spectacular! The Champs Élysées along with the whole city of lights sparkles with as many bright colours as baubles on a Christmas tree. Christmas markets galore, smells of spicy vin chaud, hot chocolate and roasting chestnuts fill the brisk air. …
Wow! What a combination of diverse activities provoking opposite feelings this weekend! Sainte Barbe artillery show, and sumptuous Saveur Christmas gourmet salon, both to the glory of France! Who would have guessed that poor Saint Barbara is the patron saint of such tough guys as artillery men and firemen! The Fête Sainte Barbe is actually a …
Weekend of Artillery, Gourmet Treats And Mixed Feelings Read More »
I know this sounds rather wacky, because that was my first thought too! But, Paris is Paris and never fails to come up with unheard of events and activities to dazzle you in sometimes strange but enjoyable ways. Fortunately this seemingly weird festivity took place a week before the attacks, because I doubt that I, …