A 1680 -1780 Costume “Bal des Favorites”

Le Bal:

Held in the Hotel de France (l’ancien hôtel de Jean Baptiste Colbert, Marquis de Saint Pouange et de Villacerf) in their “Galerie des Glaces” reception room, the period costume ball began with each person/couple’s entrance into the ballroom being announced by an “aboyeur,” then walking under an archway of swords into the room.

The music playing was period music by Lully for the evening’s festivities, accompanied by a dance instructor giving verbal instructions on how to do the various period dances, including the farandole. We even did the line dance “Madison” (equivalent to the Electric Slide) to period music, but with more graceful foot movements, of course.  There were period dance demonstrations and a sword fight presentation to entertain the 100 or so attendees (age range was 20’s to 70’s).

It truly felt like a Cinderella moment, as I was transported back in time and history – via dress, manners, dance, and etiquette – I didn’t want the evening to ever end.  Starting at midnight, the music changed to modern (Prince, Marvin Gaye, Robin Thicke), and it was fun, but somewhat strange, to dance in costume to rock/techno beats – and of course, Cinderella had to eventually leave the ball.

The following day, about 28 of the attendees (all in costume) visited the Conciergerie, then walked by the Louvre pyramid on our way to have lunch. Walking through Paris in costume was also a wonderful experience, as passersby and drivers looked and commented. This time, I felt like a star being ‘chased’ by paparazzi, as 15-20 photo takers at a time clicked away when we posed as a group every 5 minutes. Everywhere we went, people had a big smile as we approached, some commenting and/or asking questions, and of course, also posing with us for photos.

(3 dance videos & 1 sword fight video)

(Costume photo gallery to follow in a separate post)

“Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!”

Oddly enough, I happened to be in Paris for the November 15, 2012 release of “Beaujolais Nouveau” & was again in Paris this year on the legally regulated release day/time: the third Thursday of November at midnight.  The event is a world-wide celebration of a red wine from Beaujolais, located in the Burgundy region of France. By law, the annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau is on the third Thursday of November at 12:01 AM.

Reportedly, in the 1950s the makers of the wine were keen to increase the sales of this young vintage – there wasn’t a huge demand due to ageing process of wines.

Beaujolais Nouveau wine isn’t really nouveau/new, since it’s been around since the 19^th century.  Targeting Paris to carry the first bottles released in cafés and restaurants, as a marketing tactic, made this event an annual success since then, with the largest importers being Japan, Germany and the U.S.

Which promotional poster do you prefer?

November 21, 2013:

Parlez-vous anglais?

Provence & Côte d’Azur: France falls to last place in Europe:

Europe as whole may be moving towards better English language proficiency, but France is on an entirely different trajectory, says Education First. The latest figures from the international education organisation have revealed a trend of steadily declining skills in English among the French, with countries such as China, Russia and neighbour Italy moving ahead of the population when it comes to the anglophone mother tongue.

Education First’s 2013 report blamed cultural and educational factors for France’s poor rating

Over the last 12 months, Education First has complied information on 60 countries worldwide. Interviewing some 750,000 adults and matching the data with statistics from the previous five years, the study highlights the evolution of English language proficiency through balancing up the impact of English among national workforces and economic outlook.

France has come a lowly 35th place, with neighbouring nations Belgium (13th), Germany (14th), Switzerland (16th), Spain (23rd) and Italy (32nd) surpassing the country in terms of English language abilities.

The French nation was given a ‘low proficiency’ marker and a 50.53 score, dropping 2.63 points on the figures from 2012. Education First says, “While the rest of Europe is already proficient in English or steadily working towards that goal, France is on an entirely different trajectory. France currently has the weakest English skills in Europe.”

The study, released on 5th November, has pointed the finger at a range cultural and education related factors, saying, “In France, English is still often seen as a threat to French.” Low exposure to English in the media and the school system were both blamed by the study and its respondents.

Elsewhere in the report, eastern European countries such as Poland, Hungary and Slovenia have witnessed a surge in English language proficiency over the last year, with all three making it into the top 10.

Turkey saw the biggest improvement, but remained in the lower echelons of territories included in the study (41th). An additional seven nations joined the ranking table in the 2013 report: Estonia (4th), Slovenia (10th), Latvia (15th), Ukraine (27th), Sri Lanka (30th), Jordan (50th), and Iraq (60th).

Source/Credit: Elsa Carpenter for The Riviera Times

NEW: ENGLISH LESSONS FOR THE FRENCH ON SNCF TRAINS

Skipping off to Paris

A relevant post, since I’m ‘skipping’ off to Paris, and will be ‘skipping’ through the city to savor it’s beauty and ambiance with child-like wonder.

I am planning to eat at Le Grand Colbert (they also have delicious, authentic chocolat chaud), to enjoy an apero at Le Meurice (original plan was Plaza Athenée, but it is closed for renovation), and bien sûr, to try this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau, after its official release tonight at one minute past midnight (the fourth jeudi (Thursday) in November).

So, here’s to being young at heart…….especially in the ‘City of Light!’ (city of lightS is commonly used, but is not correct)

Do you know why Paris is named the city of light?  Answer/guess in the comment section.

What’s your take on Monaco?

Most visitors to the French Riviera express a desire to see two places in particular: Cannes (due to the famous film festival) and Monaco (due to its reputation for fame & fortune). Interestingly enough, the majority of my friends, who have visited Monaco, were not impressed/disappointed, even referring to it as a “concrete jungle.”

Of course, Monte Carlo has many beautiful sites: the ports, casino square, the rock, and local parks. So, just wondering what’s your impression?

National Day of Monaco – 19 november

Photo credit: Michelle Locke, Associated Press – philly.com

Top Destinations For Romantic Getaways On The French Riviera

The following is a guest blog article about four of the many lovely places to visit on the French Riviera – BIENVENUE!

“Cote d’Azur, quite popularly known as the French Rivera in the English-speaking world is the beautiful coastline of southeast France that overlooks the Mediterranean. Whether you are searching the internet for a romantic weekend, a lifetime vacation or honeymoon you can find the most enticing experience in the French Riviera. We have listed below some of the best places that inspire romance in the French Riviera

Grasse

What could be more romantic than the perfume capital of the world? The rural hideaway is the best place to surprise your loved one with the best smelling gifts. The French perfumery took shape in this little town since the first settlers made it their home back in 1400. You could also find several perfume stores about, where you will be able to make a custom blend of perfume based on your preferences. Some of the hotels in these parts also have some of the world’s finest wines locked away in their century old cellars. If you ever visit Grasse, you should also travel to the old town of Cannes which is just 15 kilometers to the south of Grasse, where you will be able to relish in the finest pebble beaches the French Riviera has to offer. For adventures couples there are a couple of hillocks surrounded by serene forest nearby, where they can go on hiking and have the whole place to themselves.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

The Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is probably the best place to blend romance and luxury. The placidity and legendary hotels around the peninsula was the main reason it had been one of the most favored destinations of the European aristocracy. It is still a favorite holiday destination for a lot of millionaires around the globe. The picture-perfect peninsula will surely live up to your expectations of a romantic getaway. Take a stroll along the promenade Maurice Rouvier during the evenings past the pleasing villas towards the small fishing harbor. There are three popular beaches in the peninsula. Cro de Peï Pin, the biggest beach in the locality is also the most crowded. For couples who prefer privacy, there is the Paloma beach on the foot of a small cliff on the north. The beach is just 10 minutes walk from the fishing harbor. To the north of the main peninsula is the Passable beach past the Office de Tourisme which is also moderately crowded during the sunny days.

Old Town of Antibes

There is no best time of the year to visit the town of Antibes. It is one of the biggest pleasure ports in the French Riviera. The main attraction of Antibes is the majestically built Fort Carré. Walk along the ramparts of the old fort to get a stunning view of the ocean and the waves crashing against the rocks down below. There is also the Musée Picasso where you will be able to witness some of the best works of the veteran artist.

Nice

A nice city (pun intended) located in the heart of the French Riviera is Nice. The large and lively city might not be the best place to go if you need privacy, but there is a lot of exiting thing to do in the ancient city, which is very lively. The flea market which is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays located in the main square attracts a lot of tourists. It’s a true delight to your eyes with all the bright vibrant colors and your nose with enticing scent of flowers and fruits sold in the stalls. Some of the places one shouldn’t fail to visit around Nice are, Chapelle de la Miséricorde, the famous Castle Hill, and the ornate Opera.”

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Author Bio: Aiden Korr is a vivid traveler and loves to visit different places around the world. He specifically recommends Quintessentially Concierge.

Salon du Palais Gourmand (Culinary Expo)

Similar to the Salon des Vignerons, this annual exposition was equally impressive, with winemakers, artisans, and culinary specialists all enticing visitors to taste and sample their wares. Held over a five-day period at the l’Hippodrome/racetrack in Cagnes-sur-Mer, the event hosts regional productors from all over France.

Of course, my first stop was at one of the champagne stands, where I sampled their Brut Rosé – it was miam-miam!  Foie gras, super-size cheeses, meats and sausages of every kind, olives, nougat, macaroons, oysters, and cassoulet were on display in the pavillon – a feast for the eyes, as well as for the tastebuds – Bon Appétit!

Shades of Mediterranean Blue

How would you caption this photo of the French Riviera coastline?

Riviera earns its reputation as a global destination

Provence & Côte d’Azur: Tourism in the Riviera represents one per cent of all global tourism

It has been yet another excellent year for tourism on the Côte d’Azur with upwards of 11 million visitors to its shores. Putting a global spin on the figures is the fact that the region has claimed one per cent of all international tourism worldwide and almost 10 per cent of France’s total number of visitors.

Foreigners made up half of the vacationing population, with Italians (19 per cent), the British and Irish (18 per cent), Americans (eight per cent), Scandinavians (seven per cent) and Russians (six per cent) dominating hotels and holiday establishments.

Over half of all tourists travelled to the Riviera by car and 27 per cent arrived in its airports. This latter statistic has cemented the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport’s status as France’s second airline travel hub and Europe’s third business aviation point of call.

Proving that it has earned its place among favourite international destinations, almost three quarters of visitors had already stayed in the Riviera before and more than nine out of 10 said that they were “very satisfied” with their holiday in the south of France.

Spending by tourists topped the five billion euro mark in 2013. Over 60 per cent of all spending was done by foreigners – the equivalent of 90 euros per day – while business clients demonstrated their spending power with an average daily outgoing of 163 euros.

In 2013, tourism provided an estimated 75,000 jobs, of which just 17.5 per cent were seasonal positions. The industry is the region’s leading sector and represents 16 per cent of total employment.

Source/Credit: Elsa Carpenter for The Riviera Times Online

4 Things to Consider When Planning Your Trip to France

The following article is a guest post:

Have you been dreaming of climbing the Eiffel Tower and seeing the breath-taking view of Paris with your own eyes? Maybe you just want to soak up the culture and enjoy the delicious wine and cheese, while sunbathing in lavender fields in Provence. Whatever your reason for wanting to travel to France, there are a few things to consider to make sure you get the most out of your trip.

1. Buy your Euros before you arrive

If you can, avoid buying your Euros last minute at the Airport Bureau de Change as once you are there, you will be constrained to extortionate exchange rates with mark-ups of around 10% added to the ‘real rate’. Likewise, 0% Commission advertised in High Street Banks should largely be ignored, as they also tend to add high mark-ups, leaving with you less spending money. Buying your travel money in advance is the best way to get a cheap and fair deal. Currency comparison sites such as MyTravelMoney.co.uk allow you to compare live Euro rates and will even deliver your travel money to your door the next day.

2. Learn some basic French

As with any travel destination, it is polite and courteous to attempt at least a please and thank you in the local language. That’s ‘s’il vous plaît’ and ‘merci’ to you in French. With so many tourist attractions and famous landmarks to visit, you don’t want to spend half your time staring at a map trying to navigate your way round on your own. The French will be more than happy to help and give you directions so it generally helps to be able to differentiate left from right before you ask. Not only will you be able to get around quicker, but the French love and appreciate tourists that make an effort.

3. Plan an itinerary

With an abundance of tourist attractions, museums and galleries to see, there are sufficiently steep entry fees that come with it. If you have a general idea of places you would like to visit, then there are a couple of things you can do to save a few Euros here and there. Try visiting a gallery’s site or giving them a call to find out if they have a free entry night or any concessions. You will often find that there will be one day a week with reduced entry that often only the locals know about. That way, you can plan your trip, maximising your Euros along the way.

4. Consider how you’ll get around

With some of the most beautiful sights and quaint villages being in the middle of nowhere, the best option is to rent a car to allow you to explore the country to your heart’s content. However, France’s rail system is extremely advanced, linking over 50 cities and serving over 3,000 stations allowing you to get anywhere within just a few hours. Single tickets can work out to be quite expensive, so consider how much you will be travelling within the country before you go; TGV rail passes are available for given periods, allowing you unlimited travel at a good price.

Hopefully these tips have set you up, ready for an enjoyable trip to France and knowing you might even save some Euros along the way.

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Daniel Abrahams is a passionate travel blogger & start-up entrepreneur. Daniel has Co-Founded the award winning travel money comparison website, MyTravel Money.co.uk & MyCurrencyTransfer. He passionately writes about his experiences across Israel, Europe & Australia & recently launched the Travel Blogger University – hoping to inspire the next wave of travel bloggers.