Anyone who’s in the know, knows that I love anything and everything to do with Louis XIV & Versailles and am looking forward to being there again soon for a special event (stay tuned for blog post in June)!
The video (link below) was created by a group of graduate students and is done incredibly well as a tongue in cheek short animated film about life at court in 1700 – creative and amusing entertainment!
See video HERE
What do you think of it?
While waiting to have lunch at the rooftop restaurant at the Hotel Spendide, I noticed the mosaic artwork in the lobby and was surprised to see they offer an art deco mosaic “guided tour.”
As we ascended to the 8th floor restaurant, L’essenciel, I was anticipating rooftop views, but still, it took my breath away. As we drank “une coupe de champagne” and snacked on crackers, a huge “goeland” (sea gull) swooped down to have a snack, as well, then posted him/herself on a nearby post to watch us.
As for lunch, we had a lovely view while dining among a large group of friends and new acquaintances. The three course meal, with aperos, wine, and sparkling water, was 56 Euros per person.
**I will not be posting again until after Epiphany on January 4, 2015, so taking this opportunity to thank you for your readership and wish you & yours a very healthy & Happy New Year 2015!**
BONNES FETES !
Epiphany: The Christian holiday when a special cake eaten on or around January 6, called the ‘galette des Rois,’ is well know in France and celebrates the arrival of the three kings in the Bethlehem stable.
There are three different styles of the cake dependent on the area in France. In the north, puff pastry and almond filling; the south’s ‘gâteau des Rois’ is a circular brioche decorated with candied fruit, and 
western France has a sweetened shortcrust, rather than puff pastry. Both galette and gâteau are widely available – and even variants with chocolate, apple purée and nuts. All come with a cardboard crown and a “fève”, which traditionally used to be a bean before trinkets were introduced, often in the form of a baby Jesus, but today, it is just as likely to be a blue plastic “Schtroumpf” (Smurf). The cake is eaten with friends, family and colleagues, and the person who finds the fève is crowned king or queen for the day (a crown is sold with the cake).
Personal Note: A dried bean can be used in place of a figurine for the fève for a DIY version. In order to make sure the cake is served randomly, the French tradition is for the youngest member of the family to sit under the table (or simply close their eyes) and call out the name of the person to be served the next slice of the cut cake.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup ground almonds
1 stick butter
3 eggs
1/4 cup of sugar
2 sheets puff pastry
powdered sugar
Directions:
Grind almonds in food processor
For the Frangipane filling:
Beat sugar and butter
add two (2) of the eggs and almonds.
Next:
– Butter a flat baking sheet and unfold thawed puff pastries and using a pie pan as a template cut into two circles
– Spread the Frangipane filing in the center of one pastry layer and place a dried fava bean or ceramic figure
– Using the last egg, beat and paint the edges of the dough
– Place the second pastry circle on top and seal the edges
– Brush top with egg.
– Bake for 25-30 min at 375oF
Can serve 12 people.
(Original post Jan, 2014)
The Ball des Courtesans was formed to provide annual period costume events, reliving history in an ambiance of cultural & social fun on the French Riviera. Come join us!
Le Palais des Festivals et des Congres is better known as the site of the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival, and it is only open to the public for attending events (400 per year). I had the chance to be part of a private guided tour of the building and a chance to sit in the theater where the stars sit for the film festival & walk on the stage – oh, la la!
Some interesting facts:
Who is the largest sponsor for the Cannes Film Festival? (guess in comments box)
Do you know these stars ?
PHOTOS: (some photos courtesy of Jean Mellinger)
The view on the ride home on the train was splendid as well!
sunset from the train
Video (4 minutes – in French) HERE
BUT if you watch it on YouTube, you can click on the CC box to choose video subtitles in other languages!
Also, inviting you to check out the blog “Le Bal des Courtisans“
and like the Facebook page!
The Christmas Village willl take place from 6th December 2014 to 4th January 2015 in the heart of Nice, on the Place Massena.
Every day from 11 am to 8 pm (9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays), come and admire the illuminations, do your Christmas shopping at the crafts chalets or go for a spin on the skating-rink.
FULL ARTICLE & VIDEO:
Christmas in Nice.
“Coaraze, classé « un plus beau village de France », est situé à 44 kms de Cagnes, en amont de Contes, à 667 m d’altitude. Le village est bâti, au XV° siècle, sur un piton gréseux qui domine la vallée du Paillon. et il est devenu célèbre pour ses cadrans solaires réalisés à partir de 1960 à la demande du Maire de l’époque. Jean Cocteau, entre autres, y a apporté sa contribution.” (credit: AVF)
Classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France, Coaraze is a 15th century village, 25 km. north of North & perched at 650m alt. – called the sun village due to its sun-dials. The winding cobble-stone streets take you through sunny squares bursting with flowers and lead on to show you the houses of stone, or painted in the Italian fashion of blue, pink, or yellow pastels. Interesting architectural details in the medieval village: lintels, doors and windows, semi-circular vaults, and entrances.
Churches: St. Sebastien chapel 14thc. church and Chapelle Notre Dame du Gressier – the blue chapel decorated by Ponce de Leon.
Coaraze is the world champion in the game of pilou currently has the youngest mayor in France, and he is an artist and a poet.
The sundials of: Cocteau, Valentin, Mona Christie, Doukine, Ponce de Leon, Henri Goetz.
REBLOGGED FROM The Riviera Grapevine
What have you got planned for Sunday?
If you happen to be in the area, and fancy a chance to sample some of the unique wines of the Alpes-Maritimes, why not pop into the annual Fête des Vendanges et des Châtaignes in Saint-Paul de Vence?
October 19th marks the 2014 edition of this annual harvest festival for theVins des Baous et des Collines. Translated into normal speak, this term refers to the three vineyards found high in the hills behind the Riviera coastline, near the imposing cliff face above Saint-Jeannet:
The setting is quintessentially southern French, Place de Gaulle in Saint-Paul de Vence.
For one day only, this popular square for playing pétanque is given over to this autumnal celebration of wines, chestnuts and other delicious local specialties (my advice is to queue early for the socca).
Last year, along with my wine partners-in-crime Rod (from the Riviera Wine Academy) and Tom, I enjoyed a glorious October afternoon wandering the dozen or so stands. The three vineyards had a generous selection of their wines on tasting, which were also available to buy.
This year, I’m looking forward to tasting the 2013 vintage, although I’ll be even more excited next year as the grapes I helped harvest at both Domaine Saint Joseph and Le Petit Vigneau this September will have finally made it into the bottle!
If you do plan to go, why not combine the event with an exploration of the medieval alleyways of Saint-Paul de Vence, one of the Côte d’Azur’s most charming villages? You could further spoil yourself by lunch in the village (La Colombe d’Or, I wish!) or browsing original works by Matisse, Léger and Kandinsky (to name a few) at Saint-Paul’s renowned Foundation Maeght, currently celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Credit: Chrissie at The Riviera Grapevine
Just 30 minutes from the center of Nice is one of the oldest wine regions in France, dating back to the arrival of the Phocean Greek traders from Marseille. Some vines are over 1000 years old and the wines of Bellet were awarded the coveted AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controllée) accreditation status in 1941.
Twice a year, the 10 AOC Bellet vineyards in the hills behind Nice open their doors and start popping corks – ‘Portes Ouvertes’ is a perfect opportunity to get tasting the local wines – free of charge!
Interactive domain map HERE (Organic wines are made at the Domaine de la Source.)
Portes ouvertes :
Samedi 24 et dimanche 25 mai 2014
Samedi 29 et dimanche 30 novembre 2014
Visitors welcome between 10am and 6pm on both days.
Enjoy a wine lover’s escape from the hustle and bustle of the city!
(Public bus transportation access or by car – Don’t forget to have a designated driver)
See my previous post for the Chateau de Cremat in Bellet HERE
Source/Credit: The Riviera Reporter
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