Louie, Louie, Oh, oh – Louis, Louis, Oh, la, la !

My favorite place to be is the Chateau de Versailles, with its opulent Baroque decor and grandeur.  So, not surprising that I recently spent some time there during my trip to Paris.  This time, however, I did a “visite-conférence” – a one-and-a-half hour guided visit, which included access to the private apartments of Louis XV and Louis XVI, the Royal Opera, and the Royal Chapel – areas  not permitted to visit with the general admission.  You can reserve the “visite-conférence” online (recommended) for the guided visit in English or in French.

My favorite “Louis” is the XIV, and with the chateau being his signature piece, his visual presence is seen everywhere.  I love the dress and music of that period (video below).  As the “Sun King,” he was golden and the gold-leaf decor equally resonates throughout the chateau. Vive le Roi –  “My Louis”!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Mediterranean Food & Art – nice in Nice !

2013 marks the 40th anniversary of the Marc Chagall Museum and the 50th anniversary of the Matisse Museum in Nice. Nice is also full of spectacular examples of modern art that have added to its architectural heritage: “Belle Epoque“, “Art Deco” and Baroque.

Today, art can be found all over the city, which has become a real contemporary open-air museum. Explore the city by tram and follow the commented night-time tour “L’Art dans la Ville” (Art in the City) where you’ll find works by world-famous artists that add a very special touch to Nice’s urban landscape.

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours – Fridays at 7pm.
Languages: French – English.
Adult rate: 8 € (plus transport ticket 2 €) / children under 10: 3 €
(free transport for the age under-4).

Source: Nice Tourism

Fashion-able Versailles

The first time I visited the Chateau de Versailles, I was overwhelmed with its beauty and history, and was mesmerized with its Baroque style and sheer decadence!  I felt like I belonged there and sensed a strange connection to its past, bringing tears to my eyes.  Each time I travel to Paris, I feel I must visit Versailles and bathe myself in its opulence — as if I’m breathing in the essence of an ‘autrefois.’

In 1999, after the storm damage occurred in Northern France, I even ‘adopted’ a tree at Versailles — a program for the re-planting of 10,000 trees; ‘my’ tree is along the Allée de la Reine in the Trianon Gardens, and so,  I am  represented through nature, at the very place I love. 

I hope you will enjoy the linked DIOR fashion video — as it shows beauty of style — both in fashion and in its chosen location!