FrenchDuck’s databank
France

“Montelimar Couleur Lavande” Festival at Montelimar (26 Drome, Rhone-Alpes) - more famous for its nougat - see www.frenchduck.com

Jazz à Ramatuelle

A small Jazz festival at Ramatuelletuelle overlooking the Bay of St Tropez
For more info see www.jazzfestivalramatuelle.com/
Tel: 33 (0)4 94 79 10 29

The final stage from Marcoussis (91 Essonne, Ile de France) to the Champs-Elysees in the very heart of Paris. Usually the first two-thirds of the race around the southwest suburbs of Paris are a gentle and friendly Sunday morning dawdle, and it is only when they hit the centre of the city that they start seriously racing from the Arc de Triomphe down Place de la Concorde, around the Louvre and back up the Champs Elysees that the going gets serious - especially over the cobbled streets - a 4 mile circuit which thet repeat for 8 laps.
The overall race leader has tended to have been decided before this stage, so the race is usually focussed on winning this most prestigious stage, which draws huge, enthusiastic crowds. If you happen to be in Paris on the Sunday and have no interest in the Tour de France, then be prepared to change your plans to allow for big crowds and closed roads in the very heart of the city. But even if you are not a cycling fan, the party atmosphere in the culmination of this very French event is well worth enjoying.
For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

The penultimate stage of the Tour before the finish tomorrow in Paris - this is a time trail which starts in Cognac (16 Charente, Poitou-Charentes) and finished in Angouleme 56km to the East.

Most of the big names in Cognac are based in the town (Hennesy, Remy Martin, Courvoisier, Martell) but there are also many small producers who often produce great brandies - and usually at better prices - as you are not paying for the name and marketing hype that goes with the big Cognac houses. For example see Maison DEAU who produce excellent Cognacs and Pineau des Charentes - and also offer a magnificent garden, greenhouse and museum.

For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

From Cahors (46 Lot, Midi-Pyrenees) across the Dordogne (24 Dordogne, Aquitaine) and on to Angouleme (15 Charente, Poitou-Charentes) through the heart of South West and into Cognac country.

Cahors is probably one of my favourite towns, greatly improved now that the A20 autoroute bypasses the town. In a loop of the rather meandering Lot river with its iconic fortified medieval bridge (Pont Valentré, celebrating its 700 anniversary this year) the town is an ideal size to retain its character - and of course it is at the heart of one of my favourite wine areas. The red Cahors wine is made predominantly from Malbec (or Cot or Auxerrois as it is known locally) - and is a robust rich red ideal to accompany the rich duck and goose recipes of the region.Good wines from Clos Triguedina, Chateau de Cedre, Chateau Eugenie, Chateau les Hauts d’Aglan and others.

If you are really interested in the wines of Cahors and the culture of wine-making in rural South West France, then I can recommend Michael Sanders’ book Families of the Vinewhich tells the story of 3 major wine making families in the region at Clos Triguedena, Clos de Gamot and Clos la Coutale.

For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

At last the mountains are now behind the riders (literally), and whislt this is not exactly a flat stage, there are now opoortunities for any of the surviving sprinters to show their stuff as the tour runs from Pau (64 Pyrenees-Atlantiques, Aquitaine) to Castelsarrasin (82 Tarn-et-Garonne, Midi-Pyrenees) on the Canal du Midi.

Pau is the centre of the Jurancon AC and Jurancon Sec AC vineyards - superb white wines ranging from dazzlingly crisp dry white through to sublime dessert wines made from local grape varieties such as Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng. A little to the west of the town of Jurancon, Domaine de Cinquau is well worth a visit - other to look out for include Domaine de Cauhapé where Henri Ramonteau produces some really exeptional wines - such as the Domaine de Cauhapé Symphonie de Novembre. Jurancon AC Moelleux stocked by Andrew Chapman at www.surf4wine.com “The very intense nose combines citrus fruit and exotic perfume with hints of fine oak, resin, spice and toasty notes. The mouth is suave and very aromatic. Fruity, crystallized flavours and bursts with pineapple, chestnut and quince. “

For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

Orthez (64 Pyrenees-Atlantiques, Midi-Pyrenees) to Gourette (Col d’Aubisque) - after a rest day off the mountains, the tour now cruelly sends the cyclists back up the mountains for what is probably the hardest day of mountain climbing in the whole Tour. A quick detour into Spain is included before the finish.

For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

This is a punishing stage in the Pyrenees - from Foix (09 Ariege, Midi-Pyrenees) up to Loudenvielle-le Louron (65 Hautes-Pyrenees, Midi-Pyrenees), usually a small, quiet ski village surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks beside a shimmering blue lake (well on a good day!) - see www.lelouron.com/

For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

Mazamet (81 Tarn, Midi-Pyrenees) to Plateau la Beille (09 Ariege, Midi-Pyrenees) heading to a mountain finish in the Pyrenees. But first they have to cross the Black Mountains (Montagne Noir) and down on to the fabulous medieval city of Carcassone. In so doing they pass near or through the vineyards of Minervois AC (see Chateau Gibalaux-Bonnet) and Cabardes AC.Beyond Carcassonne the route heads through the vineyards of Limoux with its famous Blanquette before starting the serious ascent to the finish at 2000m (6000ft)!

(For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

The day for an individual time trial around Albi (81 Tarn,Midi-Pyrenees) - in many ways less exciting for spectators than a normal stage, but you do get to see everyone of the cyclists remaining in the tour on the 54km circular route.
Albi has a famous cathedral and Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, and is on the edge of the Gaillac AC vineyards - see Domaine de Labarthe

For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

Montpellier (34 Herault, Languedoc-Roussillon) through the Parc Naturel Regional du Haut Languedoc with its beautiful and dramatic scenery and on to Castres (81 Tarn, Midi-Pyrenees) - home of a very successful Rugby Union team and on one of the pilgrimage routes to St Jean de Compostelle in Spain.

For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

Heading from Provence into the Languedoc the route starts at Marseille (13 Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence) finishing in Montpellier (34 Herault, Languedoc-Roussillon) joining two of the major cities of southern France, and crossing through the Baux-de-Provence Appellation - see Domaine de Valdition and Mas Sainte Berthe before heading into the Coteaux du Languedoc AC region

For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

Tallard (05 Hautes-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur) to Marseille (13 Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur) - a relatively easy day(!?) coming down from the Alpes to the coast - through the heart of the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AC region. The route will pass through Rians (83 Var, Provence) the home of Chateau Vignelaure one of the most respected winemakers in the region.

For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

Val d’Isère (73 Savoie, Rhône-Alpes) to Briancon (05 Hautes-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur) - after a well-deserved rest day on Monday, the agony continues through the Alps with another Category 1 climb and two Hors Categorie - so steep and challenging that they are outside the normal classification.

For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

A truly punishing day in the Alpes with no less than 3 of the steepest Category 1 climbs running from Le Grand Bornand (74 Haut-Savoie, Rhône-Alpes) to Tignes (73 Savoie, Rhône-Alpes)

For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

The tour now heads into the Alpes running from Bourg-en-Bresse (01 Ain, Rhône-Alpes) to Le Grandd Bornand (74 Haut-Savoie, Rhône-Alpes)

For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

From Semur-en-Auxois (21 Cote d’Or, Burgundy) to Bourg-en-Bresse (01 Ain, Rhône-Alpes) - passing through the heart of the Burgundy vineyards (Givry, Rully) down through the Maconnais and finishing at the Chicken Capital of France (see “The fourth Gastronomic Wonder of the World?”
For more info on the Tour de France 2007 see www.letour.fr or UK Eurosport where there are some good interactive maps of the route.

2000 candles will illuminate the magnificent Renaissance chateau and gardens at Villandry (37, Indre-et-Loire, Centre) west of Tours in the Loire Valley - culminating with a magnificent firework display.

See www.chateauvillandry.com/

Villers-Cotterêts(02 Aisne, Picardie) - Joigny (Burgundy) running to the eastern side of Paris via la Ferté-Gaucher (77, Seine et Marne, Ile de France)

for more info click here

Although I find French antique furniture a bit overwhelming, it is probably because modern houses seldom offer the space to do it justice. Whereas in many French houses with their generous dimensions and often higher ceilings they can look really impressive, and reassuringly solid and almost timeless. However, I get totally confused by the different styles between the King Louis and other periods, so it was good to find Déja Vu Antiques a specialist UK importer of French antique furniture who offers some succinct descriptions of the periods and a wide range of quality furnitire for sale in the UK.

Louis X1V, the Sun King 1643 - 1715 influenced the Baroque style in furniture during the earlier part of his reign which later developed into the Regence style. Baroque was large, masculine, and symmetrical. Regence was characterized by its use of curves and introduction of Chinoiserie.

Louis XV 1715 - 1774 the style of furniture was essentially Rococo with soft, flowing lines, ornamentation was usually done with rocks, shells, flowers, rich upholstery. inlaying and the painting of furniture. Rococo focused on the aristocratic life and on lighthearted romance.The word Rococo is seen as a combination of the French rocaille, or shell, and the Italian barocco, or Baroque style.

Louis XV1 1774 - 1792 the main characteristics of this style being rectangular lines, architectural ornamentation, classic symmetry and marquetry. In the furniture there is an emphasis on straight lines and right angles, moveing away from the curves of the Rococo. Furniture becomes restrained in its form and decoration, with the use of fluted columns, carved friezes, oak and laurel leafs, the Greek band, and other various neo classical attempts to imitate the furniture and architecture of the Romans and Greeks.

Directoire style, about the time of the Directory (1795–99) from which the name is derived. A style transitional between Louis XVI and Empire, it is characterized by a departure from the sumptuousness of the aristocratic regime. Furniture became more angular and severe; marquetry was replaced by large surfaces of painted and waxed wood.

Empire Style. The early 1800s period of Napoleonic rule was that of the Neoclassical style that characterizes artistic creations of the era. Antique forms already seen in the Louis XVI style blended with Napoleon’s imperial symbols, which included the bee, the letter N surrounded by a laurel wreath, stars, the eagle and exotic hieroglyphic motifs from the Egyptian campaign. Empress Joséphine was extremely fond of swans and had pure black swans imported from Australia to swim in her lake. This fondness reflects also in the period and can be seen on the chair arms, curtains, carpets, and porcelain in the staterooms of Chateau de Malmaison, her home in the suburbs of Paris.

Deja vu Antiques is situated in Leigh on Sea, Essex in the south-east of England, approximately 35 miles from London and easily accessible from all major airports being only 25 minutes from the M25 London orbital motorway.
Major dealers in 18th and 19th century French antique furniture. Stock includes includes:-
French antique beds
complete bedroom suites
king-size beds
gilt mirrors
painted furniture
armoires
antique chandeliers and lighting
French country antiques and other collectable items.

French antique furniture is interesting because of its very wide variety; the period styles range from Renaissance though Louis XV to Napoleon III. and all are strikingly different. There is an amazing blend of styles from the various regions and periods of time. The French were great artisans especially in terms of their fine carvings.

French furniture, beds, armoires and complete late 19th century bedroom furniture tended to be made in a wide range of woods such as walnut, cherry, chestnut and oak that are very durable as well as beautiful. These woods exhibit a wonderful patina over the years.
Deja Vu Antiques work closely with many discerning clients and interior designers in providing individual painted armoires and other pieces of hand painted french furniture and antiques to create “that very special look”. Additionally to add a final touch to any room, they have a fine selection of crystal antique chandeliers together with antique gilt mirrors.

For more info see Deja Vu Antiques at www.deja-vu-antiques.co.uk
876 London Road,
Leigh on Sea, Essex SS9 3NQ

Telephone +44 (0) 1702 470829

Email info@deja-vu-antiques.co.uk