FrenchDuck’s databank
Heritage

Whilst it may lack the international length and high glamour of its glory years the Monte Carlo Rally still makes an exciting spectacle through the Ardeche, Drome and Alpes-Maritime departements - through the mountains of Haut-Provence and down to the Mediterranean.
For details of the route and timings see www.acm.mc

The slower, but possibly better viewing for the spectator is the Rallye Historique, which does involve numerous start points such as Barcelona, Copenhagen, Turin and Reims before coming together for the final section down to Monte Carlo - this runs from 1- 6 February 2008. To qualify as “historic” the cars have to have been built before 1980!
For details of the route and timings see www.acm.mc

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The Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte at Maincy (77 Seine-et-Marne, Ile de France) about 50km southeast of Paris, celebrates the Christmas season in style - sumptuous decor, giant christmas tree, crackling fire places and illuminations throughout the gardens!

Enchantment starts with a white christmas trees path leading towards the entrance of the chateau.
In the stately rooms, a new atmosphere is set up with sumptuous christmas decor and music.
kids will also have the possibility to rent costumes to visit the castle!
Then, the Wise Men will guide the visitor on the track of the Shepherd’ Star leading to the baroque crib created by Hilton McConnico.

The festivities run from 22 December 2007 until 6 January 2007 (closed 25 December and 1 January) For more info see www.vaux-le-vicomte.com

The limits of Cathar country in the Languedoc are ill-defined, but stretch south and east from Carcassonne (11 Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon) to include the impressive hilltop fortress such as Peyrepeteuse, Puilaurens and the ancient towns of Rennes-la-Chateau and Montsegur. The history has become somewhat muddied and over-hyped by recent best-seller books, but behind the commercialism there are wonderful sights to see and places to visit, regardless of how tentative their connection with the Cathar heresy.
The best way to explore the region is with the help of someone who lives there and knows it well - and you will need more than a few days to do it justice. Hence Sophie Duncan’s website at www.languedoc-france.info is an essential start point. Jam packed with tons of really useful information and advice, she also has a range of accommodation in the region to offer - from attractive gites, tempting B&Bs (Chambres d’Hote) and an impressive Penthouse in the heart of Carcassonne.
On the info side there is plenty on what to see and do from visitng some of Vauban’s fortifications, golf, nudist beaches, winter sports (including sledge dogs!) local food, history, nature reserves and wildlife. Not too much detail on wines (e.g. Corbieres, Fitou, Limoux) but that does at least leave something for FrenchDuck!!

For more info see www.languedoc-france.info

Nantes is best known for being the major city on the western extremities of the River Loire – but it is also built on a smaller river, the River Erdre which runs in from the north.

In September the city celebrates a 3–day “meeting on the Erdre” (Rendezvous de l’Erdre) – a very French mix of music (jazz in all its styles from New Orleans to bebop, blues to electric) – all intertwined with the City’s maritime flavour – yachts, boats, ships – lots of cultural events, demonstrations and displays – 80 free concerts across the city!

For more info see http://www.rendezvouserdre.com

Lille (59 Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais) is a big and vibrant northern French city which is well worth a visit – but it’s not somewhere I associate with peace and tranquility.

We go most years to the Independent Winemakers Fair held in the Lille Grand Palais every November (16–19 November in 2007) and stay in city centre hotels – all very convenient for the wine fair, shops, restaurants etc.

But there is another option, which offers a bit of respite from the buzz of the city centre, but without losing ease of access.

The Jardin d’Alix (Alix’s garden) Chambres d’Hote (B&B) is in Tourcoing, part of the greater Lille conurbation, North East of Lille city centre. The stylish accommodation is set “amid a large garden with mature trees and rose bushes – a little piece of countryside close to the city.” The other bonus is that the property lies within 20 minutes reach of Lille’s historic centre, thanks to the tramway which leaves from just outside!

An added bonus means that you will also be near to the quite stunning Roubaix Piscine – the Museum of Art and Industry (Musée d’Art et d’Industrie de Roubaix) housed in an Art Deco swimming pool – a conversion undertaken by the same architect who transformed an old railway station into the fabulous Musée d’Orsay in Paris. It is worth visiting for the building itself, but the museum exhibits and paintings are seriously good – see http://www.roubaix-lapiscine.com

For more on the B&B see http://www.lejardindalix.com

The Ministry of Culture sponsors an annual open day on the third weekend of September when over 15,000 monuments and buildings throughout France which are normally closed to the public are opened.
Such has been the success of the event which has been held in France for over 20 years, that it is now Europe-wide.
This is a rare opportunity to get a glimpse of some of the hidden gems of civil, religious and military engineering, fine arts and crafts - for full details see www.journeesdupatrimoine.culture.fr/

Roscoff (29 Finistere, Brittany) celebrates its famous pink onions with a 2 day festival (Fete de l’Oignon Rose de Roscoff).

The local onion was the basis for a major trade in onions across the English Channel – and led to the hordes of “Onion Johnnies” with their berets, Gauloises cigarettes and strings of onions over the handlebars of their bikes. There is now a Museum dedicated to the “Johnnies” in Roscoff.

For more info see http://www.roscoff-tourisme.com – and the Maison des Johnnies et de l’oignon rose

Sauveterre (33 Gironde, Aquitaine) in the valley of the river Dropt holds an annual Medieval Festival with jousting, costumes, parade, dancing,music etc

For more info see http://www.sauveterre-de-guyenne.com

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

For some Canadian friends we put together some ideas from our experience to demonstrate how best to do a few days wine touring in the southern Rhône Valley. This is such a rich area to visit - scenically, historically and from a wine (and food) perspective.

We chose to base the tour in St Remy de Provence (13, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence) a few miles south of Avignon for easy access to Les Baux de Provence, Beaumes-de-Venise, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Cairanne, Lirac, Tavel and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Others will choose different start points and other vineyards - importantly we think wine tours need to be paced, as an over-indulgence can dull the senses and diminish the enjoyment. And there are so many other things to do in the region, as well as just relax in the delightful climate and atmosphere of Provence.

For more info see www.frenchduck.co.uk

* Basilique et colline de Vézelay (1979) 89, Yonne, Burgundy _ Basilica and Hill
* Cathédrale de Chartres (1979)
* Mont-Saint-Michel et sa baie (1979) including the bay
* Palais et parc de Versailles (1979) Palace and park
* Sites préhistoriques et grottes ornées de la vallée de la Vézère (1979) - prehistoric sites and caves in the Vezere valley in the Dordogne
* Abbaye cistercienne de Fontenay (1981) Cistercian Abbey
* Arles, monuments romains et romans (1981) monuments
* Cathédrale d’Amiens (1981) cathedral
* Palais et parc de Fontainebleau (1981) palace and park
* Théâtre antique et ses abords et « Arc de Triomphe » d’Orange (1981)- the ampitheatre and Triumphant Arch
* Saline royale d’Arc-et-Senans (1982) Royal Salt Works
* Abbatiale de Saint-Savin sur Gartempe (1983) Abbey
* Golfe de Porto : calanche de Piana, golfe de Girolata, réserve de Scandola (1983) #
* Places Stanislas, de la Carrière et d’Alliance à Nancy (1983) City squares
* Pont du Gard (1985)
* Strasbourg – Grande île (1988)
* Cathédrale Notre-Dame, ancienne abbaye Saint-Remi et palais de TauReims (1991) Cathedral, Abbey and Palace
* Paris, rives de la Seine (1991) - banks of the Seine
* Cathédrale de Bourges (1992) Cathedral
* Centre historique d’Avignon : Palais des papes, ensemble Episcopal et Pont d’Avignon (1995) Popes’ Palace and the Avignon bridge
* Canal du Midi (1996)
* Pyrénées - Mont Perdu (1997, 1999) *
* Ville fortifiée historique de Carcassonne (1997) 11, Aude, Languedoc - fortified medieval city
* Chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle en France (1998) - the pilgrim routes across France towards St Jean de Compostelle
* Site historique de Lyon (1998) - historic centre
* Beffrois de Belgique et de France (1999, 2005) * 20 (Aire-sur-la-Lys, Armentières, Arras,, Bailleul, Bergues, Béthune, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Calais, Cambrai, Comines, Douai, Dunkerque (Dunkirk), Gravelines,Hesdin,Lille, Loos, Abbeville, Amiens, Doullens, Lucheux, Rue, St Riquier (belfries of Northern France and Picardie - and Belgium)
* Juridiction de Saint-Émilion (1999)
* Val de Loire entre Sully-sur-Loire et Chalonnes (2000) The Loire Valley between Sully and Chalonnes
* Provins, ville de foire médiévale (2001) medieval fair town
* Le Havre, la ville reconstruite par Auguste Perret (2005) - the rebuilt city centre