McD's is everywhere, so Versailles is no exception. The architectural rules however, are so strict here to keep central Versailles regal that you have to spot the well-known M, the only subdued outward sign...
The royal stables. Opposite the palace, on the left hand side of the avenue de Paris that leads to... Paris of course, the huge and beautiful stables were erected by Mansart for Louis the 14th. Nowadays, they host the fabulous equine dressage school and show of the "Académie du Spectacle Equestre" of horse trainer Bartabas. Please do click on this link to watch a short French documentary that will give you a better idea of their gorgeous work and show and don't miss it if you are ever in Versailles, it'll be one of your only chances to actually visit the stables. For official information in English, click here.
This beautiful door in need of a little restoration work stands right next to Versailles town hall. The presence of a French flag makes me suppose it is an official building, maybe an annexe of said town hall. Its origins seem military though, if you look at the details below.
In Versailles some trees on some avenues just aren't left to grow as they please! As far as the news are concerned, there is a suspect case of swine flu in Versailles.
To close wisteria week, here's a little bit of history. Ferdinand, Viscount de Lesseps, the developer of the Suez Canal between the Mediterranean and Red Seas, whose ancestry can be retraced as far back as the 14th century, was born in Versailles on the 19th of November 1805. He is also known for his work on the Panama Canal. This statue, standing opposite the boulevard de Lesseps, is a smaller copy of the monumental one that was erected by Emmanuel Frémiet at the entrance of the Suez Canal. Anyone interested in Lesseps can read more about him by clicking here.
Following one of yesterday's comments, I would like nothing better than to see Bob of Saint Louis Daily Photo swoon at the sight of more wisteria!
In one Versailles street in particular, I think the owners of houses must have plotted the planting of wisteria a few years back! The perfume is wonderful and the boulevard de la République is a joy to wander down at this time of year! These, incidentally, are houses built with "meulière" stone, a siliceous sedimentary rock, typical late 19th - early 20th century building material for Paris suburbs homes.
Cherry blossoms at Blaise Pascal public park. Blaise Pascal was a 17th century philosopher and mathematician.
This ray of sunshine was just perfect, don't you think?
Though I'm not anywhere near Versailles at the moment, I have scheduled these flowers for someone's 41st birthday today! I'll see you in a week, from now on I really am on holiday!
I have taken you to Gaulupeau's before. This time, I liked the nougat Easter eggs and chocolate bells, fish & hens galore! Happy Easter everyone!
Pictures taken 2008
The light is flashing red! I'm not 100% convinced by the reliability of these new devices. In another city close by, I parked in such a space the other day, one that had been free for a couple of minutes but the light flashed even though it was free, didn't stop once I was parked there and was still flashing when I came back from the baker's 5 minutes later... I checked, the "thing" required no specific action from me. Go figure...
As in many French and indeed European cities, Morris columns act as billboards for movies, plays etc., here announcing a new movie about Coco Chanel with Audrey Tautou, whom you probably know as Amélie Poulain...
I love the first tender green leaves on the trees. In Versailles, some of them have a parterre of pansies, hyacinths and tulips at their roots. So please, before I bore you, allow me to post flowers one last time this week, especially as today is Whit's memorial service and I wish I could be there... So these are for Whitney Smith.
In Versailles, you know spring is here when these big, green containers planted with pansies galore make their apparition on some of the sidewalks!
As well as the regular markets, every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday are flower market days, also held on Sunday mornings. I love to go there and get something fresh and cheerful for our home.
The first thing anyone driving to Versailles from Paris on road D910 at this time of year will admire is a sea of daffodils on both sides of the avenue!
These daffodils are flowers for Whit who died on Saturday. May he rest in peace and his father find answers and solace.
This is the brasserie-restaurant of the Hôtel de France, which is a stone's throw from the palace. The picture is a bit wobbly, I was er... at the wheel... stopped but had to start again as people were honking... Have a great weekend!
This little house has intrigued me for years. It's called "le guet du roy" which means the king's look out or watch. I have found no relevant information as to its origins but I've always liked it!
This is the window of an antiques dealer/decorator almost opposite the yellow Sisters Café...
A collage of four pictures in one for this month's theme day! This is the "Sisters Café", an American restaurant, great for Sunday brunch but also whenever you're feeling a bit peckish, ideally situated near the theatre and one of the main palace grounds entrances. The pancakes and burgers are excellent and the whole place is... yellow!
