Marble muscles ripple—the stone carver’s feat charismatic in its unselfconsciousness. Crystals dangle, their effervescence gleaming for centuries as blown baubles from the past. Mother-of-pearl inlay…
View More Ateliers of EuropeTag: France
France is one of my favorite countries to visit and not just the city of Paris, which often wins hands down to any other destination, but points far and wide.
Cannes is on my bucket list so when I received photography of the updated interiors of the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic designed by Kirei Studio, I decided to transport myself there by way of a fictive vacation for two of my favorite writers—Edith Wharton and Henry James. I chose the Christian Dior Suite for their literary design adventure. Not only would they enjoy the 180-degree views from the terrace overlooking the Mediterranean and the storied location in the heart of the French Riviera, I reasoned; they’d adore the comfortably elegant furnishings and the airy sophistication achieved by the Parisian-based design firm.
It would simply be a bonus that they are staying in the only suite in Europe infused with the famous Parisian label’s panache. He was in his fifties and she was in her thirties when they wrote their first letters to each other. Once they met, it was a May/December affair of the intellectual kind, a bond the two passionate writers treasured. Their correspondence was filled with explorations of literature, as well as advice, support and excitement concerning each other’s work. I used these letters to create dialogue between the two and had a blast doing it! I have a number of posts under this tag so I if you enjoy stories set in France, both real and fictive, I hope you’ll stop by and read a few.
Parisian Flourishes
With watercolors, brushes, ink pens, and paper in hand, Dominique Mathez walked the boulevards of her home town, documenting the architectural details that make the…
View More Parisian FlourishesFrench Chateau Style
Catherine Scotto’s journey to discover the owners of French châteaux listed as heritage sites in locales throughout the country can be described as nothing less…
View More French Chateau StyleThe Hotel de la Marine Restored
In his foreword to The French Royal Wardrobe: The Hotel de la Marine Restored, Philippe Bélaval, the President of the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, illustrates how painstaking…
View More The Hotel de la Marine RestoredAn Invitation to Vaux-le-Vicomte
In 1641, the 26-year old parliamentarian Nicolas Fouquet, who was then the Master of Requests at the Parlement of Paris, acquired the viscounty of Vaux…
View More An Invitation to Vaux-le-VicomteThe Paris of a Pagan
This essay examining the military career of the last pagan emperor while he resided in Paris is included in my most recent book The Modern…
View More The Paris of a PaganJim Morrison Irreverent Scribe
This essay exploring Arthur Rimbaud’s influence on Jim Morrison is included in my most recent book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in the book…
View More Jim Morrison Irreverent ScribeDjango Reinhardt Hot-Jazz Genius
This essay delving into the gypsy ways of Django Reinhardt is included in my most recent book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in the…
View More Django Reinhardt Hot-Jazz GeniusThe Fashionable Grecian Supper
This essay about a fashionable Grecian supper held by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun is included in my book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in…
View More The Fashionable Grecian SupperBalzac as a Human Comedy
This essay channeling Balzac in Paris is included in my new book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in the book feature similar literary adventures…
View More Balzac as a Human Comedy