the perfect french château

This is most likely as good as it gets!!    

In a Provençal village where we stay with friends each summer,  a château has been rescued, restored and  renovated to a finish that comes close to perfection.   It remains a private property, but photos are available as it is used for photo shoots and seminars.

In  June 2008 the remarkable transformation achieved by the owners was rewarded by the "Prix des Vieilles Maisons Françaises"  a prestigious prize created to recognise high quality restoration.

I don't think I need say more than  patina, colour, light, space, proportion,  perspective and perfect taste.  For the rest I'll let the pictures do the talking.

The Château de Moissac is available for for photo shoots, corporate seminars and  private receptions.

all pictures thanks to chateau de moissac

la belle côte d'azur

I couldn't leave Nice without taking a few shots of the port, the old town and the Promenade des Anglais.   La Riviera has been a popular jet setter destination for centuries, hence the Quai des Etats Unis, the Russian Church, la Promenade des Anglais.  All reminiscent of the 19th century glory of la Belle Epoque, when Edith Wharton liked to portray her heroines taking in the Riviera as part of their Grand Tour.

Off to la belle Nice for a few days, a dose of sunshine 

and colour, I love this town, it is busy and vibrant,

and even it's buildings fit in with the fall colours. 

I'll keep you posted ...

loot shoot in provence

I may have been on holiday last week, but nothing could have kept me from the Provençal brocante fairs.   Up early, soaking in  the very special light in the south of France and rooting around in tiny village  fairs

I cam back with some great findings, to the despair of my family, who - all considered - proved extremely understanding, and gave me all the help I needed to pack and haul the treasures safely home.

I found sets of glasses, tarnished sliver cutlery and trays,  cut glass and crystal dishes and salt cellars;

I love these delightfully small bird cages, used traditionally in Provence by hunters

Linen, but you can't be surprised by that!  I found some beautiful quality linen sheets, and some metis sheets still in their original packing - unused, and this FANTASTIC piece of ticking, that Ralph Lauren would be proud to include in a collection!

There is of course, more, and  it will be in the brocante store soon so please don't hesitate to get in touch if you are interested in anything.

Thank you for the interest you continue to show in my brocante finds.  I shall be listing the new items as soon as possible.   Today unfortunately   I am having some computer trouble GRRR,!  but - unless I throw the ....... machine out the window this evening (which frankly is not impossible!)  - I hope to be working normally tomorrow and to start listing items then.

home again

Just got back after a short but totally wonderful break in the South of France.  Thank you for stopping by while I was away, I have a ton of mails to answer, so if you're waiting for a reply - I promise it will come very soon !!

Found some great brocante fairs in the south so I have loads of goodies to show you!    In the meantime, I just wanted to share the view I enjoyed early this morning - heaven!

Respelido - staying on the Cote d'Azur

While visiting Nice last weekend, we  were lucky enough to stay in holiday villas that belong to my brother and sister in law.

Sabrina and Jean Paul have created Respelido, a beautiful property hidden in the hills above Nice.   Behind these stylish gates are a handful of small villas  set in beautiful gardens with a magnificent pool.

Respelido was created by Sabrina and Jean-Paul about 10 years ago,  and they are present every day, ready to welcome their guests.

Jean Paul's family has always been on this land.  The  trees planted to landscape Respelido came from his family  property, and many of the olive, palm and eucalyptus trees are  between 200- 300 years old.

Respelido is the sort of place where a family can relax, and where a couple can unwind.  Guests are discreet, the welcome is friendly, the villas impeccable without being too precious.  Sabrina chose beautiful local tiles for the bathrooms and kitchens, and employed local black smiths to create the forged iron pergolas over each terrace as well as the intricate gates.

Each villa has its own totally private garden, with garden furniture.  Near the pool there is a sauna and jacuzzi which my youngest two had all to themselves.

Would we recommend it to friends?  In a heartbeat.  
If you stop off there,  be sure to say that you're one of my blogger friends.
Sabrina will make you doubly welcome!

Nice et la Côte d'azur

We were lucky enough to spend the weekend in and around Nice on the Côte  d'Azur.  So lovely to be back there.  I  love the rococo architecture and  the way they can paint the town orange and yellow without looking ridiculous.

In the nearby villages perched on hill tops, time seems to have stood still.  The several hundred year old houses aren't empty, but remain totally unchanged, simply inhabited by yet another new generation.

Rich travellers on their Grand Tour in the nineteenth century wouldn't  have used the same forms of transport, or had the crowds but they would certainly have admired many of the same views.