France Impressions is a blog about my travels throughout France.
Travel is about embarking on journeys, discovering new places, its people, learning from others and in particular, learning about oneself. I believe travel is an art and I like to craft trips and tours around your personality, interests, desires and dreams. I undertake to open for you 'doors that are normally closed" thereby ensuring you gain access to exclusive experiences while introducing you to extraordinary personalities.
Friday, February 10, 2017
Sèvres porcelain, the grandest of ultimate luxury, artistic ceramics, was favored by European royalty, the aristocracy of the 19th century, and 20th century
Nestled in the picturesque Saint Cloud park outside Paris, the Sèvres factory is a temple to craftsmanship. Some of Europe’s most beautiful ceramics have been made here since 1740. Today, 120 potters use skills and techniques that have been handed down from generation to generation over three centuries
Open to the public in certain areas and a private visit can be arranged in the closed off areas. The place to stay nearby is the very romantic Inn - Les Etanges de Corot in Ville d'Avray
This is my favorite place to get hidden from the hustle of Paris and enjoy long walks, great food and drink, a wine spa and just a beautiful retreat and yet only 15 minutes fromParis.
First, there is the land itself. From Cape Finistere to the Riviera, via the Alps, The Dordogne and Provence…there is no more beautiful or varied landscape in the world. I drive regularly in France and have to always stop and get out and reassure myself that this is not a dream. It is unfair on the competition because it is at least six countries in one.
Its artistic legacy grows richer year by year. Just in one place, the Musee d’Orsay; one room after another with visions of such genius, that you wonder if it’s an optical illusion. Millet, Courbet, Degas, Cezanne, Monet, Renoir and on and on…hundreds and hundreds of serene works so deeply connected to the country that had produced them.
Within the countryside and depictions of it, there are the buildings. Versailles, The Sacre Coeur, Parisian townhouses or the great Provencal farmhouses with their turquoise-blue shutters are certainly admired. But I think if France is really in your blood you really have to love those undistinguished small villages and towns – The hotel de Ville with its black slate roof, the cobbled square, narrow shuttered streets –all somehow suggestive of intrigue and clandestine romance.
The wine of course, still remains the worlds best. The food, well what can I say..its the most important thing that attracts me to France; before, now and always.
But its greatest natural resource is of course, its people. They can be proud, they can be shy, they are almost always private and hard to get to know, but I have never laughed as much or found greater friendship or greater generosity of spirit than in France.
~ H.E. Lewis
Howard E. Lewis, CTC - Famed travel agent, raconteur,Edwardian in manner and spirit,gourmand, master BBQ Judge,hotel guest and man of leisure.
If you are interested in any of the areas/hotels that I have highlighted on this blog and/or wish to talk about France or anywhere else in the world ( hotels-cruises-tours) and what I and we at Protravel International can do to make your next tripmagical! , please don't hestiate to E Mail me (howard.lewis@protravelinc.com) or call me at 800-301-3993 ~ Howard
NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS BLOG
Howard E. Lewis, CTC - Conde Nast Traveler magazine award Winner since 2003 for France
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