L'appel de mer.
L'appel de mer.
0 2024/06/19 21:41:16
Paris by day.
Paris by day.
0 2024/06/19 21:51:30
Seafoam at Ile de Moines ('monks') in the Gulf of Morbihan.
Seafoam at Ile de Moines ('monks') in the Gulf of Morbihan.
0 2024/06/19 21:51:46
Paris after the rains.
Paris after the rains.
0 2024/06/19 21:52:03
Mrs Z was delighted when we witnessed some regattas. Her late father was once the tough-as-nails Commodore at a Montreal yacht club.
Mrs Z was delighted when we witnessed some regattas. Her late father was once the tough-as-nails Commodore at a Montreal yacht club.
0 2024/06/19 21:52:28
Indeed.
Indeed.
0 2024/06/19 21:52:40
On October 23, we attended the Candlelight Concert at Saint Ephrem church (5e). Moments after this man lit the many candles, pianist adrien Polycarpe dazzled our small crowd with his renditions of chopin, satie, debussy and Beetove. Mrs Z kindly came to the rescue of the NY couple seated in front of us. The husband was having an ill-timed coughing fit and my wife offered him a cough lozenge.
On October 23, we attended the Candlelight Concert at Saint Ephrem church (5e). Moments after this man lit the many candles, pianist adrien Polycarpe dazzled our small crowd with his renditions of chopin, satie, debussy and Beetove. Mrs Z kindly came to the rescue of the NY couple seated in front of us. The husband was having an ill-timed coughing fit and my wife offered him a cough lozenge.
0 2024/06/19 21:52:59
And Paris by night. Shown here, the Butte aux Cailles (13e) near Pl. d'Italie. There, we have long favored the funky co-op restaurant 'Le Temps de Cerises', one of the city's most authentic places to eat home-style cooking in a genuinely French atmosphere. *not to be confused with the upscale Marais cafe of the same name.
And Paris by night. Shown here, the Butte aux Cailles (13e) near Pl. d'Italie. There, we have long favored the funky co-op restaurant 'Le Temps de Cerises', one of the city's most authentic places to eat home-style cooking in a genuinely French atmosphere. *not to be confused with the upscale Marais cafe of the same name.
0 2024/06/19 21:53:21
Paris: Jardine des Plantes. It was our first visit to that garden. It makes a great 2-fer with the close-by Paris Mosque.
Paris: Jardine des Plantes. It was our first visit to that garden. It makes a great 2-fer with the close-by Paris Mosque.
0 2024/06/19 22:05:41
A coincidence: our Quimper collection includes this shot of an arts hall poster. Reminiscent of the Wasis Diop album cover, no?
A coincidence: our Quimper collection includes this shot of an arts hall poster. Reminiscent of the Wasis Diop album cover, no?
0 2024/06/19 22:21:02
Two Breton women in 2024. Those Quimper acquaintances question the quality of um, coing (quince). The woman on the left runs 'Philomene' bakery, where one may buy traditional 'kouign aman' pastries, plus the ubiquitous macarons (try the salted caramel). Behind them is the awesome 'Tesoro' Italian deli - one of the foodic highlights of this trip. As self-caterers, we went back repeatedly: the deli was located next to Francois Les Halles permanent covered market. Plenty of 'pret a manger' options.
Two Breton women in 2024. Those Quimper acquaintances question the quality of um, coing (quince). The woman on the left runs 'Philomene' bakery, where one may buy traditional 'kouign aman' pastries, plus the ubiquitous macarons (try the salted caramel). Behind them is the awesome 'Tesoro' Italian deli - one of the foodic highlights of this trip. As self-caterers, we went back repeatedly: the deli was located next to Francois Les Halles permanent covered market. Plenty of 'pret a manger' options.
0 2024/06/20 12:12:55
The southerly Locmaria district of Quimper is where that Medieval Jardin was located. Above, the view looking across the Odet river from the garden. Locmaria was once a Roman port.
The southerly Locmaria district of Quimper is where that Medieval Jardin was located. Above, the view looking across the Odet river from the garden. Locmaria was once a Roman port.
0 2024/06/20 12:17:34
Seen here, two Breton women back in time. This iconic Breton painting was an impressive copy, and was as part of our Quimper rental apartment ('Faubourg de Corentin') decor. Pretty sure that our excellent landlady Annie Hervey either painted it by hand herself, or had an artistic relative who did it.
Seen here, two Breton women back in time. This iconic Breton painting was an impressive copy, and was as part of our Quimper rental apartment ('Faubourg de Corentin') decor. Pretty sure that our excellent landlady Annie Hervey either painted it by hand herself, or had an artistic relative who did it.
0 2024/06/20 12:19:16
Reconstructed in '97 using a thousand year-old plant guide, this labelled garden aims to bring back to life Queen Anne of Bretagne's 15C monastic convent. There are grapes, benches, roses, oaks, chestnuts, pergolas, arches and a symbolic fountain. Some 150 species have been planted: food cereals, edible flowers, aromatics and decorative items. Mongette is grown for dyeing. The medicinal and magical herbs include aphrodisiacs: Berce for women/Rouquette for men. Above: milk or donkey thistle.
Reconstructed in '97 using a thousand year-old plant guide, this labelled garden aims to bring back to life Queen Anne of Bretagne's 15C monastic convent. There are grapes, benches, roses, oaks, chestnuts, pergolas, arches and a symbolic fountain. Some 150 species have been planted: food cereals, edible flowers, aromatics and decorative items. Mongette is grown for dyeing. The medicinal and magical herbs include aphrodisiacs: Berce for women/Rouquette for men. Above: milk or donkey thistle.
0 2024/06/20 12:19:28
Mrs Z admired this plant very much. (*editors: seen above is fodoricus belladonica, a deadly poison used by witches to kill husbands who bug them to assist in posting overlong trip reports).
Mrs Z admired this plant very much. (*editors: seen above is fodoricus belladonica, a deadly poison used by witches to kill husbands who bug them to assist in posting overlong trip reports).
0 2024/06/20 12:19:40
The Quimper weekly market. Pepito kiosk sold good paella. The young owner women at 'Comte Bon' sold quality cheese. Sophie Fruits sold strawbs from Plougastel. Cheese, wine, cider, clothes, produce... shoppers lacked for nothing. Quite the wide variety.
The Quimper weekly market. Pepito kiosk sold good paella. The young owner women at 'Comte Bon' sold quality cheese. Sophie Fruits sold strawbs from Plougastel. Cheese, wine, cider, clothes, produce... shoppers lacked for nothing. Quite the wide variety.
0 2024/06/20 12:37:04
That includes green cheese and
That includes green cheese and
0 2024/06/20 12:37:25
purple onions and
purple onions and
0 2024/06/20 12:38:52
cherry tomatoes et aussi...
cherry tomatoes et aussi...
0 2024/06/20 12:39:27
garlic. Both Quimper and Vannes have impressive weekly markets. The former is located mid-town riverside, while the latter is in the historical center right beside the Vannes Les Halles permanent market. The latter covered market is absolutely FANTASTIC!! More about that later in the Vannes part.
garlic. Both Quimper and Vannes have impressive weekly markets. The former is located mid-town riverside, while the latter is in the historical center right beside the Vannes Les Halles permanent market. The latter covered market is absolutely FANTASTIC!! More about that later in the Vannes part.
0 2024/06/20 12:43:30
This will be the Quimper section. The late writer Xavier Grall remains a major Breton icon.
This will be the Quimper section. The late writer Xavier Grall remains a major Breton icon.
0 2024/06/20 12:52:27
This person was a knife-sharpener at the Quimper weekly market. He worked from his vintage taxi vehicle. That Saturday was a busy day in that town. An outdoors table tennis tournament was also being held in the main St. Corentin Cathedral square 'Eveche' space. The permanent children's rides there had thus been supplemented by modern music, an announcer plus inflated arches above the ping pong tables. That same Saturday was also the twice-annual Braderie 'bric a brac' market. Busy busy busy.
This person was a knife-sharpener at the Quimper weekly market. He worked from his vintage taxi vehicle. That Saturday was a busy day in that town. An outdoors table tennis tournament was also being held in the main St. Corentin Cathedral square 'Eveche' space. The permanent children's rides there had thus been supplemented by modern music, an announcer plus inflated arches above the ping pong tables. That same Saturday was also the twice-annual Braderie 'bric a brac' market. Busy busy busy.
0 2024/06/20 12:53:59
The Muse des Beaux-Arts had a Toulouse Lautrec exhibit: '...et les Maitres de l'Affiche'. Many will recognize the above Montmartre Belle Epoque poster (Cocteau, Modigliani, Picasso, Gaugin, Whistler). We also saw the 'Chat Noir' poster, cancan depictions, plus lithographs of Sarah Bernhardt, ads for absinthe, cookies, cocoa and chocolate. Fave story: to mock pretentious critics, the above artists once entered a painting in a contest that'd been made after tying a brush to a mule's tail. It won!
The Muse des Beaux-Arts had a Toulouse Lautrec exhibit: '...et les Maitres de l'Affiche'. Many will recognize the above Montmartre Belle Epoque poster (Cocteau, Modigliani, Picasso, Gaugin, Whistler). We also saw the 'Chat Noir' poster, cancan depictions, plus lithographs of Sarah Bernhardt, ads for absinthe, cookies, cocoa and chocolate. Fave story: to mock pretentious critics, the above artists once entered a painting in a contest that'd been made after tying a brush to a mule's tail. It won!
0 2024/06/20 12:56:36
Mais bien sur...A wise strategy for visitors to such markets is to observe where the longest lineups of locals are located. That was how we found the excellent 'Traiteur de la Mer' seafood booth. Their variety of prepared tourtes and tartes was impressive and well worth the wait. Everyone in their family was working at the booth, from grandma and grandpa to the tweener granddaughter. *an essential visit
Mais bien sur...A wise strategy for visitors to such markets is to observe where the longest lineups of locals are located. That was how we found the excellent 'Traiteur de la Mer' seafood booth. Their variety of prepared tourtes and tartes was impressive and well worth the wait. Everyone in their family was working at the booth, from grandma and grandpa to the tweener granddaughter. *an essential visit
0 2024/06/20 13:09:27
A poster from that same museum exhibit. *Fave story: to mock pretentious critics, in 1910 the (drunk and broke) artists mentioned in the above foto once entered a painting into a contest that'd been made after tying a wet paintbrush to a mule's tail, then allowing it to spontaneously 'create' an abstract. The critics were unaware of whom had made the painting. They gave it good reviews. LOL! (thx to Mary McAuliffe's Paris book for story).
A poster from that same museum exhibit. *Fave story: to mock pretentious critics, in 1910 the (drunk and broke) artists mentioned in the above foto once entered a painting into a contest that'd been made after tying a wet paintbrush to a mule's tail, then allowing it to spontaneously 'create' an abstract. The critics were unaware of whom had made the painting. They gave it good reviews. LOL! (thx to Mary McAuliffe's Paris book for story).
0 2024/06/20 13:49:17
Speaking of art..Audierne and its famed blue lobsters got a shout-out in this poster displayed at a Quimper Art Supplies shop.
Speaking of art..Audierne and its famed blue lobsters got a shout-out in this poster displayed at a Quimper Art Supplies shop.
0 2024/06/20 13:52:51
More art. This large colorized mural depicting children was across from St. Mathieu church.
More art. This large colorized mural depicting children was across from St. Mathieu church.
0 2024/06/20 13:54:08
This painted wood in the garden by the Breton Dept. muse/Episcopal Palace was nearby a historical plaque. That plaque commemorated resistance hero Antoine Le Bris. In January '44, he and his partners working at the Nazi-run Quimper Department of Works sabotaged 44,000 dossiers, thereby saving those Bretons from being sent to death/labor camps. He was caught and executed. His co-conspirator wife survived. We need more movies about such heroes, instead of ones about fast cars and talking dogs.
This painted wood in the garden by the Breton Dept. muse/Episcopal Palace was nearby a historical plaque. That plaque commemorated resistance hero Antoine Le Bris. In January '44, he and his partners working at the Nazi-run Quimper Department of Works sabotaged 44,000 dossiers, thereby saving those Bretons from being sent to death/labor camps. He was caught and executed. His co-conspirator wife survived. We need more movies about such heroes, instead of ones about fast cars and talking dogs.
0 2024/06/20 13:57:44
We walked to the market during the atmospheric early morn.
We walked to the market during the atmospheric early morn.
0 2024/06/20 13:58:24
On the margins of the market, one finds interesting corners.
On the margins of the market, one finds interesting corners.
0 2024/06/20 13:59:41
The nearby Henriot faiencerie earthenware factory has been around since 1690. There, we saw items that ranged from twee to arty, from useful to decorative. Historical representations abounded, but so did modern designs.
The nearby Henriot faiencerie earthenware factory has been around since 1690. There, we saw items that ranged from twee to arty, from useful to decorative. Historical representations abounded, but so did modern designs.
0 2024/06/20 14:46:37
We bought this tray there at the Henriot shop. (Quimper to be cont.)
We bought this tray there at the Henriot shop. (Quimper to be cont.)
0 2024/06/20 14:46:49
Quimper detail.
Quimper detail.
0 2024/06/21 21:56:09
TD has mentioned Bernhardt's sculpture skills. Here are a few extra items that we enjoyed at the Muse des Beaux arts in Quimper.
TD has mentioned Bernhardt's sculpture skills. Here are a few extra items that we enjoyed at the Muse des Beaux arts in Quimper.
0 2024/06/21 21:57:49
Depictions of women wearing traditional clothing were not hard to find in both provinces: Finistere (Quimper) plus Morbihan (Vannes).
Depictions of women wearing traditional clothing were not hard to find in both provinces: Finistere (Quimper) plus Morbihan (Vannes).
0 2024/06/21 21:57:59
That included paintings too.
That included paintings too.
0 2024/06/21 22:00:15
Speaks for itself.
Speaks for itself.
0 2024/06/21 22:01:56
There were all kinds of fish tin labels throughout. Connetable= army general.
There were all kinds of fish tin labels throughout. Connetable= army general.
0 2024/06/21 22:02:12
Quimper was even more busy the following weekend. Saturday was the final day of September and saw a major demonstration by 'Kaerez Resistance'. Huge crowds were protesting a partial closure of the regional hospital in Carhaix. Cops were everywhere. As were the media. Buses were re-routed and streets were blocked by authorities. Note the traditional B&W Breton flags behind the protestor musician above.
Quimper was even more busy the following weekend. Saturday was the final day of September and saw a major demonstration by 'Kaerez Resistance'. Huge crowds were protesting a partial closure of the regional hospital in Carhaix. Cops were everywhere. As were the media. Buses were re-routed and streets were blocked by authorities. Note the traditional B&W Breton flags behind the protestor musician above.
0 2024/06/21 22:05:12
Annie gave us a wonderful greeting package, including one of the wines above. Note the local 'Coco haricot blanc' white beans from Paimpol on the right side.
Annie gave us a wonderful greeting package, including one of the wines above. Note the local 'Coco haricot blanc' white beans from Paimpol on the right side.
0 2024/06/21 22:06:10
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