Maison Guinon Versailles

I've thrown down the gauntlet to the almighty peony and shall not give up till I've won the joust with watercolor as my weapon.

Back to Versailles. The purpose of my afternoon trip was to explore the patisseries and the Notre-Dame marché. Maison Guinon was first on the list simply because it was closest - 60, rue de Paroisse, the main shopping street in Versaillesthat leads right up to the gardens.

There's a grandiosity to the shops and products in Versailles, as if at any moment they might get a rush take-out order to send up to the palais. Look! Another pretty ciel bleu. These heavenly painted ceilings seem to be reserved for patisseries and salon de the. So far I haven't seen them elsewhere..? Have you?

Very grande gateaux wouldn't you say?

One of the house specialties - le Courchevel. Vanilla cream-filled with crushed rasbperries and a crepe drapped on top.

Next up the rue at #44, rue de la Paroisse, Maison JC Gaulipeau is almost too grand to enter...

I suppose if one were riding horseback it would be easier to see...

Again tartes and gateaux fit for a queen!

Have you noticed the profusion of raspberries? I did.

In the marche Notre-Dame, a big square of surrounding buildings is the answer. These are REAL raspberries like the kind you picked as a kid and they taste real. Sweet and not at all uniform in size.

A typical fruitier in the marche - somehow more fabulous that ones I've seen in Paris but it could be me getting into the spirit of things, thinking suppose I were queen...

The marche has 4 main entrances and square itself is filled with venders as well. Clothing on Saturday..

Displays from a nearby epicerie makes me think of banquets, mountains of rare delicacies...

A piece montee in a window...

Do look up. You may see a harp in a window...

And hear Baroque music wafting by as you browse the gateaux...

More information on visiting the town of Versailles at Marjorie Williams.

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Versailles Greens

I went to Versailles today with Carolyn and Vanessa. The weather was most obliging wth a bit of sunshine.

You know you're on the right RER train (C) by the 18th century decor, but it's a good idea to also be headed the right direction. We were not. The signs can be confusing...nevermind. Just get off and change tracks.

The fountains are on during the weekends so you might wish to wait.

I decided to just do the gardens at Versailles this time, with all the hints of Spring in Paris. Immersion in greenery and Mother Nature was quite appealing.

I ended up riding around on the little train all over the grounds without ever getting off. My plans to paint onsite a la Eugene Boudin were squashed by a lack of benches and maybe a touch of Spring fever inertia.

It may be too early for the flowers but the greenery is sumptuous.

I highly recommend reading Heather Stimmler's Secrets of Paris PDF on Versailles before you go. All the details are nailed. Definitely buy your entry tickets online before you go and a round trip RER ticket as well. You'll still have to go through a long line to have your bag checked before entering the buildings (not the gardens). Bring a book! Heather's monthly newsletter is full of treasures. Well worth subscribing. I wouldn't miss it.

I would also suggest you take lunch so you won't have to wait on more long lines or search for a place to eat. We picked up some goodies in the marche which proved a blessing.

There may not be many flowers yet but there are plenty of sheep and joggers.

The town of Versailles is charming and worth a promenade.

Look for the Cours de Scents - an elegant gathering of shops just outside the perimeter of Versailles including Guerlain and Diptych.

Lenotre has much needed ice cream cones after your jaunt through Versailles...

The gent behind the counter saw me eying the macarons and offered me one gratis! Is it that obvious that I'm a devoted macaron fan. This delicate creation is from their Printemps/Spring collection - almond with a dash of jasmine inside.

I passed a small courtyard and thought I better do a 'Cara Black' and waltz right in. An unlikely place for a murder but very pretty instead. Sorry Cara.

More gardens coming tomorrow with the l'Art du Jardin opening tomorrow at the Grand Palais. Get your shovels out and start planting PBers!

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Les Adieux à la Reine

 Parfum de Marie-Antoinette etsy 9" x 11"

 I just saw again Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette at the Film for Foodies series/Alliance Francaise going on through October. Don't miss it! Still as frivolous as ever with fab costumes and gouter plus an intro by Foodie critic John Mariani.

 On a more serious vein I can't recommend enough the new Marie Antoinette film de Benoît Jacquot, Les Adieux à la Reine, with Léa Seydoux, Diane Kruger, Viriginie Ledoyen.

 It covers the last 3 days of MA's reine (filmed also) within the confines of Versailles with utter authenticity and the drama of a thriller.

 The acting is superb as are the costumes, every detail is considered. But the lighting and cinematography will knock your socks off.

 With the look of a Georges de la Tour painting throughout for added drama to the scenes...

 Excellent actress Lea Seydoux holds your attention every minute. Remember her in the end of Woody's Midnight in Paris? By the way I saw this film sans titles the day it opened in Paris thinking it would be easy to get. Ahem...I had to see it again recently, this time with titles. It was well worth the second viewing. Exquisite!

 I saw Lea Seydoux at a screening of terrific new film  'Sister' last Sunday. Quite a transformation.

 Another mistress of Versailles (some would also like to see on the guillotine) Catherine Pégard, and recent appointee of last president, Nicolas Sarkozy. Formerly editor of the journal Le Point, she has no experience whatsoever in the art world or curating such a massive institution like Versailles.

Il arrive.

 Her predecessor was responsible for bringing in Jeff Koons and Murakami to the grand halls of Versailles much to the consternation of many. As well, the palace gardens, formerly free, are now 9 euros in season and 5 euros out of season.

Il arrive (it happens). 

 If Marie Antoinette were alive today do you think she'd be eating deluxe Granola Ispahan from another of Pierre Herme's collections?

I'd like to be eating it right now...

Rose of Marie Antoinette etsy 9" x 11"

If you would like to gaze at a Parisbreakfast watercolor whilst eating your cereal the sale continues through this week at Etsy.

Bon Journee!

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