Hundreds of thousands, millions, of people assembled in major cities of France on Sunday. But even small villages had their walks and gatherings in remembrance.
Category: Sketchbook
On est tous Charlie
Château de Castelnaud
Some of the Périgord’s historic sites and monuments are going into winter mode, which can mean anything from limited visiting hours to closing the doors until Easter. Fortunately the castle of Castelnaud remains open for December visitors, and we had the entire place pretty much to ourselves. A castle is a glacial and drafty domicile year-round, and viewed in December it makes a nice cozy one-room earthen-floor cottage look like the better choice.
Vox Vesunna
St. Nicolas le chocolat
Our daughter has been so good all year that St. Nicholas found her even at her new address in this tiny hillside village. And brought a treat from our favorite bakery too.
Light the Advent Candle
We didn’t bring to France our ceramic Advent ring (made by wonderful potter Heide Billenstein) so I assembled a makeshift wreath.
Gina
Giving Thanks at La Savie
Thanksgiving is a big event in the United States, but in the rural Dordogne it’s an off-season quiet Thursday night. The three of us were the only patrons on a Thursday evening, off-season, at La Savie. It’s run by a young couple who gave up their city lives to renovate an old farm and give it new life housing both a growing family and a lovely restaurant with a fresh bright imaginative décor and menu. We celebrated quietly and far from home, but with much gratitude for our present temporary one.
Julia
In Monet’s Kitchen
In honor of the birthday today of Claude Monet (1840-1926), I post a detail of a sketch from a trip to his house and garden in Giverny earlier this fall. Wouldn’t you like to whip up an omelette on this stove?
Lydia
Deno
Armistice Day
We walked down to the monument aux morts—a memorial to be found in every French city, town, and village—to attend today’s ceremony.
Through the Bakery Window
Jan
Garnette