France
In the Historic Center of Aix-en-Provence — A Gem of Contemporary Cuisine
Americans would call it my guilty pleasure, the French my péché mignon (delightful sin), but to me it is just NIRO by Le Gambetta – my favorite bistronomie restaurant in Aix-en-Provence.
Nancy — The Fountainhead of French Art Nouveau
Best known for its medieval Old Town and its spectacular Baroque Place Stanislas, Nancy, the once capital of the Duchy of Lorraine, is also home to France’s richest Art Nouveau heritage.
The Museum of Paris History— Musee Carnavalet
Recently reopen after extensive renovations, the Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris is the history museum of the city and its people from the Mesolithic times to the present. Although often overlooked by tourists, it is well worth a visit.
The Maeght Foundation — An oasis of Modern Art in the Hills of Provence
At the edge of Saint-Paul de Vence, one of the oldest and most picturesque medieval hilltop villages of Provence, the Maeght Foundation Is home to one of the most important collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe.
The Sainte Chapelle — The Other Gothic Gem In The Heart of Paris.
The largest of the two islands in the middle of the Seine River, the Ile de la Cité is where Paris began. It remains to this day the home of its two most remarkable Gothic treasures.
The Night Never Falls – Zao Wou-Ki in Aix-en-Provence
In Aix-en-Provence, the Caumont Art Center presents an exhibition regrouping more than 70 works by the great French-Chinese Post-Impressionist painter Zao Wou-Ki (1920-2021), illustrating one of his life-long creative themes: the representation of light.
Normandy’s Mystical Island – The Mont Saint-Michel
An unmistakable icon of the northern French coast, Mont Saint-Michel is a magical island crowned by a lofty gothic monastery, looming dramatically on the horizon and defying some of the highest tides in Europe. It was for centuries one of Europe’s major pilgrimage destinations. Now, it is one of the most visited monuments in the country.
Albi — The City Shaped By The Cathar Saga
An easy one-hour ride from Toulouse, Albi is a fascinating day-trip back in time to the troubled history of religious conflict of its Cathar medieval past.
From Military Stronghold to Literary Legend – the Chateau d’If
A mere 20-minute ferry ride from the historic Old Port of Marseille, the most famous legend in French literature becomes reality at the Château d’If.
Joaquin Sorolla: Spanish Master of Light
Unjustly overlooked outside of his native country, Joaquin Sorolla is considered one of greatest Spanish painters of the 20th century. Now the luminous splendor of his work can be admired at the Hôtel de Caumont-Art Center, in Aix-en-Provence, France.
The Golden Age of English Painting — Musee du Luxembourg, Paris
The first art Museum in France to be open to the public (in 1750), the Musée du Luxembourg is now one of Paris’ premier temporary exhibit galleries. Through a series of masterpieces on loan from the Tate Britain Museum, its current exhibit pays an exceptional tribute to the 18th century masters who shaped the Golden Age of English painting.
Museums in the 21st Century – Eight Must-Visits in France
Since the start of the new millennium, France is seeing an explosion of contemporary architectural brilliance from some of the world’s greatest structural and landscape artists. They have conceived a new crop of outstanding museums that go beyond their historic role as custodian of the cultural and artistic heritage of the country to become works of arts onto themselves.
Two Centuries of Stage Magic – in Moulins, France
The National Center for Stage Costume is the first institution in France to be entirely dedicated to the preservation, study and display of a unique collection of stage costume and scenography spanning the past two centuries.
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Josette King
I was barely in my teens when travel became a driving force in my life. Now as a travel writer and photographer, I have visited over 45 countries in some of the most photogenic corners of the planet, taking tens of thousands of pictures along the way. With my work, I thrive to capture the natural and cultural uniqueness of each area I visit. Get to know me better…
