Annette Charlton | A French Collection

Pierre-Auguste Renoir – A French Impressionist Painter

Pierre-Auguste Renoir - The Boating Party

Pierre-Auguste Renoir - One of the Most Influential Impressionist Painters

In celebration of Pierre-Auguste Renoir's birthday I take a brief look at the man and a few of his most well known paintings and why he is loved so much. Pierre-Auguste Renoir was born on 25 February 1841 in Limoges, the centre of porcelain production in France at the time, to a tailor.

Renoir moved to Paris as a young boy who later went on to earn money painting blinds and murals. He entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in 1862 and became associated with other painters such as Monet, Bazille and Sisley. The Beaux-Arts de Paris, or School of Fine Arts, is a French grande école whose primary mission is to provide high-level arts education and training and this is where many of Renoir's friendships with contemporary artists developed.

Renoir is loved for his style in portraying humans and their emotions which is captured by their movement and interaction with each other.

20 Photos of France – A Stunning Gallery

Wow, where do I start to choose photos to include in a photo feature post of France? With so many charming little villages, ancient walled towns, boat filled harbours, extravagant chateaux and beautiful rural regions throughout France captured on my camera, choosing just 20 to share in this post for you was challenging.

20 Photos of France Just For You

If you are missing travelling to France, or just love a good daydream at any time, then this special post is just for you ... Enjoy visiting France along with these 20 photos!

Surviving the Pandemic and Our Lockout from France

French Lockdown and Lockout from France

At the time of writing this blog post we are almost about to say 'bonjour' to the month of February and I can't help thinking how my life has changed over the last twelve months. I am sure your life has changed dramatically also. While we all deal with our different situations I really believe it is not a time to judge others and what they are struggling with or missing from their life pre-Covid.

I'll share with you what I am struggling with at the moment and how I am keeping positive and busy while I'm in lockout from France.

Édouard Manet – The French Modernist Painter

Édouard Manet - The Rue Mosnier with Flags 1878

The Rue Mosnier with Flags - Édouard Manet 1878

Édouard Manet - One of France's Great Painters

The French Modernist Painter - It's been said that if you’re after some of the world’s best art, there’s really no better place to be than France. And while I don't want to say France is the only country with amazing art museums, it is true that the country is home to a wide variety of world-class museums. The Louvre, the Musée D’Orsay, and the Centre Pompidou are grand and well known but there are also many lesser-known museums and galleries to choose to visit.

The Wallace Fountains of Paris – Water for All Parisians

Wallace fountains are the iconic green metal water fountains found through out Paris. You may have seen them in public squares or parks, or on the more busy boulevards as you walk around the city. One of my favourite fountains is outside my frequently visited bookstore Shakespeare & Company (see it over on the left of my photo above). As you can imagine there is an interesting history behind the origin of these fountains.

A Very Brief Background to the Wallace Fountains

The fountains provide fresh drinking water to the public and have done so since their creation. British philanthropist Richard Wallace who lived in Paris thought it a travesty that in the great walking city of Paris, there was no source of fresh free water to quench walker's thirst.

Carousels in Paris – A Complete Guide to Finding Merry-Go-Rounds in Paris

Paris Carousels - Your complete guide on where to find them

Carousels or merry-go-rounds, have always been a favourite of mine. In reality they are little more than an amusement ride that moves round and round in a circle but I think they are magical and I cannot resist them, especially the beautiful carousels in Paris. Once you start exploring Paris you'll find them dotted over the city and if you're like me, they'll draw you to them with their lights, music and happy children.

Have you noticed that many carousels turn in an anti-clockwise direction? Historically this is because they were designed for children to be able to wave with their right hand (closest to watching parents and minders) while holding on with their left. The French claim the invention saying they are derived from Louis the XIV’s jousting competitions.

Lyon – Best Things to See and Do

Lyon is the Third Largest City in France and the Perfect Mixture of Ancient, Old and New

Lyon - Best Things to See and Do

Lyon is the third largest city in France and is the capital of the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Let's take a look at the best things to see and do in Lyon.

Lyon once was the capital of the Gauls at the time of the Roman Empire and its prosperity as a seat of importance is still evident today. The city sits between the rivers Rhône and Saône and is a mixture of ancient, old and new and I'm completely under the spell of this city which beautifully blends centuries of culture, people and buildings together.

Living in a Little French Village in Cotes d’Armor

French Village in Cotes d'Armor, Brittany

Who's missing travel, and particularly travel to France? Have you missed your planned trip to soak up the French sunshine, go wine tasting at boutique vineyards, explore the cobbled streets of quaint towns and watch the bustle around you while you sip a champagne and enjoy crusty bread and cheese this year?

So many of you have told me where you were going, what you planned to see, and how those plans are now on hold. This got me to thinking that a bit of cheering up and daydreaming of France was needed .... so, I've created an eBook 'Life in France' with our most read and loved blog posts of our families adventures in our little French village.

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