Emily Morgan | A French Collection

History of the French Striped Top – La Marinière

History Of The French Striped Top – La Marinière

The French striped top, la marinière, also referred to as tricot rayé (striped sweater), seems to be as French as France itself with photos and illustrations depicting it as part of everyday French life. Is the French striped top, la marinière, really something the French wear though?

With a rich history beginning in Brittany, the French striped top has made its way through the leading fashion houses of Paris, and to wardrobes all around the world. Let's look at some details of its rise to classic French status.

Presbytère d’Étienville – A Beautiful Garden of Normandy, France

Apple blossom in beautiful garden in Normandy, France

Presbytère d’Étienville - A Beautiful Garden of Normandy, France

Normandy (Normandie) in the north of France is one of 18 regions. It is well known for its coastline and many beautiful gardens. Covering an area of approximately 30,627 kilometres it is divided into five administrative departments. In this new series of Beautiful Gardens of Normandy, France, we will be travelling through the region exploring its gardens in more detail.

“The many great gardens of the world, of literature and poetry, of painting and music, of religion and architecture, all make the point as clear as possible: The soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden. If you don't want paradise, you are not human; and if you are not human, you don't have a soul.” - Sir Thomas More, author of 16th Century seminal classic ‘Utopia’

Saint Patrick’s Day in Paris & What’s On in France in March

Eiffel Tower on Saint Patrick's Day in Paris

Saint Patrick's Day in Paris and What's On In France Monthly Guide

Another month has arrived and I wasn’t ready for it. The year races on. Excitement is in the air in France as hints of Spring arrive; cooler rather than colder days and a lazy drizzle instead of snow (fingers crossed).

Peak travel season still hasn’t hit and so March is an affordable time to head to France with reduced air-fairs and hotel specials. Want to know what’s happening in France in March? Read on to find out about Saint Patrick's Day in Paris, Literary Festivals, a Design Biennial, and an epic race up the Eiffel Tower!

What’s On In France In February

Colorful houses of Menton old town embankment, France

Want to go to France in February?

Then you'll need to know what's on in France in February, and there's a lot happening. Everything kicks into gear in February. January is just a blur as we regather after Christmas and New Year, and February is when life comes back together and finally hits a regular rhythm.

Carnival de Nice, Chinese New Year, Fête du Citron, Valentine's Day and more

February in France is a cold month but spring is on the horizon and winter doesn’t hold people back from some serious celebrations and carnival spirit. From Mardi Gras to Chinese New Year, February offers a host of events you can’t miss if you’re in France in February. Of course we couldn’t talk about France in February without mentioning Valentine's Day! Below we’ll have a look at how you could spend Valentines in Paris, la ville l'amor.

What’s On In France In January

France In January

January in France is a busy month so here are some of what we think are the highlights of what's on in France in January. With a mixture of activities experienced by ourselves and others on our 'must do' list, there will be something for everyone. Enjoy France in January...

Last year I arrived in Paris on New Years day. It was raining as the taxi driver unloaded our suitcases onto the shimmering pavement outside our hotel. There is nothing like coming in out of the rain into a warm hotel foyer, with lamps glowing gold and glinting off of polished surfaces. We quickly made our way to the nearest bistro for a light dinner of French onion soup. Think hot buttery onion, crusty bread, and melted gruyere!

A Way of Life and A Love of Life

A Way Of Life and A Love of Life – A Travel Story

Part of the magic of travelling is the stories it creates and this recollection by my daughter Emily, shows that even the smaller things in life and travel can create joy and evoke strong memories. Here’s her story…

We had taken a wrong turn at the Plouagat turn-off and found ourselves passing through Châteauldren, a Petite Cité de Caractère and I will always remember the wrong turn and the village of Châteaualdren because of what I brought back with me from a small glass panelled shoe-store.

Emily Morgan

Emily is a contributor to A French Collection and her work has been featured on numerous other blogs. She’s an avid traveller who’s explored more than 15 countries and when not writing travel related articles, she’s likely reading a classic novel or creating original fashion garments. Emily’s also the daughter of Annette (our editor) and has spent lots of time in France.

History of the Development of the Citroen 2CV

Who doesn't love the Citroen 2CV? It's the iconic French car loved the world over. The Citroen 2CV holds a romantic place in many hearts as the classic French family car that provided freedom at an affordable price and with loads of style. Today, they are collected, restored and loved across the globe.

Andre Citroen, the founder of Citroen

Citroen’s 2CV, purportedly the icon of founder Andre Citroen’s career, was designed with the aim of ‘maximum mobility at minimal cost’ (Reynolds 22). The final result left the market speechless; some in indignation and others in sheer surprise at the ingenuity.

Moliere: France’s Shakespeare

Molière has been described as France’s Shakespeare

Have you heard of Molière? He was a French playwright who helped create the Comédie-Française, France’s national theatre in Paris and has been dubbed the Shakespeare of France. This post starts with the ancient books, Oeuvres de Molière, in the northwest town of Lannion in Brittany, and takes us to Paris the home of the Comédie-Française and Molière and then England the home of Shakespeare.

Read on as Emily discovers the history and connection between Moilère and Shakespeare…

Visiting the old town of Lannion, where my brothers’ favourite toy shop is and mum’s coveted decor store, (La Maison du Mode), we found ourselves walking past a bookshop sunken below street level on our way to a crêperie for lunch. There was a sign on the locked door which mum translated to ‘back in 5 minutes’. We vowed to return to the bookstore after eating at the Moulin Vert Crêperie which was beside this ancient shop.

Emily Morgan

History of the French Striped Top – La Marinière

History Of The French Striped Top – La Marinière

Presbytère d’Étienville – A Beautiful Garden of Normandy, France

Presbytère d’Étienville - A Beautiful Garden of Normandy, France

Saint Patrick’s Day in Paris & What’s On in France in March

Saint Patrick's Day in Paris and What's On In France Monthly Guide

What’s On In France In February

Want to go to France in February?

Carnival de Nice, Chinese New Year, Fête du Citron, Valentine's Day and more

What’s On In France In January

France In January

A Way of Life and A Love of Life

A Way Of Life and A Love of Life – A Travel Story

History of the Development of the Citroen 2CV

History of the Development of the Citroen 2CV

Andre Citroen, the founder of Citroen

Moliere: France’s Shakespeare

Molière has been described as France’s Shakespeare

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