Archive for 'Curiosities in France'

If you have found a vacation rental in Paris and end up making your way to the beautiful Musée Rodin, you will likely be visiting with the intention to view the extraordinary works of that artist to whom the museum is dedicated and for whom it is named. However, many do not realise, until they get to the museum, that there are lots of other fascinating works of art and exceptional artists who are represented by the collection. In fact, you may be surprised to stumble across other rather famous names in addition to Rodin, such as Van Gogh.

Unlikely a work that many are immediately familiar with but a telling and beautiful example from the artist's oeuvre and readily recognisable as the distinct style of Van Gogh, the work, “Portrait of Père Tanguy” (1887) is today's Art Focus and a piece that we recommend seeking out in the Musée Rodin. Executed in attractive and bright pastel tones, the portrait of this gentleman is set against a backdrop of the Japanese prints that he sold, which were also hugely influential on Van Gogh's work and a great passion of the artist's. This piece, therefore, can be seen as a visualisation of this great inspiration and fascination of his as well as a serene and beautiful portrait of, and tribute to, one of the first art dealers to ever sell Van Gogh's work and someone whose friendship Van Gogh greatly valued. In fact, it is just one of three portraits that the artists painted of him and one of two portraits of Tanguy by Van Gogh that are on display in the Musée Rodin.

Montmartre is, without a doubt, the most famous Parisian district. This completely picturesque neighbourhood is now a household name and was famously home to many of the world's most beloved and best-known artists throughout the past couple of hundred years. While it has, undeniably, suffered from its own fame and mass-tourism, making the area less authentic in some ways and making it so expensive that the culture of young artists occupying the area that propelled its reputation is no longer financially viable for said young artists, there is still much to love about the area. You might just have to ignore the gaudier tat on sale in some shop windows and try and avoid times and places that attract the most oppressive tourist crowds. However, if you have found a vacation rental in Paris and you are looking for somewhere to wander around pretty streets and lush green spaces, to grab a bite, to go and take in some of the city's most famous sights, to soak up the unique atmosphere of Paris, and more, then Montmartre is not to be missed!

Located on the Butte (hill) Montmartre, the district of Montmartre was once marked by the dozen or so windmills that were visible atop the hill. Today, only a few remain; that of the Moulin Radet, the Moulin de la Galette, and the incredibly famous Moulin Rouge. An area that excavations have shown has been occupied since at least Roman-Gallo times, it was once known as “Mont de Mars,” or Mount Mars, and then became “Mont des Martyrs”, after Saint Denis, a Christian bishop, was decapitated on the hilltop in 250AD for preaching the Christian faith to the Gallo-Roman inhabitants the city. All of which eventually led to the current name of Montmartre. Until 1860, the neighbourhood was actually located just outside the city limits of Paris but it was annexed to the city that year along with other surrounding communities and became part of the 18th arrondissement of Paris, as it is today.

Located in the Mediterranean, the stunning island of Corsica is a French territory but, due to its position, has shifted hands between Italy and France on several occasions throughout the centuries. As a result, its towns and culture reflect this mixed heritage beautifully, and its breath-taking landscape seals the deal: it is a truly gorgeous place. For those interested in the great outdoors – be that exploring it, photographing it, or just looking at it – Corsica is an ideal destination and a must-see in France. From craggy peaks lined with hiking routes to water almost too blue to be real, stacked villages backing right up to rugged cliffs to impressive rock formations emerging from the sea, and ancient fortifications and pretty lighthouses lining the coast to painterly sunsets that astound, Corsica is a jewel-box of an island, full of delights and surprises, just waiting to be explored.

As travel is not possible quite at the moment and we are all long due and in need of a holiday, we thought we'd compile some wonderful photos of beautiful Corsica to help sate your wanderlust (or perhaps stoke it?) and for you to enjoy at home for now so you can compile a list of all of the incredible sights you want to go and see when we are free to move about once more. So, for now, may enjoying these photographs of Corsica in the comfort and safety of your home suffice until you are able to see the majestic beauty of the island for yourself, in person.

Annecy is an exceptionally pretty Alpine town that is famous for the utterly postcard-perfect cobbled streets, winding canals, and historic buildings in pastel hues of the Old Town and is a definite must-see for those who have found a vacation rental in the Rhône-Alpes region. However, beyond the charming town of Annecy itself, the area that surrounds is full of lots of incredibly beautiful vistas and special surprises. Among those surprises is the Parc Animalier de la Grande Jeanne, a unique zoo that is just ten minutes from the city of Annecy.

Located along the road to the ski resort of Semnoz, in La Grande Jeanne in the municipal forest, the park covers an area of 10,500 square metres, or ten hectares, and is home to two different species of non-domestic animals: deer (with around nineteen fallow deer and around nine red deer among them) and around twenty bighorn sheep of the Corsican mouflon variety. The Parc Animalier de la Grande Jeanne is not a traditional zoo with lots of different species of animals to spot and admire but one doesn’t feel as though they are missing out because of that. This special place has its own charms to appreciate in that it is both completely free of charge to visit and that the few animals that live here are free to roam all over as they please.

The lush and rugged landscape of Corsica is famously beautiful and is one of the countless things that makes it such an appealing holiday destination for many travellers. If you are in search of unforgettable scenery and views to cleanse your eyes and soul and a place where there is ample opportunity for heading out there, stretching your legs, breathing in the freshest of air, exploring, and getting far away from the normal routines and worries of everyday life, a vacation rental in Corsica is just the ticket!

However, not everyone who plans a vacation in Corsica will be up for long, laborious hikes – you are on holidays after all! So, if you are looking for a taste of the beauty of this part of the world and you want to do some leg-stretching without quite signing up for a major expedition then we recommend a trip to the impressive and lovely La Cascade de Piscia di Gallo.