Thursday, September 04, 2008

Chateau Vaux le Vicomte

 Hydrangea bleu, original watercolor ,5.5" x 7.5"
While I'm busy painting garden-esque themes..hey flowers count..I remembered my visit to Chateau Vaux le Vicomte .
Andre Le Notre's fantastic gardens are unforgettable and were the blueprint for future Versailles gardens.
Not only the chateau is worth a visit.

But the gift shop is almost a big as the gardens and full of gardening gear for the passionate gardener.




Does the ceramic frog or grenouille replace our garden gnomes in French gardens?
BONNE JOURNEE!

19 comments:

  1. Lovely watercolor, Carol!! These are great--I'm really liking these a lot. That garden shop has blue and white garden balls exactly like ours! Looks like a place where I'd have fun. Good luck painting up a storm for the show!

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  2. Carol, I'm kicking myself wondering how I moved out of France without visiting the Chateau Vaux le Vicomte?!? Thanks for the tip... will be in France twice in the next month for work - I'm going to see what I can do about planning a visit! Best,
    The Antiques Diva

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  3. Oh wow.. I would love to spend some time visiting that garden shop. Great photos here and your painting is wonderful. I am liking the blue in it. I see hints of David Deweys work shop this summer showing thru.

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  4. Does that shop ever look like fun!

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  5. Antiques Diva - lots of people never visit Chateau Vaux le Vicomte. It's a well kept secret. There's a direct train and now they have a shuttle bus to the train.
    The weekend is perfect for visiting. It's a miniature Versaille in many ways. Just dress warmly. The chateau is not heated. I went for the Easter Sunday egg roll-FUN!

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  6. Anonymous10:34 AM

    Your paintings have a life of their own....so lively
    and fresh ! I love this new you.

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  7. Anonymous10:41 AM

    WOW! These new paintings are so strong and just wonderful. Keep going!!(FYI - We have garden gnomes here in our Parisian garden out back)

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  8. WOW Love the blue! I'm wiht Rick, go girl. ;-)

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  9. Oh you're so right Rick!
    Wasn't a French garden gnome the sub-theme of the rave movie AMELIE?
    Thanks on the new blue.
    I'm playing a bit here...

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  10. Anonymous12:12 PM

    I recognize your style from any tiny thumbnail - Pure sugar for the eye - luscious in every respect!
    Your posts always make my day brighter!

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  11. Vaux le Vicomte was so impressive when I went - 2,000 candles lit around the grounds. We almost didn't go because of rain, but it cleared just in time for us, and made it even more romantic in a foggy mist!

    Anne

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  12. Anonymous2:56 PM

    Oh my gosh. Those little froggie boots are so dear...

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  13. Anonymous2:59 PM

    Been there. Dome that :-)
    A wonderful place so filled with history and beauty.

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  14. Carol...I certainly agree wth all your enthusiastic fans in recent comments on your embellished paintings! The background washes give a new spatial relationship...more of an "environment," to your already beautiful art.
    Can't wait to see your paintings at the Winterthur GardenFaire!
    sjerseyboy

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  15. i've always wanted to go..maybe i'll plan it for my day off in october! so beautiful!

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  16. Oh, I love, love, love Vaux le Vicomte! I went there during October one year and they had some of the big urns filled with all sizes, shapes, and colors of gourds. It was beautiful and magical.

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  17. Oh Carol, I adore every watercolor you post, and Oh how I enjoy your mini French tours, they make it worth coming to work on Mondays!! Bonne Week-End

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  18. Love your watercolors and French travel post. I did not have a chance to visit the chateau. Looking forwrad to visiting Paris again.

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  19. Loving your new paintings. Ooh I sounded American then :)

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