Pissarro à Eragny, musee du Luxembourg

A Pissarro-inspired watercolor sketch I made after visiting the Pissarro ã Eragny exhibit at musee du Luxembourg on Monday.

Aside from being an uplifting and summery show, another reason to visit if you're in Paris at the moment is the fabulous AC in the museum! Way better than the yogurt case at Monoprix.

I didn't think I was a fan of Pissarro but these light, pastoral scenes are a breath of fresh air.

Pissarro moved from Pointoise to Éragny in 1884 and spent the last 20 years of his life there.

Thanks to a loan from his good friend Monet, he was able to buy a beautiful house for his large family.

You can feel the mid-day sun pouring down.

All the atmosphere of a perfect country afternoon.

I love his sturdy figure drawings.

Reminiscent of Jean-Francois Millet's wheat pickers.

Just the right balance of warm and cool colors here.

Many old photographs of Pissarro make him ever-present in the exhibition. Its on through July 9.

An old postcard of the artist's village.

Angelina has a tea salon at the museum - no AC FYI though you could eat on their terrasse. They created this special apple concoction named after Camille Pissarro with white chocolate coating and apple confit inside.

I indulged instead in their tarte de saison of rare fraise des bois - tiny red berries sitting on vanilla cream, a bit of yellow cake on a shortbread crust (pâte sablée). I ate the whole thing. Thank you for reading Parisbreakfast. The next subscribers to my Etsy Parisbreakfast letters or maps will receive one of these watercolors in your mailbox, stop by my shop. Cheers Carolg

Journees des Plantes de Chantilly 2017

Every May Domaine de Chantilly celebrates Spring with a 3-day garden party, Journee des Plantes. I went two years ago. Its worth going every year.

Just a short 22-minute train ride from Paris, Chantilly is just as splendid as Versailles.

Next time I'll visit the horse museum. Hunting/la chasse is the theme of the chateau.

Blue skies with intermittent rain drops did not deter guests a bit

From visiting the over 200 garden stands. We both fell hard for this miniature conservatory. Perfect for painting or writing plus a few plantes if you must.

Smashing garden furniture too.

The French are crazy for British brand Barbour jackets. De riguer in the country always.

We both went crazy over these ornamental orange and lemon potted  trees from Oscar Tintori of Pescia, Italy.

Their lemon, bitter orange and bergamote marmalades were irresistable. 3 jars came back to Paris.

A sumptuous show of plants and flowers.

The chateau was open to all garden guests.

Chantilly's art collection is world famous.

A dreamy 2-story library including the rare Book of Hours manuscripts on display.

Serene gardens with large reflecting pools designed by Andre Le Notre seen from inside the chateau.

Chantilly makes for a wonderful day trip from Paris minus the crowds of Versailles. Do consider a visit.Thank you for reading Parisbreakfast.  If you'd like to receive Paris breakfast letters and maps in your mailbox, stop by my shop. Bon Week-end!

I still love Trouville-sur-mer

I went last August for 3 days and then again with C. On Monday-Tuesday to lovely old Trouville-su-mer

Its in Normandy in case you were wondering, 2 hours from Paris. Depart from Gare St. lazare.

I still love the Marché de Poisson - 6 stands of super fresh crustaceans. Nothing cooked. Go across the street for that.

My pre-birthday lunch. OTT to say the least.

Natch I did a watercolor of said homard/lobster. Email me if interested.

We did eat across the street too at Les Vapeurs, loadd with turn of the century paraphernalia. 

In fact we thought we were at Le Central..they are right next to each other.

Never mind. Our meal was superb!

Extremely yummy Normandy oysters. FYI, Prices are somewhat higher when you sit down at a white tablecloth place vs. the raw bar across the street.

Natch I painted my huitres/oysters.

French poster artist par excellence, Raymond Savignac's artwork is everywhere - its his home town.

I still love the wild, crazy French Victorian architecture in Trouville

Encroyable!

We sketch this Victorian villa.

First time for Carolyn and she did better than moi

Mine...👎

Not much has changed from when Monet painted it...

We took the little tourist train (8€) up to see more houses.

We took the little boat to Deauville too (1.20€ for 2 minute ride...I could have stayed longer on the boat). I ate this lieges chocolat in Deauville(7,90€). Why oh why? I will go back soon I hope. You too!Thank you for reading Parisbreakfast.  If you'd like to receive Paris letters and maps in your mailbox, stop by my shop. Bon Week-end PBers!