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Saturday, May 24, 2025

Les Franciscaines, Deauville

 

Yesterday I was afraid I’d miss the meetup spot for a presse trip to Deauville

But after wandering in circles, it was obvious. I was early. Out came the sketchbook ✍️
It looks a bit like the stunning ceiling in the central hall of Les Franciscaines our destination in Deauville.
From the outside of the vibrant cultural center
It still retains elements of its former self, a Franciscan nunnery, a hospital in 1914, even an orphanage.
Deauville took over the institute in 2012, holding a design contest won and completed in 2015 by L'agence Moatti & Rivière
We were there to meet the artists of Les Franciscaines’ newest exhibition opening today, PIERRE ET GILLES
Hard to stop looking at the walls, cleverly papered with old Deauville postcards. 
Upstairs the artists gave us the grand tour. (One of us had on appropriately blue- green nail polish.)
Pierre et Gilles marine world focused artworks.
Afterwards we wandered down through handsome study halls
And libraries.
To a delicious summery lunch 
Waiting for us.
The center has their own delightful restaurant for visitors. 
Le Réfectoire - everything was perfection.
Les Franciscaines is a 10 minute walk to Deauville’s plages/beach 🏖️ 
How do I always find ice cream 🍦 wherever I go?
The streets to the beach are full of classic Norman split-timber small mansions - well worth the walk.
The ground floor. Do you know his superb work?
Renown both as an environmentalist and a humanist. Sadly Sebastião Salgado passed away yesterday at 81.
Quite a full day trip. Below, a painting by André Hambourg from Les Franciscaines’ collection. Why not visit Deauville on your next trip. A 2-hour train trip from Paris. And there is a race track 🏇behind the center. Next trip 👍

12 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:19 AM

    Merci for this timely post...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous11:49 AM

    Wonderful looking art center.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:24 AM

      Les Franciscaines is the best I’ve been to.

      Delete
  3. Bonnie L11:54 AM

    What a lovely day trip…jam packed full of activities. And, looks like you had wonderful weather! Must go to Deauville, thanks for taking us along.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:23 AM

      Good weather always makes a difference especially in Deauville 🌞

      Delete
  4. Sukicart2:29 PM

    Looks like a delightful day and lunch and finding ice cream is always a positive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:23 AM

      Absolutely Suki 👍

      Delete
  5. Anonymous4:04 PM

    Wonderful Deauville post. Looks fabulous there. D.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:22 AM

      Deauville is a well-kept secret. I think they like it that way.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous4:06 PM

    What a fab day. I would go for the ice cream. Lynne

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:07 PM

      One cannot complain, if there is ice cream 🍦
      Also the fruit salad was tiny bits - delectable ❤️

      Delete
  7. Anonymous4:56 AM

    Day trip to Deauville?? Dreamy! D.

    ReplyDelete

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