The Hunt Continues...

Today’s finds include pretty windows, pretty chairs, and a fabulous mirror.

And visits with old friends along the way.

A coffee and Orangina break at the end of the afternoon.

Let the Shopping Begin!

Each trip to France has its own special flavor. Shopping with Camille has been a special time. She loves the hunt for good art and has an opinion about every choice. We love our choices. I would hang any one of these paintings in my own home.

A break for crepes after a morning’s hard work.

Spaetzle, Schnitzel, and Struedel

Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace and the place where the EU convenes, is a pristine city bustling with restaurants and shops.

The cathedral here houses a fascinating and enormous glockenspiel whose many figures tell their own story of time’s passing. The crowd gathers at noon everyday to view the display of this amazing nineteenth century clock.

Traveling with teens has its spontaneous moments—like trying on hats in a local shop.

But we all admire the local pastries through the window.

Our day ends with a drive across the German border and dinner of schnitzel and spaetzl in Freiburg.

France or Germany?

Today we began our discovery of Alsace, a region on the German border whose ownership has gone back and forth between France and Germany for centuries. Charming villages everywhere boast brightly painted buildings, frescoed exterior walls, and gingerbread tiled roofs.

Colmar feels like we just stepped into a painting, a palette of colors where flowers spill out of baskets and window boxes at every turn. Called “La petite Venise” or “Little Venice,” the city’s canals wind their way alongside cobblestone streets.

The signs hanging outside the restaurants and shops are intricate works of art.

Harrison’s passion for all things medieval led us to the discovery of the castle of Haut-Koenigsburg outside of Colmar . This enormous sixteenth century fortress stands on a high summit overlooking the Vosges mountains and was completely restored under Kaiser Wilhelm in the early 1900’s.

Frescoed wall inside the Chateau Haut-Koenigsburg.

Camille and Terry checking out a sixteenth century cannon.

POP the Cork!

What a fabulous way to spend our first full day in France! A VIP tour of the Taittinger Champagne House in Reims, graciously arranged by one of our clients who works for Taittinger in New York.

Our tour included a long walk through the Gallo-Roman caves where the champagne is stored.

And views of the many vaults--this one with 72, 212, bottles.

Our tour ended in a private salon where we shared a bottle of Brut Reserve.

Harrison's introduction to one of the finer things in life.

Off to France Once Again!

"It's my turn!" That's Terry talking. Alexander and I had a momentous January trip to France this year, but it's time for our summer trip. Alexander is staying behind at the shop, so let us know if you have any special requests while we are on the hunt.

I don't think we can top meeting the President of France, but Terry and I, along with our youngest kids Harrison and Camille, have a lot of new adventures planned during our upcoming one month stay in France. It'll be business and pleasure (now which is which?) in farflung regions from Alsace on the German border to the Pays Basque on the Spanish border. Hope you'll follow along...

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