Mocha Monday

 

Morning mocha in the shadow of a castle in the breathtaking Loire Valley.

3 hours (or less) from Paris

 

Abbey road

 A former medieval abbey once home to the powerful bishops of Cluny, now a museum, is accessible from a small street in the heart of the Latin Quarter.

 

 National Museum of the Middle Ages

 28 rue du Sommerard 75005 

Tea at the château

More Vaux-Le-Vicomte: a private informal tea

Below: our small press group is joined by one of the castle's gracious owners, Count Alexandre de Vogüé

 

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

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Merci à Alexandre de Vogüé, et toute l'équipe

Vaux-le-Vicomte at the movies #3

The château, an easy day trip from Paris, is quite different in the daytime than at night.

Above: room after sumptuous room decorated w/art and furnishings of the period; for the exhibit signs are set out indicating where a specific film scene was shot

Below: a glimpse into the basement kitchen w/table set for the household help as it would have been when the castle was a royal residence

Vaux-le-Vicomte at the movies 2018

September 22 - November 4


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Article: The Good Life Magazine

Vaux-le-Vicomte at the movies #2

Bond. James Bond.

 A new exhibition has been added in homage to Sir Roger Moore who died last year in Switzerland.

Thanks to "The James Bond Club" the helicopter from the scene in the 1979 film Moonraker when Bond does his unforgettable double-take upon seeing the château for the first time will be on display.

Above: photos from the passenger seat as we swooped over the castle

Below: aerial shot of nearby village and its medieval fortress; our helicopter before takeoff

Vaux-le-Vicomte at the movies 2018

September 22 - November 4


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- Tomorrow: inside the castle -

 Article: The Good Life France Magazine
  

Vaux-le-Vicomte at the movies #1

 A fairytale castle and gardens...

Last week I was invited to an exclusive press preview at Vaux-le-Vicomte that included afternoon tea with the castle owner and, in a tribute to Sir Roger Moore - as James Bond in Moonraker (filmed at the château) and, in 2017, passed away - a lucky few were treated to a surprise helicopter ride to behold the castle from the air, just as 007 did in the famous scene when he catches sight of the palace for the first time.

The occasion: this year, once again, and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its opening to the public, Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte has opened its doors for a behind-the-scenes experience into the magic of movie making, with something for everyone.


Besides Moonraker this 17th century inspiration for Versailles has been the setting for some eighty films including Marie-Antoinette, Valmont, The Three Musketeers, Molière, Man In The Iron Mask, Gene Wilder's Start The Revolution Without Me, Versailles the series and most recently, L'Empereur de Paris starring Vincent Cassel.

The exhibition features spectacular sets, dazzling period costumes, interactive activities, guided tours, astonishing virtual visuals, special effects make-up workshops, plus more surprises in store.

For all ages.

Less than an hour from Paris.

Vaux-le-Vicomte At The Movies 2018
(click on video)

 
- Visit website for schedule of candlelit evenings -

September 22 - November 4

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- Tomorrow: bird's eye view -



  Article: The Good Life France Magazine

Vaux-le-Vicomte fait son cinéma

A special exhibition goes behind the scenes to celebrate the many films made at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

 

(click on photos to enlarge)

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No sooner back from Italy it was off to Vaux-le-Vicomte -- the château about an hour's drive outside of Paris that inspired Versailles -- to an invitation-only exclusive evening where lucky guests had the run of the castle into the night.

Above: thousands of candles light our approach; chamber group welcome; costumes from some of the many movies filmed here (Man In The Iron Mask, Marie-Antoinette, James Bond Moonraker, Versailles, Three Musketeers....); a room set up and ready for filming; outstanding créatrice-costume designer Madeline Fontaine; champagne apéro-dinatoire

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Vaux-le-Vicomte At The Movies

Ends November 5

  

Castle on the Seine

A section of the medieval castle the Conciergerie as seen from a nearby bridge.

A queen's final stop

A medieval fortress on the river, the Conciergerie rises like a spectre over bouquiniste stalls, as imposing today as it was when Marie Antoinette was imprisoned there.