Who doesn’t love a hand-crafted object? From master glass-blowers to espadrille-makers, I’m always fascinated to watch craftsmen at work. From their hands, the French antiques of tomorrow. So when a top Paris plumassier held an open day in his atelier recently, of course, I couldn’t resist. A plumassier is someone who works with feathers –…
Gustave Caillebotte – the ‘other’ Impressionist Time for a cultural interlude, with some bucolic charm thrown in. Last weekend, I visited the country home of Impressionist painter, Gustave Caillebotte – and it’s a jewel. Set in its own rolling park, the house is elegant, yet the decor is oddly anachronistic. That’s because much of…
Chatou antiques fair If you love antiques and you happen to be in Paris this weekend, you’re in luck: the Chatou antiques fair is in full swing. Thirty minutes from Paris, Chatou is fabulous for its sheer concentration of antiques, paintings and vintage collectables. Alongside traditional French finds, such as Medici vases, old linen, silverware…
Paris: The Bastille Antiques Fair – without the Bastille The Bastille antiques fair is a Paris institution – not least for its remarkable location. Held in May and November, the antiques fair straddles the Port de l’Arsenal, a delectable little pleasure port, smack in the heart of the city. Sadly, this year might be the…