Comments on: Gardens of Crystal in the Parc de la Bagatelle

By: ladyjicky

ladyjicky — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:25:59 +0000

Jan, I love the violet and rose syrup idea . Any excuse to go to the Grande Epicerie is in order, gosh I Love that place. Now this is what a food hall should be. They try to do it here but it fails when you compare it to Bon Marche’s Grande Epicerie.

By: Jan del Monte

Jan del Monte — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:19:47 +0000

anniemousette, thanks. I had fun taking the pictures. You are not the first to ask about what I do. I think to explain it calls for a post, which will follow. In the meantime, if you have specific questions, please feel free to contact me through the email form on the Contact page.

ladyjicky, anniemousette gives a good explanation about sphinxes. The mid-18th century saw a surge in neoclassicism, both ancient Greek and Egyptian that continued and really peaked under the Empire, due in part to Napoléon’s campaigns.

The furniture in Madame Récamier’s salon and her bedroom featured sphinxes. They are now in the Musée du Louvre. Trust me. During my programme, I had to make a speech (in French, yet) about one of her armchairs, and I have been over every inch of it with a fine-toothed comb. You can see the furniture at http://www.insecula.com.

I would love to join you and anniemousette and nibble on macarons and sip kir among the roses. Which reminds me of the drink I had after going to la Bagatelle — a kir violette, which uses violet syrup in place of crème de cassis. It was really wonderful! And then, one of the people suggested rose syrup, which I have yet to try. Sounds like a trip to the Grande Epicerie is in order.

By: ladyjicky

ladyjicky — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:01:19 +0000

Oh my – sphinxes! Oooh, there is that BIG one in Egypt too! LOL but – those two pretty ladies at the Bagatelle are what I want!
Thankyou anniemousette for telling me what you call them. I wish you lived over here so I could invite you and Jan for a rose garden party / aussie BBQ.
Wouldn’t that be fun! I would ask Jan to bring some macaroons and real French cassis for Kir Royales and I would ask you anniemousette to bring some american lobsters and some root beer ( I LOVE American root beer! )

By: anniemousette

anniemousette — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 02:51:08 +0000

Ladyjicky, the half lion and half woman figures are sphinxes. They appeared in French art in the 1520s, continuing through the Baroque style of the French Regence in the early 1700s, and dearly loved by many like you until this day. One would be lovely among your many rose bushes! I live in a metropolitan area in the States, where one is thrilled to even own one small rose bush in a pot on one’s balcony or patio. I’m sure Jan can fill you in with more detail about the lovely sphinxes of greater Paris.

By: ladyjicky

ladyjicky — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:42:28 +0000

I love the bagatelle gardens for its wonderful roses ( I grow roses and have about 60 bushes) and the iris too! Trust me to miss out on this ! It looks so wonderful and the daum cactus area looks fantastic. I love the fountain outside too. If I was a gardener, Bagatelle’s “Gardener’s cottage” is for me! So cute. I love the round Bagatelle palace and my favourite thing there is around the back. Two wonderful marble statues of half women half lions ( I bet they have a name but I don’t know it!LOL) . I would love to uproot them and carry them off to my garden !! The faces on them are beautiful Jan!! I am so surprised they are not in a museum for safety!

By: anniemousette

anniemousette — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:16:17 +0000

The photos are absolutely amazing. A truly wonderful fall day for you and your clients. I’m envious and am wondering how one arranges such an excursion and learning experience with you? If you have time, could you enlighten me as to what sorts of things you’are willing to do and how one squeezes oneself into your busy calendar? I would be most appreciative. Again, this excursion is truly lovely.