When I first came to Saint Etienne to stay, because of meeting a French man reasons I cried. Of all the places in France – the picturesque villages, the chic cities, the old buildings – at first glance Saint Etienne has none of this. I lived in a small apartment above a main road next to a train line. It is a small post-industrial city about one hour south west of Lyon in … [Read more...]
Book Review: Talleyrand by Duff Cooper
‘Talleyrand’ is a book that was written in 1932 and tells the story of Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, who was born in 1754. At various times he was the Bishop of Autun, Foreign Minister for France, Grand Chancellor and Ambassador to London. It is a story of an extraordinary man in extraordinary times. After briefly describing his childhood, the book begins with the … [Read more...]
Snapshots – Montbrison Markets
Last Saturday’s mission was to stock up on cheese at the markets in the main square of Montbrison. Montbrison has its own ‘fourme’ which is a medium – not hard not soft - blue cheese. Added to my list as I waited in line at the cheese van was some Cantal Vieux, some St Nectair and something new – some dry goats cheese. All the maximum bacteria. Actually maximum bacteria … [Read more...]
Me and Age and Snow Skiing
Last weekend I was up at Morzine, skiing. Beautiful place and if I didn’t know it was France would have thought that I’d stepped into a Heidi movie. Wooden cabins with love heart shaped cut outs on all the balconies and eaves, and the street lights are in the shape of snow drops or icicles. My lifetime experience of skiing has been a bit patchy. Nothing for the first twenty … [Read more...]
Les ‘Yarn Bombers’ de St Etienne
There I was minding my own business on the STS tram in St Etienne and I saw a familiar but unexpected sight – a tree with a sweater. I recognised it for what it was – an attack of the Yarn Bombers. Jumping off the tram at the next stop, I ran back hoping to find a website or some other information that would provide an explanation. The first time I came across Yarn Bombers … [Read more...]
