Tag: Monet’s Gardens

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Rouen and Versailles, France.

ROUEN, FRANCE
The Mystery of the Telemaque
Not far from Rouen, nestled in a bend of the Seine, lies the quaint town of Quillebeuf-sur-Seine, shrouded in thick mystery surrounding one of France’s most legendary treasures. It is January 8, 1790. The Telemaque, an 80-foot brigantine weighing 120 tons and built in 1772, had set sail from Rouen a few days earlier, carrying a cargo of tallow and nails destined for Brest. As the ship approached Quillebeuf-sur-Seine, it was forced to anchor to secure itself during the passage of a tidal bore. The crew tied the Telemaque firmly to the dock, but the waves were so fierce that they barely had time to evacuate before the vessel sank just 100 meters from the quay, taking a young sailor down with it.

The story could have ended there, but in 1818, a remarkable turn of events occurred. Louis XVIII, the brother of the guillotined King Louis XVI, attempted to salvage the wreck. Although this effort proved futile, it sparked wild speculation. This intrigue was enough to ignite the legend of the Telemaque, which, alongside the Treasure of the Kings of France, was rumored also to conceal the riches of the Church, recently stripped of its real estate and needing to safeguard its movable assets.

Over the centuries, numerous salvage operations took place, all of which were unsuccessful except for one in 1938, which managed to recover the ship’s bow. Among the items found were shoe buckles, crucifixes, and a stunning gold chain that once held a bishop’s pectoral cross. While it was a disappointment for treasure hunters, experts believe that the real treasure lies in the ship’s stern, which became detached after a collision with an English brig. Thus, the legendary treasure remains hidden beneath the waters of the Seine, safeguarding the tale of the Telemaque and the fabulous Treasure of the Kings of France for over 250 years.

SIGHTS
• Notre-Dame Cathedral
• The Gros Horloge
• Historial Jeanne d’Arc
• A stroll along the River Seine
• The Quartier Libre
• Panorama Sainte-Catherine
• Church of St Joan of Arc
• Rue Saint-Romain

SHOPPING AND CUISINE
There are plenty of restaurants in the historic downtown area and around the Church of St. Joan of Arc, but interesting finds await in the alleys outside the immediate city centre. The area is renowned worldwide for its apples, cider, pears, and dairy products like cheese and milk. Try the apple brandy, Calvados, one of the local specialties. Additionally, some of the finest lamb, duck, and poultry from around the world are available here.

Shopping in Rouen is a dream for all art enthusiasts. The city offers numerous antique shops, art galleries, and markets. On and around Rue Saint-Romain, right in the centre of the town, you can find many high street and local shops and boutiques.

Today’s Excursion – ROU-B / Monet’s House & Gardens
We explored the life of Monet from a unique perspective during this excursion to the artist’s home and gardens in Giverny.

Giverny and Monet’s House
Monet’s house has been converted into a museum, where reproductions of the artist’s famous works are displayed. The pink-and-green house also contains a collection of Japanese Prints assembled by the artist. We saw the dining room, with its yellow-painted wooden furniture, the bedroom, the ‘blue’ reading room, and the kitchen, featuring attractive wall tiles.

Flower and Water Gardens
The adjacent flower garden, replanted according to Monet’s original designs, features a spectacular array of colors. On the other side of the road is a delightful water garden of Japanese inspiration.

Silverseas World Event – Versailles and Paris, France

Silverseas treated us to an extraordinary World Event. An Evening at the Versailles Palace with Marie Antoinette,

followed by a day in Paris, highlighted by a visit to the newly renovated Notre Dame Cathedral.

An Exclusive Evening at The Palace of Versailles entitled “An Evening at Versailles with Marie Antoinette.”

The regal town of Versailles is renowned worldwide for its significance and historical ties to the French Monarchy.

We enjoyed luxurious accommodations at the Dolce Hotel Versailles, set amidst a natural backdrop.

The evening indulged our regal wanderlust with a once-in-a-lifetime exclusive experience at The Palace of Versailles.

We journeyed back in time to a lavish evening at the fashionable court of Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France. Our after-hours arrival at the 17th-century French royal residence took us through the iconic Grand Galerie and regal apartments en route to the world-famous Hall of Mirrors, to the majestic Galerie des Batailles. It is here, amidst the massive historic paintings dedicated ‘to all the glories of France,’ that we sipped champagne to the sounds of Rococo minuets and dined on opulent gastronomy prepared by France’s original caterer to the Kings, Potel et Chabot. After period style minuets and chamber music, the evening’s final entertainment was the French Opera singer who opened the Paris Olympics, mezzo-soprano Axelle Saint-Cirel.

Dinner and entertainment were in the majestic Galerie des Batailles.

It is here, amidst the massive historic paintings dedicated ‘to all the glories of France,’ that we sipped champagne to the sounds of Rococo minuets and dined on opulent gastronomy prepared by France’s original caterer to the Kings, Potel et Chabot. After period style minuets and chamber music, the evening’s final entertainment was the French Opera singer who opened the Paris Olympics, mezzo-soprano Axelle Saint-Cirel.