Monday, November 23, 2009

On our drive back from Provence, we discovered this lively winter market in a small town called Saoû, perched on the highest syncline in Europe. Stalls of vendors selling foods (cheese, vegetables, jams/honey, bread, olive oil, etc.) and handmade crafts & decorations, stretched throughout the narrow streets, attracting many visitors from the neighboring towns.

Saoû, France
November 2009

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Le Kiosque des Amoureux de Peynet

This "Lovers' Kiosque" is a celebrated landmark of Valence, France, named after the artist Raymond Peynet. The story has it that he came to Valence for an afternoon to deliver a confidential document to a correspondent, and while waiting in Le Parc Jouvet, he started sketching the kiosque where a violinist was performing and a little woman was attentively listening. The resulting sketch became an immediate hit, and Peynet started producing works around this lovers' theme. The heart pendant hanging on the kiosque has an engraving of the celebrated couple.

This kiosque became a hot spot for the couples wanting to have a romantic wedding, the Peynet style, especially significant to have it in Valence for the Valentine's day!

Oh, and I also had the pleasure of having these kids hanging out on the steps who posed for me:) It's always a pleasure to catch some smiles.

Valence, France
November 2009

Monday, November 16, 2009

Provence en automne


Provence en automne, originally uploaded by whitecoquelicot.

While driving through La Drôme, I saw for the first time the apricot trees in full golden foliage, amongst the sage olive leaves.

Near Sainte Jalle, Drôme, France November 2009

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Reader(s)


The Reader(s), originally uploaded by whitecoquelicot.

On a lazy Saturday morning, while strolling in front of the Cornavin train station, I spotted these two, so absorbed into their papers.

Geneva, CH
August 2009

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Marmite de l'escalade

Marmite de l'escalade, originally uploaded by whitecoquelicot.

These chocolate cauldrons, called "les marmites de l'escalade", are being prepared for the Geneva's annual celebration of its victory against the surprise attack carried out by the Duke of Savoy in the year 1602. You can read more about it here.

These chocolates are not finished yet! They usually have the fancy colorful decoration in the design of the Geneva's tricolored coat of arm, and the final "cauldron" looks like this.

Bastien and I actually had a giant Marmite for our wedding which was in December, and according to the tradition, we cracked it together with a long medieval sword hand-in-hand!

In the holiday season, Geneva's chocolateries are busy preparing these cauldrons for the festival in December, and you can often sight them being fabricated in their window displays.

Carouge, Geneva November, 2009