Spring has crept its way back into the lives of many Parisians and its had a very hearty welcome. With the sunshine and warm breezes returning to our midst it was the perfect weekend for an outdoor excursion just south of Paris.
After a short bus ride we descended upon Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte, a palace comparable only to Versailles. Grandiose gardens, gorgeous landscapes and beautiful artwork all tucked away within the rolling hills made this influential estate ever more magical.
As we made our way through the halls we were able to follow in the footsteps of Nicolas Fouquet, the owner of the estate and Louis XIV's superintendent of finances. The chateau was complete in all of its elements in that all furniture remained pristine and dining tables were set with enough fake fruit and macaroons to feed everyone in Fouquet's exclusive social circle.
Not only did the space feel as if it was still inhabited, it was bursting with architectural excellence and beautiful frescoes. When you're friends with such artistic types like the poet La Fontaine or playwright Moliere like Fouquet was, you're definitely bound to be surrounded by all things aesthetically pleasing.
For the last two hours of our trip we took a scenic walk through the Fontainebleau forest, which interestingly enough was planted by Napoleon, from the Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte to the next town over, Barbizon.
Home to various famous artists, actors, directors and other notable French celebrities, Barbizon is a quaint little town that reminded me a lot of Bruges, Belgium. This cozy town was the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle that we live in the midst of in Paris.
At the end of our trek through the Fontainebleau forest we were treated with crepes and beverages, the perfect way to wrap up our escapade – sucre et chocolat s'il vous plaît!
Jerusaliem Gebreziabher is the Spring 2013 CEA MOJO in Paris, France
After a short bus ride we descended upon Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte, a palace comparable only to Versailles. Grandiose gardens, gorgeous landscapes and beautiful artwork all tucked away within the rolling hills made this influential estate ever more magical.
As we made our way through the halls we were able to follow in the footsteps of Nicolas Fouquet, the owner of the estate and Louis XIV's superintendent of finances. The chateau was complete in all of its elements in that all furniture remained pristine and dining tables were set with enough fake fruit and macaroons to feed everyone in Fouquet's exclusive social circle.
Not only did the space feel as if it was still inhabited, it was bursting with architectural excellence and beautiful frescoes. When you're friends with such artistic types like the poet La Fontaine or playwright Moliere like Fouquet was, you're definitely bound to be surrounded by all things aesthetically pleasing.
For the last two hours of our trip we took a scenic walk through the Fontainebleau forest, which interestingly enough was planted by Napoleon, from the Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte to the next town over, Barbizon.
Home to various famous artists, actors, directors and other notable French celebrities, Barbizon is a quaint little town that reminded me a lot of Bruges, Belgium. This cozy town was the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle that we live in the midst of in Paris.
At the end of our trek through the Fontainebleau forest we were treated with crepes and beverages, the perfect way to wrap up our escapade – sucre et chocolat s'il vous plaît!
Jerusaliem Gebreziabher is the Spring 2013 CEA MOJO in Paris, France