Category: Versailles' life
The very famous fabrics from Provence known as Indiennes!
In the mid-seventeenth century, France discovered very colorful fabrics imported from India by la Compagnie des Indes Orientales. Wealthy Parisians and the Court of Louis XIV in Versailles adorned their homes and palaces with the vibrantly colored fabrics. As well turning them into fashionable clothes.
Many compagnies tried to copy the fabric but it’s not until 1734 that the secret of the Indian production processes was discovered to create permanent fabric dyes.
Today, Souleaido fabrics are still printed on the highest quality natural cotton and the modern dyes are as color-fast as their predecessors.
Add Le Petit Artichaut border to any project to create a truly elegant Provence decor.
Category: Events, Gardens
Versailles Gardens open house to celebrate World Music Day (Monday, June the 21st, 5 to 7:30)
The fête de la musique is a world-wide phenomenon that celebrates music in all its forms. Originating in France, the celebration has now spread to many other countries as well. Visit the official website to discover the scope of the spirit of the event (select English or French). In Portland the 2nd annual fête de la musique will be on Monday, June 21, 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in the form of an indoor/outdoor celebration hosted on the beautiful grounds of the Versailles Gardens and Pomarius Nursery in NW Portland. The public is invited to this joyful, family-oriented celebration – head to 1920 NW 18th Avenue in Portland and enjoy refreshments, live music, and more (including plenty of free parking in the area). Passionate about music? Bring your instrument to play.
This celebration is organized by Versailles Gardens, Pomarius Nursery and the Alliance Française de Portland.
Category: French Heritage, French spot
The castle of Chenonceau is one of the most famous castle in the Loire Valley.
Maybe because it is called “the Ladies’ castle” – this castle was loved and remodeled by women like Diane de Poitiers or Catherine de Médicis.
It’s an amazing castle first built on the bed of the Cher river, not the Loire. It has three distinct parts.: First, a well conserved medieval tower. Second, a symmetric Renaissance style castle built on the foundation of an old water mill . Third, a 60 meter gallery across the river. Read the rest of this entry »
