La Mamounia, a palace hotel in Marrakech
La Mamounia is a mythic palace hotel in Marrakech, opened in 1923. The name of the hotel comes from the garden’s owner (Moulay Mamoun) where the palace was built. Renowned artists had been sollicited including the famous painter Jacques Majorelle (inventor of the Majorelle blue).
Irene Neuwirth jewelry
Founded in 2003 by designer Irene Neuwirth and business partner Tracy Stoll, the brand is an independent fine jewelry company based in Los Angeles. Irene Neuwirth creates unique, modern and sophisticated jewels decorated with stunning gemstones. Her style is immediately recognizable : superb colorful gemstones, geometric shapes, mix of different forms and colours, use of…
The magnificent Dohany street Great Synagogue in Budapest
Built in 1859, the Dohany street Great Synagogue is the largest Synagogue of Europe and the second largest in the world. This Synagogue can accommodate up to 3000 people . The architects Frigyes Feszl and Ludwig Förster were inspired by Moorish style. It is richly decorated with glass windows, gold ornaments, painted ceiling, chandeliers… It is…
Favourite Films Noirs (1)
The term of “Film Noir” (literally “black film”) was invented by French film critics after the World War II, in 1946. The first critic who used this term was the French film critic Nino Frank. This kind of movie can be define as “a type of a crime film featuring cynical maleovolent characters in a…
Basking in the Gellért’s baths in Budapest, Hungary
In June, i went for the second time to Budapest, but this time i tasted the Budapest baths : the Gellért and the Szèchenyi baths. I preferred the Gellért baths because it is more calm and chic. The decoration is very beautiful and refined. The words calm, luxury and voluptuousness fit perfectly this place. There…
Wonderful Old Hollywood actresses on magazine covers
Gene Tierney was beautiful and moving in the movie “The ghost and Mrs. Muir” with Rex Harrison, directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz in 1947. Jean Arthur is my favourite actress with Natalie Wood. My favourite movies of her are “You can’t take it with you”, “Mr Deeds goes to town“, “The more the Merrier”, “Easy…
The Koutoubia in Marrakech
The Koutoubia has a minaret topping by a 70m-high square tower. The first sanctuary was built under the reign of Abd el-Moumen, but was destroyed due to its imperfect alignment with Mecca. The Koutoubia acquired its current look under the reign of Yacoub el-Mansour. Source : http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Tourist-Attraction/Marrakech-_-Koutoubia-9dtttjn5
Wandering in the souks of Marrakech
Walking in the souks of Marrakech is a pleasant change of scenery. The souks means in Arabic “markets”. It is very lively and colorful. It is a myriad of tiny streets, a real labyrinth ! There are various souks ; each souk is specialized in one type of products (tannery, slippers, blacksmiths, carpets…). About 40…
The Saadian tombs in Marrakech
The Saadian tombs (discovered in 1917) were built under the reign of the Sultan Ahmed el Mansour in the 16th century. It was a burial site for himself and his descendants. About two hundred members of the Saadian dynasty were buried there. The Saadian (or Zaydanides) are a cherifian Arab dynasty coming from the Draâ…
The Deauville Film Festival’s archives
Since 1975, the Deauville Film Festival has been celebrated the American Cinema. It is held each year in September. Deauville is a French city located in Normandy. Sources : http://www.festival-deauville.com/ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/deauville-jessica-chastain-opens-festival-730593
Favourite spy comedy movies
My top 3 : Les barbouzes, The man from UNCLE and OSS 117 (1)
Le jardin Majorelle : An oasis of colours in Marrakech
The French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962) created this wonderful botanic garden in the 1920’s. Passionate about botany, he brought back exotic plants from his travels (cacti, palm trees, bamboo, coconut palms, jasmine, agaves, bougainvilleas…). He uses the famous Majorelle blue to paint his villa and the garden : an ultramarine, a cobalt blue. He wanted…
The vintage Cannes Film Festival in photos
For more than sixty years, the Cannes Film Festival has celebrated Cinema. Cinephilia, glamour and glitz are featured. It is a major event of the Film industry but also an opportunity for fashion and luxury brands to valorize its image and promote its products.m
Copenhagen in Denmark
When i went to Copenhagen, Denmark in 2011, i was charmed and delighted by the colorful houses, the sea breeze, the famous little mermaid and the Royal Palace.
Wonderful skies in Nice, France
Walking on the “Promenade des anglais” when dusk falls is always a wonderful moment. Admiring colorful skies and listening the sound of the sea while smelling the sea air are magic.
The Palio of Siena, Italy
The Palio of Siena is the most famous celebration of the Sienese tradition. It is a famous horse race. Siena (city in Tuscany) is divided in 17 Contrade (districts) ; the inhabitants are very attached to their contrade. Each Contrade faces with the others during the Palio (“horse race” in Italian). The rivalty between the…
