Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina

2/13/2020

Le Train Bleu Paris the French Riviera Connection

Pleased to have a guest post on Perfectly Provence featuring Le Train Bleu in the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris, France. Inside the lavish and treasured Le Train Bleu you will find a quintessential French restaurant filled with 1900's art and frescoes. All capturing the essence of the South of France and beyond. Le Train Bleu is a romantic place for a Valentine's dinner or a perfect refined break.

During the height of the Jazz Age, the wealthy and affluent made the French Riviera their playground along resort towns on the Mediterranean coastline. Their sojourn would begin at Paris’s Gare de Lyon train station, where the luxury night train, Le Train Bleu, wound its way to the South of France. In peak season, Le Train Bleu would be making stops along the azure seascape of Saint-Raphael, Juan-les-Pins, Antibes, Cannes, Nice, and opulent Monte Carlo, before reaching the end of the line at Menton near the Italian Border. Le Train Bleu gained international fame as the preferred train of the monied and prominent, e.g. the Prince of Wales, Coco Chanel, Winston Churchill, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

After 1938, Le Train Bleu was operated by the new French national railway company SNCF, turning it into an ordinary night express train, and in the 1980s the night trains were replaced by high-speed TGV trains, bringing an end to the slow and luxurious travel of the historical Le Train Bleu.

With the lavish and treasured Le Train Bleu travel coming to an end, the grand Le Train Bleu still lived on and forever immortalized. In 1963, the belle-époque restaurant at the Gare de Lyon station in Paris was renamed Le Train Bleu to honor the celebrated train and traditional way of travel to the legendary Cote d’Azur and beyond.

Moving forward to 2014, the quintessential interior of the Le Train Bleu restaurant, inside Gare de Lyon, was refurbished to its time-honored perfection, reestablishing its luster and patina once again. Modern, unobtrusive window treatments were installed so guests can gaze out onto Place Louis Armand or sit discreetly and reminisce about bygone times. The iconic cobalt blue color is sprinkled throughout the dining room and Big Ben bar area – with accents of brass, all mimicking the memory of the French luxury train’s cobalt color scheme.

The legendary Le Train Bleu logo above the arched windows now replicates the intricate scrollwork from the original radiator covers. Signature china plates reflect the new gold filigree logo, edged in blue, all setting the stage for a flawless romantic dinner.

It is a classical French restaurant accompanied by a fine 1900’s art museum, with the walls and ceiling portraying 41 European landscapes capturing the essence of the South of France in frescoes and paintings, all by prominent artists of the time - François Flameng, Henri Gervex, Gaston Casimir Saint-Pierre, and many others.

With the trimmings of crown mouldings, gold leaf gilding, and sparkling chandeliers, all retouched and harmonized, Le Train Bleu is a masterpiece just waiting to enchant the world’s travelers. Visitors from around the globe stop in this legendary restaurant to admire the splendor of a Grande Dame from long-gone times.

If you have an hour to spare between trains to the French Riviera and beyond, this is the perfect refined break for Belle Époque décor, ambiance, and historical art in a graceful and refined setting.

Le Train Bleu

1st floor,

Gare de Lyon,

Place Louis Armand,

Paris, France 75012

+33 1 43 43 09 06

Nice Cote d'Azur visitors Bureau

Paris Visitors Bureau

2/05/2020

Top 4 : The Best February Festivals On The French Riviera

Access Riviera shared the four top February Festivals on the French Riviera in this great post. Great tips to enjoy the Nice Carnival, Fête du Citron, Fête du Mimosa and Festival International des. If you are interested in a day trip consider heading over the border to the Italian towns of Ventimiglia, San Remo or included in this post read more from J. Christina at Scribbles and Smiles about a hidden treasure, Sainte-Agnès.

1/24/2020

Elusive Montenegro

Where is this elusive, pocket-size country of Montenegro, Europe's youngest country; and our 29th member to NATO? Montenegro is a tiny country in southeastern Europe, on the sunny, southern coastline of the Adriatic Sea. Formerly, Montenegro was part of Yugoslavia, until the break-up in 1992, and became a sovereign state when over 55% of the population voted for independence in May 2006.

Montenegro is often called the land of six continents for its geographic diversity. It’s a country that offers tourists, intrepid travelers, and holidaymakers a versatile vacation destination; where you can tickle the turquoise sea or enjoy the soaring, snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Our destination is the UNESCO-protected town of Kotor, the magnificent Bay of Kotor, and the enchanting Our Lady of Rocks islet in Perast. Just 95km from Dubrovnik we find these picturesque villages and islands just waiting to be unwrapped. Luckily, our driver has traveled the Adriatic coastal road for over 35 years, maneuvering the sharp hairpin turns and the steep switchback curves on this narrow road with ease, offering breathtaking views at every turn.

Kotor is a very popular European vacation destination, a real gem, located in the southernmost fjord of the Adriatic. The most impressive structure in Old Town Kotor, dubbed "Little Dubrovnik," is its city walls, dating back more than 1200 years, reaching 4 km in length, and stretching up to the San Giovanni fortress, that stands 260 meters above sea level. Another medieval and Romanesque building worth stepping inside is the Basilica of Saint Tryphon, constructed in 1166, with twin Baroque bell towers, and an impressive collection of European art.

Kotor-Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

The second UNESCO site is a short boat ride from the baroque shore of Perast, in the stunning Bay of Kotor, Our Lady of the Rocks. A photogenic Roman Catholic church, built upon the only man-made island in the Adriatic by seamen who discovered an icon of the Madonna and child on a seaside cliff and vowed to honor her by building a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of seafarers and fishermen.

Baroque shores of Perast, Montenegro

A significant historic treasure inside the church is the famous votive tapestry, the Holy Virgin, embroidered by Jacinta Kunić-Mijović from the quaint village of Perast. Legend weaves the story that it took her 25 years to finish, while waiting for her husband to return from exotic and faraway places. A fabled story where she embroidered this iconic piece with gold and silver fibers and finally with strands of her own aging and greying hair.

Nowhere else can you discover so much natural beauty, picturesque villages and pristine nature in such a compact area, as in Montenegro, another hidden crown jewel of the Dalmatian coast.

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Follow Scribbles and Smiles recent posts on Perfectly Provence France Today, Bonjour Paris, The Good Life France, and often from onboard an elegant European river ship - sharing the allure of Europe’s great rivers. Or, follow them on their journeys via Instagram.

J. Christina is the author and owner at Scribbles and Smiles, travel writer, and hobbyist photographer. Christina (Christie) is married to John, a.k.a. Mr. Christie. Where Mr. Christie is right on-board with their travel jaunts around the world - sharing in their blogging endeavors. He supports, encourages, handles gadgetry and embraces the role as editor - hence, their bespoke pen name, J. Christina.

After many years of intrepid travel, they thoughtfully opened their treasure-trove of European travelogues, artfully sharing with a worldwide audience. Intentionally sharing the joie de vivre through their words and images, so others can travel vicariously.

1/13/2020

Is European River Cruising really all that?

Having traveled on the great rivers of Europe for more than decade there are few journeys more endearing than slowly plying Europe’s waterways, on-board a specialty designed river ship. Sailing these great rivers of Europe, including the delightful Danube, the mighty Rhine, river Rhône, and the romantic Seine; is simply a one-of-a-kind bespoke experience with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.

Douro River Valley

Embarking on a river cruise allows travelers to step-off into the heart of great historical cities steeped in tradition, with grace and anticipation. Intrepid travelers dream of being up-close and personal with iconic landmarks, flower-laced villages, and picturesque hamlets, all lying within steps of their boutique river ship. With river cruising you will experience vistas and landmarks that some only glimpse on postcards. So simply put – yes, European river cruising is all that!

Seine River - Paris, France

Whether it’s traveling untethered along Bordeaux’s alluring Garonne and Dordogne rivers, or the mirrored waters of Portugal’s Douro river - all are a feast for the senses. Being immersed in local culture, discovering UNESCO World Heritages Sites, or indulging in the sip, sample, and stroll among some of the world’s greatest vineyards will make unforgettable memories. There’s no better way to authentically connect with the region and discover its hidden nuances.

Dordogne river valley

Many river cruises are inclusive, running the gamut from romantic and stunning, to awe-inspiring; others are more humbling. One of the great benefits of joining a European river cruise is the variety of itineraries available for river cruisers. How about a cooking lesson in a romantic chateau, biking through the leafy vineyards of Médoc wine region, or scampering around the ancient ruins of a citadel? Or, delve into history with a private lunch destination in the once war-torn Croatia, all accompanied with remembrances of the strife and struggles during the Homeland Wars? There are many heart-warming, educational, and memorable journeys to be discovered while cruising on Europe’s diverse waterways.

One thing is for sure---you will create, capture, and record countless shareable moments to last a lifetime – right from the luxury of your floating boutique European river ship.

About J. Christina:

Follow Scribbles and Smiles recent posts on Perfectly Provence France Today, Bonjour Paris, The Good Life France, and in recent times from onboard an elegant European river ship - sharing the allure of Europe’s great rivers. Or, follow them on their journeys via Instagram.

10/04/2019

Château Royal de Cazeneuve: Sauternes vineyards

Here in North America we are settling back into our daily routine after a summer of travel. We are watching autumn unfurl in fiery red and gold foliage - with glorious sunsets floating in brilliant pink and orange. It's easy to move on with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but today we're taking a moment to reflect on the Aquitaine - one of the most diverse regions of France. Join us as we enjoy food and wine at the storybook castle, Château Royal De Cazeneuve.

The alluring Gironde countryside is a wine lover’s paradise and every traveler’s dream. This appellation is a feast for the senses: panoramic views, storybook castles, chateau-dotted hillsides, and winding rivers, all nestled among flourishing vineyards, in the heart of the Aquitaine. Here we discover the time-worn Cazeneuve Castle, an ancestral residence for the House of Albret-in the small commune of Préchac, France.

Located between the wine regions of Bassin d’Arcachon and the Sauternes vineyards, is the historical Château Royal De Cazeneuve; a family jewel of the Duke of Albret. First built in the eleventh century and it became the residence of Henry IV and Queen Margo, and where history still lives on. Today this fortified castle remains a family legacy – cascading down through descendants, of the ducal family de Sabran-Pontevés.

Chateau Cazeneuve majestically overlooks the Gorges du Ciron, surrounded by a moat, and defended by two rectangular towers. The chateau was awarded the benchmark of Tourism in Aquitaine, the prestigious two-star Michelin Green status - and the bestowed honor of Historical Monument. Here individual, private, and group tours are received; along with bespoke gala dinners, weddings and seminars, all by appointment only.

After a recent tour of the castle-fortress, medieval cellars, troglodyte caves, and royal apartments, we entered the castles large vaulted reception room. Inside the walls are honeyed limestone, warmed by a medieval fireplace, accented with red velvet chairs, and luminous silver candlesticks. Our tables are bejeweled, a feast for the eyes, with sparkling stemware and silver for pairing Bordeaux’s sweet wines, Sauternes. Sauternes is a French sweet wine taking its name from the Sauternes region and Graves area, here in the Gironde department.

Historical Royal Castle of Cazeneuve, in partnership with La Maison du Vigneron de Sauternes, reserved an artisanal wine-pairing luncheon fit for a King and Queen, that we enjoyed. Pairing Reserve Classique, Sauternes - with ribbon of smoked salmon with creamy horseradish emulsion, along with Classified Growth of Sauternes, to complement cilantro caramelized hen supreme,

and a finish of Peach Melba on a wine barrel staved with crunchy praline – all crisp and balanced with Reserve Old Vine, Sauternes.

This gilded sweet wine comes from a mix of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes that have ripened until aromatic and sweet by the Botrytis cinerea, or more commonly called, noble rot. Noble rot is a welcomed fungus by winemakers, enhanced by moist conditions from the maritime climate of the Aquitaine, accompanied by low-lying misty fog, -from the Ciron and Garonne rivers and specific terroir-viticulture. With this magical combination, grapes shrivel, resembling wrinkled raisins, resulting in fine and concentrated sweet wines of the Sauternes region, a wine not to be missed.

The Aquitaine capital city of Bordeaux is among the most diverse regions of France. This protected region offers unparalleled scenery, historic sites, chateaux, and classified terroir, all waiting for travelers and wine connoisseurs from around the world to enjoy.

Château royal De Cazeneuve

Bordeaux Tourism

About J. Christina:

J. Christina is the author and hobbyist photographer behind Scribbles and Smiles, writing a personal travel blog from the Midwest. Christina (Christie) is married to John, a.k.a. Mr. Christie. Where Mr. Christie is right on-board with their travel jaunts around the world; sharing in their blogging endeavors. He supports, encourages, handles gadgetry and embraces the role of in-house editor - hence, their bespoke pen name, J. Christina.

J. Christina’s blogging journey began before the word blog was trending, writing about European travel destinations on share-sites, forums and online journals. After many years of intrepid travel, they thoughtfully opened their treasure-trove of European travelogues, artfully sharing with a worldwide audience. Intentionally sharing the joie de vivre through their words and images, so others can travel vicariously. J. Christina believes smiling with your eyes is a beautiful thing.

You can read their dispatches from aboard an elegant European river ship, sharing the allure of Europe’s great rivers and their capital cities. Or, follow them through serendipitous discoveries in the Cote d’Azur, where J. Christina captures the essence of a perched medieval village.

J. Christina’s work has been featured on France Today, Bonjour Paris, The Good Life France, and Perfectly Provence.

9/09/2019

Rising From the Sea: Dubrovnik

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Our journey began at the deep southern tip of Croatia, in Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic. Where we navigated over 1400 miles, on this intrepid adventure, along the most magnificent stretch of Croatia, the Dalmatian Coastline. Sometimes, playing hide-n’-seek with the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea, other times, marveling at the soaring Balkan Mountains in the distance. Dubrovnik is a natural beauty – one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

The walls of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik hardly needs an introduction as one of the world’s most carefully preserved medieval walled cities in the world. From afar, Dubrovnik dramatically ascends up from the Adriatic’s cliffs edge, dangling precariously high above the sapphire sea, accented with its red terra cotta rooftops - offering an unforgettable dreamscape vista.

Our guide, Zoran, a veteran of the Croatian Army, shares his city, regaling stories from his youth, the war, and the history of this remarkable UNESCO Heritage site. Beginning in Old Dubrovnik via the south entrance, and emerging through the historic Pile Gate, onto Stradun, the main street of old town. Slowly strolling, on this dry and hot day - destination the Rector’s Palace.

The Rector’s Palace is home to the cultural history museum, where it contains invaluable antiquities and artworks from the 15th – 19th centuries. Still, today visitors can walk through the notorious palace prison, where the infamous Ilija Dadić, dubbed Dubrovnik’s Monte Christo, was permanently imprisoned after five foiled attempts at escape. Zoran points out historic Murano stained-glass windows that were destroyed during the Homeland War, and explains that the Venetian Murano glass company donated all the replacement stained glass to restore the windows to their historic luster.

Murano stained glass

In 1991, after the dissolution of Yugoslavia, Dubrovnik was besieged by the Yugoslav People’s Army for seven months and the city suffered significant damage from the mortar shelling and bombs. A territorial war, that many only heard about on the national news, and local Croatians simply chose not to speak about this turbulent time in recent history. The repair and restoration of Dubrovnik’s historical and irreplaceable buildings took over ten years to complete, and reemerged as one of the top travel destinations in the Mediterranean.

Nowadays, in the pretty courtyard of Franciscan Monastery’s complex, the Romanesque cloister leads to the old Pharmacy Museum, one of the oldest in the world, where among the exhibits you can see various pharmaceutical tools, containers, grinders and similar utensils from the 7th century, from the once named, Republic of Ragusa. Stopping inside the Franciscan Monastery we admire the Romanesque cloister, from 1360, considered one of the finest features of Dubrovnik’s architecture. Consisting of rows of elegant double-pillared columns, embellished with reliefs of faces, animals, and leaves.

Blaye, France: Le Citadelle de Blaye

The Historic Town of Blaye: Le Citadelle de Blaye

The Aquitaine region straddles a prominent position in southwest France. It stretches long and lean against the French Atlantic coastline, reaching up to the Pyrénées mountain range and transcending to the Spanish border. It is here, in the Gironde department, where intrepid travelers can scamper to the summit of storybook castles, bike through vineyard-laced countryside, walk through ancient villages, and sip world-renowned wines. Tourist and travelers alike can discover the douceur de vivre in this tiny one-kilometer long settlement, once named Blaye-et-Sainte-Luce.

Let me introduce you to Blaye, France, a petite but mighty hamlet, sitting at the southern tip of the Gironde estuary, formed by the confluences of the nearby Dordogne and Garonne rivers. Blaye is a historical and powerful commune from medieval times, where the Citadel of Blaye and its military fortifications sit majestically over the waters of Western Europe’s largest estuary.

Le Citadelle de Blaye, a medieval fortress, along with Fort Médoc and Fort Paté, formed a military defense system during the 18th and 19th centuries to protect the downstream port of Bordeaux from sea invasions and wars. It is a legendary example of engineering genius and Romanesque architecture designed and built by the famous engineer Vauban and named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. A picture-postcard town, with scarred ramparts that bear witness to battles and conflict through this gallant maritime route.

Nowadays, the citadel is a living monument, where inside the bastion, a warren of cobblestone streets, stone houses, artisan shops, cafes, and wine shops, still thrive. From atop the medieval walls of this photogenic Blaye Citadel there are stunning panoramic views of the estuary and across to the famed Médoc. It’s a place here photographers return time, and time again to catch a postcard perfect image of the golden light that reflects off the estuary waters.

It is free to enter the citadel and its ramparts, but within its walled city visitors pay for guided tours of Abbey Saint Romain or Musée d’Archéologie et Histoire de Blaye, through the Office of Tourism.

While walking the main street of Blaye, there is a feel of authentic living, transcending through en plein air markets, held every Wednesday and Saturday in front of the Citadel. Where the street is vibrant, rich, and strewn with colorful tented stalls, where both locals and travelers buy local produce and seafood from the region. The soil in Blaye is rich and varied, boasting 240 days of sunshine that produces prized asparagus, figs, and celebrated Côtes de Blaye red wines from family owned wineries in the Gironde. A must visit is the Maison du Vin on the Cours Vauban to taste the famous wines from this enchanting region.

A visit to Blaye is a step-back in time where the locals are warm and welcoming, making your time in the Gironde a captivating experience.

Blaye Tourism

About J. Christina:

J. Christina is the author and hobbyist photographer behind Scribbles and Smiles, writing a personal travel blog from the U.S.A. Christina (Christie) is married to John, a.k.a. Mr. Christie. Where Mr. Christie is right on-board with their travel jaunts around the world - sharing in their blogging endeavors. He supports, encourages, handles gadgetry and embraces the role of in-house editor - hence, their bespoke pen name, J. Christina.

J. Christina’s journey began before blogging was trending, writing about European travel destinations on share-sites, forums and online journals. After many years of intrepid travel, they thoughtfully opened their treasure-trove of European travelogues, artfully sharing with a worldwide audience. Intentionally sharing the joie de vivre through their words and images, so others can travel vicariously. J. Christina believes smiling with your eyes is a beautiful thing.

You can read their dispatches from aboard an elegant European river ship, sharing the allure of Europe’s great rivers and their capital cities. Or, follow them through serendipitous discoveries in the Cote d’Azur, where J. Christina captures the essence of a perched medieval village.

J. Christina’s work has been featured on France Today, Bonjour Paris, The Good Life France, and Perfectly Provence.

5/26/2019

Bourg: Perched Atop A Quiet Secret in Dordogne

Bourg, France, is a hidden gem on the right bank of the Dordogne River, nestled in the heart of the wine appellation of Côtes de Bourg, in southwest France. In the 16th century Bourg was its own fortified community that secured a prominent position at the confluences of the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers. In medieval times this tiny hamlet was invaded by Visigoths, ravaged by the Normans, fortified by the English, and hosted more royalty than anyone ever expected, having been visited by four kings.

Chateau de Citadelle of Bourg @ image T. Sonnontine

Nowadays, Bourg sits discreetly among three prominent UNESCO Heritage sites: Blaye, Saint Émilion and Bordeaux. This tiny ancient village once named Bourg-sur-Gironde, built in Roman times, tells a tumultuous 2000-year-old history.

Pages

2/13/2020

Le Train Bleu Paris the French Riviera Connection

2/05/2020

Top 4 : The Best February Festivals On The French Riviera

Top 4 : The Best February Festivals On The French Riviera

1/24/2020

Elusive Montenegro

1/13/2020

Is European River Cruising really all that?

10/04/2019

Château Royal de Cazeneuve: Sauternes vineyards

9/09/2019

Rising From the Sea: Dubrovnik

8/26/2019

Blaye, France: Le Citadelle de Blaye

5/26/2019

Bourg: Perched Atop A Quiet Secret in Dordogne