During a trip last week to Montreuil-sur-mer, David and I stayed at the Hotel Hermitage, which was rebuilt under Napoleon III and fully restored in 2002. The hotel's restaurant Le Jeroboam has excellent cuisine, as well as a stellar wine list. The hotel also has a spa; alas, no time to visit it!
A large fountain in the heart of Montreuil-sur-mer.
This cherub fountain is located in a small square, featuring a World War I memorial to French soldiers who lost their lives. I took this photo for my friend Laura, a very talented artist who delights in sketching fountains wherever she goes.
It's the photographer who's leaning - not the memorial - to avoid being hit by a motorbike that abruptly screeched to a halt in a parking space fronting the marble statue.
This hotel and restaurant, Le Coq, is located near the memorial square.
A close-up of the rooster statue.
In writer Victor Hugo's day, this style of architecture was popular. Hugo used Montreuil-sur-mer as the location for his tale Les Miserables. The building is currently a hotel and restaurant, although I wouldn't advise eating here. During our first visit to Montreuil, the decor was beautiful, but the service abysmal and the food almost inedible. We didn't risk a second visit.
A chocolate shop's sign doesn't exactly encourage les visiteurs to partake.
Our first stop upon arrival was this antiques store, where I'd previously found some bargains. I like the town's cobblestone streets.
This trip I bought a beautiful and rare signed piece of glazed Accolay art pottery. The prices at antiques shop outside Paris are usually reasonable. Accolay pottery was produced between 1945–1983 in Bourgogne, after four students from the professional ceramics school of Macon started their own factory.
I like the cheeriness of this laundromat sign.
A Victorian doll house is the focal point in this toy shop window.
Thanks for the walk about town! Glad that motorbike missed you ... xx, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 06 May 2007 at 12:34
This is such a quaint little town. I love it.
Posted by: bella | 04 May 2007 at 06:39
I'm delighted once again to be able to stroll the streets that you visit. See what you've seen through your photographs.
Posted by: Willow Grace | 03 May 2007 at 05:32
I've so enjoyed being on this photo journey with you :) Your travelogue's are always great fun!
Where are "we" going next??
Posted by: Becca | 03 May 2007 at 03:15
Gorgeous photos...thanks for bringing us along on your vacation. That laundromat's sign cheered me right up.
Posted by: Mardougrrl | 02 May 2007 at 22:02
I love visiting new places in France. This looks like another one to put on the list.
Posted by: Linda | 02 May 2007 at 08:51
Now this all put a smile on my face. Like watching The Travel Channel. ;)
Thank you for your congrats to me, friend. hugs to you. oxox
:)
Posted by: Amber | 02 May 2007 at 04:27
What a good time to catch up on your site. I LOVE your pictures! Thank you so much for sharing them.
Donna
Posted by: The Decorated House | 02 May 2007 at 04:19
Oh, darling Tara, this is SO my kind of place, with its fountains and war memorials! Thank you, thank you for posting these beautiful photos--I WILL go there, je te promets. September isn't so very far away ;D.
Love to you both,
L
Posted by: Laura | 02 May 2007 at 02:46
It looks like a charming place. what got me was the sculptor's ability to sculpt such tenderness out of stone!
Posted by: Colette | 02 May 2007 at 00:14
Flowers, fountains, charming store fronts and signs, narrow streets. This is why I love Europe. So much beauty to savor.
Posted by: AnnieElf | 01 May 2007 at 19:32
There is something about war memorials that gets me every time... thanks for posting these beautiful pictures, Tara...
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 01 May 2007 at 15:39
I love to travel with you.
Did you know that Victor Hugo once wrote a book set in Trondheim :-) He never visited the city though.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 01 May 2007 at 15:32