The chateau has a real feminine feel, even the chambers of Napoleon, and we loved the swans, that Josephine must have been so fond of, adorning the furniture and rugs in most rooms. In Josephine's bed chamber there is a cabinet containing her toiletries tray and one of her perfume bottles is marked "Eau Suave", which is my favourite perfume by Parfum D'Empire and is said to be inspired by a visit to Malmaison and Josephine's love of roses - just the inspiration I needed to nip to the perfumery tomorrow and buy me a bottle!
One of the photos below is of a glorious tapestry portrait of Josephine, which hangs at Malmaison and was manufactured in the famous Gobelins factory in Paris. The other portrait below is moi posing in not so regal state at the Jardin des Tuileries, where we stopped for afternoon tea on the way home.
4 comments:
Hi Sally & Brent, What a treat to be able to visit Malmaison. Love the idea of so many blue and white flowers, stunning. The tapestry work is so fine, and the finished work looks quite beautiful. Une autre bonne journee. L&G
You look like the. Perfect French woman! I don't know how you return to Australia xoxo
You look like the. Perfect French woman! I don't know how you return to Australia xoxo
Chateau de Sinclair
Today we spent the day at the 1920's weatherboard hovel purchased by Fiona and Paul which would be familiar to our neighbours - probably because they live next door. The gardens around the establishment have just been sprayed with weedkiller so the grass has turned a sickly brown colour. This has at least opened up a grand vista which stretches into the distance for at least 4 meters revealing the new gas meter and the bones of Kevin the Hamster who went missed a while back- should tell the neighbours so they can take down the 'LOST' posters they still stick up around the area. The downside is that it has also revealed clumps of cat poo; many of which have been there for over 8 years. Still, this makes it very peaceful as no one is brave enough to walk through the garden for a visit for fear of falling victim to this feline minefield.
Inside the house, guests will experience a real masculine feel - which can be disconcerting for first time vistors unused to being groped by males. Even the girl's rooms have posters of monster trucks being driven by gun-toting blondes in bikinis. In the main bed chamber is a cabinet with my toiletries tray and original 1970's perfume bottles marked "Old Spice" and "Essence of Testosterone"; the latter comes in the rare collectable bottle with the fake moustache stuck on the side. This particular scent by Parfum D'Jockstrap is said to be inspired by the creator's memories of the boys change room at school after a wet day on the football field.
There is a glorious tapestry portrait of Fiona hanging in the lounge room. Unfortunately moths have eaten holes where her eyes used to be and at night this can give people the willies - especially if I get behind the the picture and look through. Would love to give a more detailed description of the other architectural and culturally significant features of the house but as the back half is subsiding into a swamp in the backyard this would prove difficult.
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