Tag Archives: Culture

Strolling Around Bruges And Surroundings

Posted on May 11, 2022 | Leave a comment

A Huge Need for Beauty And Culture

At the beginning of spring, it was freezing cold and I walked for a long time in the historic center of Bruges without any real goal, just the huge need for beauty and culture. Cobbled streets, old buildings and the Reie river. Following the inspiration of the moment, I follow the narrow passage that opens onto an interior courtyard with a pretty garden. Continuing, near the canal, small bridge probably dating from the Middle Ages extremely curved and slippery. I observe the old stones steeped in history. And it’s off again to get lost in a maze of streets until nightfall. Walk, stroll and visit a museum!

In the city of chocolatiers, I finally tasted the famous chocolate (with hazelnuts) from Dominique Persoone, star chocolatier. Its chocolate is fine, subtle and tasty, without fuss: such a treat! I think the decor of his shop doesn’t represent well to the finesse of his creations. Close to the Ellis Gourmet Burger: very good burgers with quality meat. After many feasts (lololol), I finally head the Groeningemuseum to discover eminent Belgian painters over six centuries, starting with the Flemish masters Jan van Eyck (15th century) and Pieter Bruegel the Elder (16th century). The museum is not huge, but there are many major art works. A really exciting visit, collections absolutely to see!

The big breath of fresh air : on the way to Bruges, we made a detour through the landscape park of the Bulskampveld castle estate. The tour started with the Herb Garden (herbs that can be purchased from a vending machine; bring change). Then the Paths through the water: soothing landscape, even under a threatening sky. We continued into the nearby woods. Very pleasant walk without great difficulty, beneficial for both the mind and the body. As a reward for these 10 km walk: my first homemade ice cream of the season!

                                The day trip in pictures below

Stroll Through The Old Bruges

Flemish Painting, Chocolate And Hamburger

Bulskampveld

Se promener à Bruges et ses environs

Posted on May 10, 2022 | Leave a comment

Un immense besoin de beau

Au début du printemps, dans un froid glacial, je me suis longuement promenée dans le centre historique de Bruges sans but réel ; juste l’mmense besoin de beauté et de culture. Rues pavées, bâtiments anciens et la rivière Reie. Suivant l’inspiration du moment : je suis l’étroit passage qui donne sur une cours intérieure avec un joli jardin. En continuant, près du canal : petit pont datant probablement du moyen âge, extrêmement courbé et glissant. J’observe les vieilles pierres chargées d’histoire. Et c’est reparti pour se perdre dans un dédale de rues jusqu’à la tombée de la nuit. Marcher, flâner et visiter un musée!

Dans la ville des chocolatiers, je déguste enfin le fameux chocolat (aux noisettes, une merveille!) de Dominique Persoone, chocolatier star. Son chocolat est fin, subtile et goûteux, sans chichi : un délice! J’aime moins la déco de sa boutique qui à mon sens, ne rend pas justice à la finesse de ses créations. A deux pas l’Ellis Gourmet Burger : très bons hamburgers avec une viande de qualité. Après moult ripaille (lololol), enfin le riche Groeningemuseum pour découvrir d’éminents peintres belges sur six siècles, à commencer par les maîtres flamands avec Jan van Eyck (XVe siècle) et Pieter Bruegel l’Ancien (XVIe siècle). Le musée n’est pas très grand, mais il y a beaucoup d’oeuvres majeures. Une visite excitante, des collections absolument à voir!

Le grand bol d’air! En route vers Bruges, nous avons fait un crochet par le parc paysager du domaine du château de Bulskampveld. La visite a commencé par le Jardin d’herbes (aromatiques que l’on peut acheter dans un distributeur automatique ; prévoir de la monnaie). Puis les Sentiers à travers l’eau : paysage apaisant, même sous un ciel menaçant. Nous avons continué dans les bois avoisinants. Promenade très agréable sans grande difficulté, bénéfique tant pour le mental que le physique. En guise de récompense pour ces 10 km de marche : ma première glace artisanale de la saison!

                                  La suite en images ci-dessous

Flâner dans le vieux Bruges

Peinture flamande, chocolat et hamburger

Le domaine de Bulskampveld

Autres articles : Destinations

Luxemburg: Arty Weekend in Esch-sur-Alzette

Posted on April 1, 2022 | Leave a comment

A Different Esch

How to discover this destination with a mining tradition which this year is the European Capital of Culture? For a weekend, visit the third city of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette. The first day: consult the cultural program of the week on Esche 2022 and put on your most comfortable sneakers to attend the exhibitions, events or concerts that take place in the different districts of the city.

As examples : on the “Day 1” photomontage (below), 1., the rehearsal of a show at the National Museum of the Resistance, with its impressive architecture which will reopen at the end of April. 2., the Escher Theater. 3., 4. and 5., frescoes and graffiti in and near the cultural center Kulturfabrik, where you can also attend concerts. The second day: nature and history with the visit to an old mine and train museum at Minett Park Fond de Gras. From May, you can experience the Train 1900 (from Pétange to Fond-de-Gras and vice versa) or the Mining Train ‘Minièresbunn’ (Fond-de-Gras – Lasauvage – Fond-de-Gras).

Here is an original accommodation, the Château de Clemency: an unusual warm guest house in a small castle from 1660 that will delight decor maximalists. The Sherlock Holmes suite looks like a film set: with its living room like a cabinet of curiosities including a collection of pipes, stuffed animals flying over the room and in the entrance, the coats and caps of Holmes and Watson. A journey through time ! 18 Rue de l’Eglise, 4965 Käerjeng, Luxemburg, Phone: +352 51 26 52 60.

                             The pictures of the weekend below

Day 1: Exhibitions, Galleries, Museums

Day 2: Minett Park Fond de Gras

Where To Sleep: Château de Clemency

Informations

ESCH 2022

Autres articles : Destinations

Many thanks to the Esch Tourism Board for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.