Back to Blue...

 A photo of our neighbour today under a clear blue sky here in La Guerche.

Back to April Paris visit day 2, part III - a visit to the enchanting Musée des Arts Forains.

On our visit to Paris we decided to check out a museum that had been on my radar for a while now - Musée des Arts Forains. So after a coffee break and short walk around Bercy Village we stepped into a whimsical, glittering world where time literally seems to spin backwards.

As soon as we walked under the arched entrance and into the courtyard, the outdoor 'Théâtre de Verdure' between the rows of pavilions, where we met up with our guide (*French), we knew we were going to enjoy the experience.

The museum is housed within beautifully restored former19th-century wine warehouses of Bercy.

After a brief introduction we were led into the museum proper.

This magical place brings back to life the golden age of fairs, carnivals, and Belle Époque entertainment. Here, antique carousels, mechanical barrel organs, mirrored halls, painted backdrops, and vintage fairground attractions create an immersive experience that feels more like stepping onto an enchanted film set than visiting a traditional museum.

Instead of silent displays behind glass, visitors wander freely among the treasures. The knowledgeable guide brought the collection to life with lively demonstrations - cranking up the organs, spinning the carousels, and sharing fascinating stories behind these beautifully preserved pieces of popular entertainment from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

It’s pure joy for both adults and children alike, a joyful, nostalgic escape into a bygone era of wonder and spectacle.

The numbers are restricted so as to allow everyone to join in with the accessible rides and games. You had the chance to play the classic derby horse racing game (we lost) and to ride the beautifully restored carousels.

 When we entered the large ballroom (?), where Hooghuys' (Belgian) street organ sits, as soon as the music started up our fellow French visitors all started to dance and we joined in - now I wonder had it been the English tour would this have happened? Lovely moment!

Then it was into the 'Salons Vénitiens' where mechanical puppets (automatons) dressed in Venetian costume gave an opera performances from balconies high above us.

The final ride of the tour was on an original velocipede carousel dating from 1897 (one of the oldest in the world) where the riders propel themselves around by pedal-power. We left that to the young'uns as it went really fast with even some of the youngsters having to lift their feet of the pedals! 

We left with big smiles on our faces and the fact that we had a French *guide did not take anything away from the experience,we would highly recommend a visit here. Book a morning visit followed by lunch in Bercy village and then take a walk through the Parc de Bercy,the makings of a lovely day out!

Les Pavillons de Bercy - Musée des Arts Forains

Monday's walk - at Le Petit-Pressigny, in pictures...

 

Bravo Barrou...

Yesterday's annual mountain bike trial and randonnée at Barrou proved again to be a popular and well attended event. 

The organisation was excellent and it was followed by a local artisans & producers market which added to the convivial atmosphere. It was also good to see a full restaurant for their lunch menu.

Pauline and I did the 10km walk accompanied by a couple who had come down from Genillé for the event, this made for a more interesting walk. They enjoyed the experience which we hope improved their knowledge of our part of Southern Touraine.

We always enjoy the midway stop for a wee refreshment and sustinance!

We were blessed by a fine morning for the event which we had to give ourselves a shake to attend after a good evening the night before where after a couple of events we were treated to some late hospitality by some good friends - glad we did!

A night of music and fireworks...

 

Last night we had music over at 'Le Lavoir'  in Preuilly-sur-Claise with the ever popular Angie Palmer (and Paul) then headed over to Lesigny to catch the firework display to round off a local fete.

Love it when the courtyard bursts into life.

 

Light up,light up...

 

A little illumination for our 'Pierre de Ronsard' in our courtyard here in La Guerche. 

Reflecting on yesterday's walk...

 

I joined Pauline on her walk to Barrou and back yesterday (7.5km). The walks takes us along the back road from La Guerche, around the former stad and passed the campsite before returning along the same route. The campsite owners are currently making new pitches for their static caravans on the ground in front of their small lake (above).We think this is because of the damage that they experienced due to flooding a couple of years ago on the existing site. 

The owners work really hard at keeping the site in tip top condition and we are sure the new extension will be a credit to them as well.

Another feature of the walk is that we pass a former farm holding that has been renovated to a high standard but still has a lot of potential with its out building. We noticed yesterday that a large water basin had been filled in near the property below which sits within the site. Looks like this may be the next part of their renovation project. 

The walk doesn't provide much in the way of colour on the way so it was good to capture these wild poppies yesterday.

Stilt walker for hire? Leaf it with me!

Went over to the plant fair at Dangé-Saint-Romain on Sunday where a couple of cheeky, chatty, irreverent stilt walkers entertained the visitors.