Street views in Provence, Bonnieux

Over the years, on the many walks through small villages in Provence I took photos of street views. Some of the houses, windows and doors are beautifully decorated with flowers and plants, and I can never get past them without taking pictures.
Over the next couple of weeks, this is what I intend to share on Thursdays ....


This is a street in Bonnieux, a village in the Luberon, Vaucluse department.
Population: 1 363 people (2004)

Bonnieux is one of the most beautiful villages perched north side of the Luberon. The territory stretched from the ridges of the Luberon to the Claparèdes plateau and to the shores of Calavon river.

Click this link for a virtual visit and more photos.

Abandoned …

It’s been a while since I took this set of photos, I finally took some time to edit them today. I applied an “Agfa” action from PhotoScape for that aged look.

One beautiful Spring day when we were out in the country we came across this old farmhouse. The sign said it was for sale and that’s how I found the courage to snoop around a little. After all, if somebody came after me I could always say I was interested in buying it, no?

 

 
 

 

 

  

 

 

 
Looking back, I think there were still so many pictures left untaken. I should have taken a lot more. But I was a little bit nervous because I was trespassing and my husband – who was waiting in the car - did not know what I was doing!

All the doors were open so I gathered all my courage to have a peek inside as well. Tomorrow I’m going to take you inside …

Window Views, Bokrijk Museum Park

 

 

 

This is one of the old farmhouses at Bokrijk Museum Park.

… and this is the view from inside the house. 
It looks like an old painting, don’t you think?

Window Views is hosted by Mary the Teach.
Click the link to see windows and doors from all over the world.

Visit my other blog, Heavenin365 for a photo a day with the Canon D40.

Window Views, The Train

 

 

 

Remember the old train? Everything about it was photogenic, but especially loved the door.

The honey color of the wood. Old leather, shiny handles and bilingual signs instructing the travelers how to operate the door, I loved it. 

This is a non smoking compartment. The signs show how to open and close the handle but also warns the passengers not to open the door while the train is still moving.
And the B? the B is the old logo of the Belgian Railroad Company.

Window Views ( and doors too) is hosted by Mary the Teach.

Visit my other blog, Heavenin365 for a photo a day with the Canon D40.

Window Views, Groot Bijgaarden Castle.

 

 

Groot Bijgaarden castle is where I took my door pictures this week.

And for once …

… I did NOT forget the widows!

 

I even remembered to take a photo from inside looking out!

More windows and doors at Mary’s Window Views.

Thursdays is for doors …

No. In case you’re wondering, no, I did not go any further than this. I might have been trespassing when I walked into the little alleyway leading up to these doors but I used my camera as an excuse. I must have looked like a tourist with my Big Guy hanging around my neck and it suited me just fine. I was so ready to play that role if someone had objected to my presence there! A door opening into another door is one of my favorite subjects so I really could not resist taking a good shot at this!
This photo was taken two weeks ago, in Bruges.

Find more windows and doors from around the world at Mary’s Window Views.

If it’s Ruby, then it must be Tuesday?

 

 

 

 

No need for umbrella’s today, it’s a beautiful bright and sunny day here in Belgium. This polka dotted shop entrance made me smile and I LOVE the umbrellas on display.
I’ll bet they can make any rainy day seem bright and sunny, don’t you agree?

 

 

More Ruby Tuesday posts at Mary’s Work of the Poet.

Poeke Castle Visited …

Today I want to take you inside Poeke Castle.
Let’s start with a little history lesson first…

“It is unknown when the first fortification was constructed at Poeke, but references to it appear from 1139 onwards.

During the revolt of Ghent in 1452 against Philip the Good, the castle was taken by the Ghent militia. On 5 July 1452 Philip retook it, and had the Ghent militia present executed and the castle destroyed. Rebuilding it most likely took over a century.

In 1872, Baron Victor Pycke de Peteghem (1835 - 1875 bought the estates. He immediately initiated rebuilding works that lasted until 1875. The third building layer was integrated in a higher roof, and the interior and the gardens were renovated. There hardly remain any elements dating from before 1872. Additionally, the French garden was turned into an English garden.

Baroness Ines Pycke de Peteghem, was the last resident and owner of the castle.
In 1977 the castle and its 56 ha. park became the property of the municipality of Aalter, which now uses it for cultural meetings and festivities.” (Source Wikipedia)

Now … let’s have a look inside, shall we?


The servants staircase leads us to the first floor.

The weather was not that bright that day, but I was very happy I was able to use the natural light for my photo shoot and I really like how the beige colors of the interior almost turn them into natural sepias.
To the left is this gallery with statues of “historic figures” in each corner.

I’m not sure who they were though, I’m a sucker for names and data!

Let’s get inside one of the rooms.

Sorry about the mess, the place is still being redecorated and restored.

Great views all around …

Let’s get back to where we came from, but we’ll use the main staircase this time.

Beautiful, isn’t it?

Window Views and Sepia Scenes are hosted by Mary the Teach. Thank you Mary!

Thursdays is for Doors …

 

I know I promised photos from inside the castle, but it will have to wait just a little while longer. I visited my family in Bruges yesterday, so I was out all day and I had no  time to edit the photos. Instead I’m sharing this lovely door I discovered on one of my recent photo walks in Antwerp. 

Look at that detail …

 

More Windows and doors at Window Views ( … and a door too).

Chocolate Heaven in Napoleon’s Kitchen

I was strolling down on main street, the Meir in Antwerp when I spotted this billboard.

The day before yesterday a famous chocolatier from Bruges has opened the doors to his brand new shop in what is probably one of the prettiest locations in Antwerp, the Royal Palace at the Meir. The palace was built in the mid 1700’s and was bought by Napoleon in 1811 who had it decorated in French Empire style. During the first World War it was the home of King Albert I. The palace and it’s furniture was donated to the Flemish people by King Boudewijn. The palace has been restored to it’s former grandeur and is going to open to the public the first weekend of May.

I had a brief conversation with Dominique Persoone, the man behind this amazing chocolate shop. He told me it’s a unique feeling to make chocolate in Napoleon’s kitchen! Opening the shop is one year overdue, so as you can imagine he is probably THE most tired yet happiest man on the face of the earth.

So here’s a scoop for you ladies and gentlemen, allow me to open the doors to chocolate Heaven!

The minute I walked in, the delicate scent of chocolate teased my nostrils.

Follow me …

The place is so pretty it made me gasp.

Well, … I told you it was Heaven, didn’t I?!

And this is "Napoleon's" kitchen …

Can you smell the chocolate?