Paris - Albert Kahn Japanese Gardens, Museum and Conservatory.

Photo by Salix

One of the most beautiful parks in Paris is this little-known gem waiting for the discerning traveller at the end of the Boulogne-Billancourt métro. Known and loved by keen gardeners and of those seeking a spiritual oasis, these delightful gardens and photography museum provide a gentle respite from the chaos of central Paris. The gardens and museum were created by Albert Kahn, a banker, philanthropist and inveterate world traveller. He believed that having an understanding and respect for other cultures could lead to peaceful co-existence throughout the world. He established his unique gardens in 1898 and continued to develop them until he fell victim to the Wall Street crash during the Depression of 1929 and lost everything. The gardens were then taken over by the Prefecture of the Seine but Albert Kahn continued to live in the house and enjoy his gardens until 1940, when he died during the German occupation of France.  

Photo Arno Drucker

During the blistering heat of the Parisian summer, the gardens make a wonderful respite from the sizzling streets and glare of buildings. They are the perfect symbol of peace and harmony and even on the hottest days the sun filters through the fan-shaped leaves of the ginkgo-biloba trees that form a canopy over the sun-dappled paths and offer much-needed shade to people wandering through the park. Tourists sit under the giant Linden trees chatting and snacking or merely people-watching.  Locals enjoy the different ambience for a while during their busy day.

Photo Atsirou

It’s a wonderful place for reflection and meditation. Gold, orange and black-speckled koi carp entertain passers-by with synchronised swimming through the waters of the ornamental lake. They flash under the brightly painted red bridges (echoes of Monet’s gardens in Giverny) and rush to the edge of the lake, eyes rolling and mouths opening and closing hopefully.  
The scent of roses perfume the air and waft up from the English and French gardens where the gardeners busily tend the plants. 
Not to be forgotten is  the little museum. There are interesting collections of photographs with the theme of life in Brittany at the end of the 19th century arranged on the walls. Antique cameras and filming equipment are displayed in backlit showcases and huge wall-mounted screens show archive film of life in Morocco, Algiers and rural France. There are interactive booths where one can sit and be taken on a digital journey through the life and achievements of Albert Kahn. There is also a BBC Documentary called The Wonderful World of Albert Kahn for those interested in a sneak preview.

If you are in Paris in April or May, the blossoms and azaleas are in bloom. A little taste of Cherry Blossom time in Paris!  What an amazing experience! 



Photo steff 123 

Albert Kahn, museum and gardens (le Musée départemental Albert-Kahn)
Tél: 01 55 19 28 00, 10-14, rue du Port, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt  
Métro: 10, Boulogne – Pont de Saint-Cloud.

Lucca – A Hidden Jewel in the Tuscan Landscape

One of the most picturesque Tuscan towns, enclosed by a ring of Renaissance walls and beautiful gardens, Lucca is just 17 kilometres inland from Pisa. Although quiet during the cooler months, Lucca becomes animated during the summer months, with many people travelling from Florence and Siena to visit its narrow streets and tidy squares, however one of the many charms of this quintessential Italian city is that it has not been spoilt by mass tourism.

A walk or bicycle-ride along the wall offers some great vantage points to enjoy the surroundings and admire the town. There are many artisans still making goods using traditional methods. Then of course there are several good restaurants and lots of shops stocking local agricultural produce and excellent local wine ……… all which require careful tasting!  



Due to the rich productive land around it, Lucca has been a prosperous town since Roman times and was at its height from the eleventh to the fourteenth centuries, when it provided silk to merchants and wealthy aristocrats. Lucca lost her independence to Pisa in 1314 but after some years managed to regain it and hold on to it until it fell to Napoleon and then the Bourbons several hundred years later. 

One of Italy’s most famous musicians – Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca in 1858 and in his memory, every evening from March to October there are little concerts in the Cathedral San Martino.  

   

Today the population of Lucca is approximately 90,000 so it is big enough to satisfy cultural and shopping needs, but small enough to retain the authentic spirit of town life in Italy.                                                                                                                   

It is also home to the excellent Lucca Italian School where one can undertake a language course and also participate in other activities such as cooking, painting and cultural visits to surrounding points of interest. They see Lucca as the classroom and so the students can learn first- hand in a variety of situations. With small groups of a maximum of 8 people and flexible hours, it is possible to find a tailor- made language learning experience. Of course if you prefer individual lessons or family classes, they are available too (see below).

LUCCA ITALIAN SCHOOL, Via S.Anna 14, 55100 Lucca

• learner-oriented method                                  
• innovative school
• “tailor-made” lessons
• school for families
• courses/lessons at your place (house, hotel)
• a wide range of cultural activities
• flexible hours 

                                    

Bouillabaisse - A Gift of Love

 A total commitment to excellence, a passion for food, combined with an eye for detail are the reasons why M&B Food and Catering is so popular in the  Southern Highlands when it comes to events, functions and entertaining. Martial Cosyn of M&B brings us a wonderful Bouillabaisse - light, healthy and easy to prepare, this soup is a traditional French dish. Bon appetit!

Countless poets, songwriters and authors have heralded this unique fish soup over the years so it can leave a prospective cook a bit hesitant to try. There is even claim of its mystical origins; that the goddess Venus first created a Bouillabaisse and served it to her spouse, the god of fire Vulcan. I wonder if it had an aphrodisiac effect? And as if this isn’t enough, there are hundreds of recipes; all declaring their authenticity as ‘the original’ and confusing us even more, before even slicing the first fishy fillet!

For the serious ‘a-fish-ionado’ I should probably be shot just for including it in my repertoire as I’m not even ‘Provençale’; geographically I’m from quite the opposite end of France, in fact.

To simplify the issue, we are talking about a chunky fish soup. Fish from the Mediterranean coast, flavoured with saffron, tomatoes and fennel. Typically it should include fish such as Merlan, Rascasse Rouget et Saint Piere (Flat head, Red fish Mullet and Dory), some Langouste and other crustaceans.

I generally like to start with a good quality fish stock. I then prepare all my fish; filleted, skinned and completely deboned. I normally also like to include some mussels for the flavour as well as the presentation.

Next, in a large heavy bottomed saucepan, I add some good quality extra virgin olive oil and sweeten without coloration some leeks, fennel and carrots. [Sliced carrots and thinly sliced leeks]

I Cook this softly for10 minutes and add some crushed tomatoes, some fish stock and a generous amount of real saffron. All this could be made in advance and as a dinner is ready to serve  -  you simply add all the various :

The bouillabaisse is traditionally served with rouille; a potato, garlic and olive oil paste also flavoured with saffron. However, some diced cooked potatoes can substitute the rouille, and added to the soup give some chunkiness and gusto! Typically some Pernod is often added to the soup at the end of the cooking to accentuate the flavour of the fennel. I encourage you to try this incredibly delicious and healthy soup, and perhaps like Venus, you too may find the promise of love fulfilled?         

Martial Cosyn                                

To contact M&B Food and Catering:  

Email: info@mandbfood.com.au:         

T: 0061(02) 4869 2899.  

W: www.mandbfood.com.au