When you think of Limoges, one word springs instantly to mind: porcelain. The city’s name is practically synonymous with the fine, translucent ceramics that once graced royal tables across Europe. For centuries, “Limoges” has meant craftsmanship — artistry shaped in white kaolin clay, fired and glazed to perfection. In a curious way, it feels like France’s answer to Britain's Wedgwood, that Staffordshire marvel of industrial elegance. Both towns rose to fame on the back of be

In an earlier post we wrote about La Salette and the history behind the popularity of one of the most curious Marian Apparitions. Why...

When I review the various statistics for the website the most popular items are always of the same type. It's pretty much always Our Lady...

I always look at books when I am going to fairs or brocantes. I can't help it. We have a big problem with books at home. Removal men hate...

Lisieux is the first pilgrimage site I visited. It was a school visit- I was about 12 and went there for the day with my class. We had...

Spending a morning covered in mud at Chambord castle after almost ten days on the road made me want to restart this blog. This buying...

Vintage French educational posters Auzoux Rossignal Nathan

Followers of our Instagram will know we were lucky enough to spend a day in Rouen recently. Rouen is one of the great Gothic cities of...

On the Virgin Mary, flowers, ancient rituals and why May is her month.

Antiques blog discusses sauvegards, scapulars and Jesuit history in France.

This is the latest in an irregular series of articles on saints and holy people local to us in Northern France. You can find previous...

Collecting vintage French magazines - what to look for and what to avoid and more on vintage style for men and women

A close look at Caillebotte, one our favorite painters and how to date antique clothes with art

Cabinets des Curiosités in Brittany!

An unusual antique from Napoleon III's International Exposition of 1867

Cabinet de Merveilles blog on Our lady of Pontmain religious antiques

Cabinet de Merveilles Article on antique Lit Clos

Our local area and very brief history of the Knights Templar

We move to Bretagne!

A little look at Napoleon II the forgotten emperor of France