For Simon Max, talented actor, bewitching tenor and star of the Belle Époque stage, it all began with a telegram. For the whale it probably started in the chilly North East Atlantic. The year is 1893 and Simon Max is at the peak of his Parisienne popularity. Far far away a large whale
History
The monsters of Villers-sur-Mer
Outrageous arrangements of plants are not a surprise in Normandy. Towns and villages work hard to be awarded ‘Villes et Villages Fleuris’ status. This can range from a ‘distinction’ (window boxes) to the top ‘4 flowers’ award (a creative floral explosion over everything) and rivalry is intense. So we should not
Sées and the wicked sons of Soreng
The Convent de la Miséricorde at Sées is a place for quiet contemplation. We matched our postcard from a little street in a nearby housing estate and the changes seemed superficial. Something timeless strengthens the Convent at Sées. The caring nuns of Miséricorde do good works as far afield as Africa.
The ferocious history of château Saint-Germain-de-Livet
Nestled in a soft green Normandy valley, could anything be more tranquil than château Saint-Germain-de-Livet? Probably not but this is Normandy and it doesn't take much digging to find a furious fighting past. Château Saint-Germain-de-Livet is no different, don't let it's pointy turrets and pretty tiled façade mislead you. Long long ago XIème siècle, the
