Author: La Viajera y El Mochilero

Blog English, Country, Spain, Valencia

Royal Basilica of Our Lady of the Holy Innocent Martyrs and the Forsaken

On the first day of our visit to Valencia, we went to its historic center, arriving at the Plaza de la Virgen where the beautiful fountain allegorical to the Turia River immediately caught our attention. Likewise, we observed the Cathedral of Valencia, with its predominant style called “Valencian Gothic” and just to the right side of the cathedral, another temple is located. This one, more sober, although the structure stood out notably for its salmon tonality, which harmonized very well with the architectural details in stone of its façade. We approached to read its name, it was the Real Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Santos Inocentes Mártires y Desamparados (Royal Basilica of Our Lady of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs and Forsaken). Definitely, a long name, but with a lot of meaning. At that time, the temple was closed, so we could only contemplate its exterior. Continue reading “Royal Basilica of Our Lady of the Holy Innocent Martyrs and the Forsaken” →

Blog English, Country, France, Paris

Lapérouse Restaurant in Paris

Stopping at number 51 of the “quai des Grands Augustins” and pause to observe the Lapérouse Restaurant in Paris is unavoidable. Its antique details and the female paintings adorning its facades impart a great beauty and colorfulness, difficult to evade. The Lapérouse is located on the left bank of the Seine River (Paris 6), offering a wonderful panoramic view of the river. It reopened in 2018 after a renovation that maintained the original decorative elements.

Lapérouse defines itself as ‘The House of Pleasure’ and since 1766, what was a former private mansion was transformed into a wine store. It was the first restaurant in the world to obtain 3 stars in the Michelin guide in 1933. It specializes in traditional cuisine and seats only 58 patrons for dinner.

For more than two centuries, it has been the scene of French haute cuisine as well as of the literary, political and cultural social life of Tout-Paris. Zola, Maupassant, Baudelaire, Proust … the great Victor Hugo, the famous novelist Colette (from “La Chatte”), Serge Gainsbourg (who met Jane Birkin here), Woody Allen who chose the place for one of the scenes of “Midnight in Paris”, Orson Welles, Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway! If only these walls could speak! Today, these great writers, artists, filmmakers, political leaders and actors are joined by other great personalities of fashion and cinema, making every moment at Lapérouse a unique experience.

For those who wish to have a complete gastronomic experience, including history and great beauty, this is the ideal place. Of course, always remembering that fame has a price.

 

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Sources consulted:

http://laperouse.com/en/
https://www.20minutos.es/gastronomia/restaurantes/laperouse-primer-restaurante-mundo-tres-estrellas-michelin-hemingway-famosos-5089997/
https://es.parisinfo.com/restaurante-paris/94440/Laperouse

Blog English

Hermitage of “San Antonio de la Florida”, Madrid

Arriving at #5 of the “San Antonio de la Florida” Roundabout on the banks of the Manzanares River in Madrid, you look straight ahead and find not one, but two identical hermitages. Now, it is the so-called San Antonio de la Florida hermitage on the right side of the square, the reason for arriving there. It is the only one, of three hermitages, dedicated to San Antonio de Padua that has survived of those that existed on the outskirts of Madrid. It is known as the hermitage of “San Antonio de la Florida” because it is located on the “Paseo de la Florida”, where formerly stood the Palace of Florida, acquired by Charles IV. Today, there are no remains of this palace as it was demolished in the 19th century to enable the construction of the new “Estación del Norte” (now the Príncipe Pío Railroad Station). Continue reading “Hermitage of “San Antonio de la Florida”, Madrid” →

"Madrid", Blog English, Country, Spain

The Church of Saint Theresa and Saint Joseph of Madrid

Its facade, reminds us of a medieval fortress, creating a very marked and beautiful contrast with the modern buildings that surround it. It is the National Temple of Saint Theresa of Jesus and Convent of the Discalced Carmelite Fathers, also known as the Church of Saint Teresa and Saint Joseph in Madrid, Spain. This church was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest on December 20, 1995. Continue reading “The Church of Saint Theresa and Saint Joseph of Madrid” →

"Malaga", Blog English, Country, Spain

The Carmen Thyssen Museum of Málaga

In our visit to the city of Malaga, we could not miss out on the main museum of this Spanish city, the Carmen Thyssen Museum. Opened in 2011, this museum brings together one of the most important collections of Spanish and Andalusian painting from the early nineteenth century to the beginnings of modern times in the twentieth century. Its collection covers some of the main genres of Spanish art in this period, such as landscape and customs, paying special attention to Andalusian paintings. Continue reading “The Carmen Thyssen Museum of Málaga” →

"Madrid", Blog English, Country, Spain

Santa Barbara Church, Madrid

The church of which we are going to share with you a bit of its history, we had already had our eye on it on a previous visit to Madrid. It was not open on that occasion, so we put it on the list of places to visit on our next visit. This time, we had the opportunity to enter and were delighted with its architecture that projects a lot of elegance. Continue reading “Santa Barbara Church, Madrid” →

Blog English, Country, France, Paris

The Grand and the Petit Palaces in Paris

Strolling down the Champs Elysees in Paris we find two structures with beautiful decorative details on their facades facing each other, it is the Grand Palais (Grand Palais) and the Petit Palais (Petit Palais). Both buildings were built for the Universal Exposition of 1900, along with the Alexander III Bridge, creating a beautiful monumental setting. Continue reading “The Grand and the Petit Palaces in Paris” →