Bridget Marrow
Thu, 29 Sep 2005 04:50:05 -0700
Dear AnneI have just got back from a weekend in Normandy. These are the places we went to:
BAYEUX - the Musee Baron Gerard has a lace display, alongside other local items. They have the original of one of the well-known lacemaker paintings - by Frederic Panchet (1812-1895). The Museum is now housed in the Hotel du Doyen, which used to be the home of the Conservatoire de la Dentelle. This is now in a spectacular 16th century half-timbered building on the charmingly named Rue du Bienvenue, very near the cathedral. There will usually be one or two lacemakers at work in what is basically a little shop. They have patterns and bobbins for sale, and a small display of recent work - in traditional and modern styles. Another shop, Naphtaline, also very near the cathedral, has antique lace for sale, also sometimes old bobbins, lacemaker postcards, etc.
The famous Tapestry should keep non-lacemakers out of mischief for a bit. The cathedral is well worth a visit. There is a World War II museum and one dedicated to De Gaulle.
I could recommend a hotel in Bayeux if you would like me too.ALENCON - Leave plenty of time for the Musee des Beaux-Arts et de la Dentelle where the lace display is superb. There is also a very good video, telling the history and showing, in closeup detail, just how this particular kind of needlelace is made. Examples of the use of lace in modern haute couture top off the historical displays. I didnt get to the Conservatoire (spent too long in the gallery) but was told it is still going, just, with only one student! Perhaps not surprising, as the full apprentiship takes 8 years (and we think we can learn a new lace on a weekend course). There was a lace demonstration, but this may have been because it was a special heritage weekend (Les Journees de Patrimoine, 17-18 Sept.) Its like our open house weekend. It might be worth checking when this falls next year..
ARGENTAN - we only stopped briefly, as we had been warned that the museum was closed. Tourist Information told us it is due to reopen in June 2006, so you should be alright. Again the cathedral is worth visiting, with moving reminders of wartime devastation.
We did not get to COURSEULLES, home of polychrome lace, but have heard rumours that the museum there is closed. Great shame if so.
CAEN - I dont know if there is a lace museum, but it might be worth contacting Michel Bouvot <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> who organises courses and summer schools and has written books on Blonde de Caen.
I hope at least some of this information is useful. We certainly had a lovely time, and gorgeous september weather.
Bridget (in Watford, England) - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]