It’s Spring and time to think luxe, luxe, luxe. Hubert de Givenchy, couturier to Audrey Hepburn and the Duchess of Windsor, among many others, ahs had a brilliant idea: an exhibition of stunning clothes by three of the most exceptional couturieres of all time. I have an especial fondness for Balenciaga, a humble, quiet man of exceptional skill who quit couture when he could not longer assure himself of quality.
The exhibit opens May 7th and runs through August 17. There will be 40 dresses enshrined on the first floor, amid French royal furniture. Watch for the black duchesse satin gown worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s – an iconic image.
The Chateau itself is worth a visit. Built in 1720, it is still owned by the same family, the Beauvau-Craon and is occupied by a descendent of its creator. The Chateau is in Lorraine, a territory which has passed back and forth between France and Germany, while striving to remain independent. The Chevalier de Lorraine was a thorn in the side of the second Madame, wife of Monsieur, Louis XIV’s brother (read her letters for a totally unbuttoned look at that court, BTW!)
The chateau has a unique design based on the calendar (which one?): 3654 windows, 52 chimneys, 12 towers and four bridges. It has huge gardens, as well.
It can be reached by car, train, airplane, or helicopter. It appears that one may stay there, with rates available upon demand. If you have to ask, you can’t afford it. You can drive straight to it from Paris, Strasbourg, Luxenbourg, Bale, et Metz. By train, the station at Nancy is the closes and there are daily trains. The closest international airporst are Luxembourg and Strasbourg. For those of you with private jets, you may debark from Nancy-Essay or Mirecourt (about 25 km). And for those of you who have servants reading this blog for you, you may organize a helicopter approach through Proteus Helicopters or by arrangement, I would assume, with the Chateau and land at the foot of the park. Goodness.
Hours are limited in May: looks like tje 1st Saturday and 2nd sunday only from 2-6. June is wide open – every day, 14h to 18 h (206); July even more so: 10 – noon and 2-6, dropping back to Saturday and Sunday, 2-6 in September.
Château d’Haroué
Place du Château
54740 Haroué
03 83 52 40 14
All-day, all access (park, chateau, and special exhibits): 10 euro for adults.
Check it out at:
Pictures to follow.
Couture, chateaux, France . . . ah la vie en printemps.