Some lovely architecture. That old house looks incongruous stuck on a corner with a modern coffee shop underneath. And that beautiful gallery is a real find,.
They were an order here in Ireland too. Not sure if there are many left. We have the Ursuline Convent and Secondary School in Waterford city. My family's home is near Waterford.
Interesting! I don’t think I have seen the name here on any functioning institution, such as a school. A quick look online would imply that they are not really still “in business” here in France, but I didn’t dig any further.
Betty that was great! The wooden house so impressive, all those uprights look incredibly ornate!
The Post Office, now Hotel too... what a building and a treasure to have visited. Im not surprised only a small portion of it is sequestered as todays PO though... was it open?
And thank you for 'Hippolyte Petitjean, a Macon-born artist' what beautiful work, I have bookmarked a page to go back to!
The post office was indeed open and I stepped in quickly, but it had been remodeled in a way that left nothing historic. And I’m glad you were taken with Hippolyte Petitjean — there were quite a few of his paintings in the museum and I found them so lovely. Who knows why some of these “artistes régionaux” never make it as a big name. I did see he has a few works in the Musée d’Orsay, though.
I googled him Betty, I recognised a couple of the paintings but whether that was from my one and only visit to the Musée d’Orsay or elsewhere I don’t recall, I can see why you were taken with his work though!
It's been years since I returned to Macon! I always enjoy a good museum of fine arts. You never know what you will find there so one must pick and choose. Discoveries await, like that local artist you met there. Les musées des Beaux Arts are typically more manageable than many "larger" museums -- typically being the operative word. I remember spending a lot more time than I had anticipated at the Musée des Beaux Arts de Lyon. Merci Betty. Another great write up.
My suggestion: the art museum, the restaurant and my hotel were all very nice and could make a good combination. I think half a day in Macon is enough, though, with the focus on the museum. The first floor is archaeology and ancient art and is quite well done, although not so much my thing. The Beaux-Arts collection is on the third floor, and really has a lot to it, in a lovely setting. The second floor, which I had to skip, is devoted to the French statesman Lamartine, who was born in Macon, and also has a large collection of regional artists.
Well, it has some cool places, but this wasn’t a city where I felt I had to make tough choices as to what to write about! Apparently the surrounding countryside with its wine-growing areas is stunning. I’ve always enjoyed driving through Burgundian villages.
Hippolyte Petitjean left quite an oeuvre behind him and I see he has a few paintings in the Musée d’Orsay. There were some other lovely ones in the Macon museum too — I just chose one. I love discovering these minor French artists. It seems that often just bad luck prevented them from making it big.
That post office was wild, and its architecture had little to do with the rest of the city. Another cool find!
Oh how interesting! I had never really thought of “grand post offices” as a thing to seek out in France. I have seen some attractive ones but they weren’t huge and amazing like this one.
I hope to get to Chartres on my travels and will definitely check it out. I love the nickname!
I had never heard of it, so of course looked it up. The spirit, although not the style, reminds me a little of Le Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval, which I’ve visited twice but so many many years ago that I won’t give it a date!
I will definitely visit this house when I get to Chartres!
The interesting thing is that it was a stop over point for water airplanes from the UK to India. The hotel we stayed in, a Best Western, had all the famous celebrities of those days stay there. But for the rest, the city is not that interesting. Better is Vonnas close by (if you’re into food )
That is fascinating and something I totally missed, but mine was a quick svisit — just an afternoon and evening. Following your comment, I looked up some information about the “hydravions de la Saône.”
I agree, though, I was not bowled over by the city, but did feel the museum was exceptional. Did you go there?
No. Like you I spent a day more or less. I just learned about the planes from the hotel which was a piece of luck. Nice hotel. Lots of memorabilia about the planes service.
Thank you for this promenade around Macon. There are so many beautiful places. 🤩
Yes, I think I need to lay out a more manageable list for the next few years!
Some lovely architecture. That old house looks incongruous stuck on a corner with a modern coffee shop underneath. And that beautiful gallery is a real find,.
Yes, I felt the same way. It was really intriguing but didn't fit in with the square. I guess it’s not the building’s fault though 😅.
And yes the museum was great - - I forgot to mention the building was a former convent.
It has that appearance
Yes, “les Ursulines” were an order.
They were an order here in Ireland too. Not sure if there are many left. We have the Ursuline Convent and Secondary School in Waterford city. My family's home is near Waterford.
Interesting! I don’t think I have seen the name here on any functioning institution, such as a school. A quick look online would imply that they are not really still “in business” here in France, but I didn’t dig any further.
Betty that was great! The wooden house so impressive, all those uprights look incredibly ornate!
The Post Office, now Hotel too... what a building and a treasure to have visited. Im not surprised only a small portion of it is sequestered as todays PO though... was it open?
And thank you for 'Hippolyte Petitjean, a Macon-born artist' what beautiful work, I have bookmarked a page to go back to!
Sending a DM now!
The post office was indeed open and I stepped in quickly, but it had been remodeled in a way that left nothing historic. And I’m glad you were taken with Hippolyte Petitjean — there were quite a few of his paintings in the museum and I found them so lovely. Who knows why some of these “artistes régionaux” never make it as a big name. I did see he has a few works in the Musée d’Orsay, though.
I googled him Betty, I recognised a couple of the paintings but whether that was from my one and only visit to the Musée d’Orsay or elsewhere I don’t recall, I can see why you were taken with his work though!
That’s interesting that you recognized a few of his paintings. You must have a good visual memory!
It's been years since I returned to Macon! I always enjoy a good museum of fine arts. You never know what you will find there so one must pick and choose. Discoveries await, like that local artist you met there. Les musées des Beaux Arts are typically more manageable than many "larger" museums -- typically being the operative word. I remember spending a lot more time than I had anticipated at the Musée des Beaux Arts de Lyon. Merci Betty. Another great write up.
Thank you! I imagine that the Lyon museum could get overwhelming. I was nearly overwhelmed by Macon!
Magnificent building and gardens though. Well worth a visit!
You’ve just put Macon on my list! I do love a good art museum. Thanks!
My suggestion: the art museum, the restaurant and my hotel were all very nice and could make a good combination. I think half a day in Macon is enough, though, with the focus on the museum. The first floor is archaeology and ancient art and is quite well done, although not so much my thing. The Beaux-Arts collection is on the third floor, and really has a lot to it, in a lovely setting. The second floor, which I had to skip, is devoted to the French statesman Lamartine, who was born in Macon, and also has a large collection of regional artists.
Thank you!
I loved everything you highlighted in this piece about Macon! A pretty cool city overall, it seems.
Well, it has some cool places, but this wasn’t a city where I felt I had to make tough choices as to what to write about! Apparently the surrounding countryside with its wine-growing areas is stunning. I’ve always enjoyed driving through Burgundian villages.
Wow, the museum sounds good! I agree with you that the painting by Petitjean is quite interesting.
I don't remember seeing a Hôtel des Postes quite that monumental.
Hippolyte Petitjean left quite an oeuvre behind him and I see he has a few paintings in the Musée d’Orsay. There were some other lovely ones in the Macon museum too — I just chose one. I love discovering these minor French artists. It seems that often just bad luck prevented them from making it big.
That post office was wild, and its architecture had little to do with the rest of the city. Another cool find!
It's nice you get some of these goods finds and surprises on your trips!
There is another one, in Chartres. It is so grand they nicknamed it "Notre-Dame des Postes." ;-)
Oh how interesting! I had never really thought of “grand post offices” as a thing to seek out in France. I have seen some attractive ones but they weren’t huge and amazing like this one.
I hope to get to Chartres on my travels and will definitely check it out. I love the nickname!
Not to mention the famous “maison Picassiette” awaits there. Right up your alley methinks :-)
I had never heard of it, so of course looked it up. The spirit, although not the style, reminds me a little of Le Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval, which I’ve visited twice but so many many years ago that I won’t give it a date!
I will definitely visit this house when I get to Chartres!
Can’t wait to read the write-up!
We've been wanting to go back to Chartres, so we'll add that to our list of to-see things.
The interesting thing is that it was a stop over point for water airplanes from the UK to India. The hotel we stayed in, a Best Western, had all the famous celebrities of those days stay there. But for the rest, the city is not that interesting. Better is Vonnas close by (if you’re into food )
That is fascinating and something I totally missed, but mine was a quick svisit — just an afternoon and evening. Following your comment, I looked up some information about the “hydravions de la Saône.”
I agree, though, I was not bowled over by the city, but did feel the museum was exceptional. Did you go there?
No. Like you I spent a day more or less. I just learned about the planes from the hotel which was a piece of luck. Nice hotel. Lots of memorabilia about the planes service.
I like the look of that art gallery
It was really excellent - - objectively the best I’ve seen for this project. It was a pity I ran out of time - - I missed a whole floor!