This castle is one of the largest medieval monuments in Northern Europe and the main sight in Vianden. Construction began in the 11th century and continued for more than 300 years. When it was finally completed, the Nassau family, who had inherited Vianden, didn’t care to move in and continued to rule from afar. […]
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Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nancy
This fine art museum has a comprehensive collection of 14th -21st Century European art, including works by Delacroix, Rodin, Monet and Picasso. The Daum crystal collection downstairs showcases 100 years of local glasswork. The museum opened in 1793 and is located in one of the four 18th Century pavilions on Place Stanislas.
Cathédral Saint-Étienne
Though this gothic cathedral’s spires punctuate Metz’s modest skyline, the structure is best known for its magnificent Marc Chagall-designed windows. Chagall’s work joins other windows by fellow artists such as Jacques Villon and Hermann von Münster. The striking 13th-20th century stained glass curtains are nicknamed ‘God’s Lantern’. Its nave is the third-highest in France, at […]
Centre Pompidou-Metz
Worth seeing: Chefs D’Oeuvre? exhibit, which questions the concept of masterpiece. 20 artists from 1905 – present spanning a range of disciplines are considered. You decide. Today we needed a French fix, so we hopped in the car and drove half an hour to Metz. The first stop was the Centre Pompidou-Metz, which we’ve […]
Amsterdam Museums
Amsterdam Sights to See: Van Gogh Museum: Here you’ll see some of the masterpieces Vincent Van Gogh created in his ten-year career. That’s right – ten years! Let this serve as inspiration to us all: in 1880, Van Gogh quit his job working for art dealers and pursued painting, with which he had no prior […]
In Brugge, Part 3
Places of interest: Stadhuis (City Hall): Gothic facade depicts biblical and sovereign figures (the original statues were removed during the French Revolution, then destroyed in 1792. The current ones are from the 1970’s). The real prize is the second-floor Gotische Zaal with its stunning murals and friezes. Well worth a look. Groeninge Museum: I’m not a […]
