Chloe graciously gave up her bedroom for the two weeks that we were with the Royers.
Norma looking into the backyard from Chloe's bedroom.
Looking outside from inside Chloe's room.
Monday, September 14, 2009
THE ROYER FAMILY
Jean Pierre and Veronique are marvelous people. Jean Pierre works for the Air France ground transit system. Veronique has a Day Care center in her home. It was so fun to hear all the young children speaking French to each other.Below are a few of the pictures I took in and around their house.
Jean-Pierre et Véronique sont des gens merveilleux. Jean-Pierre travaille pour Air France de transit système au sol. Véronique a un centre de garderie dans sa maison. C'était génial d'entendre tous les jeunes enfants de langue française à l'autre. Voici quelques-unes des photos que j'ai prises dans et autour de leur maiso
Anael, Enola, and Noemie
Enola happy to be with her Mom.
Enola, Noemie, and Chloe
Kersley and Noemie Ferdinand. Kersley works at a local pool facility and Noemie works for Air France.
Jean-Pierre
Anael and her good friend, Louise.
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Veronique surrounded with some of her day care children and her two American visitors, one of which seems to have had too much caffeine. CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO SEE A LARGER VERSION.
THE ROYER'S HOME
We stayed with Noemie’s parents in the village of Saint Germain les Corbeil. I loved their house and the front and back yards. The neighborhood that they lived in was very well planned out and all the people we met were very friendly. There is a large park with grass and forested areas about 175 yards down their street. The Elementary and Junior High schools are even closer. There are shops for bread (purchased fresh daily) and groceries just across from the Elementary School. Everything you need to run your household and care for your family is within walking distance. The picture with Norma in it is a picture of their house. The other picture is looking at the house across the street from the Royer's driveway.
Nous sommes restés avec les parents de Noémie dans le village de Saint Germain les Corbeil. J'ai aimé leur maison et les cours avant et arrière. Le quartier qu'ils vivaient en a été très bien planifié et tous les gens que nous avons rencontrés étaient très amicaux. Il ya un grand parc avec de l'herbe et des zones boisées à environ 175 mètres en bas de leur rue. The Elementary Junior High schools et sont encore plus proches. Il ya des boutiques pour le pain (achetée fraîche par jour) et l'épicerie juste en face de l'école élémentaire. Tout ce que vous devez exécuter votre ménage et prendre soin de votre famille est à quelques pas.
SAINT GERMAIN LES CORBEIL
History
Rev. Lebeuf, author of the history of the City and the Diocese of Paris wrote in the years 1883 / 1893, that Saint-Germain-lès-Corbeil existed from the sixth century. In 800, it was called Corboilus or Corboilum became Veteri Corboïlo ( "The Old Corbeil") when "new" Corbeil (Corboïlum junius) was built across the Seine. Later, the village took the name of Sanctus Germanus Veteris Corbolu, referring to St. Germain (494-576), bishop of Paris, which owns the land. The usual form of Saint-Germain-lès-Corbeil follows the evolution of Saint-Germain-le-Vieil-Corbeil, Saint-Germain-le-Vieux-Corbeil, and most recently, Saint-Germain-lez-Corbeil.
The church is the main heritage of the town.
In the sixth century, Saint Germain, bishop of Paris, built a place of worship, now disappeared, dedicated to St. Vincent, martyr Spanish. In the twelfth century, the present church was built in a transition style late roman / early Gothic. It takes the name of Saint Germain - Saint Vincent. Its imposing bell tower 60 feet high collapsed in 1793 and in 1835, a modest steeple is installed on the gable of the facade. The church is fully restored in the late nineteenth century by the family Darblay. In particular, the front, above the portal of the twelfth century, adorned with statues modeled by Robert Elias and crowned by the bell today, is almost entirely rebuilt. All the windows of the thirteenth century of the central apse is the treasure of the church. These windows are classified historical monuments since 1908. The most important stained glass, the center represents the main events of the Passion of Christ, the canopy on the left illustrates the Tree of Jesse (genealogy of Christ), the right is on the life of St. Germain. At the top, the rose represents the paschal lamb medallions surrounded by six dedicated to several saints martyrs. Gravestones, recorded and sealed in the walls of the aisles, forming a series of great historical interest as they relate to or notable alumni of the parish priests
The first known castle date 1312, and was built by Geoffroy Coquatrix, rich and important burghers of Paris, cup of King Philippe-le-bel. The castle has suffered over the decades, many repairs and alterations until its destruction in 1590. Indeed, during the Wars of Religion, at the siege of Corbeil, Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, took the castle and by withdrawing from the burning ... It was rebuilt in 1620 by Nicolas Thibeuf new lord of Val-Coquatrix. His son and grandson retained. During the eighteenth century, it will become property of the family Brétignières. In the nineteenth century, the estate was bought by Aymé-Stanislas Darblay, industrialist and member of Corbeil. In 1846, the new owner built the present castle remained in the family until today.
Until the late sixties, Saint-Germain-lès-Corbeil is a village remained largely rural. No rail link on its territory, the town has not been affected by the industrial development of its neighbor Corbeil, or even the emergence of subdivisions pavillonnaires (type flag Loucheur law) of the early twentieth century in many common in the Paris suburbs, and the Essonne (Athis-Mons, Savigny-sur-Orge, Ris-Orangis, Quincy-sous-Senart, Brunoy ...). The population has stabilized around 600 people for several decades.
Starting from 1970, under the leadership of Mayor Stanislas Darblay (elected in 1968), the town is changing. Many agricultural areas are sold to make lots pavillonnaires the American standard. This is the time of the advent of the automobile and private ownership: The quality of rail service is no longer a need for urban development to the extent that most households have one or two cars. Moreover, people are increasingly seeking the presence of large spaces. Cities no longer have the coast (evidenced by the dramatic loss of population between 1968 and 1982 communes of Paris, Lyon, Marseille, ... and even some suburbs, formerly urbanized). The french now aspire to own a house and garden, away from the inconvenience of the city. The municipality includes the new town of Melun-Senart in 1973 (it released in 1983). Neighborhoods du Pré Saint Germain (promoter: Kaufman & Broad), Val flowers, or Clear Field of Domaine de Rochefort from the ground at that time. The municipality then gets a real trading with the realization of the commercial center of the green cross and a college and two schools (the former school was also moved and expanded to allow the reception of new students).
The arms of Saint-Germain-lès-Corbeil blasonnent: D'azur a tower topped by a basilisk or expansion of the Head of appetizers to bolster money accostée letters S and G gold. The external ornaments are a mural crown with three towers.
The crown shows that this is a city and the letters S and G are a sign of belonging to Saint Germain, bishop of Paris (476-576). The dragon (a basilisk) is the family Coquatrix rappel tower and the castle.
Histoire
L'Abbé Lebeuf, auteur de l'histoire de la Ville et du Diocèse de Paris écrivait dans les années 1883 / 1893, que Saint-Germain-lès-Corbeil existait dès le vie siècle. En 800, on l'appelait Corboilus ou Corboilum qui devint veteri Corboïlo (« Le Vieux Corbeil») lorsqu'un « nouveau » Corbeil (junius Corboïlum) fut bâti de l'autre côté de la Seine. Plus tard, le village prit le nom de Sanctus Germanus Veteris Corbolu, en référence à saint Germain (494-576), évêque de Paris, qui y posséda des terres. La forme usuelle de Saint-Germain-lès-Corbeil résulte des évolutions de Saint-Germain-le-Vieil-Corbeil, Saint-Germain-le-Vieux-Corbeil, et plus récemment, Saint-Germain-lez-Corbeil.
Le premier château connu date de 1312, et fut construit par Geoffroy Coquatrix, riche et important bourgeois de Paris, échanson du roi Philippe-le-bel. Le château subit, au cours des décennies, plusieurs réparations et transformations jusqu'à sa destruction en 1590. En effet, pendant les guerres de Religion, lors du siège de Corbeil, Alexandre Farnèse, duc de Parme, occupe le château et en se retirant, le brûle... Il est reconstruit en 1620 par Nicolas Thibeuf, nouveau seigneur du Val-Coquatrix. Son fils et petit-fils le conserveront. Au cours du xviiie siècle, il deviendra propriété de la famille de Brétignières. Au xixe siècle, le domaine est acheté par Aymé-Stanislas Darblay, industriel de Corbeil et député. En 1846, le nouveau propriétaire construit le château actuel, resté dans la famille jusqu'à nos jours.
L'église constitue la principale richesse patrimoniale de la commune.
Au VIe siècle, Saint Germain, évêque de Paris, édifia un lieu de culte, aujourd'hui disparu, dédié à Saint Vincent, martyr espagnol. Au xiie siècle, l'église actuelle est construite, dans un style de transition fin roman/début gothique. Elle prend le nom de Saint Germain - Saint Vincent. Son imposant clocher de 60 mètres de haut s'écroule en 1793 ; en 1835, un modeste clocheton est installé sur le pignon de la façade. L'église est entièrement restaurée à la fin du xixe siècle par la famille Darblay. En particulier, la façade, au dessus du portail du xiie siècle, ornée de statues modelées par Élias Robert et couronnée par le campanile actuel, est presque entièrement reconstruite.
L'ensemble des vitraux du xiiie siècle de l'abside centrale constitue le trésor de l'église.
Ces vitraux sont classés aux Monuments historiques depuis 1908. Le vitrail le plus important, celui du centre, représente les principaux épisodes de la Passion du Christ ; la verrière de gauche illustre l'Arbre de Jessé (généalogie du Christ), celle de droite est relative à la vie de Saint Germain.
Au sommet, la rosace représente l'Agneau pascal entouré de six médaillons dédiés à plusieurs saints martyrs.
Les pierres tombales, relevées et scellées sur les murs des bas-côtés, forment un ensemble d'un grand intérêt historique puisqu'elles concernent des anciens notables ou curés de la paroisse.
Jusqu'à la fin des années soixante, Saint-Germain-lès-Corbeil est resté un village essentiellement rural. Dépourvue de liaison ferroviaire sur son territoire, la commune n'a pas été concernée par le développement industriel de sa voisine Corbeil, ni même par l'émergence des lotissements pavillonnaires (type pavillon loi Loucheur) du début du xxe siècle dans bon nombre de communes de la banlieue parisienne, et de l'Essonne (Athis-Mons, Savigny-sur-Orge, Ris-Orangis, Quincy-sous-Sénart, Brunoy...). La population s'est stabilisée autour de 600 habitants pendant plusieurs décennies.
A partir de 1970, sous l'impulsion du Maire Stanislas Darblay (élu en 1968), la commune se métamorphose. De nombreuses surfaces agricoles sont vendues pour y réaliser des lotissements pavillonnaires standardisés à l'américaine. C'est l'époque de l'avènement de l'automobile et de la propriété privée: La qualité de la desserte ferroviaire n'est plus un impératif de développement urbain dans la mesure où la plupart des foyers possèdent une, voire deux voitures. Par ailleurs, les habitants cherchent de plus en plus la présence de grands espaces. Les villes n'ont plus la côte (en témoignent les pertes spectaculaires d'habitants entre 1968 et 1982 des communes de Paris, Lyon, Marseille,... et même de certaines villes de banlieue, anciennement urbanisées). Les français aspirent désormais à posséder un pavillon et un jardin, loin des désagréments de la ville.
La commune intégre la ville nouvelle de Melun-Sénart en 1973 (elle en sortira en 1983). Les quartiers du Pré Saint Germain (promoteur: Kaufman & Broad), du Val fleuri, de Champ Clair ou encore du Domaine de Rochefort sortent de terre à cette époque. La commune se dote alors d'un véritable appareil commercial avec la réalisation du centre commercial de la croix verte, ainsi que d'un collège et de deux écoles supplémentaires (l'ancienne école est par ailleurs déplacée et agrandie pour permettre l'accueil des nouveaux écoliers).
Les armes de Saint-Germain-lès-Corbeil se blasonnent : D'azur à une tour sommée d'un basilic essorant d'or, au chef de gueules à la mitre d'argent accostée des lettres S et G d'or. Les ornements extérieurs sont un couronne murale à trois tours.
La couronne montre qu'il s'agit d'un ville et les lettres S et G sont signe de l'appartenance à Saint Germain, évêque de Paris (476-576). Le dragon (un basilic) représente la famille Coquatrix et la tour rappel le château.
Monday, September 7, 2009
BOULANGER PATISSIER
Jean Pierre took Norma and I to buy some bread at a Boulanger Patissier, pastry/bread baker, that he and Veronique like to buy baguettes from in a town that was a short drive from Saint Germain. It was a very scenic drive and I recorded some of the trip on my photo camera (see the video clips below).
We are traveling to the Bakery.
Jean Pierre shows us a monument to the fallen soldiers of WW I and WW II.
We arrive at the bakery.
We are finished with our shopping and are pulling up to the Royer's house.
Time to eat the bread.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
KNIFE CHRISTENING
Shortly after our arrival, and not more than two or three meals later, I realized that Jean Pierre had a very special knife that he used to slice and spread his cheese. He told me that it was a knife that he has had for many years. It is a knife that is made in a particular region of France and is popular for its quality and history. He would always take it with him when he traveled and would use it for the same purpose as he would at home, cutting bread and cheese. Everyone in the household knew that it was not to go into the sink or into the dishwasher. It was always placed next to his plate for the upcoming meal.
When Norma and I were in Nantes we were shopping with the Pein’s and just happen to find the same brand and model of knife that Jean Pierre had. My kids had given me some money for Father’s day, since I would be in France during that Sunday, and so I felt that this knife would make a perfect “souvenir” of my stay in France and a great Father’s day gift (for me of course).
I didn’t want to use the knife until it had a proper christening. I gave the knife to Jean Pierre at the last dinner we were to have before leaving France. He sliced a piece of cheese with my knife and placed it on my plate; he then cut another piece of cheese and placed it on his plate. He gave me my knife and the ceremony was official. My French knife had then been used by a Frenchman to cut French cheese, which was spread on French bread in France. It had been officially christened.
This video clip is a bit choppy, as the blog would only allow a a certain amount of MBs and it was difficult to edit the clip to make it fit the requirements
Thursday, July 2, 2009
FROMAGE
A Few Of The Cheeses We Tasted At the Royer’s
Brie
Gorgonzola
Chevre
Brie avec Herbes
Saint Marcellin
Chausseee avec Hoines
Cantal
Pecorino
Livarot
Cheese for breakfast, cheese for lunch, and cheese for dinner; some Americans thought it was only a rumor but I am here to tell you that it is true. I had more kinds of cheese in the last 14 days than I have had in the last fourteen years. When we went shopping with Veronique I was absolutely blown away by the amount of space the cheese shelves consumed in the supermarket. I have documented it thought so you don’t need to take my word for it. See the pictures and video clips below.
Fromage frais
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Fromage frais (also known as fromage blanc, maquée and similar to some kinds of quark) is a dairy product, originating from Belgium and the north of France. The name literally means "fresh cheese" (with fromage blanc meaning "white cheese").
Pure fromage frais is virtually fat free, but cream is frequently added to improve the flavor, which also increases the fat content, frequently to as high as 8 percent of total weight.
Fromage frais can be served either as a dessert similar to yogurt, frequently with added fruit, or used in savory dishes. It is often served with honey in restaurants, as fromage blanc au miel.
This is not a cheese specialty store, this is a regular ol’ French supermarket.
The French say that you can eat a different cheese each day of the year, believe it!
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