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A French Collection

France + All Things French

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Deauville – The 21st Arrondissement of Paris

Deauville, France

Place de Morny, Deauville, France

Deauville, France - The 21st Arrondissement of Paris

Deauville in Normandy, France is described as Paris’ 21st arrondissement and is known as the playground of the rich and famous. Being an easy 200 kms from Paris, it’s long been the luxury holiday destination of Parisians. Deauville’s luxurious allure started soon after Napoleon III’s half-brother, the Duke of Morny, founded it in 1861. The Duke of Morny, an influential financier,  created Deauville from swamp and sandy land with the help of his physician, his banker and architect.

Reminders of the Duke of Morny everywhere

There are reminders everywhere of the Duke that created Deauville with places and shops named after him. La Place de Morny has been built as a copy of Paris’ Place de l’Etoile with eight roads converging onto the central garden and fountains. The town hall or Mairie of Deauville is located at Place de Morny. 

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Presbytère d’Étienville – A Beautiful Garden of Normandy, France

Apple blossom in beautiful garden in Normandy, France

Presbytère d’Étienville - A Beautiful Garden of Normandy, France

Normandy (Normandie) in the north of France is one of 18 regions. It is well known for its coastline and many beautiful gardens.  Covering an area of approximately 30,627 kilometres it is divided into five administrative departments.  In this new series of Beautiful Gardens of Normandy, France, we will be travelling through the region exploring its gardens in more detail.

“The many great gardens of the world, of literature and poetry, of painting and music, of religion and architecture, all make the point as clear as possible: The soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden. If you don't want paradise, you are not human; and if you are not human, you don't have a soul.”  -  Sir Thomas More, author of 16th Century seminal classic ‘Utopia’

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