Attention classic car enthusiasts: on Saturday, May 24, 2025, La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, in the Seine-et-Marne department of France, is the place to be. This Saturday marks the2025 edition of the Ferté Rétro Mobile a major automobile event bringing together dozens of classic cars Organized with the support of the Auto Moto Club de Meaux and La Briqueterie the Ferté Rétro Mobile is a major gathering of exceptional vehicles all types of vehicles are on display to the general public with a special exhibition of prestige vehicles it will also be possible to take a baptism in one of these prestigious vehicles (for €8 per person with all profits from baptisms going to the Signes et Paroles Association which works to make sign language accessible to all) There will be plenty of stalls and entertainment throughout the day An automotive event not to be missed in Seine-et-Marne Refer your establishment, click here Promote your event, click here 2018The Pivoine has its own plunge pool.Save this storySaveSave this storySaveThis summer Belmond unveils two new vessels to its existing fleet of five Designed by Inge Moore of the London-based Muza Lab the barges (with routes from Strasbourg to Arzviller and La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre to the Champagne region) feel floral and elegant Moore wanted a softness that was both casual yet true to the nostalgia that’s often present on quiet canals While a barge is a flat-bottomed boat that was originally built for transporting freight it has become a luxury vessel that ferries passengers who crave that slower I think of the movie Chocolat and the river-barge people who arrived and the wonderful feast under the trees,” Moore tells AD and the river paths lined with trees that were used by horses in days gone by but there is still movement.” Barges are often more intimate in size than typical river cruise ships To accomplish the feeling of floating through the countryside Moore and her team were inspired by the principles of Biophilia; the design materials were selected to be both natural yet authentic to the region (lilacs are more abundant in the Alsace region; peonies in Champagne) The furniture was chosen for both their lightness and comfort Public spaces—which include an outdoor dining deck and areas for swimming and lounging—were all about encouraging guests to feel relaxed and Moore’s team scouted many windows and openings to create an airy feel with skylights and large windows—and the result is a series of spaces flooded with light A small plunge pool in the bow of the barge is a refreshing accent for summer holidays Moore created the aesthetics of Lilas and Pivoine after researching the regions and their flowers “Pivoine—inspired by the white and yellow tones of peonies—is slightly more contemporary and elegant like the flower this barge represented,” says Moore like a bunch of fresh lilacs.” Each flower has its own spirit and feel and textures that are typical of a château or a French rural house that uses honest and simple materials The furniture and fixtures—including the marble bathrooms and Parisian bedcovers—were deliberately more residential than commercial While the Pivoine color palette is mostly nickel and black metals The barges were crafted from grain shipping hulls—both proper working vessels—and have their idiosyncrasies as the height of the barges are constrained by the locks and bridges along the canals Moore’s team had not designed barges before so they came with an open mind and designed them to be truly livable spaces Moore is optimistic on barge travel in general “It’s a wonderful way to spend a holiday with friends and family,” she says “I think travel changes people to want more authentic and intimate experiences.” citing the barges' timeless appeal and the opportunity to truly slow down and savor the moment RELATED: The Most Unexpected New Luxury Adventure Travel Discover what the most popular suburbs of Paris have to offer in the way of property prices By Martina Di Gregorio While living in Paris might sound like a dream for many people, the reality of finding a home in the capital can be a challenge given the rising cost of rent and the fact that apartments are getting smaller Some Parisian neighborhoods may also be too loud and crowded with tourists making them less appealing to those looking to settle down if you are looking for a bigger home with a garden the suburbs of Paris might be a better option From the international vibrance of Croissy-sur-Seine to the elegance of Versailles there are many desirable places to consider they offer accommodation of every kind to suit a variety of preferences and budgets To give you an idea of what’s on offer this article includes the following information: Looking for an easy way to find your next home Spotahome is an online property portal operating in France that takes the stress out of renting and book your next rental property without leaving home Finding housing in Paris and its surrounding suburbs can be challenging and time-consuming especially for those who are not familiar with the local property market you will need to find the right suburb to match your budget and preferred lifestyle before beginning your search for a home there are multiple websites that make house-hunting easier SeLoger is particularly popular among internationals seeking accommodation in the Parisian suburbs The portal allows you to search under Louer (rent) for apartments for rent You then need to enter the postcode of the town or area you prefer and click on Rechercher (search) Before deep-diving into the many apartments available you can add filters such as pieces or chambres (rooms) and Extérieur (exterior) where you can specify whether you want a garden You can also filter by Meublé (furnished) or Non meublé (unfurnished) depending on whether you want to bring your own furniture you can head to Acheter (buy) and start your search Moving to France: the ultimate checklist for your move it might be worth searching for short and mid-term rentals on portals such as: might also want to join some of the local Facebook groups where people often post apartments or rooms for rent as well as search for roommates or sublets for short periods of time Some suburbs are also more affordable and spacious with family houses that come with gardens and parking spaces that allow for an easier commute to Paris Rental costs in the suburbs of Paris can vary greatly there are some suburbs in which prices are on par with the city center these prices are increasing every year as the areas continue to improve their urban plans You can find the most up-to-date rental costs on SeLoger Similar to rental costs, property prices in the suburbs of Paris are lower than in the capital, where the average cost exceeds €10,000 per square meter The city of Paris is divided into twenty districts – or arrondissements – which are arranged in the form of a clockwise spiral. However, the city and its surrounding suburbs (or banlieues) make up the region of Île-de-France This consists of eight administrative departments Essonne, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Seine-et-Marne, Val-de-Marne, Val-d’Oise According to statistics from 2020, 19% of the population of metropolitan France live within Île-de-France making it the most populated region in the country demographics vary significantly throughout the departments Seine-Saint-Denis in the northeast and Val-d’Oise in the northwest were formerly industrial and working-class zones the southern department of Essonne and the western department of Yvelines are predominantly inhabited by the upper class reputations also vary from suburb to suburb and Maisons-Laffitte are known to be some of the most affluent and desirable areas in Paris are also considered to be ‘unsafe’ while other residential areas like Fontenay-aux-Roses To give you more of an overview of the Paris suburbs below is a summary of some of the most popular ones to live in among the expat community Situated just 14km from the center of Paris, Chatou is a family-friendly suburb with many green spaces, making it the perfect location for those looking to escape the bustling city and enjoy some nature. However, although it is only a 15-minute commute with the RER line A meaning that many residents (or Catoviens) choose to own cars and houses usually have parking Chatou is perhaps best known for its Ile des Impressionistes (Island of Impressionists) which is located in the Seine River and got its name due to its popularity among multiple 19th-century artists such as Monet and Renoir and open woodland where visitors can relax and enjoy nature Art is still an important part of life in Chatou, and it hosts multiple art, music, and antique festivals every year, including the Chatou Island Festival and the National Antique Fair Whether you are single and looking to move to Paris for work, or you are a parent with young children seeking peace and quiet the rest of the town continues with its daily routine While Versailles may be more suited to working people and families, students might find themselves more drawn to Orsay. The university town is located 20km southwest of Paris, with a direct train providing easy access to the capital. The RER B is the cheapest option for those who commute daily and it takes around 30 minutes to reach the Cité Universitaire stop Orsay offers a mix of affordable apartments and family homes with gardens with a two-bedroom apartment costing between €1,000 and €2,100 per month these prices vary yearly depending on inflation The suburb provides ample green space, with the Bois de la Cyprenne – a small forest inside the city – offering a scenic escape from the hustle and bustle. Osary also boasts a variety of entertainment, including lectures and exhibitions at the Musée d’Orsay Those who love nightlife will also enjoy the various bars and restaurants in the student quarters. it can take up to an hour to reach the city by car or even longer during peak times. although all that remains are outbuildings Another attraction is the Hippodrome de Saint-Cloud racecourse, where the Saint-Cloud Grand Prix takes place every year. Rock music lovers might also find themselves in this suburb when the annual Rock en Seine festival comes to town Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a quintessential French town that embraces a diverse and multicultural community. Located 15km west of Paris, the suburb is most suited to expat families, and is home to Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye; one of the top international schools in France which features beautiful gardens and a panoramic view of western Paris All of this is only 20 minutes away from the capital, with multiple bus routes and local trains on the RER A line connecting the two Located 7km northwest of Paris, in the department of Hauts-de-Seine, Neuilly-sur-Seine is one of the most expensive cities in France with rental prices exceeding €12,000 per square meter those looking to rent or buy in the area will need to have a hefty budget Although it is close to Paris, the suburb is relatively quiet and primarily residential with many family homes and multiple parks attracting expats with children. It is also home to Marymount and offers easy access to other international schools in the neighboring 16th arrondissement. which attract thousands of tourists each year Commuting to the center of Paris is an easy 20-minute metro trip or a half-hour drive for those who are brave enough to face the city’s infamous traffic. There are also multiple buses and local rail connections that provide easy access to the rest of the country Situated in the affluent department of Yvelines, Croissy-sur-Seine is particularly attractive to expats due to its strong English-speaking community and the fact that it is home to the British School of Paris; one of the best international schools in France Similar to other popular suburbs, Croissy-sur-Seine is well connected to Paris, with the RER A line taking around 20 minutes which is ideal for those looking to commute Nogents-sur-Marne is a charming commuter town that lies 10km east of Paris on the River Marne. The suburb offers convenient access to the Bois de Vincennes which features several lakes The River Marne is also a popular destination for swimming and rowing enthusiasts those surrounding Paris are diverse in terms of demographics While some are known for their excellent amenities it might not be the most suitable place to live for those with children Essentially, before deciding to move to any suburb, it is important to do your research and ask for recommendations from local expat groups to ensure that it is a safe and desirable place to live. Born in Italy, Martina has been living abroad for almost ten years. She moved to the Netherlands to pursue her master’s and later kickstarted her career in marketing. She is currently an SEO Specialist, although her passion for writing never left, so she decided to freelance and follow her love for storytelling and sharing stories with the world. SEDAN France -- For Lance Armstrong finishing 54th yesterday made for a good day -- perfect actually -- on the Tour de France. It may seem strange that the four-time champion is for the moment at least happy to hang back as he chases a record-tying fifth victory. Experience has taught Armstrong there's little point in exhausting himself up front -- and risk being caught in crashes -- when there's 18 days of racing and many hard long miles left. For now Armstrong and his formidable U.S. Postal Service team are happy to let other riders take the early stages that finish with fierce and sometimes dangerous sprints. The Postals are setting their sights on crucial team time-trials Wednesday and the Alps where Armstrong aims to start powering away from his rivals up lung-burning climbs. Yesterday Armstrong finished in a pack behind winner Baden Cooke of Australia in the second stage of the Tour. He was in 10th place overall. "A team like us just hopes for the mountains to come as fast as they can and get out unscathed" Dan Osipow the Postal Service team's general manager said as the riders set out on the relatively flat 126.8-mile second stage of the Tour to Sedan a town near the border with Belgium. Cooke a sprinter who last year finished 127th overall won the stage in a fierce dash at the finish beating French rider Jean-Patrick Nazon and Estonian Jaan Kirsipuu by a whisker. The risks of the Tour's early days when riders still have fresh legs and newcomers are adjusting to racing in the large pack of nearly 200 cyclists were highlighted in the first stage Sunday. Spain's Jose Enrique Gutierrez lost control of his bike on the final turn causing a dramatic pileup that took out about 35 riders -- Armstrong among them. Armstrong wasn't badly injured but suggested yesterday that the Tour think about leaving some -- less experienced -- cyclists behind. "The biggest problem is 200 fresh guys" Armstrong said. "Given the intensity these days 150 guys is a lot safer than 200." "Some of the guys have never done the Tour they want to take risks sort of like cowboys" he said. Overall Armstrong is 10th just 11 seconds off current race leader Bradley McGee an Australian sprint specialist who won the Tour's first event Saturday a race against the clock through the streets of Paris. Jan Ullrich the 1997 winner and a key rival of Armstrong's is 5th overall just five seconds ahead of the Texan. Cooke had never won a stage on the Tour before yesterday. "It's incredible. I can't believe it" he said. "The final sprint was very very dangerous ... Every day you take your chances. Usually it doesn't work but today it worked." Like McGee Cooke races for French squad Fdjeux.com which now has won two of the three Tour races run so far. "There's an incredible spirit in the team" McGee said. "That's why we're working well together. On the Tour de France you need a good spirit because of all the stress." McGee finished 52nd yesterday close enough to Cooke to retain the coveted yellow jersey worn by the overall Tour leader. Armstrong's former teammate U.S. rider Tyler Hamilton completed the second stage with a fractured collarbone suffered in Sunday's crash. "I was aching all day there was this really sharp pain. But if it was more than I could take then I would not have continued" Hamilton said after finishing 100th out of the 196 riders. He was eighth overall. Two other injured riders Marc Lotz of the Netherlands and U.S. cyclist Levi Leipheimer were unable to race. Injured Frenchman Jimmy Casper rode with a neck brace. Casper also of Fdjeux.com finished 189th 10 minutes behind Cooke. The stage started at La Ferte-sous-Jouarre east of Paris. Cooke finished the route in 5 hours 6 minutes and 33 seconds averaging 25 miles per hour. For a long while French rider Frederic Finot looked set to take the stage breaking away with another rider just three miles after the start. They built up a lead of more than 11 minutes at one point over the chasing pack. But the other rider Lilian Jegou finally dropped back leaving Finot alone. He was caught by the pack just 1? miles before the finish. This story appeared on Page C4 of The Standard-Times on July 8 2003. 1883–1970Following540Follow540540 FollowersHenri Hayden was born in a family of wine merchants he entered the Polytechnic School of Warsaw ; at the same time he entered the Academy of Fine Arts of Warsaw where he was soon perceived as a brilliant student We use some essential cookies to make this website work We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK remember your settings and improve government services We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) It was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Vendresse British Cemetery Bearer Party led by Battery Sergeant Major P French archaeologists working in caves near Chassemy noted an inscription on the cave wall: excavations revealed just two sets of remains genealogy and DNA testing have now found those remains to be Sjt Smith and Gnr Lightfoot Sjt Smith and Gnr Lightfoot were professional soldiers in the 29th Battery Royal Field Artillery They arrived in Rouen just days after war broke out in 1914 Their unit worked their way east towards Belgium and then south towards the Aisne and by mid-September they were fighting around the Aisne area On 13 September the troops marched from Cerseuil and halted at about 8.30am just north of Braine They stayed the night of September 13 to 14 in Brenelle and were then brought into action just north of the Chassemy to Brenelle Road The Battery was heavily shelled and afterwards moved position At dusk the Brigade moved to the east of the Braine to Brenelle Road The war diaries make no reference to casualties during these dates but other records show the 29th Battery lost four men between 13 and 14 September Evidence shows that a gun position was hit by a shell on 13 September The men known to have been killed by the shell were Sjt Smith and Gnr Lightfoot whilst the other two men who died that day were Gnr Adams and Gnr Blyth By the end of the war their burial place was unknown and all four were listed on the memorial to the missing at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Whilst Smith and Lightfoot have now been identified unfortunately Gunners Blyth and Adams remain missing It has been a privilege to work on this case and to be able to give these men the dignified burial they deserve whilst offering closure to their family members I am grateful to Sjt Smith’s cousin and Gnr Lightfoot’s great-nephew for offering their DNA to allow us to identify these men and for the input other members of the families have offered to create a truly special service for them today Whilst Gnrs Adams and Blyth remain unfound we have also been able to remember them today and acknowledge their sacrifice alongside that of their comrades The military party and families of Sjt Smith and Gnr Lightfoot at the graveside (Crown Copyright) Chaplain to 14th Regiment Royal Artillery said: I am so excited to have been asked to take part in this ceremony at Vendresse Last year I was asked to be involved in the burial of an unknown soldier at the Guard’s Cemetery in Lesboeufs so to be invited to take part again so quickly after that is a real honour I have served with the Royal Artillery for the last 10 years as a chaplain and one of the Gunners’ straplines is “once a Gunner To be able to lay two of our own to rest today after so many years is a particular privilege Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details Home Lifestyle Article the previous writer of this Reflections column has been a great mentor to me with my local history studies He encourages me to research the local churches as there is a remarkable amount of history to be discovered and studied in the religious buildings of the New Forest they are the oldest building in a Forest village or town and their architecture and contents are a valuable resource for historians One church that is fairly modern in comparison to others is All Saints’ Church at Thorney Hill This is a spectacular architectural gem and well worth a visit The history linked to the church is fascinating The church was built in 1906 by Lord John and Lady Constance Manners of Avon Tyrrell Lord Manners had won a considerable fortune in 1881 He was a serving officer in the Grenadier Guards when he accepted a wager to purchase train and ride a winning horse in the Grand National of that year Riding the horse ‘Seaman’ to victory that year won John Manners £28,000 which is the equivalent of £3.6 million today They used some of the money to build Avon Tyrrell House on land inherited by Constance in the New Forest Their eldest daughter Mary Christine was known as Molly Lord and Lady Manners’ son John Neville Manners was born in 1892 with Francis their youngest boy born in 1897 In 1904 John and Constance Manners toured India accompanied by Molly she contracted cholera and died on 15th February that year aged only 17 Her body was brought back to Britain and buried in the church at Clovelly Lord and Lady Manners wanted to have a memorial for Molly at Avon Tyrrell They commissioned the architect Detmar Blow to design a church for them perched on top of Thorney Hill where it could be seen from Avon Tyrrell Detmar was a leading architect of his time and was heavily involved in the Arts and Crafts movement He is famous for some of the houses he created and for his work at Stonehenge All Saints’ is his one and only church design He later became the full-time architect for the Duke of Westminster The church is built of white Caen stone and is unusually on a north-south axis Conventionally churches are laid out with the altar at the east end The architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner describes the building as being “essentially symmetrical with very big semicircular gables and hipped roof The effect is somewhere between Baroque and Italian” There is a doorway and cupola at the north end and shallow apse at the south behind the altar The main doorway is on the east side of the church Above that door is the carved face of a cherub which is believed to be the image of Molly four large Tuscan columns support a central groin vault At the north end there is a memorial plaque for Molly This was carved directly onto the wall of the church by the controversial sculptor Eric Gill who later carved the 14 Stations of the Cross that are to be found in Westminster Cathedral Some of his other works include the figures of Prospero and Aerial outside Broadcasting House in London made one slight error which was cleverly concealed on the ‘E’ of wife The church was not intended to be a private memorial chapel On 16th October 1906 it was dedicated by the Bishop of Winchester who in his address to a congregation of over 100 in that it preserved “the loving memory of a beautiful life” and would provide “a help and stimulus to holy living for all those who should worship there in days to come” was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion the Grenadier Guards as a 2nd Lieutenant He served as a platoon commander in No.4 Company On 4th August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany when it violated Belgian neutrality by sending troops through the country as part of the Schlieffen Plan to knock out France John’s battalion was mobilised for war the same day and arrived in Le Havre on 12th August The British Expeditionary Force fought the German army at Mons on 23rd August 1914 and was pushed back to the River Marne The 4th Guards Brigade halted on the northern edge of the forest of Villers-Cotterets on 31st August and faced the approaching enemy would not have been issued a horse and he would have marched with his men for over a week in hot weather and with little food or sleep The German attack came around 10am on the morning of 1st September The fighting took place in heavy undergrowth in the forest and with a thick morning mist in the air This caused confusion on both sides as the fighting became intense and hand to hand The action of the Guards Brigade temporarily halted the German advance allowing the bulk of the British Second Division to break contact with the enemy with over 300 officers and men killed and many more wounded or missing Sixty per cent of the officers were old Etonians The 2nd Battalion the Grenadier Guards had left England with 19 officers and by 1st September there were only three left One of the officers posted as missing was the Honourable John Neville Manners a close friend of John Manners and the grandson of Lord Salisbury Lady Cecil and Lady Manners desperately sought any information about the fate of their sons Lady Cecil actually went out to France in September 1914 and with the aid of the American ambassador was able to visit the forest at Villers-Cotterets to search for her son George and his friend John Lady Manners had been given the names of three guardsmen who were now in captivity She was able to send them care packages and letters asking if they had any information about her son Two soldiers replied saying that they had buried John in a mass grave and had marked a nearby tree to indicate where the grave was Eventually the grave was located and 94 bodies were exhumed Although George Cecil’s body was positively identified His name is now recorded on the Commonwealth War Grave Commission memorial on the Marne at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre along with 3,739 other men who are listed as having no known grave Lady Constance chose an Australian sculptor to make a life-size bronze effigy of John Manners which would be placed in All Saints’ Church Mackennal was an acclaimed sculptor who had studied under Rodin and had received commissions for his work from royalty He had been chosen to design the coronation medal of King George V and created the king’s profile for use on the coinage The sculpture shows John Manners in full uniform with his sword at his side He is lying on matting with a soldier’s knapsack as a pillow A shield with the Grenadier Guards cap badge is at his feet To one corner is Mackennal’s signature and the date 1917 Two prostrate grieving angels with faces hidden are carved in white stone above the effigy This symbolises the grief of the Manners family at losing their daughter in 1904 and eldest son in 1914 John Manners’ name is also inscribed on the war memorial in the grounds of All Saints’ Church Lady Constance Manners died in 1920 at the age of 58 She had never really recovered from the death of Molly and John the family decided to have a mural painted on the curved apse wall behind the altar at All Saints’ Church a member of the Scottish Royal Academy and a leading member of the Arts and Crafts movement She was aged 68 and this was to be her last great work which she finished in 1922 after two exhausting years of climbing ladders and scaffolding to work at height in the church The dome above the altar is gilded and portrays Christ in Glory the faces of children can be seen looking down These images were taken from photographs of pupils from the nearby Thorney Hill School The main part of the mural depicts members of the Manners family Lord John and Lady Constance Manners are also depicted Others include the 4th Baron Manners who married the Honourable Mary Cecil The background is of the New Forest with the roofline of Avon Tyrrell House just visible There are so many details to spot including a workman with his sack of tools on his back and Lord Lucas who had at one stage lived at Ashley Arnewood Manor in New Milton before moving to Picket Post He became a Royal Flying Corp pilot in the First World War and was shot down and killed during the battle of the Somme Also featured in the mural is Lord Tennyson along with William Blake Both of these poets Phoebe tried to include in many of her paintings During restoration work in 1988 following a fire a note scratched into the plaster high up towards the ceiling was discovered Phoebe had written “It’s awfully damp up here” The mural was last expertly restored in 2010 by the artist Tom Organ Phoebe Traquair’s mural is fascinating to view especially with notes or a guide to help identify the people depicted in the painting This additional information adds another layer of interest a guided tour is possible as All Saints’ Church will be open to visitors from 2pm till 4pm on 11th and 25th June 13th and 27th August and 10th and 24th September The church is part of a Forest-wide graveyard project People who have relatives buried at All Saints’ can come along and share information on 25th June 23rd July and 27th August between 2pm and 4pm Tea will be served to visitors on 25th June On 16th September a lecture will be given at All Saints’ Church on the work of the Phoebe Traquair researcher at the Paul Mellon Centre at the University of York will talk on the subject ‘Phoebe Anna Traquair: Journey to All Saints’ Church Thorney Hill’ More information is available on the Facebook page All Saints Thorney Hill Raise the Roof or www.newforestedgechurches.org All Saints’ Church at Thorney Hill is a wonderful place to visit and contains artwork as well as commemorating the tragic deaths of Molly and John Manners at an early age Email nick@miltonheritage society.co.uk or call 01425 618549.