A gorgeous day in a gorgeous part of the world. Who wouldn’t want to be here?
Among the many in every generation who couldn’t resist was Josephine Baker, who took Paris by storm with her high-octane sexuality and artistic expression. Her dream home was Château des Milandes, a 15th century estate which she purchased in the 1930’s.
We were familiar with Chez Josephine in New York, the restaurant dedicated to her memory and owned by her adopted son, Jean-Claude Baker, who just recently died. But this very real chez Josephine was a stunning home, in which she raised many adopted children in addition to Jean-Claude. Resistance heroine, civil rights fighter and performer extraordinaire, the story of her financial reverses and eventual loss of the château was very sad. Fortunately, Princess Grace stepped in and made it possible for her to live in Monaco, where she is buried. Quite a woman, quite a story, quite a home.
Then we went to the fortress town of Domme, founded by Philip the Bold in 1283 to keep watch over the Dordogne valley. The views from the town are magnificent, especially as no enemies are expected today. Gorgeous town and a fabulous lunch.
