If it’s Friday, it must be France …As many of you know, I have an addiction to photographing doors and windows in France. Today I’ve been writing about a door in a story I’m working on. I spent quite a bit of time sifting through door photos, so I thought I would share a few of my favourites here.
I walked past this door (below) several times a week on my way to the daily marché in Antibes last summer. I fell in love with it and it’s going to be on the cover of my 2018 calendar.
The fancy iron grills at the top of many doors were part of the early method of “air-conditioning”. Fresh air would be drawn in through those openings and flow through to an inner courtyard where it would rise up and out an opening at roof level, helping to cool the interior. Look for them when you are walking through the vieille villes (old towns). These grills alone make pleasing photo collections.
These intricately-carved doors of the 16thC parish church (that served as a cathedral from 1624 to 1790) in the intriguing medieval village Entrevaux, depict the history of the time. Katherine was here in Promises To Keep. (I’m certain she took this same shot.)
The door in this wall leads to the restaurant terrace of the famed La Colombe d’Or in Saint Paul de Vence. Click that link to read the entertaining history of this inn. It’s quite the story! If you visit in the summer, be sure to make a reservation.
Now we’re strolling in the charming village of Tourrettes sur Loup. Stop here for violet ice cream and visit Le Bois d’Olivier, IMHO, the shop with the best handcrafted olive wood products in the region. Click on that link and look at the photos on their website. I think you will agree.
Blue in Saint Tropez
Visiting Saint Tropez above. This pretty portal below may look familiar … I keep it on the home page of my website.
Imagine the size of the keys they carried around!
When one door opens, who knows what lies beyond?
Something old, something new (note the repair at the bottom). What else do you do when your centuries-old door starts rotting away?
The lower door was once for the donkey.
See the date on the left side? 1581 … After the villagers and farmers of the area survived a deadly plague, they had these doors carved for la chapelle Saint Bernardin in Antibes to give thanks to God for sparing their lives. When we lived in Antibes while I wrote The Promise of Provence, I would walk past these doors every day and often stopped just to press my hands on them. There was an aura and sense of history about them that inspired me.
Do you like to take photos of doors when you travel? Where have you found your favourite portals? Bon weekend tout le monde!
All photos on this site are the copyright of Patricia Sands.
There’s something about a good French door, isn’t there? Such a shame they’re so often being replaced, when no longer fit for purpose, with factory-fresh plastic ones.
Oh dear, I haven’t really noticed that yet … thank goodness! Perhaps my eyes just pass right over those!
So many wonderful doors. Thank you for sharing the photos.
I felt like I was back in Provence leading the trips for Women’s Travel Network with you.
And the doors are unique!
Hi Susan! Yes, we did see a lot of wonderful doors on those tours!
Wonderful post, Patricia. I love the old-fashioned air-conditioning idea. Amazing assortment of “character” doors.
Thanks, Anneli! I just learned that detail a few years ago and it made perfect sense! I always love the fact that the doors all have their own unique style and aren’t from some assembly line.
Un seul mot, Patricia: magnifique!
Merci!
They are all beautiful…so full of history and charm.
You are so right, Sue! Irresistible!
I love all of them, even the broken and repaired ones.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
I hear you, Patricia! The more battered, the better!
I love taking pictures of doors. Love all of yours. There are some great old doors here in Spain as well.
Darlene, I have no doubt you have a collection of door photos as large as mine … and you get to live amongst doors like this all the time!
I’m quite lucky and still stop every time I see an interesting door and take a picture.
I, too, am obsessed with doors – particularly French ones. When I was in Paris a few years ago, I took enough pictures of doors to make a poster-size picture 3 x 4 feet! I think it’s absolutely fabulous.
I’m sure your poster is amazing! What an excellent idea and a wonderful way to remember your trip!
An amazing collection of doors. Thank you for sharing them.
Thank you for leaving a comment, Carole. I’m glad you enjoyed them as much as I love to share the photos!
Such variety and all so gorgeous! I like doors too (and windows, and terraces, and conservatories…)
Salut! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. You live amidst such beautiful photo ops … !
I love taking pictures of doors & windows. They are such an invitation. Thank you for sharing yours with me.
You are so right, Lisa. They are irresistible! It’s a pleasure to share them.
You do have an eye for beauty. You and I would travel well together, admiting small details.
I meant admiring.
LOL! And there are so many small details to admire in Provence! 🙂