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George Sand, the woman that marched to her own beat, broke with tradition, and carved out her own life is this week's featured lady on La Vie Creative - Paris History Avec a Hemingway. 

Born in Paris on July 1, 1804, Amantine Lucille Aurore Dupin as she was known long before she went by George. As many of these stories go, her mother was a prostitute and her father only married her in the final weeks of her pregnancy. Luckily her grandmother Marie-Aurore de Saxe took her in.

At 16 she was married off to François Casimir Dudevant and two children came shortly after but the marriage wasn’t a happy one and François was happy to spend all her money and sleeping with all the staff. In 1831 George left for Paris and met a group of writers including Jules Sandeau. The two began an affair and also wrote articles together under the name J. Sand.  

When she wanted to use the same moniker to publish her book Indiana, Jules said no. At that moment George Sand was born. George Sand would become known more for her dressing like a man today but in her day she was one of the top-selling writers and the first to ever be able to live off her proceeds. 

Besides her writing, she had many romantic adventures filled with drama and scandal. Today you can find her in the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Musée de la Vie Romantique but her presence fills the air of Paris to this day.

More info and photos: https://www.claudinehemingway.com/paris-history-avec-a-hemingway-podcast-1

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Daughter of renowned Swiss abstract painter Gérard Schneider, she has continued the family tradition of painting. She paints from a country setting near Fontainebleau. She has become highly acclaimed for her acrylic floral work. Her work portrays the soft illusion of forms blowing in a gentle breeze.
http://laurence-amelie.com/WP/

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If there was one story I was excited to share when we began this podcast it was the life of Valtesse de La Bigne. Born in 1848 she learned from a very early age she had to take care of herself. Her father was an alcoholic who wouldn’t have a role in her life and her mother was a laundress and prostitute. At ten years old she worked in a candy store and within a few years, she was working twelve-hour days as a seamstress. 

Many of the young girls working near the Rue Notre Dame de Lorette were given the moniker Laurette for their work on the side to make a little extra money. Not thought of as a full-blown lady of the night, but it was the start of a lifelong career for Valtesse. Her birth name was Emile-Louis Delabigne who would later change it when she decided to take to the stage and needed a more refined name. 

She chose Valtesse as it sounded a lot like Votre- Altesse, your highness in French, and with a few strategic moves she became the most sought after and famous Courtesan of Paris. Her life filled the pages of newspapers and she served as the inspiration for Emile Zola’s most famous works. She inspired artists and carved out a life few women could do at this time. 

I first discovered her when I came across her exquisite bed in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, just the story of her bed alone is a reason you must listen to this week's episode of La Vie Creative - Paris History Avec A Hemingway. 

More info and photos: https://www.claudinehemingway.com/paris-history-avec-a-hemingway-podcast-1

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Edith de Belleville is a licensed tour guide in Paris and an attorney at law. She wrote a book about inspirational Parisian women from the past "Belles et  Rebelles".She also teaches the Jewish heritage in Paris at university  Gustave Eiffel for the future licensed tour guides.

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When the Impressionist artists ruled Paris, there were a few women that made their way into the exclusive club. Known as Les Trois Grandes Dames, Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt, and Marie Bracquemond mixed and mingled with the likes of Manet, Degas, and Renoir. 

Marie Bracquemond however had a very different life than Morisot or Cassatt. Raised in a family that had very little money but with a love of painting early on, she created her own paint colors using flower petals. 

Without money or family support it was difficult to find a teacher until Auguste Vassor agreed to take her on. Under Vassor at just seventeen years old she finished and presented her first painting to the Paris Salon. The painting of her mother and sister was accepted and displayed for all to see including Ingres. Quite impressed with the young girl's talent, he invited her to his atelier to learn under the master. Ingres didn’t take women very seriously and only gave them images of flowers and fruit to paint. Marie grew very tired and left looking for other challenges. 

Empress Eugene, wife of Napoleon III and a big promoter of women in art saw her work and commissioned her to paint a few paintings for her. Marie's career was really taking off until she met her future husband Felix Bracquemond. At first, he was supportive of her art, he was an artist himself. As an engraver and porcelain painter he would share his craft with her and also become angrier with her talent. 

Marie today is mostly forgotten and little of her work remains. Listen to her whole story and the few things that kept her going during her unhappy marriage in this week's episode

More info and photos: https://www.claudinehemingway.com/paris-history-avec-a-hemingway-podcast-1

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Véronique Bawol, the company founder of Cuisine Elégante, was introduced to classic French cooking at an early age in her family’s kitchen. She was especially inspired by her grandmother who worked as the personal cook for Jacques Tréfouël, head of the Pasteur Institute.  

She started taking classes at Le Cordon Bleu in London, where she lived for four years. Given her background, she is well versed in classic French dishes and loves creating modern variations.  

Véronique is married to an American and fluent in English. Her family life and international community provide her with a deep understanding of the culinary experiences sought after by visitors to Paris. 

Cuisine Elégante caters events for the American Church, American Friends of Musée d’Orsay, members of the American Embassy and teaches classes to the American Women’s Group in Paris, who honored her as “Woman of the Year” twice for her efforts.

Whether it’s creating a special family dinner, catering an unforgettable cocktail party, or designing a unique market tour, Cuisine Elégante can provide unforgettable experiences that will deepen one’s love for French cuisine, culture, and Paris.

https://cuisineelegantefr.com/

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Diane de Poitiers, the true love of Henri II and the number one enemy of Catherine de Medicis was born on January 9, 1500. Educated by Anne, Duchess of Bourbon, daughter of Louis XI she was close to court life from a very early age. Married at fifteen to Louis de Bréze Seigneur d’Anet, he was almost forty years older than her. They had two children and would have a happy marriage until he was sentenced to death for a plot against King Francois I. On the scaffolding about to die, he was pardoned and sent to prison.

Diane remained at court as the lady in waiting to Queen Claude of France and in 1525 her path would cross with the young son of Francois I. Henri II was being sent off to Spain in a trade deal to release his father from prison and as the 7-year-old was led from court and Diane gave him a kiss on the cheek. 

When he returned four years later he and Diane became very close and she even approved of his marriage to Catherine. A year after their marriage the affair of Henri II and Diane de Poitiers began. Diane remained a solid element of his life and even educated the royal children. All was well until the untimely death of Henri II and Catherine could finally exile Diane from her life. 

Listen to her full story on this week's new episode of La Vie Creative - Paris History Avec A Hemingway. 

More info and photos: https://www.claudinehemingway.com/paris-history-avec-a-hemingway-podcast-1

Support Claudine on Patreon and get more of Paris and all her stories and benefits like discounts on her tours, custom history and exclusive content  https://www.patreon.com/bleublonderouge

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Having studied and worked in the UK, USA, Malta, Italy, Greece, and Japan; Anna gained extensive exposure to international markets and trends across a variety of multi-media fields before settling in Paris in 2010 where she consults in fashion trend forecasting and is also an Editor at menswear magazine Fucking Young along with finding her 35mm book-zine Pairs Project. When she isn't busy traveling (65 countries and counting), she’s running around with her toddler Dali and always has a shoot in production. Today she talks to us about the secret world of trend forecasting.
Learn more here: fuckingyoung.es pairsproject.com
Instagram: @annoula_b

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Jane Avril, the bell of the Moulin Rouge is mainly known for the many images that Toulouse-Lautrec painted of her. However, there is always more than that to her story. Her mother Leotine Beaudon was a prostitute and her father an Italian nobleman that would never recognise her as his own. She was raised by her grandparents in Etamps until they passed away, sending the young Jeanne Beaudon as she was known to a convent. 

Jeanne’s childhood was in constant upheaval, just when she was in a good place her mother would find her and would try to force her into the family business. At 13 she would run away from home and would end up in the Salpetriere Hospital. Jeanne was diagnosed with St Vitus Dance disorder which resulted in jerky movements, later it would become her signature move. 

Jeanne would later become Jane Avril, partially to hide from her mother but every new start needed a catchy name. Jane was taking to the stage of the newly opened Moulin Rouge where she would create a lasting impression on Paris. 

Listen to her whole story on the newest episode of La Vie Creative - Paris History Avec A Hemingway out now. 

More info and photos: https://www.claudinehemingway.com/paris-history-avec-a-hemingway-podcast-1

Support Claudine on Patreon and get more of Paris and all her stories and benefits like discounts on her tours, custom history and exclusive content  https://www.patreon.com/bleublonderouge

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An American in Paris, my guest today arrived in Paris as a 29-year-old student who had dreamed of moving abroad since childhood.

She is the quintessential creative who dabbles in 1000 forms of art from writing on her blog Presque Perfection, to painting, to language, to cooking.

I admire her motivation to try many forms of creation. My guest today is Amanda VanOsdol of Presque Perfection Blog

http://presqueperfection.com/

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