Lausanne… Between Art and Lac Léman

I don’t go to Lausanne often, despite the fact it is only a short drive away from Geneva. That Saturday, we were there on a CULTURAL trip and I wanted to spend a day in a relaxed mood with Sweetheart.

After visiting the Art Brut Museum, which this year is celebrating its 40 years of existence, we walked through the city and went for lunch in the waterfront park at Ouchy, as I had prepared a delicious picnic.

Art Brut Museum (my favourite)

Musée Collection de l'Art Brut, 11 Avenue Bergières

I greatly admire and feel touched by “art brut” works. I am deeply moved by the personal stories of these artists who struggle with mental illness. Knowing that they probably find some sort of relief and succour in their lives by being part of society through their works is just FABULOUS.

Let me introduce you to one of the most well-known artists, Aloïse Corbaz (1886-1964). She was born in Lausanne. After her studies and a few jobs, she occupied a post as a governess in Potsdam at the Court of Wilhelm II. She fell in love with the emperor and experienced a passion that was entirely imaginary. Later she returned to Switzerland, and most of her remaining existence was spent in asylums and hospitals in the Lausanne region. In her works she used graphite and ink, juice from petals, crushed leaves and toothpaste. The “canvasses” for her paintings were wrapping paper, envelopes and cardboard from the back of calendars. Her work is dominated by the themes of a pair of lovers, theatre and opera.

Lausanne is full of great museums. In case you are thinking of visiting, you should bear in mind that admission is free on the first Saturday of every month. You can visit the Olympic Museum, the Elysée Museum (dedicated to photography) and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Lausanne has many other beautiful places like lac Léman (Lake Geneva) and the old town.

Of course, we saw the major sights, but the idea of ​​this getaway was really dedicated to ourselves and to the visit to the Art Brut Museum, after which we wandered around with no particular plan in mind.

Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho (1998)

Twenty-four-year-old Veronika seems to have everything - youth and beauty, boyfriends and a loving family, a fulfilling job. But something is missing in her life. So, one cold November morning, she takes a handful of sleeping pills expecting never to wake up. But she does - at a mental hospital - where she is told that she has only days to live.

Inspired by events in Coelho’s own life, Veronika Decides to Die questions the meaning of madness and celebrates individuals who do not fit into patterns society considers to be normal.

Author: Paulo Coelho, was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1947. He is one of the best-selling and most influential authors in the world. He writes great books and became known worldwide thanks to “The Alchemist” which was on the New York Times bestseller list for many months. His books have been translated into 80 languages and sold in more than 168 countries. Paulo Coelho has been a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2002, and, in 2007, he was appointed United Nations Messenger of Peace. He is also the most followed author on social media.

Paulo Coelho lives in Switzerland and my dear friend F. (who follows my blog) met him through his job and has had all of his Paulo Coelho's books signed by the author, with whom he has become acquainted. Some people are really lucky.  Seriously!

My thoughts: I read this book in August in the original version which I bought during the summer holidays at the Lisbon Book Fair... I could not rest until I had read it. Yes, I love Paulo Coelho and recommend that you discover his literary works.
I found this book surprisingly fresh and full of hilarious passages of humour, all the more so as the theme of the book is suicide. This is the story of Veronika, a young Slovenian librarian who rents a room in a convent in front of Ljubljana Square. Tired of her monotonous, empty and meaningless life, one day Veronika decides to commit suicide with sleeping pills, but fails. She wakes up in a mental asylum named Villete, a place from which no one had ever escaped, famous for its abuse and ill-treatment of patients. The institution was full of a mix of genuinely insane patients, sent there by the courts or by other hospitals, people accused of madness and those who feigned insanity.

In this hospital, we find endearing characters: Dr. Igor, who dyes his hair and moustache black and wants to discover a cure for madness that will bring him medical recognition and success. Mari, the mature white haired lawyer, who is part of the “Fraternidade” (Brotherhood). Eduard, a young and handsome schizophrenic who likes to listen to Veronika playing the piano. Zedka, who is Veronika's best friend at the sanatorium....But I'll stop here... suspense... Will she regain her health? Will she live? Will she find the joy of living once out of this place? This is a rather spiritual and wise story.

Geneva differently...

Hello ladies and gents!

August has been hot! Extremely hot! Then grey and rainy! Let’s see what September holds...Honestly, these rapid changes of weather have a poor effect on my energy levels.

Okay, today I just want to share with you pictures of beautiful, not very touristic places that my city is full of. These are places in Geneva that are off the beaten track.

As most of you know, I love walking. One of the advantages of walking is how much you notice. You can pass by a place a million times and each time see it in a new light, this is just beautiful and comforting. Do you follow me?

Enjoy the stroll.

One day on my travels, I saw a very attractive storefront. I picked up this cute, romantic, tiny book in this lovely antiques shop, the Galerie Antiquités Bleu It's the perfect birthday present for Sweetheart (in a few weeks). The book was sold to me at a ridiculously cheap price.

The Hans-Wilsdorf Bridge over the river Arve, inaugurated in 2012, connects the city of Geneva and    the Praille - Acacias – Vernets neighbourhoods. The bridge has a strong and elegant form. It has a tube-like structure which is composed of steel ellipses as well as linear elements. (85 m long, 16 m wide).

I took this picture with my Smartphone from the Hans-Wilsdorf Bridge; I could not miss the sunset. After a day of intense rain, the sun reappeared and I was mesmerised by this sunset.

I like this discreet bronze sculpture. As its name suggests, it inspired me with tranquillity. “Quiétude” 1952 by Jean- Joachim Cornaglia, near the Place de Sardaigne in Carouge.

The Tour de Plage (Beach Tower) is a fountain which combines vacation, relaxation and enjoyment. During the summer in Carouge.

The Place des Fontaines is transformed into a temporary beach where kids can cool off under the watchful gaze of their parents.

On hot days, Genevans are fond of swimming and relaxing on the banks of the Rhone...

Pretty bar sign from Le Chat Noir bar in Carouge

Talking about bars, how about exploring neighbourhood life by having a coffee, for example at the Café du Rondpoint in Plainpalais...

...or going for a craft beer or an after work drink to discover their superb cocktails? I suggest you try the Aperol Spritz Cocktail. It is an Italian cocktail made with Aperol, Prosecco and Sprite.

Another smartphone picture. Look at the blue grey shades of the sky. That's what I've had to contend with for many days last month!

Pretty floral water fountain near home…

Pretty floral arrangements in the city centre...

Wherever you are, you will not escape the view of the Jet d’Eau. View from Bel-Air. And from Eaux-Vives.

Last but not least. I am very happy to tell you about this association that runs a few shops. I really like their gorgeous soaps and perfumed candles, together with home decor items. EPSETERA is the brand of handicrafts imagined, created and manufactured in workshops that aim at the integration and reinsertion of people with disabilities or social difficulties, increasing their independence and improving their quality of life.

My Favourites

Hello ladies, hope you are not to sad now that the holiday season comes to an end. Honestly, I am excited to welcome September…

For today, it is an article composed of a small selection of beauty products/cosmetics that I truly adore. Clarins remains my favourite brand since my eighteens but from time to time, I let myself be tempted by new products.

Notably, Melrose Skincare-Multipurpose Skin. This British efficient cream/balm is not known by the majority of you. It is to be applied on the rough skin, for inflamed, sore, flaky, painful split heels and for softening hard skin. It is through Sweetheart I discovered it because the women in his family use it.

Jean-Pierre Rosselet, a fabulous peeling mask (exfoliation and nourishing mask) – I will review it soon. 

Caudalie The Elixir serum (review done on May 20^th).

Chanel n°5 which I have been using over a year now, has the most sublime scents.

As I do not wear make-up, a lipstick is all I need. I love the Rose Envy by Estée Lauder. For a touch of fantasy this Brazilian Andreia red nails polish.

Last but not least, because I love books, this tiny cute book is full of truth; it has practical advice to learn how to seduce, after all seduction is the first step to find love. I have offered it to a friend of mine, a heart to take. Fingers crossed that it works…In the picture it says Do not fear failure…

Et voilà. I wish you a gorgeous week.

Duingt, a picturesque village

This beautiful “village fleuri” was a wonderful discovery for me. We came here one Sunday to visit and escape the crowds in Annecy (Haute-Savoie). We sat in the sun by the lake to relax and admire the view. Afterwards, we walked around the village to discover its true soul.

As you can see, it looks like it emerged from a fairy tale story... at least that's how I see it... I am completely in love with this place; each little nook and cranny, the church, the Chateauvieux castle, the panoramic view from the chapel next to the cemetery (it may sound macabre, but, believe me, it is a beautiful and peaceful place!!).

Everything in this village with the unpronounceable name is overwhelmingly charming.