Margo Lestz's Blog, page 26
October 18, 2014
The Ephrussis: Dog Weddings, Duels, and Stalin?
Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild loved her animals, but did she really host a formal wedding for her dog?
September 16, 2014
Unusual Punishment in the New Market
In Florence’s New Market (the same one where the bronze pig resides) you can find leather good and all kinds of souvenirs. But be careful about going there if you have any outstanding bills. This is where people were once punished for failing to settle their debts.
September 7, 2014
The Bronze Pig of Florence
Il Porcellino, as the Italians call him, means “the little pig”. However the bronze porker fountain sitting at the side of the New Market, or Mercato Nuovo, is really a wild boar, or a cinghiale in Italian. He supposedly brings good luck when visitors rub his snout and put a coin in his mouth.
August 24, 2014
The Grand Vacations: July and August in France
The French love their holidays. There are lots of them scattered throughout the year but July and August are the months of les grandes vacances when business almost comes to a halt....
August 12, 2014
Cocteau, Picasso, and a Tale of two Breads
When I recently toured Santo Sospir, the villa decorated by Cocteau, the guide pointed to a fougasse (a local bread) painted on the wall and said it was a reference by Cocteau to the hands painted by his friend, Picasso. I didn’t really understand the link because the bread looked nothing like a hand to me.... 
July 30, 2014
The Artist who came to Dinner and never Left
What would you do if you invited someone to spend a week at your holiday home and he decided to redecorate it and then he decided to stay - indefinitely? Francine Weisweiller was thrilled.... 
July 19, 2014
Pierre the Patriot
When the French Revolution started with the storming of the Bastille, one man saw his chance for fame and fortune....
