Memo from J-P

For this page of oldquimper.com, we give the floor to Jean-Pierre, who serves as the CFO (Chief Feline Officer) of The Meadows Collection.  Appointed to that position in 2007, he has gamely agreed to attempt the daunting task of taking over the duties previously fulfilled by the late, but ever-present-in-our-hearts, Porquier-Beau...whose image continues to grace the upper left corner of this link.

Jean-Pierre will be twelve-years old this month, which translates to sixty-four in human years. He is still very young-at-heart and so full of enthusiasm that he has bravely stepped up to the plate.

It is with great pleasure that we pass along the latest Memo from J-P:

Greetings to all.

First a little bit about me:

I was born in Paris and am thoroughly français despite paperwork that lists me as being a chat de la fôret norvégienne (Norwegian Forest Cat). My full name is Châtelain Jean-Pierre. Châtelain because being born in 2007... December 21, 2007 to be precise...means that in accordance with French regulations, my name must begin with the letter 'c'.  Those born in 2008 have names that begin with a 'd', those born in 2009 have names beginning with the letter 'e' and so on.

Châtelain is a French term from the Middle Ages used to distinguish the seigneur or lord of the manor. We live in Quimper now, so it's more like lord of the apartment...but the important part is that I rule the roost, so to speak. Jean is in reference to Jean-Baptiste Bousquet who settled in Quimper in 1699 and Pierre is in honor of his son, Pierre Bousquet, who in 1708 founded Quimper's first modern -day pottery factory.

Every once in a while I like to put the spotlight on a specific topic…it might be an unusual example of Quimper pottery or perhaps a further look at a place or structure…something  that I feel will further your enjoyment of French faïence. 

And then sometimes I take this opportunity to share with you some of our adventures in Quimper...because one of the results of being so gab-smacked enamored of Quimper pottery has led to the inevitable and now we live in Quimper...right in the middle of Old Town !

I'm an indoor cat, but I do see a lot from our windows and the folks are always up for an adventure. Here's a quick rundown of what we were up to last month...it will give you a bit of a taste of the sights and sounds of living in Quimper. 

Winter is on the horizon, but there was still a bit of autumn in Quimper...

A walk along the Odet River...the spires of the Cathedral on the left and the changing leaves of Mt. Frugy on the right.

The twice-weekly market under a golden canopy...

From my perch I had a good view of the November 11 parade commemorating the anniversary of the signing of the armistice and the official end of World War I. 

​That weekend was also time for Quimper's annual antiques show...

Paintings, furniture, pottery, prints, jewelry...even vintage clothing...all sorts of treasures were available for purchase. This booth had a whole suite of furniture by Paul Fouillen.

As luck would have it, one of the folks' favorite booths was presented by the Amis de la Faïence de Quimper ​and ​featured items that were not for sale.  Supporters of Quimper's museum of faïence had assembled a case full of Quimper pitchers...

...a mouthwatering array of pitchers...pitchers designed by Mathurin Méheut, Jim-Eugène Sévellec, Paul Fouillen, Charles Maillard, Robert Micheau-Vernez, Kervella, Madite...a wonderfully diverse selection.

No need to guess what René-Yves Creston had in mind for this pitcher..."Gwin" is Breton for "wine".

Another of the association's display cases was filled with pieces of Odetta...HB's art pottery stoneware from the mid-1920s.

It's a good thing the pieces weren't for sale or else I'm pretty sure my kibble money would have been spent...perhaps on something like this vase decorated with a scene attributed to an artist known only as Scherdel.  

The group's goal was to encourage people to visit the museum when it reopens for the season next April and the preview of next year's special exposition was no doubt a successful enticement. The museum's 2020 exhibition will be devoted to the works produced at the Kéraluc pottery during the 1950s, with particular emphasis on four artists...Paul Yvain,  Xavier Krebs, Jos Le Corre and Pierre Toulhoat. The museum's presentation was very popular, but "Mom" managed to snap some "preview" pieces:

Xavier Krebs

... Jos Le Corre

...and Pierre Toulhoat

As I mentioned before, every week, the folks duly cram their backpacks with necessities and don their unfashionable hiking duds in order to enjoy a trek in the countryside surrounding Quimper. Usually the hikes are around 12 to 14 kilometers along the coast or inland hiking trails of the southern portion of the department of Finistère. 

Here are some of the sights they enjoyed this past month...

"Dad" rests against a menhir they came across during a hike through Beg-Meil.

All month long they passed apples waiting to be pressed into cider.

In the last issue, I showed you a rustic home they had visited at an eco-museum in Saint Rivoal; this month they hiked past homes that were a bit more stately, like this one photographed during a hike along Cap Coz... 

​Twice a year Quimper holds a wine and gourmet show... tastings and samplings are offered and true to form, my folks were eager visitors...

There was lots of wine...even some rum

Spices from the four corners of the world were available to delight the kitchens of Quimper...

...and there was booth after booth of delicious artisanal cheeses to sample...

Those with a sweet tooth had their choice between several booths of gourmet chocolate or this array of local honey and honey-based products...

Serious sweets included enormous hunks of nougat...a centuries-old mixture of egg whites, nuts, honey and sugar.

...destined to be enjoyed with a cup of tea...but which tea? So many choices !

They had to rest a couple of days after tasting so many things, but a few days later they attempted to walk it off by heading over to Locmaria and the Henriot factory.  A reader had a question about placing a special order and visiting the factory showroom is always a delight...

The entry foyer gives a hint of what's to follow...

...Qumper pottery in every conceivable size and shape...from small black and white bowls from the series called Gwenn ha Du...that's Breton for "white and black". They were priced at 45 euros...

...to colorful figures...these designed by Daniel Girault started at 250 euros a piece.

Next to that was a cabinet of pieces signed by Michel Costiou...

...the piece on the left is 1200 euros and the one on the right is a piece unique entitled L'Ombre Bleu...The Blue Shadow...and is 2500 euros.

Then it was back to the vintage world for a sneak peak of an upcoming exhibition at the Musée des Beaux Arts...

The exhibition is devoted to the French painter, designer, ceramist, decorator and illustrator...Raoul Dufy (1877-1953 ), and at first glance looks to include his talent as a fabric designer in the period between the two World Wars...

The exhibit is not yet open, but "Mom" was able to take a closer look at this Dufy-designed fabric panel...

​...and she also checked out the vintage photographs of models wearing clothing made of Dufy-designed fabrics that flanked the entrance to the exhibit room...

A 1920 photo of a Paul Poiret dress crafted of fabric designed by Raoul Duffy...I don't see "Mom" wearing this any day soon...

...nor anything like this...the print is more subdued, but extra fabric to accent the hip area is definitely not on her wish list !

I'll know more by the next issue...the exhibit will be open by then and the folks are invited to the gala opening..."Mom" is already fretting about what to wear !

And 'tis the season...

Lights are being strung and Christmas trees are being decorated...this one is in Place au Beurre...a nearby square that gets its name because that's where butter was sold in the Middle Ages...

...and this one is being decorated to accent the Christmas Market in Place Terre au Duc...the folks are looking forward to visiting the chalets filled with unique Christmas crafts and delicious hot beverages. 

I have a gorgeous view of the Cathedral Saint-Corentin from my perch...but I can also see four patisseries and a chocolate shop ! One of them...Le Meur...has been in business since 1907 and has started the holiday season off to a great start with their window full of chocolate mushrooms.

Well, I suppose that now's a good time for a nap, but not before I wish you and yours the happiest of holidays !

That's my memo for this month; I hope you enjoy my sharing of our adventures in Quimper !