Unexcused Absences

Out/Living
  • Home
  • Read from the Beginning
  • Those Who Inspire Us
  • F.A.Q.
  • Other Work
    • Published Work
    • MatadorU
  • Store
  • Resources
  • About Us
  • Contact

Worthy of a Toile (she said)

by Heather 19 May 2012

Toile fabrics, short for Toile de Jouy, originated in France in the town of Jouy in the 18th Century (thanks, Wikipedia). Typically depicting pastoral scenes, complicated designs repeat in a single color (usually dark blue, burgundy or black) on a neutral background.  Toile continues to be popular, especially for draperies and upholstery.

Toile fabric sample – for sale today

Windmill in rural Bourgogne

Charolais cattle

Charolais cattle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The views on our journey south from our winter-over spot in Baye toward Decize on the Canal du Nivernais mirror these bucolic scenes. White Charolais cattle graze in green fields dotted with buttercups or placidly chew their cud in the shade of solitary, ancient oaks. Sheep and horses pasture near rural chateaux. All that was missing were villagers in period clothing!

Rural chateau, cattle and horses graze on the grounds

“La Fête” traditional Toile design from the end of the 18th Century

Categories
Boating, France, Sights and History

« Back in France! (he said) Spring 2012 – Week1 Recap (he said) »

2 Responses to “Worthy of a Toile (she said)”

  1. Mom says:
    May 19, 2012 at 4:33 pm

    Heather, you are the visual one. How exciting to see history pass as you progress on the canals. It is fun to see how closely today’s scenery matches the past in the pieces of toile fabric. Maybe you could do a documentary with fabric leading a segway to the real scenery. Hmm

    • unexcusedabsences says:
      May 20, 2012 at 7:38 pm

      Mom — it’s actually a bit creepy that you mention this. I was imagining a similar series of segues in a film using the toile as the bridge between the old and the modern. Hmmm …. must be genetic that we think so much alike!

The Art of the Vacation Lifestyle

This chronicle tracks the adventures of Kent and Heather as they take an Unexcused Absence.

Heather Wrote a Book!

A Practical Guide for European Canal Boat Charters

A how-to for novices wishing to charter a canal boat to cruise in Europe, including detailed instructions and photographs on this relaxed method of travel.

amazon_button

Purchase from CreateSpace

Subscribe via Email

* = required field

Posts by Topic

  • Background Info
  • Bahamas
  • Birds of Prey (Ski Racing)
  • Boating
  • Equipment Review
  • Food
  • France
  • Gear
  • Guest Posting
  • Sights and History
  • Skiing
  • South Africa
  • Talon Crew (Ski Racing)
  • The Adventures of Kent and Heather
  • The Tropics
  • Uncategorized
  • Unexcused Philosophy
  • Vacation Lifestyle
  • Weather
  • Weekly Canal Cruising Recaps
  • Weekly ICW Cruising Recaps
Website design by
Global Programming Solutions
Copyright © 2021 Unexcused Absences