Latest news with #Provence
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Brad Pitt, 61, reveals secret to his youthful appearance after looking 40 in F1... and it is NOT Botox
Brad Pitt looked very youthful in his new action-packed Formula One movie F1. And now the 61-year-old star has revealed how he looks decades younger, after laughing off questions about Botox. Turns out it is his Beau Domaine brand which has now introduced planet-friendly packaging. His French skin care brand - which he co-founded three years ago - is set to roll out a range of new product packaging, which uses matte white bottles with wooden tops. 'Every detail of the new look is intentional. From the recycled glass to the oak cap,' he told WWD on Tuesday. 'I wanted science-backed skincare that makes sense — not just for your skin, but for what you stand for.' When the brand originally launched, the original casing was made up of dark glass bottles with wooden tops. They were made from Château de Beaucastel, which is a Perrin-owned vineyard in Provence owned by the Perrin family. Now, the brand's bottles have been designed to be more light-weight in a bid to bring down their carbon footprint. In another move to reduce waste, the company is looking to use grape pomace - which is the leftover residue during the winemaking process - in bioactive skincare products. Last month, Brad also launched a line of linen clothing for summer, having founded his own God's True Cashmere company in 2019 with designer and spiritual healer Sat Hari. Now the brand is branching out into warm weather wear with The Elysian Collection, a unisex range made from biodegradable linen. Brad said in a statement: 'This collection is vibrant, exciting and introduces a fresh dimension to what we are doing. 'Linen seems like the obvious progression of the brand, adding natural fibers with properties and textures we enjoy.' Hari added: 'I am inspired by this new adventure for the brand. We have focused on expressing our version of what a luxury linen garment could be. 'There is a natural progression from our cashmere line including familiar bodies, gemstones and a focus on the holistic qualities, which I believe will resonate with our customer.' The pieces - which include shirts, trousers and shorts - come in shades of cream, white, yellow and green. God's True Cashmere launched with a range of cashmere shirts which feature seven buttons made from healing stones that are aligned with the body's chakras. The shirts retail from around £1,500 and the collection also includes cashmere hats, scarves and socks as well as jackets and T-shirts, which sell from around £500. Hari previously revealed she designs all the garments with the actor's help. She previously told the New Yorker: 'Brad and I design it all together. We pick the gemstone snap that we feel resonates with the shirt. It's almost like the shirt asks for the snap that it needs.' She also explained the idea for the company came after she had a dream in which she saw Brad dressed head-to-toe in green cashmere. She said of the dream: 'I looked at him and said: "What are you doing? Are you going golfing? You look like a leprechaun." And he said: "No, I just need more softness in my life."' She later told the actor about the dream: 'And he said: "That's strange, because on Tuesday I told my stylist: I need more green cashmere in my life. I need more softness." They went on to start the company together after Hari made him a green cashmere shirt. Meanwhile, his ex-wife Angelina Jolie oversees her clothing and accessories shop Atelier Jolie in New York City and his other ex Gwyneth Paltrow has her own brand of clothing with GOOP. Ex-wife Jennifer Aniston has her LolaVie haircare line.
Irish Times
20 hours ago
- Irish Times
The big holiday shop: The best foods to buy in European supermarkets this summer
France Celeriac remoulade This classic French salad is available in every supermarket, consisting quite simply of shredded celery root in a tangy creamy dressing. It is a great addition to any picnic lunch. Fleur de sel de Camargue Fleur de sel de Camargue The salt from the Camargue area in Provence is considered amongst the best in France as the crystals are still harvested by hand. READ MORE Grand Fermage Beurre aux Cristaux de Sel de Mer de Noirmoutier Grand fermage buerre This creamy butter is a favourite amongst French shoppers for its rich flavour and natural sea salt crystals. La Laitière yoghurts People love these delicious thick set yoghurts, they come in a variety of flavours with vanilla being by far the most popular. Mousse de Canard While foie gras may be the more famous French delicacy internationally, mousse de canard is more commonly found in French fridges. This extremely smooth duck liver pate is delicious served with brioche, salt and cornichons. Best bought from the butcher's counter in the supermarket. Italy Bottarga Often referred to as the Mediterranean's caviar, this salted, cured fish roe pouch is a beloved delicacy. It can be grated over pasta or salad, or served in thin slices with olive oil and lemon juice. Available in jars at the supermarket, the best quality bottarga is from Sardinia. Erika ice cream Erika ice cream In the home of gelato you might find yourself overwhelmed by choice, but Erika's ice creams will always be a safe choice. Made by a family company with primarily local ingredients, it is a real treat. Felicetti dried pasta or spaghetti Felicetti pasta While Italian pasta brands such as Rummo and Barilla are available in Ireland, Felicetti is only available in Italy and beloved for its artisanal quality. Le Tre Marie biscuits Tre Marie biscuits Hard biscuits and coffee is a classic Italian breakfast. Le Tre Marie Biscuit is one of the oldest and best-known brands in Italy with many Italian recipes often instructing people to use only this variety. Prosciutto crudo dolce Dolce means sweet in Italian, and this variety of prosciutto is not as salty as other varieties. While different brands sell this prosciutto pre-sliced and packaged, you'll find the best prosciutto at the supermarket butcher's counter where they slice it paper thin in front of you. Spain Albo Calamares en su tinta Albo calamares en su tinta Due to the abundance of superb seafood available, Spaniards have high standards for tinned fish and you will find that most of it is delicatessen quality. Albo's calamari is cooked in its own ink and usually served with white rice or crusty bread to soak up the rich sauce. Fuet Similar to salami, fuet is a thin, dry-cured pork sausage. Flavoured with black pepper and garlic it is usually enjoyed thinly sliced with bread and other tapas. Available from the deli counter at any supermarket. Melindros These light and fluffy elongated sponge cakes are sometimes referred to as lady fingers. They can be dipped in hot chocolate or used in desserts like tiramisu, or make a great snack on their own. You can find them baked fresh in the bakery counter of any supermarket. Mercadona gazpacho Holiday Foods: Gazpacho Gazpacho is a delicious cold tomato soup eaten in the hotter summer months. This supermarket own-brand version has legions of fans due to the quality of tomatoes used and the clean ingredients list. Nocilla original hazelnut chocolate cream spread Holiday Foods: Nocilla Spread Some call this spread Spain's Nutella, its a hazelnut and cocoa spread that is less nutty than its Italian counterpart. It is a staple of any traditional Spanish breakfast. Portugal Alheira A traditional sausage with a story, made out of bread and poultry instead of pork, it was created by Portuguese Jews during the inquisition to avoid suspicion. These smoked sausages have a unique flavour and are available in supermarkets across the country. Bolo do caco This Madeiran flatbread, known for its slightly sweet flavour, is usually served warm with garlic butter. You can find it baked fresh at the bakery counter. Bacalhau Bacalhau is cod that has been dried and salted. It appears in countless traditional dishes, best bought from the fish counter in a supermarket. Compal fruit juice A staple in Portuguese households, this juice brand is much lauded for its incredible variety of flavours and fresh taste as all the fruits used are grown in Portugal. Continente salame de chocolate Holiday Foods: Salame de Chocolate This traditional Portuguese sweet mimics the look of a salami though it is made primarily of chocolate and biscuits. The best salame de chocolates are made by supermarkets, with Continente's version being particularly well regarded.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
George and Amal Clooney's terrifying near miss at £8 million family chateau
GeorgeandAmal Clooney managed to avoid disaster last week when their villa in Provence came close to being affected by a fire that broke out in the local area. According to reports from Var Matin, a fire broke out close to their vast estate in the rural countryside close to Brignoles in the early afternoon of Friday, July 11. Authorities were quickly called to the scene. Twenty firefighters, along with two water bombing helicopters, five trucks and two command vehicles all tackled the blaze and successfully "contained the fire within the solar park" as reported in Paris Match. Thankfully, the fire did not spread beyond the photovoltaic park, which is operated by the energy renewables company, Voltalia. The cause of the fire has not been made public. Meanwhile, the Hollywood A-list couple, who married in 2014, haven't commented on the news. The pair bought their stunning property, named Domaine La Canadel in 2021 and have since spent a lot of their time here with their two children, Alexander and Ella, aged eight. Not only is the villa beautiful, but it also affords the ultra-famous couple plenty of privacy. The property sits on 425 acres of land and comes with a vineyard. On site, they're fortunate enough to have afull-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, a guest house, and huge gardens for their two kids to play. The building itself is stunning. The villa is a 18th-century farmhouse-style villa that comes with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms and reception rooms. There is also a huge kitchen and dining area, perfect for hosting, and gorgeous high-ceilinged rooms that lead out onto a stunning terraced patio. After parting with a cool £8 million to secure the property in 2021, the Clooneys reportedly spent a large sum of money renovating the interiors to their own taste. Although they made sure to keep the Mediterranean theme. In fact, according to Vincent Sauvestre, who works for Terres & Domaines estate agents, the pair used their villa in Lake Como, Italy, as inspiration for the redesign. "[George] has done everything in an Italian style, no doubt just like at his Lake Como home," he told Paris Match, who also reported that the Clooneys had hired high-end decorators and designers from Paris to get to work on the renovations. The famous couple might own multiple properties around the globe, including in the States, the United Kingdom and Italy, but their French chateau offers them a quiet, countryside lifestyle that they don't get anywhere else. The Oscar-winning actor told The New York Times that their 'hands-on' lifestyle in the country is reminiscent of his own childhood growing up in Kentucky. "Growing up in Kentucky, all I wanted was to get away from a farm, get away from that life. Now, I find myself back in that life. I drive a tractor and all those things. It's the best chance of a normal life."
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Dior Unveils Its Latest High Jewellery Collection: Diorexquis
Unveiled at Dior's cherished Château de La Colle Noire, Victoire De Castellane transforms Monsieur Dior's private passions – for flora, fauna, and the pursuit of beauty – into poetic, emotionally charged High Jewellery Château de La Colle Noire in Provence was where Monsieur Christian Dior, as he wrote in his memoirs, could set aside his public persona and 'become just Christian again.' It is precisely in this intimate, storied retreat that Victoire de Castellane, creative director of Dior Joaillerie, chose to unveil Diorexquis – a collection that distils Dior's visionary aesthetics for the ladies of the beau monde and blends it with his passions for nature, fantasy, and fairy tales. A deeply personal tribute, it may well be the most 'Christian' collection yet. Victoire, who has helmed Dior's jewellery division since its inception in 1999, has long entertained an imaginary correspondence with the couturier – her eternal muse. She describes Diorexquis as a three-act reverie drawn from Monsieur Dior's inner world. 'Diorexquis unfolds in three chapters: delightful landscapes, delicate bouquets, and fabulous balls,' she explains. 'Each expresses a different facet of the word exquis – French for 'exquisite'.' In creating the pieces, Victoire once again challenges many of the unwritten rules of High Jewellery. In her compositions, a centre stone need not sit squarely at the centre – it may float off to the side or rest at a slant. Gems are not always meant to dazzle outwardly; they may be hidden, reserved for private delight or to achieve a subtle, unexpected visual effect. 'In this collection I played with layering different stones,' says Victoire, 'such as opal or mother-of-pearl, to achieve an iridescent effect with a different result. It's a colour that you don't find in nature, but to achieve it, you have to superimpose many layers of stones. This way I got a very electric blue, for example, in a brooch with night landscapes.' This technique, called the opale doublet, involves mounting a translucent layer of opal on a darker substrate like onyx or mother-of-pearl to achieve a depth and iridescence. It's a meticulous process – requiring both craftsmanship and a painter's eye – that allows colours to bloom from within, rather than sit on the surface. Another, equally enchanting technique is plique-à-jour, an ancient enamelling method revived and reimagined at Dior. 'It adds a new dimension to the bouquets,' she explained. 'Like a miniature stained-glass window, it lets the light shine through and magnify the floral ensembles.' At Dior, where lacquer has long been a signature, this open-backed treatment lends a delicate transparency Inspired by the stained-glass windows in churches, which were once entrusted with translating faith into visual narratives that stirred the soul, Diorexquis unfolds as a series of miniature theatrical compositions. Here, squirrels and deer play hide-and-seek in meadows of diamond and pearl-petalled flowers, while blossoms float across ponds of vivid opals in hues of lavender, mint, and rose. These endearing vignettes come to life across necklaces, bracelets, and asymmetrical earrings that don't simply mirror each other but instead engage in dialogue – each piece revealing a different moment in the fairytale, while also serving as a most unexpected stage for extraordinary gemstones. 'This new High Jewellery collection features several exceptional centrepiece stones with unique shapes and colours, says Victoire, 'including a 25.85-carat sapphire from Sri Lanka, a 10.59-carat Colombian emerald, and a 7.03-carat ruby from Mozambique, as well as an intense yellow diamond of 33.88 carats and two pure diamonds of 8.88 carats each, recalling Monsieur Dior's attraction to this lucky number.' But while the technical wizardry is impressive, Diorexquis excels at bringing to the fore a more intimate facet of Monsieur Christian Dior. His whimsy, his reverence for beauty and the emotions his private pursuits stirred in him, all the while respecting the house's long-established codes – nature, flowers, and femininity. With each high jewellery collection she has imagined over the past 26 years, Victoire has stitched together a fabric of fantasy, part-Dior-heritage-inspired-part-imagination, always rendered with exquisite – or should we say, Diorexquis – elegance. 'Each of my collections leads to the next,' she says. 'I adore the idea of going even further – going where I am least expected.'
Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Times
Could France pull the plug on private swimming pools?
Private swimming pools may be in fashion in France but their owners are facing mounting opposition from officials keen to save water amid frequent droughts. In Brittany, for instance, 43 councils in and around the city of Rennes have decided to ban homeowners from building in-ground pools that contain more than 25 cubic metres of water. The councils have also decreed that the pools must be equipped with a cover to prevent evaporation when not in use and filled with filtered rainwater. In Provence, at least nine village councils have outlawed the construction of private pools altogether until 2028, as has the town of Elne in the eastern Pyrenees. Rivesaltes in the Pyrenees last year JC MILHET/HANS LUCAS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES Water-use restrictions elsewhere in the south and the southwest have resulted in widespread bans on filling pools this summer, after a notably dry spring affected the water level. In June, rainfall was 30 per cent below the average between 1991 and 2020. Swathes of the country have been classified as 'unusually' or 'exceptionally' dry by Météo France, the weather office. • Will the dry spell continue through summer? In recent years homeowners have responded to rising temperatures by building pools in their gardens. The country had 3.6 million pools in 2024, five times more than in 2019. Only Brazil and the US have more in-ground pools per head of population. However, critics say pools are a luxury that cannot be afforded in an era of droughts, prompting Agence France-Presse, the national press agency, to speculate that they could end up being outlawed altogether. Lezignan-Corbières in southwestern France this week, where water restrictions are in place IDRISS BIGOU-GILLES/AFP/GETTY IMAGES Laurence Besserve, deputy chairwoman of Greater Rennes council, said it had chosen to 'limit the volume of [private in-ground pools] in the general interest' after drought alerts in Brittany, a reputedly rainy region but one now registering falling water tables. • Drought in your garden: what happens when there's not enough water? Joëlle Pulinx, general delegate of the Federation of Swimming Pool and Spa Professionals, expressed irritation. 'This is a political decision, not an ecological one,' she told 20 Minutes newspaper. She said pools 'only need to be filled once', and that afterwards they required an annual top-up of 7 cubic metres on average, the equivalent of 47 days of drinking water. The federation said swimming pools accounted for just 0.08 per cent of the country's total water consumption, although the figure is contested by some observers.
