October 6, 2004
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Enseignes
Signs
English version below the photos
J ' ai toujours été fasciné par les vieilles enseignes de magasins ou de restaurants . Elles rivalisent entre elles par leur couleurs et leur créativité . Elles réjouissent la vue beaucoup plus que les tubes fluorescents qui pullulent dans nos villes de nos jours et dont l ' éclat palpitant finit par nous plonger dans un monde artificiel tout à fait inquiétant .
Lors d ' un récent séjour dans un village d ' Alsace dans l ' Est de la France Je pris une photo de trois enseignes .( restaurant , boulangerie , un autre restaurant ou auberge ) . Peut - être ne sont - elles pas les plus luxueuses mais c ' était dans un village .
I existe des enseignes qui sont de véritables œuvres d ' art . Je me souviens de ces splendides enseignes anglaises vues à Folkestone et à Canterbury lors d 'un voyage il y a cinq ans .Même le plus petit pub exhibe une triomphale enseigne …très attractive !!
Hotel restaurant Photo M . Fauquet 2004
Boulangerie bakery Photo M. Fauquet 2004
Auberge Inn M. Fauquet 2004
I always have been fascinated by the old signs of shops and restaurants …;They compete with others by their colors and creativity. They enjoy the sight much more than the fluorescent tubes that pullulate in our towns nowadays which with their throbbing brightness put us in an artificial world quite stressing .
During a recent stay in a village in Alsace ( Eastern France ) I took a shot of three signs (restaurant , bakery , another restaurant or inn) . Perhaps they were not the most luxuous but it was in a village .
There are signs that are true artwork . I remember gorgeous English signs I saw in Folkestone and Canterbury ( England ) during a trip 5 years ago . Even the smallest pub exhibited a triumphal sign ….very attractive .
Perhaps any of you have signs to show in their site ?
drawing from memory by M. Fauquet
Comments (78)
i want a sign for my house~! those are beautiful
~janny
Elles sont si belles. Je me rappelle avoir pris des photos d'enseignes en Alsace en fer forgé parce qu'en effet, je les ai trouvées exceptionnelles. Je ne me rappelle toutefois pas de l'endroit exact.
Il va me falloir revoir mes anciennes photos.
Avec toute mon amitié et merci de la tienne, Michel.
Clara
(Oui, c'est bien éetreinte.)
Bonjour, Michel!
I thought that I might be the only one to notice signs here and there. I am rather odd. At Epcot in DisneyWorld, they have displays of different countries. I have always been obsessed with the French culture. So my favorite display is France. They have a restaurant and a few other things there. I took pictures of the signs. I found them to be quite lovely, much like the French language.
So I must say that I love these signs. And the one drawn from memory is lovely, because it is your own work of art.
Have a wonderful weekend, my friend. God bless.
beautiful pictures and lovely signs.. very colorful and cheerful- these are much nicer artwork than the neon lights and mass produced signs on many shops today
I enjoy these old signs too! They are wonderful! You are right, they are much more appealing and soothing than the lighted signs we get these days.
Very beautiful.
Je veux aller a la boulangerie/patisserie.
Delicieuses!!
I wish we had signs like that around here. Those are beautiful. Great drawing - you are a very good artist! Hope you are having a wonderful day!
Oui, ces signes sont vraiment art. Même lorsqu'ils sont laissés non peints et obtiennent cette patine de rouille, ils sont encore exquis. FYI: Nous vivons près d'une récréation antique d'un village de Moravian appelé "Salem." Tous les magasins ont ce type de signe.
I do believe I will have a sign like that when I open my store. My brother actually makes signs like the ones in your pictures. I dont see signs like that in Phoenix
I love old hand drawn and painted signs the very best. These are just beautiful. Thank you for sharing these. wouldn't it be fun to make a collection of photos of signs like this? One day maybe there will be no more like these.
Rosemary
Lovely signs Michel
AND what a great idea for a blog from England 
All the pubs here have interesting names, some exotic, others historical and most have signs depicting the name. Thanks for the brilliant idea 
{v] Marie
J'imagine que ces types de choses existent seulement dans des lieux un peu vieux... puisque j'habite dans le Midwest des Etat-Unis, il n'y a pas de chose comme ça ici... je vais visiter ton pays en deux semaines, et j'espère avoir assez du temps pour visiter à Amboise encore une fois... peut-être je trouverai quelques enseignes là-bas...
mike
They are really art works. And the flowers are also so beautufull, the Alsaciennes like to put pelargoniums in the windows. In the big cities is more difficult to see them.
You put the sign in the pub "open" was always open or was just a raptus? drawing it with the sign open will be like he will be forever open.
Amitié
Carlo
great display, Michel.. we have those here at Europeanlike places.. yours is also nice
Thank you for giving me a idea for a blog about how the local pubs got their name which I will do soon
. This weekend I will take a photo of our local pub sign just for you 
. I have to say the French ones are very colourful 
amazing drawing...it is a pity that with big business here most of the small shops that could have those signs are vanishing. I hope Europe saves them for as long as they can...
I like your drawing best. Time to get out the paint and show us what you can do with a brush!
I've always loved old signs. This are truely beautiful.
I like the old fashioned signs... they usually are more artful than newer ones.
I live by signs and these photographs are deeply brilliant and quaintly personal...the flora tells of human touch and kinder care than fake flowers on posts or faded greens on a plastic stick...I noticed the one had a Pelicans Nest on the top...i can only imagine the aromas thatt go with the bakery...it is very good you save your memories...to share them..thank you...beckon call/dovecaller 2004
Nice..
Very inviting signs,indeed. I'd want to patronize those places.
I love these. It is all so rare for anything like this to survive in the US.
Signs and posters are always a work of genius as far as my old mind sees...talent that interperates the feel and the sound and the world. I loved the signs we saw in England. Not many words..but told the story!
the valiant sailor sign would fit in nicely with our pyratey decor this weekend! we are having our pyrate soiree. we will name our lagoon the puckish pyrate. yes!
Bonjour, Michel! Comment ca va? Je suis bonne.
I'm so terrible at writing French, but I much enjoy your comments written in the most beautiful language in the world
I also enjoy vintage signs that hang from shops! Around here, I only see them for coffee shops, and that is a rare occasion. How wonderful of you to post ones that you like! My favorite one is the second picture.
For Halloween I plan to dress up as a pirate. However, my mom brought home a "naughty French maid" costume she thought I would like. Unfortunately, it did not fit me very well and my friend Jordan tried it on as a joke. It looked surprisingly well on him! Now he plans to wear it for our costume party.
I am curious if Halloween is celebrated in France? And if so, do you still dress up?
It would be wonderful to see what interesting costume you would come up with!
<3
Those are very artistic signs up there. A very true sign of talent!
Boulangerie signs are the ones I always look for when on holiday in France....besides the chocolaterie and also the patisserie!!! (I am so greedy...
)
I so agree with you about the beautiful signs adorning pubs, restaurants etc, Michel!!
You've posted some really pretty ones here! 
I like you, really love this sort of thing, and always take notice and admire attractive signs. 
It must be our artistic tastes! 
We can't help but be drawn to works of art, no matter what they are!
I like your hand drawn sign here too, Michel.
How very beautiful they are Michel. I find it so impressive that they decorate around the sign as well. It makes your eye want to stay on the sign longer and I think that intrigues one to want to visit the establishment. Thanks for sharing. Huggs...Sassy
I like signs too. I saw a sign once that was in the shape of a whale, it was for a seafood restaurant. Sagi and I had a thrift shop once and our sign had a teapot on it.
P.S. You could be a talented sign maker according to your drawing.
Il y a une enseigne tres tres vielle pres de mon universite... (c'est sur un batiment abandonne.) Il est tres difficile a lire l'enseigne qui dit: ROOMS. C'etait un jour une auberge ou quelque chose comme ca... mais maintenant ce n'est qu'une coquille de batiment...
souvent j'aime beaucoup penser au batiment: qui etaient les personnes qui restaient dedans? A l'interieur, c'etait comment pendant les jours d'operation? J'adore les choses comme ca.
Merci!
Such pretty signs. I enjoyed looking at them. Like you the pubs of England signs always intrigued me. I was introduced to them at an early age ,as my Father's sister ran several at different times as i was growing up in my beloved Dover. So pubs were mine to enter from a Babe arms. Don't worry about the missing birthday .I am to old to want them anymore.You are still the cuddly bear .Love Marjie.
I really like the old signs better as well. If I had a shop of my own I would want an "old fashion" sign, hand crafted with lots of charm. I love the intricate iron work as well.
No... sadly, we don't have these. But old Chinese shophouses would have their names constructed on the pillars outside their shops.
Hmm... not a lot of things in Singapore are traditional. Unfortunately, we are too modern for our own sake.
I think signs like that are so special. They are eye catching and some are breath-taking too. I wish I lived in your country it looks and sounds so beautiful. I hope you and your family are well. Take care.
Wha !!!Elles sont belles cesenseignes !!
C'est vrai que les enseignes donnent une meilleures vue que les gros néons couleurs flash !! ça donne un côté ancien...
- Nana -
The iron that the signs are hanging from is just as pretty as the signs themselves
in europe the signs are so beautiful. in america our signs are cheap and tacky. what a shame!!
Your site gives me ideas on how to be a cultural ambassador. I will keep an eye out for commercial signs around my neighborhood and post them one of these days. Neon is not so good...unique ones are.
Aww they are so beatuiful and old world such crafsman ship and art Thank you for showing them God Bless HUGS my friend
Excellent blog Michel! I remember seeing similar signs during my stay in Aix en Provence a few years ago, and of course I remember the pub signs in England. Very creative some of them.
Big commerical chains with fancy names have destroyed a lot of the quent old pubs and their signs. But there used to be some great pub signs. "Who'd have thought it" PH was of a question mark. "The King's Head" in Peterborough (Where Oliver Cromwell was once MP) has or had a picture of a king sans head! And so on. Few other shops have decent signs, one or two antique shops. There are relics of old before the great mass could read. like a red and white pole for a barber's (hair-cutting and shaving. the red was for blood and the white for bandages). Likewise, some Snobs (Cobblers, shoe repairers) had a large plastic boot sign.
Whilst on the subject I LOVE the French chemist signs, (esp in Paris) I once had a collecting of photos of them. There is nothing like that in England!
Quel bon souvenir que cette auberge alsacienne
)
Moi aussi Michel, j'adore les enseignes et voudraient toutes les photographier !
très bon weekend
bien à vous
AM
ps: nous irons fêter l'automne et les vendanges demain
)
)
dynamique comme pas une la région de Stuttgart
pardon : ... voudrais ...
Those signs really are very charming. I remember the pub signs when I was in England. You are right - they are very interesting. Canada tends to have a lot of interesting signs on buildings, too. In the US, we have a lot of neon, unfortunately.
I remember well the signs I saw in Denmark, England and Scotland. Such artistic methods to lure people into a business are quite rare here in the United States. One exception is the nearby village of Solvang, which was settled about 100 years ago by people from Denmark. There are many colorful and original signs there. My favorite is at the needlework shop.
J'aime ces enseignes. Ils ne sont pas ici, mais j'avais les vue (?) en l'Angleterre, en l'Irlande, et en l'Ecosse. (I don't know how to do the accents.) I also like the ones with the unusual pub names.
I like your drawing. You're talented. I'm not.
to bibliomania : I attempted to download your page 4 times . Impossible . This blocks and deconnects my computer . Probably you have changed your page and it ' s too loaded . Sorry . Perhaps one of my readers will read this and advert you .
Ces enseignes sont très très belles, véritablement des oeuvres d'art! Moi aussi, je préfère les vieilles enseignes que les tubes fluorescents. On peut dire qu'il y a plus d'âme dans ces oeuvres de main! Amitié à toi!
These signs are charming. I will be one the lookout for some intersting signage here.....
Those signs are indeed lovely! I love them. I do prefer the old style signs over the new, modern ones with lights, neons, etc.
These are charming signs! I shall look for signs in my area that are so lovely & try to post them soon. These signs are more soothing, not like the flashing lights that make you nervous!
Have a wonderful week Michel,
Deb
Merci
- Nana -
Michel, you may only do one post a week but they always live up to your site motto
All beings and things are interesting. Thank you.
I feel a bit of a cheat, I have three blogs for you to comment on and you only have one!
...and what an inspiration you've been to MSB and englishjuls. Hope they follow through.
...hope you will carry through your intent on posting about Chateau De Chenonceau - a very interesting topic. The architecture is amazing! Amitié
PS: Another interesting part of your signs is the inclusion of well care for flowers. Hugs, M
Si seulement je me rappelais le nom du village. J'ai essayé de retrouver les photos, mais j'en ai tant et je me suis perdue à me rappeler les lieux et les circonstances et les fair partager à Chris...
Merci de tes visites continues et a dad aussi, bien qu'il ne soit pas un grand adepte de xanga. Il a ouvert son blog pour moi, quand je lui ai *enfin* parlé du mien. C'était mon petit secret en quelque sorte.
Je te souhaite une bonne semaine.
Clara
Oui, c'est bien ça. Notre Statue de la Liberté vient de Colmar, ou c'est ce que je crois me rappeler. La petite Venise là-bas et la petite France à Strasbourg. Bizarre que le Bas-Rhin soit plus haut géographiquement que le Haut-Rhin...
Merci.
Michel,
being a graphic designer, I can truly appreciate the handcraft behind these graphics. swiss modernism changed design immensely. they were positive changes for the most part that promoted syntax and semantics in visual communication. however, with the evolution of the style many designers dropped the practice of designing through craft. I truly appreciate old signage that is well crafted and speaks to me. Take care!
yep ... these are amazing memontos from journeys. I think I will look out for these when i travel next time:)
Ergo's roar would be grrrrooorrrrghhh!!!. Maybe not so much scary??
But anyway, your illustration of a sign is quite good....considering that you drew from memory!!!
Your fishy beat my fishy!
i am so happy that you posted the pirate sign for me to see! this year of halloween should be quite fun dressed as a pirate. and i thank you for explaining to me how halloween is celebrated in france! i had heard of all saint's day, but not much else.
i am going to get my hair dyed this friday. will it be red? blonde? dark brown? i honestly don't know. i suppose it would be smart of me to make up my mind before my appointment!
<3
OH!!! nice drawing Michael!!!
I've always wanted to go to France.
It seems like such an amazing country!!!
The architecture must be absolutely amazing..and the signs..the signs you have up are incredible.
*hugs*
Andrea=)
J'aime les seignes comme celles que vous avez observe. A Montreal, il y a une seigne que je trouve amusante: "L'eggpectation" avec une image d'un oeuf
michel, u have the eye of a artist!
preetam is my husband.
I'll set out with camera on a mission, though may have to go far from major city to find something. It's a great Idea. Your signs are simple and artistic.
Dearest Michel, our team and town is the St. Louis Cardinals. The team in Kansas City is the Royals. I love your sign collection today. I have an interesting story about signs. This being the time of campaigning for the November elections here in the USA, we have our Kerry-Edwards signs displayed on the front and back of our property. The sign in the front has been stolen twice now in the last couple of weeks. We think that persons who favor our candidates' opponents are the thieves. Signs bring out a variety of emotions, eh? Hugs, Claudia
i love looking at those kinda signs too. but they don't have it here in singapore. i'm back. i posted my graduation pictures. do take a look. anyway, i'm sitting for my a levels this year.
Those signs are just beautiful! You are right there is a lot of good artwork there. Wish we had signs like that these days. Just hard to find. I so enjoy your site, you are always one of the first sites I have to go see when I am online and ready to visit my fellow xangans. I am ok and have finally updated my site. I am down with a bout of the strep. Caught me but good this time. Have a great day and a wonderful tomorrow ! ! ! Much love and many hugs ! ! ! You and Janine sleep with the angels and wake up fully refreshed and ready for a new day ! ! !
My bedroom is decorated in French signs just like the ones you've photographed. I never get tired of looking at such pretty signs.
J'aime bien les enseignes. Très charmant...et ton dessin aussi!
J'ai lu dans un blog que j'ai visité ce matin que c'était un virus et non un pirate. Ca s'est passé le dimanche? C'est ce que la personne a dit. Elle aussi dit que Joe X a posté comment on s'en débarrasse, mais elle a perdu tous ses codes. Tu as eu de la chance. Il est bon d'avoir des connaissances en html ou des amis qui s'y connaissent.
Oui, xanga nous joue parfois des tours. Tu veux que j'essaie de te poster tes images? Si le truc d'images premium ne marche pas chez toi, je te les mets chez moi et je les copie/colle chez toi.
Quelques liens à lire au sujet de John et de fatcatdad aussi. Sans oublier le blogring que John a ouvert pour moi. Voilà, tu sais presque tout maintenant.
Je suis contente que la carte t'ait fait plaisir.
Merci pour tout, Michel.
Clara
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