PAPIER-MÂCHÉ AND BEACH VOLLEYBALL

We are currently in a small town we have not heard of before, Pont-à-Mousson on La Moselle towards Metz and the Luxembourg/German boarder. We stopped as it had good moorings and was the right time of day. What a surprise, it's lovely. So much so we stayed for a couple of days. Whilst taking in the usual architecture, a coffee or two and sampling a couple of beers we saw advertised 'Musée de Papier'. Just off the town square, well it's a triangle, and into the museum. All very up to date and only been open for a few years. We reckon we were the first customers that day/week? As soon as we arrived the first movement of the receptionist was to flick on all the fuses in the very conveniently placed fuse box to turn on all the lighting for the exhibits. The museum does what it says, all about paper, in particular a lot about papier-mâché work and lacquered work. I don't know why this museum in mid northern France should have the set of furniture below, yes all made from papier-mâché. 

Furniture that used to dress the 'Salon de la Reine Victoria' from Osborne House.

Being a weekend and the town trying to project itself as a get up and go place the town square (triangle) was given over to Beach Volleyball. We had to laugh as the event was sponsored by a local company that extracted sand from the Moselle valley. You can imagine the conversation in the board room. 'So how do we advertise ourselves more?' I know lets cover the square in sand and have Beach Volleyball! Lots of sand (virtually free), lots of young people running around, lots of placards advertising the company. Where can it go wrong? It didn't, it was great fun.

 

Beach Volleyball in full swing, 5 courts, a BBQ and of course a bar.