A Circle Around France Part 2 - Carcassonne to Versailles
A Tender Touch
A Tender Touch
The chapels found in many medieval buildings are hauntingly beautiful.medievalfortressstatuechapelFranceCarcassonneLanguedocRousillon
Door to What?
Door to What?
This fortress at Carcassonne would be wonderful for children to explore. Where else could you see such medieval history and buy a knight on a horse as well?
Medieval Carcassonne Muted
Medieval Carcassonne Muted
medievalFranceold stone buildingsstone wallpassage waylanternCarcassonne
Medieval Archway
The hot sun made the vivid colours pop!Carcassonnearchdoorwayold stone buildingsstone walldoorFrance
Resting in Carcassonne
Resting in Carcassonne
The monuments were lovingly cared for.
Grotto in Lourdes
Six million people visit Lourdes yearly. The experience is unforgettable.LourdesFranceVirgin MaryMother MaryApparition of Marychurchpilgrimage
Our Lady of Lourdes
The Grotto of Massabielle - The site of the Apparition of the Blessed Mother.LourdesVirgin MaryMother MaryGrottoApparition of MaryFrancepilgrimage
Hope in Lourdes
Hope in prayer; hope in community.LourdesFrancepilgrimagemiracleSanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdeschurchpilgrims
At the Blessed Grotto We Prayed
Thousands of volunteers give their time to work with the ill and suffering.LourdesFranceVirgin MaryMother MaryApparition of Maryhopehealingprayermiraclepilgrimagepilgrims
Commerce in Lourdes
Many businesses cater to the millions who come to Lourdes.
St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Lourdes
How special it was to visit this church on the Rue de l'Ukraine.LourdesFranceUkrainian CatholicchurchByzantinereligionworld religions
Black Madonna Icon in Lourdes
Beautifully decorated and kept, this church welcomes all from around the world.churchFranceLourdesUkrainian CatholiciconsBlack Madonna of Czestochawaworld religionsreligious artchapeltetrapodicon screeniconostas
Absolutely Glorious
Some of the stunning architecture of the region.
Repast in Lourdes
A warm temperature kept people outdoors late into the evening.
One of Six Million Pilgrims, Lourdes
All sizes, all types, something special for everyone to take home.LourdesFrancepilgrimspilgrimageVirgin MaryApparition of Marykeepsakesmomentosouvenier
Serene Gave de Paul, Lourdes
The colour of the river was amazing.
Funicular Train in the Pyrenees
Great train ride up into the Pyrenees.
Basque Country
Getting off the train, we found ourselves in Spain. Best hot chocolate I've ever tasted!
Patchwork Snuggled Under the Pyrenees
Stunning vistas overlooking pastoral farm settings.FranceSpainPyreneesmountainsmountain pasturesvistalandscapefine artBasque country
Biarritz from Spain
Looking far, far toward the Atlantic, we had an overview of Biarritz.BiarritzFranceAtlantic Oceanresortmountain pasturesfrom PyreneesBasque country
Surfing in Biarritz
Biarritz is known as the surfing capital of Europe and even at the end of May, many braved the cool water.BiarritzFranceBasque countrysurfingBay of BiscayAtlantic coastAquitane region
Wandering in Biarritz
Many charming sights walking through the older part of Biarritz.
Biarritz
Biarritz, for centuries, has been a favourite resort for royalty and the rich and famous. (And I enjoyed it as well.)
Medieval University of Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a city which is constantly being renewed and rebuilt. Medieval structures are a challenge to keep up and much money is spent on this.
Girondist Monument in Bordeaux
A lot of history in this magnificent array of statues and fountains.BordeauxGirondist monumentGirondistMonumentPlace des QuinconcesFranceesplanadecity squareFrench Revolutionhistoric sitefountainstatues
Bordeaux Girondist Monument
I'm sure much is written about each and every part of this monument. I've shown very little of the whole structure.BordeauxGirondistGirondist monumentesplanadecity squareFrancehorsesstatuesfountainFrench Revolutionhistoric site
Saint-Emilion
Saint-Emilion was one of my favourite places to visit. The early morning sun played beautifully on the medieval stonework. We woke up the townspeople when we came into town and they quickly opened their shops for us.Saint EmilionFranceflowerspotted flowersshutterswindowsold stone buildingsmedievalstoneworkcobblestone
Bleu
Just one of hundreds of images I made in Saint-Emilion.Saint EmilionFranceblueshuttersdoorold stone buildingsstone wallstoneworklanterncobblestone
New Growth in Saint-Emilion
Stunningly beautiful ruins run along narrow and steep streets.Saint Emilionmedievalrosesstone buildingsstone wallold stone buildingsmedieval churchFranceAquitane regionUnesco world heritage site
Rose Bower in St. Emilion
St. Emilion is one of the main red wine areas of Bordeaux. You often see roses close to vineyards because a problem with roses warns the winemaker of imminent disease in his vineyards. Appropriate action can be taken to mitigate the effects.Saint EmilionAquitane regionFrancemedievalrosesbowerUnesco world heritage siteruinswine capitalshuttersfencebalcony
Bridge Over River Charente, Cognac
The unique spirit is named after this town. The drinks must be made in certain areas and in order to be named Cognac, must follow strict regulations of production.CognacFrancebridgeRiverRiver Charentestreet lightslandscapeart
Lantern in Cognac
This is near the Otard Cognac house which was interesting to tour.
Lunchtime in Cognac
I enjoyed a most delicious lunch near here and,of course, had a special cocktail made with Cognac.CognacFrancelunchmen's clothing stylepeople lunchingold CognacVieux Cognacoutdoor restaurant
Tours, Troglodyte Home
It's amazing these caves are still in use and in demand. Our group enjoyed a special meal in one of the cave restaurants.ToursFranceTroglodytecave houseLoire Valleywhite stonetuffeauoyster shellscave dweller
In the Loire Valley
A most beautiful valley in central France. Vineyards, orchards, castles and charming houses line the Loire River.
Chateau de Chenonceau
One of the best known chateaux on the River Cher, it has a lively history and it's fun to find out why it's named "The Chateau of the Ladies."ChateauChenonceauLoire ValleyRiver CherFrance16th CenturyDiane de PoitiersCatherine de MediciChateau of the Ladies
Roses at Chenonceau
A closer view of the charming cottage and its roses.Chateau de ChenonceauChenonceauFrancerose vinerosesbeautifulcharmingcottagedoor
Chateau de Chambord
Now owned by the government and run by a private society, this chateau staggers one by the number of rooms (440), fireplaces (282) and staircases (84). Francis I built it as a hunting lodge but spent only 72 days there. It was so seldom used, all of the furniture and tapestries were moved in and out for each visit. You may be familiar with the liquor "Chambord."ChambordLoire ValleyFranceUnesco world heritage siteKing Frances Inever finishedhunting lodgemoat440 rooms282 fireplaces84 staircasesdesigned to look like skyline of Constantinople
Mont Saint-Michel
This island structure is indicative of its founding feudal society. At the top is God, in the abbey and monastery, lower are the stores and housing and outside the walls at the bottom, houses for farmers and fishermen. Steep climbing in very hot weather resulted in us really enjoying the Calvados of the area.FranceislandNormandy11th Century Abbeysteep hillssteep stairsmonasteryfeudal societypilgrimsUnesco world heritage site
Dark Days at Omaha Beach
This is near the American cemetery on Omaha Beach, one of the landing beaches of the Normandy Invasion. Some Canadian troops also landed here.Omaha Beachcode nameAllied invasion of occupied FranceWorld War IINormandyFranceEnglish ChannelDDay
Honfleur Harbour
Stunning lighting and sights made this area a joy to photograph.HonfleurFranceNormandyLower Normandyharbourshipdecorated shipsailsquaint buildingsmedievalCalvados Deptestuary of SeineEnglish ChannelImpressionist paintersreflectionwater reflectionsail boats
