Cyndi, Jeff, and I leave early for Versailles. We take the RER (Réseau Express Régional) train from Paris. It takes about 45 minutes to get to Versailles from Paris. Once we arrive at the train station near Versailles, we have about a 10 to 15 minute walk to the gates of the palace. The palace and the grounds are immense! [View Full Entry]

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We left for Notre Dame early on 8/7 in an attempt to arrive before most of the visitors start lining up in Place Parvis to climb the bell tower of Notre Dame. Although we arrive before 9 am, the line is already forming, and at 9 am the line is long. The gates for the tower do not open until 9:30. (Only 20 people at a time are allowed every 10 minutes into the tower, so it is 10:15 by the time Cyndi and Jeff started to climb up the stairs.) I held Cyndi and Jeff's place in line while [View Full Entry]

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August 5th was Jackie’s last full day in Paris. We visited the Marais district, which included Rue Des Rosiers, Place des Vosges, and Victor Hugo’s home. In the evening after having dinner with Eric at Restaurant Chartier, Eric took us on a night tour of Paris. The following morning Cyndi and I take Jackie to the airport, and return our leased car. Later Cyndi, Jeff and I visit Opéra Garnier, and Musee D'Orsay. [View Full Entry]

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On our first full day in Paris we visited Place de la Concorde, L’Orangerie, and Jardin de Tuileries. In the afternoon we went to Angelina's for dessert, and then to Musée de l'Armée (Les Invalides). The next day Jackie and Jeff went to the Latin Quarter, while Cyndi and I walked around Paris. We saw many sights such as the Seine River, Pont Neuf, Place Dauphine, Ste. Chapelle, Notre Dame, Place de la Concorde, Champs-Elysee, and the Arc de Triomphe. [View Full Entry]

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After leaving St. Jacques-de-la-Lande we headed east to the Loire Valley. The Loire River is south of Paris, and flows from east to west. This river’s valley is the home of hundreds of castles, palaces, and chateaux. The Loire Valley has rolling hills, fertile fields and vineyards. We stayed at La Roseraire, a hotel, in Chenonceaux for two nights. While in this area we stopped to view Chateau Usse, Chateau Azay-le-Rideau, and Chateau de Chambord. We visited Chateau de Chenonceau and Chateau Cheverny. Next we travel north to Paris, and stop in Chartres to see Chartres Cathedral. [View Full Entry]

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During our final two days in St. Jacques-de-la-Lande we visited Carnac, The Gulf of Morbihan, Arradon, Vannes, Fougeres, and Broceliande (Forest of Paimpont). [View Full Entry]

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After we leave Mont St. Michel we drive southwest to Rennes (the capitol of Brittany). On the way we see old style windmills that are built on the reclaimed fields overlooking the bay where Mont St. Michel is located, and our first Menhir (standing stone) . Our next home exchange is in St. Jacques-de-la-Lande, a suburb of Rennes. This home will be our base for the next few days. Over the next few days we visit Rennes and the medieval towns of Dinan and St. Malo. [View Full Entry]

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These pictures were taken in Bayeaux and at Mont Saint Michel Abbey on July 25 and 26. the Bayeaux tapestry is now displayed under glass, but was originally hung around the nave of the Cathedral in Bayeaux. Mont Saint Michel is an island abbey that has been a pilgrimage center since A. D. 708. The Bishop of Avranches built this abbey after receiving instructions from Michael the Archangel. It is connected to the mainland by a 2 mile causeway. During low tide it is surrounded by mud flats. When high tide rushes in, most of the parking lots are submerged and [View Full Entry]

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The following pictures were taken in Normandie, France. They include Veules Les Roses, Rouen, Etretat, Giverny, Ponte du Hoc, Bayeaux. They were taken between July 19 and 24, 2009. [View Full Entry]

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On our way to Dublin we visited Cahir Castle, Swiss Cottage, Rock of Cashel, and Cashel Cathedral. We stayed one night at a B&B, The Rockville House, in Cashel. [View Full Entry]

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