Blogs from France, Europe - page 11

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Europe » France » Champagne-Ardenne » Langres June 3rd 2023

Driving day today and not sure how busy we would find the campsite we were heading for, being Saturday and weekend, so got up at a reasonable time and were on the way before 10am. We were not using any motorways but the road for half the journey was dualed so very few photos were taken. Still in the flat area of France. Very arable agricultural with vast fields spreading out to either side. Pleasant enough and a nice easy drive for Bob but not lending itself to beautiful photos. We passed through very few towns or villages, the road in places seemed quite new so was probably built to bypass. Just hints of church spires and a signpost to a town and the camera was ready to spring into action but quickly back to the ... read more
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Europe » France » Île-de-France June 3rd 2023

I recently wrote about preferring to use rail over planes. Here is the deal in France, though there are many exceptions. But the idea is a good one, in my opinion. In 2021, the French government url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/apr/12/france-ban-some-domestic-flights-train-available-macron-climate-convention-mpsvoted to scrap domestic flights where a direct train journey of less than two-and-a-half hours existed. The move is part of a larger url=https://www.euronews.com/green/2021/07/20/france-s-new-climate-law-has-just-been-approved-so-why-are-activists-so-unimpressedclimate law that restricts polluting vehicles, encourages vegetarian meals in schools, and mandates environmental labeling to inform customers of the carbon footprint of their purchases. The European Union also added stipulations that reduced the impact of the law, and ultimately gave its th... read more
Paris train
Dining Car

Europe » France » Île-de-France » Malakoff June 3rd 2023

This morning we embarked on a kind of reconnaissance mission to locate the nearest bus stop from our cottage. Unlike previous visits, when we rented apartments close to the center of the city, this time we are staying in the southwestern outskirts of Paris (in the suburb of Malakoff). Some research revealed that there are two bus lines that would be helpful for us, both of which use the same stop, so we wanted to verify where that bus stop is located. We also needed to purchase some tickets, available from automated dispensing machines inside metro stations, which are valid for both buses and the metro (subway) lines throughout the city. In the past, buses have always been our preferred means of transportation in Paris, and even more so this year because of Dee's reduced mobility; ... read more
62, rue Vincent Moris, Malakoff
Wall mural
Lunch at Brasserie de L'Hotel de Ville

Europe » France » Champagne-Ardenne June 2nd 2023

I need to add that we are currently at Guingnicourt which is on the river Aisne but the town is not listed so can't select it for location of this blog.. Rather surprised when we woke up this morning. Our drop down bed (comes down from the ceiling to a comfy height so we can get in) is very comfy. Hadn't realised quite how comfy. Woke at 5am with my arthritic shoulder locked up so sorted it out, added a dollop of Voltarol and went back to sleep. Woke at 10am. Nudged Bob awake and he declared it was actually 11am .. as we hadn't got round to adjusting the clock time 😊. Oh well nothing pressing and we had planned a lazy day 😊. Fortunately the baguette and croissant I had ordered at campsite reception ... read more
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Europe » France » Île-de-France » Malakoff June 2nd 2023

Today was our first full day in Paris/Malakoff, and it would turn out to be magnifique! Both of us managed to sleep pretty well last night, considering we were in a strange, new place. We were awake by 6:00 AM, and our tentative plan was to visit the local produce market on the town square, Place du 11 Novembre, that opens for business three days each week. After Dee made eggs, sausage and toast for breakfast (and I downed several cups of Nespresso-brewed coffee!), we were ready to leave the cottage around 11:00 AM. As we were passing thru the corridor of Madame Dominique's house, which we must do to exit the property, we encountered her at the front door. When she discovered that we were heading to the market, she graciously offered to give us ... read more
Malakoff market
Fresh lettuce
Mouth-watering strawberries

Europe » France » Champagne-Ardenne June 1st 2023

And we were off. A leisurely start on the 31st May as only heading for just outside Dover to our Norlands CL we have stayed a couple of times recently. A pretty boring drive really as British motorways normally are. Lots of stop starts especially on the M25 and all the bunching up of traffic was caused by useless 'problems ahead' signage where, whatever problems there had been, were long gone in every case. Highways England really should get a grip ! As usual stopping for lunch at the services was a challenge and we drove into one and out again as no obvious place to park. We need a drive through spot... reversing back out is not an option with Smart Arse on the back. As usual we ended up squashed between two jugernauts in ... read more
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Europe » France » Île-de-France » Malakoff June 1st 2023

Today we arrived in Paris for the 11th time since our first visit twenty-two years ago. Yet for us, Paris has become a never-ending story, with each visit adding a fresh chapter to that narrative. Still, even after all these years and the number of visits, you could rightly say that our sentiments are aptly expressed in the immortal words of Humphrey Bogart to Ingrid Bergman, in the film Casablanca, that "We'll always have Paris"; or those of Audrey Hepburn, in the movie Sabrina, that “Paris is always a good idea.” People have frequently asked us what is so special about Paris that makes us want to return, time and time again? Is it the centuries of history, art, culture or the French joie de vivre? Or perhaps it's the baguettes, crème brûlée--and the rest of ... read more
Garden view from our cottage
Garden view from our cottage
Garden view from our cottage

Europe » France » Île-de-France May 28th 2023

Why do we get labeled the ugly or privileged Americans?? Check out this gal taking up THREE seats in the crowded waiting area at C de Gaulle. Wait, she is French!!! But the loud American has long been passed by the loud Frenchman. But now, I vote for the totally unfiltered Chinese tourists. They figure we can't understand a word and have carte Blanche to throw in the F word as well!! I met the hardest working flight attendant on my Aegean Air flight from Paris to Athens. She was the Everyready bunny and Harriet Nelson combined!!! Those of you headed to Europe this summer, be warned. This is the busiest I have seen Europe in the last 3 years. And prices are still going up. I would increase your budget by at least 33%. Even ... read more
Plaka nights
Little Kook


We have always felt an obligation to support local businesses when we travel, and never is this more true than when we are in a wine-producing area. Therefore, we embarked on a guided tour of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape area. This part of the Côtes du Rhône AOC. The rules here for labeling a wine appear to be a little complicated, but as I understand it you can label your wine with the Côtes du Rhône AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) if the wine production and grape sourcing are all within that defined region. As I understand it, you are not allowed to make wine from a single grape variety, but must blend at least two. You can further refine the label if the sourcing and production are done within one of 95 approved communes, and then the label ... read more
2023 Avignon trip  Chateauneuf du Pape tour 019 Chateau des Fines Roches 052623
2023 Avignon trip  Chateauneuf du Pape tour 022 Chateau des Fines Roches 052623
2023 Avignon trip  Chateauneuf du Pape tour 013 Chateau de Mourchon 052623


. France - and a bit more: Week 2 This blog describes our 2023 journey to Europe; specifically France (with the possibility of a small foray elsewhere as both Italy and Spain are 'next door'!). As always, we segment the 'blog' into roughly weekly or fortnightly posts (this being the 2nd). Our travel blog has been written for family and friends to 'travel with us'. We now recognise we write the blog for ourselves; it is how we revisit our past adventures and remind ourselves of the the enjoyment. Thus, there is more detail included than merely a brief discourse for family and friends. BTW, if you want to see the picture in a larger size, just click on it. Oh, and if you missed Episode #1, you can find it here. . May 21 - ... read more
View from our kitchen window
Southern France
Vaucluse




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