Blogs from Centre, France, Europe - page 30

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Europe » France » Centre » Azay-Le-Rideau September 10th 2008

Again, early morning mist from the river, but with the army of ducks laughed their taps around 7 am, I was out of bed by 8 am, with enough time to enjoy the quiet and the misty reflections on the river. Our first stop was to La Vallee Troglodytique des Goupillieres, a small collection of dwellings and farms discovered by the proprietor, Louis-Marie Chardon, as a child. He had since converted the caves and land to how they might of been, with a fruitful garden, an odd assortment of old farming equipment, and farm animals like goats, donkeys, pigs, and chickens. He was at hand to explain some of the more interesting details of the caves, with his obvious excitement about the magical place contagious. Then onwards on winding paths, along the Indre towards Loches, including ... read more
duck flies over water
river reflections
our camp

Europe » France » Centre » Chinon September 9th 2008

A beautiful blue sky morning, we cycled up the hill towards the chateau in Chinon, and then onwards to Chateau Usse for a glimpse. Hills. Forest. Farms. Sunflowers. Hills. Sweat. Low gear. Usse was behind tall walls and and entry fee we didn't like. The cycle from Usse finally took in some river views, as we followed a narrow two lane road along the banks to Langeais. It felt like a cycle road with occasional cars that looked so out of place. At Langeais, the rain hit. Langeais itself is understated, but impressive in the old details and furnishings. By the time we emerged, the sky was clearing and we had clear skies all the way to Villandry and to Azay-le-Rideau. Villandry's gardens really are worth visiting, for the fact that it is a producing garden, ... read more
the road
goes on
and on

Europe » France » Centre » Tours September 9th 2008

After leaving behind the city of paris we headed South through the French country side to the Loire Valley. The first stop on our trip was the city of Tours. The people of Tours are widely belived to speak the purest form of French and Peter was excited to try out his new French skills on the local population. It should also be noted that Peter nearly failed French in year 8 which saw him stop his French education as a 13 year old. None the less he was certain that the locals would be amazed with his skills. Arriving in Tours we found out that the locals wouldn't be amazed with anything as there was no one around. Apparently in this part of France going out on the street on a Sunday afternoon is against ... read more
Cheateaux
Chateaux gardens
Chateaux gardens

Europe » France » Centre » Chartres September 5th 2008

Chartes was so impressive. The detail in side and out was extensive. There were many three dimensional scenes with almost life size figures. It still amazes me how artistic they were at a time we call the dark ages. I have to say that this is the church that I feel is most artistic I have ever seen.... read more
Chartres Cathedral
Chartres Street

Europe » France » Centre » Tours August 28th 2008

Ok so I am completely following Joshua's lead on my location. I have not, and will not be anytime soon traveling to Tours. Instead I am in Amboise, France. This is a smaller town with a lot of European charm. The perfect place for our first adventure. The title is completely corny (I'm from Iowa so you'll have to forgive me), but it seems to fit the feeling I am in right now. Still trying to fight off my jet-lag I cannot seem to grasp the fact that I am actually experiencing Europe! Not only was my first day a complete 180 from America, but the entire time I suffered through my summer I kept imagining how Europe would be. So far it has exceeded expectation and I haven't even been here for 36 hours. ________________________________________ ... read more
Amboise
Amboise
Amboise

Europe » France » Centre » Tours August 28th 2008

Bonjour! So my location is listed as Tours, but I'm actually sitting in an internet cafe in Amboise, which is just a little ways away from Tours, down the Loire River. I've been having a fantastic time here in France so far, and it's only been 2 days, so I still have plenty to go! I met Josh and Kristin in London, and was very happy to see them. While I'm certainly able to entertain myself, especially in a place as busy as London, it's still infinitely better to enjoy with others - if only to have someone to constantly tell how cool everything is. Also, it allows for more dining options, as I generally avoided restaurants while I was by myself... just not as fun alone. Once we had everything taken care of at the ... read more
Amboise
Amboise
Amboise

Europe » France » Centre » Orléans July 31st 2008

Tonight we are in Orléans after a busy day of chateau-seeing! We had an awful night last night at the hotel in Saumur. We had the window open and we were reading with the lights on and as we were about to turn them off and go to sleep, we noticed a bunch of tiny gnats flying around the lights. We started to try to squish them all but there was no way! Then Ken looked up and there were thousands conglomerating in the corners of the room! We went downstairs and called the concierge and he came over and told us that in that area of the Loire those little gnats are everywhere and you can't leave your windows open and the lights on or they will come in. Wish he had told us that ... read more
Half-timber house in Saumur
Saumur Chateau
Saumur Chateau

Europe » France » Centre » Chartres July 21st 2008

Of Kings and Castles Today was our first brush with French royalty. We stayed in our hotel in Tours for only one night. So we were up bright and early this morning, with rucksacks ready to go, a quick bite to eat, and onto the bus. Our guide Michael may be from Ireland, but he speaks with a British accent, and we are all charmed by his vocabulary. Yesterday, he saw some people having a “chin wag.” A what? Once the kids realized that meant “having a chat,” they kept asking Michael, “Are we going to have a chin wag?” So, now we all carry our rucksacks, wear our costumes at the beach, and take our jumpers for the cool nights. Oh yes, and we never miss an opportunity to go to the loo. The agenda ... read more
Chambord
The Roof Line Looks Like a Chess Set
Notre Dame de Chartres

Europe » France » Centre » Tours July 18th 2008

Meandering Through France Today, Friday July 18, 2008, we left Sarlat for greener pastures to the north. Our final destination is Tours in the Loire Valley. We are meandering, because France does not have an I-5. Most of the roads are two-way roads with tight passages. Perhaps half of the trip to Tours was on a divided highway. On our way through, we managed a stop at Limoges for a quick shopping spree in one of the warehouse stores. Judging by the number of packages leaving the store, it was quite successful. Keep your eyes peeled for a piece of china coming your way. Or perhaps, you may have to wait for the holidays. Our history stop took us to Oradour sur Glane. This is the village that was completely decimated and its 642 villagers (including ... read more
Caught in a bouchon
The Source of the Delay
Oradour sur Glane 2

Europe » France » Centre » Bourges July 13th 2008

Cannes - France Cannes France is a picturesque city located on French Riviera. Well known for the Cannes Film Festival that takes place each May, Cannes is also a very popular tourist destination in Europe It offers visitors great weather, many interesting tourist attractions, museums and some beautiful Mediterranean beaches. ... read more
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