The Loire River Valley
Many find a visit to the Loire Valley to be the highlight of their visit to France, as did we. When we were planning our journey I discussed our itinerary with my friend, Wayne. Wayne and his wife had...
Many find a visit to the Loire Valley to be the highlight of their visit to France, as did we. When we were planning our journey I discussed our itinerary with my friend, Wayne. Wayne and his wife had...
Many regions of France are known for their wines, and Provence is one of them, located at the lower end of the Rhone Valley. Some Provence vineyards ship far and wide; others are far more local, and go out of their way to promote locally....
A visit to Paris is not complete without spending a few hours wandering around the historic district of Montmarte . Originally a haven for artists and bohemians alike, the area is now more geared for tourists. Located in the north of...
Nothing breaks up the straight lines and uniform colors like flowers at the window and door. Above, on a 13th-century residence in Bonnieux, Provence; below, the courtyard entrance of the apartment we rented in the 18e in Paris.
Among the many wonderful palaces of Europe, Versailles is said to be the greatest and grandest of them all. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and is on almost every traveler’s list of “must see”...
Paris is well known for its architectural splendor, and one highlight I experienced was a visit to the Musee d'Orsay , situated on the left bank of the Seine. It is housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway...
I didn’t really need more books, but how could I not visit the English bookstore, Shakespeare Books, in Avignon. I was staying in this great medieval town on the Rhône, on the south side just inside the wall near...
The unusual light in this shot invites the title, but the stairs actually rise not to heaven, but to the heavenly beauty of the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy. As you might imagine, a town and abbey on an island mountain feature plenty...
Every summer for the past dozen or so years, Paris has turned areas along the Seine, along the Bassin de la Villette and in front of the city hall into sandy beaches for the summer, under the name Paris Plages. Above, along the river...
Not nearly as large, well-known or frequently visited as its big sister just a few blocks away (the famous and ancient Notre-Dame Basilica), Sainte-Chapelle was hands down my favorite church in Paris. Sainte-Chapelle (sant-shah-pel) is...
Eurostar is expanding its service and, beginning May 1, 2015, offering direct trains to Lyon and the South of France, Avignon and Marseille, from London. It's a particular benefit to those not stopping in Paris (although I can't imagine not...
If you’re looking for a nice escape from the crowds and chaos of Paris, consider heading to the small city of Chartres for a day or two. Situated 60 miles (96 km) southwest of Paris, just an hour’s train ride from the...
We had a day to spare on a recent trip to Marseilles . The B'n' B we were staying at recommended a visit to Cassis (French pronunciation:kasi). We took a local train there, about 40 minutes journey from Marseilles. The town is situated...
Paris may be famous for its architecture and many ornate historic sculptures scattered around the city but one of the more modern sculptures that is 50/50 with people is Le Pouce de César in the business district of La Defense. It...
This popular: these are the crowds on a weekday afternoon in early August. With tickets for the elevators to the top sold out well in advance and long lines for walk-up tickets, the Tower has certainly lost none of its popularity. We went to look near...