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France
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​The breath of freedom, when, in 1971, I entered France for the 1st time, is something unforgettable. And, maybe because my youth was all lived under de domination of the French culture, I still have a particular love for that country. One day, maybe I'll describe that trip in a travelogue; for now, just remember Bayonne and Biarritz as strong impact to who was coming from a dictatorial country in war, but also Confolens (were I felt in love with folklore), Chartres, and, finally, Paris.

​Second time in France was a bad experience: a monstrous fire in Cote d'Azur killed 49 people. We were there, and couldn't enjoy the local beauties. In 1990, after some visits straight to Paris, we took the children to France for the first time, by car, and made a longer trip, that visited all the known places and included Strasbourg, Lyon, Chamonix, Avignon, and Carcassone, from were we returned to Portugal with a stop at Andorra and other in Spain.And, years passing in the emerging American culture, I found that my good French was gone. 
But we had already Internet. So, when my wife said no to a new vacation in France, preferring New York, I booked it in a French site, and joined a French group in a circuit through USA and Canada, with two extra days in Paris( all much cheaper than the simple circuit direct from Portugal). Tow weeks in a English speaking country, in a French group with a French guide... what an opportunity to practice the languages. I repeated the experience to India, and used the extra days to visit Normandie. Rouen was a quick visit in the way to Mont St Michel, but the children adored Longues and St. Malo. What may I invent now, to take my wife back to France? A professional visit to Nancy made me start promoting the museum of Baccarat, I do want to see. But what else, to drag her? I DID ITWe went to Paris as a stopover in the way to Dubai and China and we visited Baccarat Museum (dealt against La Fayette, Zara and Printemps).A few weeks later I had to go back to Nancy (getting new pictures to replace the ones lost in the computer after my first visit) but... Baccarat was already seen.

Agde

Avignon

 
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​Sur le pont d'Avignon on Y dance..."

How many times did I sing that song while the kid that I was learned french?

​In a brief visit, on the bridge of Avignon we didn't dance, but matched our memories with reality and that is one of the strongest pleasures of travelling.
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​Lots of history


From Roman times to the 15th century, this was a disputed area and several walls were erected, as the city was growing.

​The last and largest ones are well preserved, extending for more than 4 km.

Address: Around the historical centre
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​Pope's palace

Built in the 14th century, this palace. now Unesco Heritage, is a very important remain of one of the most dramatic period of the catholic church. Escaping from the violence in Rome, the pope Clement V moved to Avignon, fixing there the pope's official residence, until their return to Rome in 1377. French didn't accept and elected a second pope, opening the crisis known as the occidental schism, lasting until 1403. occupied by Napoleon to install his troops it was severely damaged, but in 1906 it was recovered to become a museum, with permanent reconstructing works since then.

Address: Place du Palais

Website: http://www.palais-des-papes.com
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​A famous half bridge

Once used as part of the most important pilgrimage routes between Italy and Spain, this bridge became very important during the popes' presence, linking the several palaces used by the bishops. Technically, it meant some progress, with wider arches than in roman architecture. Frequently collapsed by flooding and reconstructed, it was abandoned after one more destruction in 1668.The song, maybe more famous than the bridge, was composed in 1853 for an operetta, inspired in a medieval song "Sous le pont d'Avignon" with a different music
Website: http://www.avignon-tourisme.com/Monuments-et-Patrimoine-culturel/AVIGNON/fiche-PCUPAC084CDT0000096-2.html

​Biarritz

 
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A very nice beach, where I had a swim not so cold as expected.

The problem is that only back home I realized that the pleasure of the beach made me forget the pleasure of photo.

​Maybe in the very old archives, twenty years ago...

​Bordeaux

 
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I will never forget the strong sensation felt in 1971, when, for the first time, I went out of the Iberian dictatorships.

Even the air, from Bayonne to Bordeaux seemed different.

I loved the area and the landscape, but, for several reasons, I never had the chance to visit it again, except in a rushing stop in 1989, driving the kids in their first trip to Europe.​
It is something that I miss, and after a couple of great days in Normandy, next time in France I will try to do the same in this area.

Les Baux de Provence

 
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I visited Les Baux by accident.

I was dining in Salon de Provence, and, talking with the restaurant's maid she asked me if I had seen Les Baux.

I said no, and she advised me to go back a few kilometers and see it.

​I did, and it was a good idea, because it is an interesting place, with a calm and healthy ambiance.
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​Strolling in the streets

The village is small, so it's easy to visit, walking along the narrow and steep streets, and watching the perfect integration of the houses with the rocks.



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​Tea and herbs
​

The main local business seems to be... herbs. Aromatic herbs and tea are sold everywhere, thus, the prices should be very convenient. However, shopping has never been not my specialty...
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​The Castle


Standing in the top of the hill, this ruined structure includes several buildings from different epochs.

​There is a audio guided visit in six languages, but we were forced to skip it.
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​Cultivated fields

Agriculture in such a rocky soil must be hard, but the way they carefully cultivate around the rocks makes us believe that most of the sold herbs are local production.

​Almost a closed economy, in a secluded village.
​

Carcassonne

 
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I went to Carcassone expressly to see the castle, whose images always impressed me much. Travelling with small kids, there was no chance to a deep visit, and we only moved around getting some pictures of it. It was the time where pictures should be developed and we would only see the result back home. Well, the result was a total disaster, and I had to get a few still pictures from the old camcorder, with the expected quality, but better than nothing. 
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Saint Tropez

Strasbourg

 

Individual pages

Chamonix
Nancy
Normandie
Paris
Mont St Michel

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