PalenQ

This quiz is all about France:

1- This French cathedral symbolises the height of architectural endeavour in gothic architecture of the Middle Ages. Ambitious and gravity-defying, the cathedral boasts the record for the highest ceiling in a gothic choir in the Christendom (48.50m). The cathedral also shows the ambition of the builders who were unable to complete it. Starting construction in 1225, the cathedral was meant to be the greatest church in the kingdom but over the centuries construction experienced many problems and structural collapses. What exists today – the choir and the transept – is impressive enough for us to dare to imagine what the finished project would have been. Name this cathedral?

2- The French Railways have three narrow-gauge regular passenger service lines - what are they named and where do they run (which section of France is enough)?

3- This large bread basket of France is a large largely flat agricultural area that rivals the likes of America's midwest - if driving from Orleans to Chartres you pass right thru the heart of it?

4- This Loire castle was during the German Occupation of northern France a conduit to Vichy of Free France - you walk thru the castle entering from the German-occupied side and when you walk straight thru it you exit into Vichy France?

(Interesting side note - my son's mi-mere or grand-mother told me once that when the Germans occupied Orleans, where she and he family were living, everyone in town started putting their belongings on bicycles or push carts and started heading south towards Vichy France but when the German troops caught up to them and told them "return to your homes - we assure you that the boulangeries will be open" - well I guess especially the spector of open bread shops convinced them to all turn around and head home - along with perhaps the subtle urging of the German troops!)

5- D-Day in France (French) is called what?

6- Name as many major Loire castles that are directly on the Loire (over hover over it)?

7- If you want to join the French Foreign Legion what city would you head to?

8- The ?????????? carries a canal over the ????? River on its journey to the River Seine in France. Between 1896 and 2003 it was the longest navigable aqueduct in the World until the opening of the Magdeburg Water Bridge on the Elbe in Germany. It is variously called a "pont-canal" or "aqueduct" preceded by the small town's name it is in. Gustave Eiffel designed part of its lamp posts, etc.

Name the canal or aqueduct as it is also known and the river it crosses and genrally where it is?

9- When you enter a small shop in France it is de rigueuer that you say XXXXXXX on entering and XXXXXXX on leaving? (If you do not you may get this scolding as I have at times heard - "you enter a shop and do not say XXXXXXXXXXX!!!".

10 - ??????? is a commune in the Haute-Marne department in north-eastern France.that is home to the grave/memorial of the late French President Charles De Gaulle?

Bedar

#1. Beauvais

PalenQ

1 down 9 to go Beauvais Cathedral it is!

tom_mn

2. Guessing Provence
6. Amboise
7. Marseille
8. There's a large water bridge south of Nevers
9. 'Bonjour' and then I would say 'merci'

Percy

#3 Beauce (I think)

#10 Something Colombey, that is all I know for #10 . I have to run bye !!

annhig

6. Amboise, Saumur, Villandry, Chenonceaux, Chaumont

7. Marseilles

9. Bonjour & Au revoir, or Merci, au revoir.

10. Colombey les deux Eglises.

PalenQ

annhig has 4 right probably will be the prize winner - (plus S&H!).
tom gets two correct in full - #s 7 and 9 (annhig's variations are equally correct IME though it should always I think be bonjour madame or monsieur and merci madame or au revoir madame - the madame or monsiuer being requireds I think.

Percy gets # 3 correct and part of #10

tom's #8 is close to where this is but not south of Nevers.

hetismij2

It's Thursday.

hetismij2

Do I get the prize for spotting the deliberate mistake?

PalenQ

Yup you get the prize but you have to send S&H first - prize is a ton of snow and ice!

tom_mn

Quibbling for #6: Chenonceau crosses the Cher, not the Loire.

annhig

I think I'll pass on that prize, if it's all the same to you, Pal.

PalenQ

Yes indeed I missed the Chenonceau - not even on the Loire but the Cherm a tributary of the Loire - but she has the most right possible.

hetismij2

Can you send the ton of snow and ice to California. Their need is greater than mine .

annhig

of course - i remembered the river, just not which one!

Can i add Candes? not a chateaux overlooking the Loire but a village with a church where some of the Plantagenets are buried. you can walk up above the village and get a terrific view of the river.

sorry to digress!

PalenQ

great to digress - like percy says this is also a learning experience for me and all - comments like that are great!

And for me a denizen of the Loire - having lived off and on for months at times in nearby Orleans and biking and driving everywhere Candes kind of rings a bell - so nice to have something to discover - probably been thru it but next time will seek it out.

Please feel free to digress - actually in this type thing there can be no digression - everything added is great!

Salut!

Percy

Back home now

#8 is The Briara Canal over the Loire River.


Got the answer out of my Travel Book on France.

I think hetismij2 wins she knows the difference between Thursday and Friday .

Mine are going up in a few hours.
Sorry annhig ..bedtime for you (

Bellarosa70032

I see that no one has answered #4, so I'll take a stab at it. While not on the Loire, I still think the answer is Chenonceau.

Percy

Bellarosa I think you are right .

brizzieLizzie

#5 - Jour J