A Journey by Bike to Nowhere in the Brie Region
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A Journey by Bike to Nowhere in the Brie Region
If you've ever wondered what the middle of nowhere looks like then join me on my bike ride through the Brie region. See the amazing fields of wheat, feel the pulse of life in deserted villages, experience the thrill of no cars whizzing by you on empty roads, be awestruck by the lack of attractions to draw tourists. Yes folks, this report has everything your trip report doesn't.
P.S. - It's actually more beautiful than you might expect.
http://tinyurl.com/3r78kq3
P.S. - It's actually more beautiful than you might expect.
http://tinyurl.com/3r78kq3
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Oh thank you, FMT, for another lovely ride through the French countryside! The tiny villages are so charming.
I love your picture of the golden wheat shimmering in the light from the cloudy skies. Really beautiful.
Quite a day you had, what with the crashing of the wedding and the train ticket problems at the end. Ah, the joys of travel, even on a bicycle.
Well done!
I love your picture of the golden wheat shimmering in the light from the cloudy skies. Really beautiful.
Quite a day you had, what with the crashing of the wedding and the train ticket problems at the end. Ah, the joys of travel, even on a bicycle.
Well done!
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swisshiker - The tiny villages are indeed charming but I wonder if the residents feel the same way since they all seem to have deserted them!
lincasanova - Thanks for continuing to accompany me on my rides. I'm going to have to look up ATGET. He must be one charming and handsome fellow!
lincasanova - Thanks for continuing to accompany me on my rides. I'm going to have to look up ATGET. He must be one charming and handsome fellow!
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He documented Paris and I just saw several hundred of his works. Very interesting.
http://www.google.es/search?q=Atget+...w=1907&bih=871
The Lartigue exhibit at another center was also enjoyable
http://obrasocial.lacaixa.es/nuestro...rtigue_es.html
http://www.google.es/search?q=Atget+...w=1907&bih=871
The Lartigue exhibit at another center was also enjoyable
http://obrasocial.lacaixa.es/nuestro...rtigue_es.html
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The sun is always shining when you bike, the roads are clear, and the streets are empty. I wonder why there are no A Vendre signs? Please keep an eye out for a fixer-upper for us, or maybe even a whole abandoned village.
We've been missing your trip reports. Glad you are back!
We've been missing your trip reports. Glad you are back!
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lin - I loved those photos. When I've got more time I plan on studying him and those photos a bit more. I get the feeling that many things he photographed have since vanished.
Coquelicot - Always nice to hear from you. I remember you were looking for an abandoned village/property to fix up and there was one in my report, although I didn't see a for sale sign. Next time I'll take some specific pictures of properties for sale for you. Glad to be back!
Coquelicot - Always nice to hear from you. I remember you were looking for an abandoned village/property to fix up and there was one in my report, although I didn't see a for sale sign. Next time I'll take some specific pictures of properties for sale for you. Glad to be back!
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My son is in Paris right now visiting some friends who are also there. Any suggestions for a morning half day trip easy by train and not too far away? They are in the 3rd. Or... one of your favorite restaurants around there that young people won't go broke at? Thanks
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YankyGal - My thoughts exactly (re. people)! I think there was some fromage at the wedding but I wasn't feeling bold enough to help myself to any. Do you think I should have?
lin - Hmmm. Kind of tough to say without knowing what interests him. Medieval town of Provins (1 hour 20 minutes by train)? Fontainebleau (45 minutes by train)? Saint-Germain-en-Laye, reachable by RER A. It's a former royal town and the château is now the National Museum of Prehistory if that interests him.
I'm a pauper and eat at home so I'm not that familiar with restaurants. However, there is a cheap place I eat in Passage Brady (off rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis) called Ile aux Cerfs that serves great Mauriciennes food for about 8 euros a plate. It's ready two minutes after you order. There are a whole bunch of cheap ethnic restaurants in this area. He can get a 3 course meal for about 10 euros (maybe less) in the basement of the Madeleine for lunch and proceeds go to help the poor. Most people barf at the thought but there are the 10 euro 3 course menus on the heavily touristed rue Saint-Severin on the left bank. Yes, I've eaten there. Please don't tell anyone. Give me some more info on the son and I'll see what I can come up with.
kja - I hope this report helps relieve your PPD (post Paris depression).
lin - Hmmm. Kind of tough to say without knowing what interests him. Medieval town of Provins (1 hour 20 minutes by train)? Fontainebleau (45 minutes by train)? Saint-Germain-en-Laye, reachable by RER A. It's a former royal town and the château is now the National Museum of Prehistory if that interests him.
I'm a pauper and eat at home so I'm not that familiar with restaurants. However, there is a cheap place I eat in Passage Brady (off rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis) called Ile aux Cerfs that serves great Mauriciennes food for about 8 euros a plate. It's ready two minutes after you order. There are a whole bunch of cheap ethnic restaurants in this area. He can get a 3 course meal for about 10 euros (maybe less) in the basement of the Madeleine for lunch and proceeds go to help the poor. Most people barf at the thought but there are the 10 euro 3 course menus on the heavily touristed rue Saint-Severin on the left bank. Yes, I've eaten there. Please don't tell anyone. Give me some more info on the son and I'll see what I can come up with.
kja - I hope this report helps relieve your PPD (post Paris depression).
#12
Of course FMT really meant the Passage du Prado in his message. Passage Brady is also excellent but for Indian food.
Excellent trip report, by the way, but I wonder where all of the dairies and cheese factories are in the Brie.
Excellent trip report, by the way, but I wonder where all of the dairies and cheese factories are in the Brie.
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Yes, Passage du Prado. The area I was in is the agricultural area of the Brie whereas I think the dairy/cheese area is further north near Meaux. I guess I'll have to bike there to know for sure.
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Thanks FMT, can't get enough of these. Struck by how quiet it appears to be on those roads (wedding parties notwithstanding) both in and out of town, but recall that was the same impression - even quieter than rural Australia - I had on a day trip a few months ago from Paris to a pleasant but unexceptional area of Haute Marne.