Photos of France
May 13th, 2020, 06:32 AM
#203
I actually have a whole report about Paris in the time of covid-19 which I started back on March 17th -- https://anyportinastorm.proboards.co...-time-covid-19
May 13th, 2020, 01:57 PM
#205
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May 14th, 2020, 03:53 AM
#208
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kerouac, thanks for all the walking you did to show Paris in confinement. I imagine the street markets will never go back to the way they were. It's a shame, since the conviviality in the small town markets is one of my favorite things about France. So many bises. So many well-behaved dogs of all sizes. It's an education to browse at a cheese truck, or a fish stall, or even a produce stand with each item labeled with its source.
quokka, aren't our memories better than any photos we’ve taken? We can share photos and we’re lucky that we have other francophiles here to enjoy what we post. But I know that what no one else can see in my photos is how thoroughly I was enjoying myself at that particular place in that particular photo. A photo is an iceberg--10% is visible to anybody who looks at it, but only the photographer sees the other 90%. The photographer’s memory fills in the rest. A travel photo's impact is mostly on the photographer.
quokka, aren't our memories better than any photos we’ve taken? We can share photos and we’re lucky that we have other francophiles here to enjoy what we post. But I know that what no one else can see in my photos is how thoroughly I was enjoying myself at that particular place in that particular photo. A photo is an iceberg--10% is visible to anybody who looks at it, but only the photographer sees the other 90%. The photographer’s memory fills in the rest. A travel photo's impact is mostly on the photographer.
May 14th, 2020, 10:32 PM
#209
kerouac - the market photos fill me with sadness. Good that they still exist of course, but what a shame the changes have to be made.
Nelson - I had to look up Les Chapieux on Google maps to see where it was. Such a stunning photo, it reminds me a bit of the Dolomites. Thanks.
Coquelicot - so well said. I'd never thought of photos in quite that way but you are right. The memories they evoke are special but only to those that were there.
Nelson - I had to look up Les Chapieux on Google maps to see where it was. Such a stunning photo, it reminds me a bit of the Dolomites. Thanks.
Coquelicot - so well said. I'd never thought of photos in quite that way but you are right. The memories they evoke are special but only to those that were there.
May 29th, 2020, 08:01 AM
#213
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kerouac, it's heartening to see people enjoying themselves as though it were a typical late spring in Paris. Even if I think it's way too soon.
I still have photos and I hope I'm not the only one. Anyone who has already posted photos here, don't you have more up your sleeve? And if you haven't shared a photo yet, please do.
When we were near Angers we used the Michelin green guide for ideas and it listed a chateau we'd never heard of. There are chateaux everywhere in France, most of them unknown outside their own region. The Chateau du Plessis-Bourre at Ecuille is off the beaten path and well worth a visit. It still has its two drawbridges, one for horses and carts and one for pedestrians. It has a classic chateau exterior which has never changed since it was built, which made it an ideal backdrop for some well-known movies. The rooms are finely furnished from different eras. The guardroom has an unusual painted ceiling. The chateau has its own chapel and if you were family, you could sit upstairs in privacy and comfort and watch the service below. Its library was turned into a hospital during the war, I think during World War I but don't quote me. Every room had something of special interest to us. The fact that it wasn't crowded and that you go through at your own pace made it a more satisfying visit than at the big name chateaux where you're always in a crowd.
I still have photos and I hope I'm not the only one. Anyone who has already posted photos here, don't you have more up your sleeve? And if you haven't shared a photo yet, please do.
When we were near Angers we used the Michelin green guide for ideas and it listed a chateau we'd never heard of. There are chateaux everywhere in France, most of them unknown outside their own region. The Chateau du Plessis-Bourre at Ecuille is off the beaten path and well worth a visit. It still has its two drawbridges, one for horses and carts and one for pedestrians. It has a classic chateau exterior which has never changed since it was built, which made it an ideal backdrop for some well-known movies. The rooms are finely furnished from different eras. The guardroom has an unusual painted ceiling. The chateau has its own chapel and if you were family, you could sit upstairs in privacy and comfort and watch the service below. Its library was turned into a hospital during the war, I think during World War I but don't quote me. Every room had something of special interest to us. The fact that it wasn't crowded and that you go through at your own pace made it a more satisfying visit than at the big name chateaux where you're always in a crowd.
May 30th, 2020, 12:48 AM
#214
Posted in response to Coquelicot (and in an effort to cheer myself up). These were all taken during a week over Christmas. We had pretty good weather.
Saint Paul de Vence, an easy day trip by bus from Nice.
At the market in the old town, Nice
Nice. Clever, I guess, but I truly dislike this sort of architecture.
Taken in the hills above Monaco.
Harbour, Monaco
Monaco
Saint Paul de Vence, an easy day trip by bus from Nice.
At the market in the old town, Nice
Nice. Clever, I guess, but I truly dislike this sort of architecture.
Taken in the hills above Monaco.
Harbour, Monaco
Monaco
May 30th, 2020, 05:03 AM
#215
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Thanks, KayF. These cheered me up too. It's fun to see places we haven't been to, or should I say don't recall visiting. It's not that my memory is so bad, but that our first trip was such a whirl that my memories are blurred.
May 30th, 2020, 06:24 AM
#216
Frankly, it is quite pleasant to have Paris without the tourist boats at the moment.
And it is easy to cross Place de la Concorde on foot, although I am annoyed that the fountains are not working. Are they just for the tourists?
And it is easy to cross Place de la Concorde on foot, although I am annoyed that the fountains are not working. Are they just for the tourists?
May 30th, 2020, 09:26 AM
#217
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Kay, I especially like your Monaco harbour shot. It really gives an expansive feel for that area. Btw, regarding your Nice market image: our fave foodic discovery from our last French trip was candied kumquats. Oo-lah-lah!
I am done. The dentist.
I am done. The dentist.
May 30th, 2020, 09:26 AM
#218
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I still have so much of France to see.....
Strasbourg
Parc Monceau
Cathedral in Reims
Giverny
Giverny
Paris
Notre Dame gargoyle
Barbizon
Nore Dame in Spring
Note Dame at night
Cathedral at Chartres
Chartres
Chartres
Cheese from Fauchon
Hall of mirrors Versailles
Chenonceau
Strasbourg
Parc Monceau
Cathedral in Reims
Giverny
Giverny
Paris
Notre Dame gargoyle
Barbizon
Nore Dame in Spring
Note Dame at night
Cathedral at Chartres
Chartres
Chartres
Cheese from Fauchon
Hall of mirrors Versailles
Chenonceau
May 30th, 2020, 10:39 AM
#219
France is perhaps my favorite country & Paris is definitely my favorite city. We would be ending our 1 month there about now.
Hotel de Ville on European Heritage Day
Inside Hotel de Ville on European Heritage Day
Gustave Klimt Atelier des Lumières
Gustave Klimt Atelier des Lumières
A Paris Sunsset
Bon Marche Holiday Decorations
Nov 2015 after the horrible Paris terrorist attacks on the night of Nov 13.
Hotel de Ville on European Heritage Day
Inside Hotel de Ville on European Heritage Day
Gustave Klimt Atelier des Lumières
Gustave Klimt Atelier des Lumières
A Paris Sunsset
Bon Marche Holiday Decorations
Nov 2015 after the horrible Paris terrorist attacks on the night of Nov 13.
May 30th, 2020, 03:48 PM
#220
Our day spent in Monaco was surprisingly good. We hadn't intended to go there at all but do the words "French train strike" resonate with other travellers?
We were on the train from Nice headed to the large outdoor market in Ventimiglia, just over the border in Italy. The train stopped in Monaco, there were announcements in French which we didn't understand and everyone got off. We eventually found a train official who spoke English and told us it was a strike. Turned out we could get a bus onward to Italy but after queueing for a while, it was obvious that wouldn't be straightforward. Too many people, a small bus, lots of waiting around for no apparent reason.
We gave up and spent a great day in Monaco. Looked at the palace, visited the cathedral where Princess Grace is buried, went to the big car museum owned by Prince Rainier. Lots of walking and exploring, great sunny day and good views everywhere.
We were on the train from Nice headed to the large outdoor market in Ventimiglia, just over the border in Italy. The train stopped in Monaco, there were announcements in French which we didn't understand and everyone got off. We eventually found a train official who spoke English and told us it was a strike. Turned out we could get a bus onward to Italy but after queueing for a while, it was obvious that wouldn't be straightforward. Too many people, a small bus, lots of waiting around for no apparent reason.
We gave up and spent a great day in Monaco. Looked at the palace, visited the cathedral where Princess Grace is buried, went to the big car museum owned by Prince Rainier. Lots of walking and exploring, great sunny day and good views everywhere.
