Trip Report - Sort of...! Toulouse, Rocamadour, Sarlat, Paris
Sep 30th, 2011, 11:04 PM
#41
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Kansas: We're now in France, in Dordogne, and following your Trip, going back to Paris in a couple of days, and hanging on your every word!
Hoping not to emulate your tooth and hotel problems!
Great report!
Hoping not to emulate your tooth and hotel problems!
Great report!
Oct 1st, 2011, 04:01 PM
#42
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https://picasaweb.google.com/1070283...CK_gzfD7_o72RQ
Hopefully, that link will work to view my "Best of France 2011" album.
The photo of DH and me in front of the sunflowers is the one that I mentioned in my first post....the car had two mirrors, I had all my teeth, and DH still had his wallet. The wallet story is coming up soon....
Taconictraveler, I hope you write a trip report when you get home! Do you feel the need to go back to the Dordogne ASAP??
I MUST go back.
Hopefully, that link will work to view my "Best of France 2011" album.
The photo of DH and me in front of the sunflowers is the one that I mentioned in my first post....the car had two mirrors, I had all my teeth, and DH still had his wallet. The wallet story is coming up soon....
Taconictraveler, I hope you write a trip report when you get home! Do you feel the need to go back to the Dordogne ASAP??
I MUST go back.
Oct 2nd, 2011, 01:36 PM
#45
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Now in Bourges to see the cathedral, then on to Paris,and yes, there will be one or two reports but not til after Oct. 11 return home.
Loving it all......
saw Autoire and , Carennac and Martel yesterday. Today stopped at Collonges Le Rouge and Turenne on way north. Simply incroyable! And each so different! Tedgale said not to miss them and so glad we didn't
More later.
Loving it all......
saw Autoire and , Carennac and Martel yesterday. Today stopped at Collonges Le Rouge and Turenne on way north. Simply incroyable! And each so different! Tedgale said not to miss them and so glad we didn't
More later.
Oct 3rd, 2011, 07:09 AM
#46
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Thanks, ParisA, TDudette and Taconict,
The deleted comment looked like an advertisement....
Friday, September 16
I had arranged to have a private Paris Walks tour of the Louvre for the six of us in the morning. Our guide was Genevieve, and she was excellent. The tour lasted about two and a half hours. The Louvre was not all that busy this Friday morning...probably because it was Paris Patrimony weekend, and most all of the museums were going to have free admittance on Saturday and Sunday.
We spent the rest of the day walking, and walking, and walking. We went to Luxembourg Gardens, then over towards the Pantheon. We had to have a photo shoot on the church steps of Saint-Etienne du Mont, the place where Gil (Owen Wilson in Midnight in Paris) was thrust back in time!
Then we went over towards the Eiffel Tower. We decided on an early dinner because we had tickets for a concert at 8:00 pm at St. Julian Le Pauvre. We ate at Cafe du Trocadero. We had eaten here before, and it is always a good stop.
I had read about the concerts at St. Julian Le Pauvre from a poster here. I am sorry I cannot remember which poster it was. This concert was a real highlight of our time in Paris. It was the Ave Maria concert. You can find out about it at www.concertsinparis.com. I had reserved seats in advance, but I am sure that is not necessary. We did have front row seats, and it was wonderful to be able to see the pianist fingers fly over the keys.
All in all, it was a good day!
The deleted comment looked like an advertisement....
Friday, September 16
I had arranged to have a private Paris Walks tour of the Louvre for the six of us in the morning. Our guide was Genevieve, and she was excellent. The tour lasted about two and a half hours. The Louvre was not all that busy this Friday morning...probably because it was Paris Patrimony weekend, and most all of the museums were going to have free admittance on Saturday and Sunday.
We spent the rest of the day walking, and walking, and walking. We went to Luxembourg Gardens, then over towards the Pantheon. We had to have a photo shoot on the church steps of Saint-Etienne du Mont, the place where Gil (Owen Wilson in Midnight in Paris) was thrust back in time!
Then we went over towards the Eiffel Tower. We decided on an early dinner because we had tickets for a concert at 8:00 pm at St. Julian Le Pauvre. We ate at Cafe du Trocadero. We had eaten here before, and it is always a good stop.
I had read about the concerts at St. Julian Le Pauvre from a poster here. I am sorry I cannot remember which poster it was. This concert was a real highlight of our time in Paris. It was the Ave Maria concert. You can find out about it at www.concertsinparis.com. I had reserved seats in advance, but I am sure that is not necessary. We did have front row seats, and it was wonderful to be able to see the pianist fingers fly over the keys.
All in all, it was a good day!
Oct 4th, 2011, 08:00 AM
#47
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Saturday, September 17
We had another private Paris Walks scheduled - the "Guided Walk of the Islands and the Marais". Maybe it was way too much territory to cover for a two hour walk (the guide actually stayed with us for closer to 3 hours), but the Louvre tour the day before was much, much better. Anyway, the guide left us near Place des Vosges. We had a much needed long lunch and rest. Then we walked around Place des Vosges for a while.
We then decided to find the nearest metro station and head for the Arc de Triomphe. Here is a photo of the crowds we ran into:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1070283...CJqYuc-z65iRNQ
There was some sort of Techno Music Parade/Celebration going on. The boulevard was a sea of people: young, old, costumed, you-name-it. Huge trucks blasting music, many with dj's or dancers on them. We watched this spectacle for quite some time.
Then off to the metro and the Arc....
After getting the obligatory photos of the Arc de Triomphe, we decided to get the metro back to our hotel. I think we went to metro station George V, right on the Champs Elysees. It was quite crowded. As the train pulled in, the crowd started really pushing and shoving. I got separated from our group. Just as I was about to get on the train, a young girl forcefully shoved her way in front of me...I thought it was extremely odd...I then saw her hand move forward, and then she backed up and stepped off the train just as the doors were going to close. I knew immediately what had happened...
Our friend Mr. N was right in front of me. I said John, do you still have your wallet?? He was surprised by my question, but he still had his wallet. My DH, who had gotten on the train several people ahead of me, felt for his wallet, and it was gone. He was wearing cargo pants. The wallet was in a pocket about mid-thigh. Gone....
DH did not lose much money...probably only $40 US dollars. But, what a nuisance to replace the "stuff". I had told him to take out all the things he would never need in Europe - all his cards for hotels, etc...and he had not done so. (I have made a concerted effort to NOT say that he should have listened to me)!! At least I had MADE him take out the Capital One Visa. I carried the Visa, he carried the Mastercard, so at least we still had a working credit card. We went back to the hotel to cancel his credit card and bank card. I was surprised that DH was not more upset about the whole thing. For some reason, he was more relaxed on this trip to France than he has been on any trip.
By the time we collected ourselves and went to dinner, it was cool and rainy. We ate near our hotel. It was fine. We had wanted to have dinner at Le Florimond one night, but it never worked out. According to their website, Le Florimond was closed the weekend we were in Paris.
So, there you have it...the trio of our lost items. They always say that things happen in three's...
We had another private Paris Walks scheduled - the "Guided Walk of the Islands and the Marais". Maybe it was way too much territory to cover for a two hour walk (the guide actually stayed with us for closer to 3 hours), but the Louvre tour the day before was much, much better. Anyway, the guide left us near Place des Vosges. We had a much needed long lunch and rest. Then we walked around Place des Vosges for a while.
We then decided to find the nearest metro station and head for the Arc de Triomphe. Here is a photo of the crowds we ran into:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1070283...CJqYuc-z65iRNQ
There was some sort of Techno Music Parade/Celebration going on. The boulevard was a sea of people: young, old, costumed, you-name-it. Huge trucks blasting music, many with dj's or dancers on them. We watched this spectacle for quite some time.
Then off to the metro and the Arc....
After getting the obligatory photos of the Arc de Triomphe, we decided to get the metro back to our hotel. I think we went to metro station George V, right on the Champs Elysees. It was quite crowded. As the train pulled in, the crowd started really pushing and shoving. I got separated from our group. Just as I was about to get on the train, a young girl forcefully shoved her way in front of me...I thought it was extremely odd...I then saw her hand move forward, and then she backed up and stepped off the train just as the doors were going to close. I knew immediately what had happened...
Our friend Mr. N was right in front of me. I said John, do you still have your wallet?? He was surprised by my question, but he still had his wallet. My DH, who had gotten on the train several people ahead of me, felt for his wallet, and it was gone. He was wearing cargo pants. The wallet was in a pocket about mid-thigh. Gone....
DH did not lose much money...probably only $40 US dollars. But, what a nuisance to replace the "stuff". I had told him to take out all the things he would never need in Europe - all his cards for hotels, etc...and he had not done so. (I have made a concerted effort to NOT say that he should have listened to me)!! At least I had MADE him take out the Capital One Visa. I carried the Visa, he carried the Mastercard, so at least we still had a working credit card. We went back to the hotel to cancel his credit card and bank card. I was surprised that DH was not more upset about the whole thing. For some reason, he was more relaxed on this trip to France than he has been on any trip.
By the time we collected ourselves and went to dinner, it was cool and rainy. We ate near our hotel. It was fine. We had wanted to have dinner at Le Florimond one night, but it never worked out. According to their website, Le Florimond was closed the weekend we were in Paris.
So, there you have it...the trio of our lost items. They always say that things happen in three's...
Oct 4th, 2011, 08:52 AM
#48
Ah, it could have been worse! No cholera epidemic at the moment, though. I must admit that I do feel a bit validated. With all of these "is Paris safe?" or "what areas of Paris should I avoid?" questions, I always try to point out that the Champs Elysées has the highest crime rate in the city, followed by all of the tourist areas. This is unfortunately normal because that's where the loose cash and the naive people are. Lots of tourists think they are so smart to avoid the sleazy areas like Barbès-Rochechouart, but the pickpockets do not work much in poortown.
George V is my station for going to work every day, so I am always vigilant about everything going on there. Actually, the non-tourists and non-"normal working people" stick out like a sore thumb, but you have to be a local to immediately recognize the difference.
George V is my station for going to work every day, so I am always vigilant about everything going on there. Actually, the non-tourists and non-"normal working people" stick out like a sore thumb, but you have to be a local to immediately recognize the difference.
Oct 4th, 2011, 08:59 AM
#49
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DH and I never took anything good with us on our trips. Particularly clothing-we were not welcomed in a couple of "fancy" places, but were rarely approached by anyone "iffy".
That being said, I'm so sorry it happened to you, Kansas. I don't know if I could have held back an "I told you so" so good going.
Glad the tours worked out for you.
That being said, I'm so sorry it happened to you, Kansas. I don't know if I could have held back an "I told you so" so good going.
Glad the tours worked out for you.
Oct 4th, 2011, 09:04 AM
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Kansas....nice detailed report...sort of nostalgic. Welcome to the growing legion of Domaine de la Rhue fans among Fodorites. Your pix are captivating...your teeth look just fine. Husband's wallet no where to be seen. I think that was
my niece in Paris who filched it.
I'm a Picasa user also. We've had very good experiences with Google. So many duplicate pix of yours. These are pre-digital
and scanned on Picasa. The edting function does wonders for old scanned pix..I've scanned back as far as 1941!! Thought you might like the Domanine pix...it's been on our top-ten list for several years now, and we've directed some of our friends and family there. Happy the hear that Eric and Christine still own it...what a property. We walked the long forested path to Roc from there.
http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartto...eAndLotRegion#
Happy travels!
Stu Tower
P.S. Taconic, you might want to splurge-dine a bit at Chateau Roumegouse across the highway and a few kms south from Domaine. Eric and Chrstine will make reservations.
my niece in Paris who filched it.
I'm a Picasa user also. We've had very good experiences with Google. So many duplicate pix of yours. These are pre-digital
and scanned on Picasa. The edting function does wonders for old scanned pix..I've scanned back as far as 1941!! Thought you might like the Domanine pix...it's been on our top-ten list for several years now, and we've directed some of our friends and family there. Happy the hear that Eric and Christine still own it...what a property. We walked the long forested path to Roc from there.
http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartto...eAndLotRegion#
Happy travels!
Stu Tower
P.S. Taconic, you might want to splurge-dine a bit at Chateau Roumegouse across the highway and a few kms south from Domaine. Eric and Chrstine will make reservations.
Oct 4th, 2011, 09:34 AM
#52
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Yes, kerouac and TDudette. I am usually very careful and aware of my surroundings. As soon as I saw the girl step back, I knew that we had been "had". DH often thinks I am half crazy. I never want to leave things like golf clubs in my car when I go shopping. He thinks I am nuts. Maybe he will pay more attention to me now. At least a girl can hope!!
Tower, your post made me laugh! Your niece can keep the $40, but please have her send back the rest of the stufrf!
I know that Domaine de la Rhue is a favorite of yours, Tower. Christine told us that they have to make some changes due to government regulations. I am not sure why, but their rating will also change. I think they plan to have some self-catering apartments in the new plan. It is a beautiful piece of property!
This was my first time using Picasa. My photos of the Domaine and Rocamadour are not very good. A young girl had helped me try and get night time photos of Roc, so she switched my camera to night-time mode. The next morning I did not realize I was still on the night mode. The photos came out way too light. I was able to improve them quite a bit with Picasa, but they are still not the greatest. As if I needed another reason to have to go back to this part of France!
Tower, I am now going to look at your photos. I tried on my ipad, but it did not work. I did see you went to Conques. That will be on my next list of places to see in the area.
Tower, your post made me laugh! Your niece can keep the $40, but please have her send back the rest of the stufrf!
I know that Domaine de la Rhue is a favorite of yours, Tower. Christine told us that they have to make some changes due to government regulations. I am not sure why, but their rating will also change. I think they plan to have some self-catering apartments in the new plan. It is a beautiful piece of property!
This was my first time using Picasa. My photos of the Domaine and Rocamadour are not very good. A young girl had helped me try and get night time photos of Roc, so she switched my camera to night-time mode. The next morning I did not realize I was still on the night mode. The photos came out way too light. I was able to improve them quite a bit with Picasa, but they are still not the greatest. As if I needed another reason to have to go back to this part of France!
Tower, I am now going to look at your photos. I tried on my ipad, but it did not work. I did see you went to Conques. That will be on my next list of places to see in the area.
Oct 4th, 2011, 09:40 AM
#53
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sap, you posted while I was posting my last reply. Your wonderfully detailed report made me leery to do one of my own. I have wondered what you do for a living...I hope it involves some sort of creative writing. You truly have a gift.
Oct 4th, 2011, 12:42 PM
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Thanks, kansas. I wish I could do that for a living, but we work in the comparatively dry and boring field of law. I had to give up the idea of being a writer in college as it didn't seem like the practical choice. I guess the trip reports are a channel to feed that latent need. If I ever change my mind, though, I'll surely hire Michael as my editor and blunder-buster!
I wanted to mention how much I liked your photos of Cordes-sur-Ciel. I had wanted to swing by that pretty town, but we had to cut back on a few things at the end 'cause we were getting a bit burnt, fried and wall-eyed. Too much beauty can me mind-boggling after awhile.
It's great to hear that you liked Dordogne, too. Sigh . . . Looking at other people's photos is a nice way to bring back happy memories -- and the urge to return, no?
I wanted to mention how much I liked your photos of Cordes-sur-Ciel. I had wanted to swing by that pretty town, but we had to cut back on a few things at the end 'cause we were getting a bit burnt, fried and wall-eyed. Too much beauty can me mind-boggling after awhile.
It's great to hear that you liked Dordogne, too. Sigh . . . Looking at other people's photos is a nice way to bring back happy memories -- and the urge to return, no?
Oct 4th, 2011, 12:58 PM
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Oct 5th, 2011, 01:37 AM
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Stu: Thanks for the suggestion, but I didn't even know about Roumagouse until after we left Domaine de la Rhue.
We loved staying there again, as we are the ones who were there 15 years ago, and where DH got sick, AND they were so kind. They sent us to their MD, who diagnosed Jim in his very best English that "yu-or hoosband as been beeten by an octopoos". After I stopped laughing, we figured out he meant "spider" And though it turned out to be latent Lyme disease, he did prescribe doxycycline - so he was totally correct in treatment, and saved us a lot of worry. I was so mortified to have laughed at this delightful man who gave up his lunch hour to see my fever/chill ridden husband.
Just an example of how kind and welcoming the Jooris family is. to say nothing of the beauty of the convereted barns and the surrounding fields. A really class act.
We loved staying there again, as we are the ones who were there 15 years ago, and where DH got sick, AND they were so kind. They sent us to their MD, who diagnosed Jim in his very best English that "yu-or hoosband as been beeten by an octopoos". After I stopped laughing, we figured out he meant "spider" And though it turned out to be latent Lyme disease, he did prescribe doxycycline - so he was totally correct in treatment, and saved us a lot of worry. I was so mortified to have laughed at this delightful man who gave up his lunch hour to see my fever/chill ridden husband.
Just an example of how kind and welcoming the Jooris family is. to say nothing of the beauty of the convereted barns and the surrounding fields. A really class act.
Oct 5th, 2011, 09:15 AM
#59
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I love the photos, Michael and Tower. I had spent many hours pouring over these photos and all the others that I could find prior to our trip.
Luckily, when we got to Sarlat, and I realized I did not have an address for Les Cordeliers, I recognized the square near the B & B from the myriad of photos I had studied. I had DH park the car near the Hotel Madeline and then got out and searched for the B & B on foot. Next time, however, I will make sure I have the directions to the hotel and not rely on la bonne chance!
Next up, the finale.
Luckily, when we got to Sarlat, and I realized I did not have an address for Les Cordeliers, I recognized the square near the B & B from the myriad of photos I had studied. I had DH park the car near the Hotel Madeline and then got out and searched for the B & B on foot. Next time, however, I will make sure I have the directions to the hotel and not rely on la bonne chance!
Next up, the finale.
Oct 6th, 2011, 09:04 AM
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Sunday, September 18
DH and I went our own direction this morning. We checked out a neighborhood where our daughter and her family plan to rent an apartment for a week in June. She asked us to scout the area for grocery stores and playgrounds. After doing this, we headed for Ile St. Louis. We had a nice brunch and then continued meandering.
I have to admit that the pickpocketing incident did take a little wind out of our sails....
We met up with our friends for dinner, then back to the hotel to pack up for our flights home in the morning.
Monday, September 19
Per the hotel manager, we allowed beaucoup time to get to CDG and check in. Our taxi driver was from Viet Nam and sure had his opinions on the state of the world. He spoke no English, so a lot was lost on me...but he knew more about US politics than most people living here.
We "discussed" the Obamas, Michele Bachmann, the Clintons, Chelsea's marriage, Sarah Palin, Nicolas Sarklzy and Carla Bruni. I put "discussed" into quotations, because I was following and answering some, but certainly not all of this dialog. It certainly made the trip to CDG go fast!
So..picture yourself sitting at CDG, waiting to be allowed to get in line for check in...and coming over the loudspeaker, you hear the dreaded words: "whoever left an unattended bag in the restroom between 2A and...". You know immediately, this is not good news, right? Right.
Obviously, no one claimed the bag. So those of us in terminal 2A were herded to a "safe" area. The danger area was roped off, and after about 30 minutes we were motioned to cover our ears. Yup. They detonated the bag.
A fitting end to the Paris portion of our trip! We got back in line, and from then on, it was (happily) an uneventful trip back to O'Hare.
And this is when I knew the trip was officially over:
Our flight from O'Hare to KC was delayed about an hour. We spent some time getting a bite to eat, then DH bought a new wallet. He was leaving for a business trip first thing the next morning and needed something in which to put his one lonely credit card left at home. I went to buy a bottle of water. I came back to where DH was sitting, without water. When asked where the water was, I replied that the lady wanted $3.17 for a small bottle of water. And I just could not do it. That is when I knew the vacation was over. I, who have perfected the art of never looking at a price tag on anything while on vacation, could not bring myself to buy that lousy bottle of water.
DH and I went our own direction this morning. We checked out a neighborhood where our daughter and her family plan to rent an apartment for a week in June. She asked us to scout the area for grocery stores and playgrounds. After doing this, we headed for Ile St. Louis. We had a nice brunch and then continued meandering.
I have to admit that the pickpocketing incident did take a little wind out of our sails....
We met up with our friends for dinner, then back to the hotel to pack up for our flights home in the morning.
Monday, September 19
Per the hotel manager, we allowed beaucoup time to get to CDG and check in. Our taxi driver was from Viet Nam and sure had his opinions on the state of the world. He spoke no English, so a lot was lost on me...but he knew more about US politics than most people living here.
We "discussed" the Obamas, Michele Bachmann, the Clintons, Chelsea's marriage, Sarah Palin, Nicolas Sarklzy and Carla Bruni. I put "discussed" into quotations, because I was following and answering some, but certainly not all of this dialog. It certainly made the trip to CDG go fast!
So..picture yourself sitting at CDG, waiting to be allowed to get in line for check in...and coming over the loudspeaker, you hear the dreaded words: "whoever left an unattended bag in the restroom between 2A and...". You know immediately, this is not good news, right? Right.
Obviously, no one claimed the bag. So those of us in terminal 2A were herded to a "safe" area. The danger area was roped off, and after about 30 minutes we were motioned to cover our ears. Yup. They detonated the bag.
A fitting end to the Paris portion of our trip! We got back in line, and from then on, it was (happily) an uneventful trip back to O'Hare.
And this is when I knew the trip was officially over:
Our flight from O'Hare to KC was delayed about an hour. We spent some time getting a bite to eat, then DH bought a new wallet. He was leaving for a business trip first thing the next morning and needed something in which to put his one lonely credit card left at home. I went to buy a bottle of water. I came back to where DH was sitting, without water. When asked where the water was, I replied that the lady wanted $3.17 for a small bottle of water. And I just could not do it. That is when I knew the vacation was over. I, who have perfected the art of never looking at a price tag on anything while on vacation, could not bring myself to buy that lousy bottle of water.
