FrenchMystiqueTours

You've all heard of Giverny and Monet's house and gardens. It makes a great day trip. But what else is there to see and do in the same area? Surely there must be something else of interest nearby, but what? Well climb into my vintage 1992 Renault V, put on your seat belts, strap yourselves in and let's get lost together in the Vexin region in which Giverny is located. Click on the link below to start the journey.

http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...8&page=1#80797

Jean

I didn't realize you did all of this in one day until I got to the end. Sounds like a nice outing.

Great commentary and lovely pics. Thanks!

sap

Yeah, FrenchMystique! Just beautiful. When does the book come out?

Coquelicot

Your photos are great, especially the poppy! Thanks for encouraging all of us to get onto the back roads and see beautiful countryside.

We blundered into Sailly two years ago and passed a small courtyard full of flowers in pots, flowers on the arch overhead, flowers on the walls. Last year we took our friend Sally to see Sailly and the same little courtyard was still full of bloom.

Louis de Funes is so funny! We saw the Sheep Has Five Legs years ago and would love to see it again.

I think the quid.fr website, which covers 36,000 villages, mentions prehistoric sites, if there are any nearby. I can't get onto the site right now . I know they stopped publishing the book but I hope they are keeping up the website because it's packed with info.

cigalechanta

you missed the Ancient Hotel Baudy where all the American Impressionists Came to live to be close to Monet. The hotel iss now a museum and restaurant

sap

Best advice ever: "Get your Michelin map out and pick and choose. I would even encourage you to go to some of the many other small villages in this area I didn't explore and find your own mayor, your own mysterious rocks, your own decapitated saints and your own locals in acid wash jeans. Opportunities abound whenever you decide to just get lost in France."

Please thank your lovely, patient and oft bemused wife for us, FMT, for being your supportive partner on this wild adventure.

nanthompson2

Thanks for this trip report and pictures! I love just wandering off the beaten path also. Most of our trips are involve the beach, camping, or skiing. While these have been fun, I miss "wandering" about someplace which I did before children. When my son is grown and out of the house, I hope to be able to do some wandering someplace other than Virginia!

kerouac

That is a really excellent and detailed reports about the joys of wandering by car rather than following a precise route. For anybody with a completely free day, I can think of no better way to catch the 'flavor' of a region of France rather than following the ruts dug by the tourist hordes.

sheri_lp

That was really cool! Excellent photos and there's nothing better than getting lost on purposse.

FrenchMystiqueTours

Thank you! Thank you! You are all too kind.

sap - I feel like I've got a new fan. When you come to France if you're in Paris I owe you a drink (or several)for being such a great supporter. Seriously.

Coquelicot - That whole area is loaded with prehistory. The website for Boury en Vexin is a wealth of info on local prehistoric archaeology. I'm going to check out that sight you mentioned. And I too love Louis de Funes. A couple other movies of his that you must see (if you haven't already) are "Oscar" and "La Grande Vadrouille".

cigalechanta - There were a lot of sites we didn't see this day. Just not enough time to see everything. Also, it was more about spontaneity as opposed to planning and getting too historical.

And to those others of you not mentioned by name, your feedback encourages me to keep writing. More adventures to come.

rncheryl

Giverney is on the Bucket List; now you have given us more to look for. Excellent post.

sap

Well, FMT: We'll be there June 2011, so save your eurocents. It would be nice to meet Mrs. Mystique, too!

Think I'll have to go back a few more times, though, to follow all your happy trails.

sap

P.S.: Seriously, though, I'll owe you the drink. These photo trip essays are better than any guidebook.

FrenchMystiqueTours

Thanks rncheryl - Watch for my trip report on Chateau Gaillard in the next few days, also near Giverny.

sap - In Paris it takes more than eurocents (centimes) to buy drinks. I'll be sure to bring along Mrs. Mystique as well. Look forward to meeting you next June and in the meantime hope I can continue to entertain you with future trip reports.

Coquelicot

I wanted to post a comment on the Any Port website but it seemed a tad too complicated for me. Any Port is a great resource. You and kerouac give us a better way to think about visiting Paris and France.

I hope you'll continue to post links here for each new trip you take. So far, each trip report has been outstanding. To think you can do so much in one day!

jobo

Wow, great work. You're my new tour guide (and at only a fraction of the price). In fact, I may plan my next entire trip around your visits to the villages around Paris and Giverny. And I too will take you out for a drink. Thanks for all the pictures and the entertaining descriptions as well.

FrenchMystiqueTours

Thanks jobo, you're too kind. More adventures to come. I'll be at the bar waiting for my drink.

Sue4

Lovely! That's exactly what I like to do in France. Your pictures are beautiful.

CopperandJade

My damp and drizzly day began with you in the French countryside. Beautiful FMT! Your photo essays are fresh, sensual and rich in detail. I’m very sympatico with your philosophy of getting gloriously lost. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

progol

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous! I've been sitting here smiling throughout your tour, and feel like I've been sitting there, too (oh, I wish!). I'm awed by the diversity of sites you were able to see within one day. I also give credit, though, to your wife, who, very patiently, willingly accompanies you on your mad dash!

I love the adventure, the willingness to just "get lost" and immerse one's self in a small region.

Paule