Paris.
Paris.
0 2026/04/25 10:58:12
Paris street art. Merci a eux...
Paris street art. Merci a eux...
0 2026/04/25 10:57:59
Au revoir Loire.
Au revoir Loire.
0 2026/04/25 10:57:42
0 2026/04/25 10:51:13
0 2026/04/25 10:50:56
0 2026/04/25 10:50:40
Cathedral St. Gatien.
Cathedral St. Gatien.
0 2026/04/25 10:42:52
Tours is one of those places that balances its current and its past very well.
Tours is one of those places that balances its current and its past very well.
0 2026/04/25 10:42:36
0 2026/04/25 10:41:11
Farewell Azay. Onto one final bit of Amboise.
Farewell Azay. Onto one final bit of Amboise.
0 2026/04/25 10:40:57
Bonjour mes amis! Welcome. Come right this way for Chateau Gaillard, where I am the greeter bird. *His tail was twice the length of his body.
Bonjour mes amis! Welcome. Come right this way for Chateau Gaillard, where I am the greeter bird. *His tail was twice the length of his body.
0 2026/04/25 09:50:10
Boulevard Belanger, the main E-W artery. This pedestrian path doubles a the location of the flower market plus a modest array of food and clothing booths. Check for days of opening.
Boulevard Belanger, the main E-W artery. This pedestrian path doubles a the location of the flower market plus a modest array of food and clothing booths. Check for days of opening.
0 2026/04/25 09:49:34
Those who enjoy sketching and/or painting carefully restored15C architecture will love this square. Even the finer detail is impressive, such as the filigreed iron railings @#10, the white stone male portrait bust @#12 plus the half-timbered 'pan de bois' facade wattling throughout. Shown here is the row comprising #s 1-7.
Those who enjoy sketching and/or painting carefully restored15C architecture will love this square. Even the finer detail is impressive, such as the filigreed iron railings @#10, the white stone male portrait bust @#12 plus the half-timbered 'pan de bois' facade wattling throughout. Shown here is the row comprising #s 1-7.
0 2026/04/25 09:49:07
The undisputed main focus of Vieux Tours just next door is Place Plumereau (aka 'Plum' or ploom). This is where the highest concentration of historic buildings are clustered. They were the result of the city's once-lucrative silk industry. Je propose an early morning coffee at the Vieux Murier cafe shown here @ #9 place Plum. Cafes abound here. Sitting outdoors, taking the air and just chillin' will be memorable. *Attached: Mrs Z bought such a silk scarf nearby @Les Pipelettes Chaussures.
The undisputed main focus of Vieux Tours just next door is Place Plumereau (aka 'Plum' or ploom). This is where the highest concentration of historic buildings are clustered. They were the result of the city's once-lucrative silk industry. Je propose an early morning coffee at the Vieux Murier cafe shown here @ #9 place Plum. Cafes abound here. Sitting outdoors, taking the air and just chillin' will be memorable. *Attached: Mrs Z bought such a silk scarf nearby @Les Pipelettes Chaussures.
0 2026/04/25 09:48:44
Farewell Tours.
Farewell Tours.
0 2026/04/25 09:47:57
This moneylender @#12 stands atop a debtor. Note the similarity between the message of our modern political cartoons and this 3D commentary from centuries past!
This moneylender @#12 stands atop a debtor. Note the similarity between the message of our modern political cartoons and this 3D commentary from centuries past!
0 2026/04/25 09:47:42
Shutterbugs could look for the square's famed wooden carvings from the Middle ages. Those portray a number of men and woman in starkly unflattering terms. The moneylenders have had their faces cut away, such as shown here @#11. St. Martin is also shown standing atop the back of a poor everyman. Symbolic, no?
Shutterbugs could look for the square's famed wooden carvings from the Middle ages. Those portray a number of men and woman in starkly unflattering terms. The moneylenders have had their faces cut away, such as shown here @#11. St. Martin is also shown standing atop the back of a poor everyman. Symbolic, no?
0 2026/04/25 09:40:01
The downtown core is where travelers want to spend time for reasons of churches, medieval buildings and markets. The Luftwaffe bombed parts of central Tours and those areas were rebuilt starting in 1966. The city's shiny new tram-streetcar runs N-S straight down the path of the worst wartime damage--rue Nationale/ave Grammont. Excellent shopping now awaits visitors on those two above lively streets. *Shown here is one of the streets running just off of that tramway, near Basilique St. Martin.
The downtown core is where travelers want to spend time for reasons of churches, medieval buildings and markets. The Luftwaffe bombed parts of central Tours and those areas were rebuilt starting in 1966. The city's shiny new tram-streetcar runs N-S straight down the path of the worst wartime damage--rue Nationale/ave Grammont. Excellent shopping now awaits visitors on those two above lively streets. *Shown here is one of the streets running just off of that tramway, near Basilique St. Martin.
0 2026/04/25 09:39:20
0 2026/04/25 09:38:12
The Tours Botanical garden may not rank with the world's finest, but that is exactly why a relaxed stroll there will serve you well. It feels equal parts local park and botanical jardin. There is a very relaxed feel and it remains doubtful that more than a tiny handful of tourists are even aware that it exists.
The Tours Botanical garden may not rank with the world's finest, but that is exactly why a relaxed stroll there will serve you well. It feels equal parts local park and botanical jardin. There is a very relaxed feel and it remains doubtful that more than a tiny handful of tourists are even aware that it exists.
0 2026/04/25 09:37:03
Once again Schmerl-of-the-schmerling, *TW-of-the-pink-sand and KW-on-the-wing, we thank you three folks for taking the time to view and also comment. Time to wrap up now. Some more Tours (silent 's' btw), the underrated Château Gaillard and finally that tiny pinch of Paris. *an in-joke
Once again Schmerl-of-the-schmerling, *TW-of-the-pink-sand and KW-on-the-wing, we thank you three folks for taking the time to view and also comment. Time to wrap up now. Some more Tours (silent 's' btw), the underrated Château Gaillard and finally that tiny pinch of Paris. *an in-joke
0 2026/04/25 09:35:17
Tours had its fair share of street art. Hard to tell whether ANTIFA was part of the artist's original design or if that slogan was added afterwards by either activists or third parties...
Tours had its fair share of street art. Hard to tell whether ANTIFA was part of the artist's original design or if that slogan was added afterwards by either activists or third parties...
0 2026/04/25 09:35:05
This is how our tale ends. After a final golden hour flaneur, Mrs Z and I collapsed exhausted in the bed of our Paris hotel in le Marais. There was maybe .07% of our internal batteries left. We each had a single strand of our central nervous system remaining.
This is how our tale ends. After a final golden hour flaneur, Mrs Z and I collapsed exhausted in the bed of our Paris hotel in le Marais. There was maybe .07% of our internal batteries left. We each had a single strand of our central nervous system remaining.
0 2026/04/25 09:34:10
0 2026/04/21 14:33:23
0 2026/04/21 14:33:11
0 2026/04/21 14:32:48
0 2026/04/21 14:32:25
About the only sound by the river was the bees. Then a group of LOUD Mallard ducks arrived. A local mom and her toddler daughter arrived to view the ducks then walked away. We caught up with them to hand over the doll that the kid had dropped.
About the only sound by the river was the bees. Then a group of LOUD Mallard ducks arrived. A local mom and her toddler daughter arrived to view the ducks then walked away. We caught up with them to hand over the doll that the kid had dropped.
0 2026/04/21 07:48:42
...much to offer.
...much to offer.
0 2026/04/21 07:48:17
By the City Hall.
By the City Hall.
0 2026/04/21 07:45:20
The village is known for its collection of traditional 'gabarre' sailboats, the kind seen elsewhere in France (i.e. Dordogne). They were found at the Promenade sur la Cher and its Batelier Barrage Port. At the nearby actual barrage/dam, Mrs Z had a chat with a local dad and his adult son. The three of them were right next to an odd trio of sculpted skeletal dogs. The latter 'art' was painted a ghostly white and the canines were posed beside a watermark chart.
The village is known for its collection of traditional 'gabarre' sailboats, the kind seen elsewhere in France (i.e. Dordogne). They were found at the Promenade sur la Cher and its Batelier Barrage Port. At the nearby actual barrage/dam, Mrs Z had a chat with a local dad and his adult son. The three of them were right next to an odd trio of sculpted skeletal dogs. The latter 'art' was painted a ghostly white and the canines were posed beside a watermark chart.
0 2026/04/21 07:45:09
History majors could tell you the tale of the doomed young medieval lovers Tristan and Iseult. This book sat beside a private library including old Asterix books plus Tin Tin and more.
History majors could tell you the tale of the doomed young medieval lovers Tristan and Iseult. This book sat beside a private library including old Asterix books plus Tin Tin and more.
0 2026/04/21 07:44:56
One boat reminded us of the cover on a children's book back at our Tours rental.
One boat reminded us of the cover on a children's book back at our Tours rental.
0 2026/04/21 07:44:35
One could conceivably do a 2-fer by combining Savonnierres with the rose champion village Chedigny. It is also located quite close to Villandry, Azay Chinon and Sache. On the advice of my old boss and his Nice-born partner, we had intended to dine at the latter's esteemed Auberge du XXIIieme Siecle, but that restaurant turned out to be the sole place on our list that closed down for the Toussaint break. The Greeks have saying: 'The donkey has one set of plans. And God has another.'
One could conceivably do a 2-fer by combining Savonnierres with the rose champion village Chedigny. It is also located quite close to Villandry, Azay Chinon and Sache. On the advice of my old boss and his Nice-born partner, we had intended to dine at the latter's esteemed Auberge du XXIIieme Siecle, but that restaurant turned out to be the sole place on our list that closed down for the Toussaint break. The Greeks have saying: 'The donkey has one set of plans. And God has another.'
0 2026/04/21 07:44:14
Later on, we dined at 'Maison Tourangelle' restaurant, as recommended by our Tours landlords. Chevre goat cheese gelato was just one of the tasty things we ordered.
Later on, we dined at 'Maison Tourangelle' restaurant, as recommended by our Tours landlords. Chevre goat cheese gelato was just one of the tasty things we ordered.
0 2026/04/21 07:43:54
Impasse (blind alley) de Nicolas Potocki with St. Roch church behind. *Shutterbugs DO NOT miss this corner up on the trail leading to the chateau. The views there are 360 degree excellent. In all directions. Our third image at the very start of this TR (i.e. vertical view with red vine and old buildings) was taken immediately to the right here. *Next: The Senses--ways of knowing the Loire.
Impasse (blind alley) de Nicolas Potocki with St. Roch church behind. *Shutterbugs DO NOT miss this corner up on the trail leading to the chateau. The views there are 360 degree excellent. In all directions. Our third image at the very start of this TR (i.e. vertical view with red vine and old buildings) was taken immediately to the right here. *Next: The Senses--ways of knowing the Loire.
0 2026/04/21 07:43:31
We arrived early in sleepy Savonierres, so out came the sketchbook, out came the walking trail map and the ipod was cued to play relaxing music including Nick Drake's 'River Man'. The lazy Cher river parallels the Loire just south. Good views of Soulas hamlet were had from the bridge. A local tourist family arrived, mom and the kids driving while dad lay back on his recumbent bicycle. We were asked to take their group photo.
We arrived early in sleepy Savonierres, so out came the sketchbook, out came the walking trail map and the ipod was cued to play relaxing music including Nick Drake's 'River Man'. The lazy Cher river parallels the Loire just south. Good views of Soulas hamlet were had from the bridge. A local tourist family arrived, mom and the kids driving while dad lay back on his recumbent bicycle. We were asked to take their group photo.
0 2026/04/21 07:42:51
Cutesy jardin decor by the boulangerie that claims to have once invented macarons. The nearby village of Cormery takes issue with that claim as it purports to have once been the real inventors.
Cutesy jardin decor by the boulangerie that claims to have once invented macarons. The nearby village of Cormery takes issue with that claim as it purports to have once been the real inventors.
0 2026/04/21 07:42:29
The bucolic meadows here were once the site of the 1923 Agricultural Fair. At that event, hero explorer Maurice Billy re-enacted his recent Sahara crossing with his big, caterpillar-tracked Citroen vehicle. Earlier at the 1911 equivalent fair, pilot Janor tried to demonstrate his Beriot-style monoplane but it would not function til the following day, after the crowds had gone home.
The bucolic meadows here were once the site of the 1923 Agricultural Fair. At that event, hero explorer Maurice Billy re-enacted his recent Sahara crossing with his big, caterpillar-tracked Citroen vehicle. Earlier at the 1911 equivalent fair, pilot Janor tried to demonstrate his Beriot-style monoplane but it would not function til the following day, after the crowds had gone home.
0 2026/04/21 07:42:06
Some of those gabarre craft displayed elaborate flags and/or intricately carved attachments.
Some of those gabarre craft displayed elaborate flags and/or intricately carved attachments.
0 2026/04/21 07:41:45
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