Biding Our Time in Foix

We had an extra day we forgot to count before our next week's reservation, so we scrambled to find a room for the night. On our way south, we saw a town on a hilltop, so we investigated, and found aOkumaya devam et
The Old Roman Bridge

Walking from the castle to the Roman Bridge leads to some pretty views from the "newer" old town. This area used to be a wool manufacturing area, and the Canal du Midi was used to transport the clothOkumaya devam et
Sacred Art in the Basilica

The pulpit looks like it's made of marble, but it is painted! See the captions on the rest of the photos.
The Old City and its Basilica

The old streets are fun to walk around. We discovered a beautiful basilica, named after two 1st century martyrs, Saint Nazaire and Saint Celse, built in 1066 (Roman) and later embellished in GothicOkumaya devam et
The Medieval City of Carcassonne

Carcassonne is the largest intact walled city in Europe. The city was started by the Romans, and because of its strategic location as a trade route, it has become what it is today: a well-maintainedOkumaya devam et
Hidden French Gems

We usually leave the motorways behind and take secondary roads. We love finding unexpected and beautiful sights along the way.
See the captions on each photo.
Palace of the Popes, Interior

We took a tour, which included the use of a tablet to explain what it was like. The inside is mostly empty now, but using the tablet, we could see how it had looked. There had been beautiful frescoesOkumaya devam et
Avignon: Palace of the Popes

In 1309 Pope Clement V moved to Avignon to escape the protests, riots, and violence after his election. The Palace was begun and added to by the 8 succeeding popes who lived there. It is the largestOkumaya devam et
Housesitting in Servoz

We are caring for Maisie, a sweet black lab, this weekend. Servoz is a lovely little town with great views of Mont Blanc, and we can even see it from Maisie's front yard!
Here are some views aroundOkumaya devam et
Climbing Mont Blanc

During non-skiing season, people flock here for hiking, paragliding (of which we saw many), and mountain climbing. We saw a great statue of the two first climbers, Paccard (a doctor) and his guideOkumaya devam et
Chamonix and Mont Blanc, France

Chamonix is famous for its location at the foot of Mont Blanc (White Mountain), the highest mountain in Europe, at 4808 meters, or 15,777 feet. The first Winter Olympics was held here in 1924. RiverOkumaya devam et
Gorges de la Diosaz

A natural gorge with a suspended walkway inside led us along and over the beautiful cascades for about 1.6 miles round trip. The path, constructed in 1875, is well maintained, with signposts along theOkumaya devam et
Annecy Cathedral of St Pierre (Peter)

The cathedral is a national monument. Lots to see here too!
Old Town Annecy Churches

The small, walkable old town has lots of Catholic churches, all beautiful. During the Protestant Reformation, Catholic priests from Geneva Switzerland took refuge in Annecy.
A baptism was in processOkumaya devam et
The Medieval City of Annecy

The old city (often called Venice of the Alps) has a river and three canals, making quaint and beautiful sights. The most picturesque view is of the medieval castle and prison, set on an island in theOkumaya devam et
Lake Annecy, in the French Alps

Lake Annecy is surrounded by mountains, fed by mountain streams, and is known for its clear water. It is 9 miles long and 2 miles wide. At the north end of the lake is the city of Annecy, which hasOkumaya devam et
Ponts de la Caille

Today we left Switzerland, driving around the north side of Lake Geneva into France, enjoying views of the lake and its vineyard-covered slopes. South of Geneva, we stopped for a picnic at an oldOkumaya devam et
Swiss Cheese: Farm to Table

In Switzerland, farms and cows are everywhere, on hills, in valleys, on steep mountainsides, even on ski slopes. If you look closely, most pictures in Switzerland have cows in them, although sometimesOkumaya devam et
Chillon Castle Views

Here are some closer views of the castle.
Lake Geneva Views at Montreaux

Lake Geneva, (Lac Leman to the French), is the largest lake in either Switzerland or France. This side of the lake has miles of vineyards along the hillsides leading down to the lake. There areOkumaya devam et
Driving the Great St Bernard Pass

We were glad to get back down in one piece!
The Monastery Chapel

Within the monastery and hospice is a beautiful chapel. People were so grateful to have made it up the mountain pass, and for the help received, that they gave gifts.
Great St Bernard Pass

Dean drove us to the top of the Great St Bernard Pass, which is 8100 ft elevation. It was originally used as a Roman trade route between Italy and Gaul (France and much of mid-Europe). It was crossedOkumaya devam et
Champery, Switzerland

Champery, along with our little village, Champoussin, are two of the 13 resorts in the international ski area, Ports du Soleil. The area straddles the French-Swiss border, and is the second largestOkumaya devam et
Notre Dame du Glarier Cathedral

The Romanesque bell tower was built in the early 13th century. The rest of the church has had to be rebuilt due to fire. The golden altarpiece is magnificient, as are the altars in the other chapelsOkumaya devam et