My Favorite Way to Start Trip
24. August 2023 in den USA ⋅ ☀️ 100 °F
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24. August 2023 in den USA ⋅ ☀️ 99 °F
O'Hare Departure #1
24. August 2023 in den USA ⋅ ☀️ 99 °F
Ready to board our flight to Paris. Dan's eager to start the trip with some wine on this flight. I got an early start ....
Paris Arrival
25. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
We've arrived in France, had coffee (very important to our survival), and are now ready to explore Paris!
ReisenderSo happy you arrived safely! Can’t wait to see what you guys have planned.
Notre Dame Cathedral
25. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
Visiting the cathedral, outside only. At least the front of it doesn't look bad. As you can see from the side view, they still have lots to do to repair the roof. They expect to have it completed inWeiterlesen
ReisenderWe didn’t get a chance to go inside this cathedral for some reason. Glad to know the repairs will be done soon!
Refueling
25. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
A snack to hold us until dinner then the most needed thing of all.... sleep!
We had to pick a place that coordinated with Kathy's outfit.
Afternoon in Paris
25. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
I visited the Musee d'Orsay this afternoon while Dan went for a walk. This building used to be a train station and was changed into a museum for the 1900 World Exposition. It has a lot ofWeiterlesen
ReisenderWe took the boys to that museum. They recognized a painting that Mrs.Ryder had a replica of in her piano studio!
Paris Hotel
26. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
We stayed in the 6th arrodisement of Paris in a hotel built in the 17th century. It was, at times, a private residence (our room was part of the family's sitting area). It was also a convent for nuns.
Chartes Cathedral
26. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Construction began in 1194 after a fire destroyed much of the previous cathedral. It was consecrated in 1260. All of the stained glass is original.
ReisenderWe’ve toured this cathedral as well. The stained glass was magnificent!!
ReisenderI'm so glad you got to see it too! [ agree that the stained glass really is incredible!!
ReisenderLast night, “60 Minutes” had a segment about the restoration of the cathedral. So interesting!! But sad to learn that the lead architect died on a hiking trip 10 days ago.
ReisenderJust looked up the news article about the architect's death. I hadn't heard about that. Thanks for letting me know.
Veil of the Virgin Mary
26. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
This veil is purported to have been worn by the Blessed Virgin. It has survived 2 fires which destroyed cathedrals peviously built on this site.
Chateau de Saint Paterne
26. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
We're staying at the Chateau de Saint Paterne located in the Perche region of France. The chateau was built in the 15th century. No, we don't have the entire chateau to ourselves --- just one room,Weiterlesen
ReisenderThanks, Ruth. I don't know about deserving it but we are enjoying the experience!
Le Mans 24 Hour Race
27. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
After seeing Ford vs Ferrari, I had to visit the Le Mans racetrack and museum. This car was from the first race in 1923. It did NOT win. We saw lots of other cars which did win over the years.
ReisenderThe maximum speed was 90 km/ hour so about 55 mph. I guess that's pretty good for back then!
Rainy Start
28. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F
A cold and rainy morning. :-( We were supposed to go for a bike ride all day. We've swapped today's itinerary for Wednesday's, so let hope for better weather then.
Chateau D'Azay-le-Rideau
28. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
Toured this Renaissace castle. Dan wouldn't mind living here. Not for me!
ReisenderDid they allow any pictures of the inside? Did they give a lot of history about the building?
ReisenderThey allowed pictures of the interior but I didn't take any. Dan took some on his SLR camera. During the French revolution, all of these chateaus were sacked. This one is sparsely decorated now with furniture donated from museums. Construction of this chateau started in 1511 by Gilles Berthelot. In 1527, he had fallen out of favor with the new king, Francis I, and was executed, leaving the chateau unfinished. Restorations were undertaken throughout the centuries after that.
Loire Valley Vineyards
28. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
We're driving through the Loire Valley today. Lots of vineyards! I can hardly wait to stop in Chinon and have a glass of wine with lunch!
Chinon
28. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Yay! We arrived in Chinon for a late lunch and I enjoyed a local rosé with quiche. Chinon is charming --- buildings dating from the 15th century and cobbled streets. It is also historicallyWeiterlesen
ReisenderSo much history! Great pic of you two! Would love to taste that drink!
Joan of Arc in Chinon
28. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Joan of Arc was here in 1429. Dan was here to greet her!
Gardens at Villandry
28. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
Catch-up by Dan
28. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ 🌙 61 °F
The first photo is taken at a museum of French emigrants to "New France", which is now Quebec. I am pointing to my great, great, great.... grandfather's name, Jean Royer, who left France in theWeiterlesen
ReisenderYou guys are killing me with the comments 😂🛏️. How cool is that village tho!? Do you have any more pictures of the actual village?
ReisenderI think Dan has more photos on his SLR camera. The village was pretty nice. We found a sign advertising "Royer Garage." Wonder if this Royer is distantly related to Dan.
Addendum
28. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ 🌙 61 °F
I forgot to note that the photo of Kathy is after she just set the record for red headed women at Le Mans, which is why her hair looks a little wind blown.
Le Clos Luce
29. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
We visited the last home of Leonardo da Vinci in Amboise. He came here at the invitation of the king, Francis I, to study anatomy. In Italy he was prohibited from working on cadavers so was limited inWeiterlesen
Private Winetasting
29. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
We had a private winetasting with a sommelier. For this event, he took us down to the tunnels that connected Clos Luce with the king's castle. Leonardo da Vinci and Francis I used to meet down here.Weiterlesen
ReisenderUncle Dan, how did you find all of these sites and tours to do? Did someone recommend them or did you research on your own?
ReisenderKimberly, we are very happy with them and would recommend them if you ever want to do a driving tour of France. By the way, France is one of the easiest foreign countries to drive in as long as 1) you can handle roundabouts (they are easy) 2) you never, ever speed. There are automatic speed traps everywhere. People have returned to the States and received thousands of dollars of tickets without ever knowing they were speeding. Charged against the credit card they used to rent the car. But drivers are actually very patient. After 4 days of driving I have yet to hear a horn blow.
ReisenderDan told me I should answer this question while he researches restaurants. He found an agency called "France Just For You". They custom design trips for people visiting France based on their interests. It's great because they make all the arrangements so you can just sit back and enjoy the experiences.
Chenonceau Purchase
29. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
This chateau has been owned by 7 women. Kathy decided to make it 8 and purchased it today. It has been recently updated so we don't have to worry about decorating.
ReisenderOh, be sure to note that it is built right over the Cher River. Pretty cool!
Blois
30. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
So, the plan for today was to drive to Blois, pick up some bikes and ride to Le Chateau de Chambord stopping for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot in the Loire Valley along the way. Included in the bikeWeiterlesen
ReisenderOh, no! You were so excited about this experience! Good pivot though. Luckily, France is fun no matter what you do!
Castle Furniture
30. August 2023 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
This is the king's bedroom. It is not is his actual bed, but one representative of the period. Because the royal court moved around so much their furniture was made to be portable. The bed is heldWeiterlesen
ReisenderGreat way to start your trip. Enjoy