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France2024

April - May 2024
  • Dave Swanson
A 31-day adventure by Dave Read more
  • Dave Swanson

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  • Dave SwansonTravelerFrance2024

    Waiting for the train

    April 15, 2024 in France ⋅ 🌬 59 °F

    Had a little delay at the airport because people were holding us up getting their baggage in and being on the wrong story of the compartments. We were a little concerned we'd miss our connection,but all is wellRead more

  • Dave SwansonTravelerFrance2024

    Bourges Day 1

    April 15, 2024 in France ⋅ 🌬 61 °F

    Just arrived via train to Bourges. Pretty sleepy after being awake and /or traveling for 24+ hours. Had difficulties figuring out the bus system, which we might not have taken if it weren't so chilly. The temperature in the sun is okay, but when the wind blows, it's a bit much. Anyway, four separate bus stops on each corner of a roundabout wasn't helpful, especially when the route signs weren't posted outside. They required you going in each seating area. A very helpful woman pointed us in the right direction. Too tired to easily comprehend and speak French now, so we're being overly helpless touristy. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
    We didn't have good data signals, so Cindy didn't get the message that the keys for our Airbnb would be presented differently. We went to an American style diner and got milkshakes to enjoy and start to decompress. So, the keys actually were available, so we went just a couple blocks and got ourselves settled. Nice place, REALLY old, but modern on the inside. It's a little cool because some of the windows were open, and the heat isn't on.    Read more

  • Dave SwansonTravelerFrance2024

    Bourges Day 2

    April 16, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

    Having a little snack after a very late morning. Still pretty tired. The weather is uncooperative with wind and cloudy skies, but what we've seen, this medieval city is pretty cool. The cheese is French and tasty, but just from the store, so we don't know where specifically it's from. After a jaunt out to the tourist information office, we toured the inside of the Bourges Cathedral. Impressively large, but not decorated. Heard a trumpet player rehearsing with the organist. Both were good players, and the organ sounded very nice.Read more

  • Dave SwansonTravelerFrance2024

    Bourges Day 3 at Chateau Chenonceaux

    April 17, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F

    Spending the day visiting Chateau Chenonceaux. The weather was somewhat cooperative, having only a little bit of rain, but the wind and clouds, with not much sunshine, made for a day that could have been better. The castle itself is pretty magnificent. Got to tour pretty much the whole thing, that we figured is a bit unusual for these types of buildings and grounds. Two adjoining gardens were pretty much in full spring bloom, just the tulips were done. Had a nice imbiss lunch of croque monsieur and quiche Lorraine, followed by a chocolate and whipped cream topped waffle. Yummy.Read more

  • Dave SwansonTravelerFrance2024

    Bourges Day 4 at Tours

    April 18, 2024 in France

    Started with a quiet train ride from Bourges to Tours. Thankfully, the weather is more cooperative today, with sun and less wind. After arriving at the Belle Époque era station, we walked across the street to the visitor center and grabbed some basic information. Then we headed to our lunch destination of La Table de Justine. A perfect small French restaurant off the pleasant Place de le Résistance, the waiter was friendly and attentive, the atmosphere congenial and the food excellent. We both had the steak.
    More than 6 miles of walking brought us to see the old medieval part of town, which, of what remains is very well preserved. We also went to the large city market, Les Halles with it's fabulous displays of mostly butcher shops, but certainly other food items are found there, too. We toured the Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, a beautiful 20th century building. Not oppulant, but very grand. A quick walk away we, walked along the River Loire, which was quite high with spring rains. Then off to visit the main cathedral. Built from the 1100s to 1500s, this imposing church is more decorated than the Basilica, but still very dark. Lots of windows dating from the 12 and 1300s. Got to hear the organ being played which sounded quite nice, regardless of some of the pipes being noticably out of tune.
    All in all, a good day. We returned to Bourges without being frozen, which is a trip highlight.    Read more

  • Dave SwansonTravelerFrance2024

    Bourges Day 5

    April 19, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F

    Today we took the time to explore a little bit more of Bourges. We traveled to the more modern southern end of town. This is where the very prison-like city market is. There is a pretty, small river on this side. After a quick shopping look at E.LeClerc, we headed back to the room. We picked up lunch and a treat along the way at a cute patisserie. I the afternoon, we visited the Marais de Bourges, or the marshes. This is a a large area, not of swamps, but private gardens, much like British allotments or German kleinegärten, except some are quite large. They are bordered by two small rivers, with many canals in between. Most gardens are only accessible by boat. A light day, but the weather was perfect with plenty of sun and warmish temperatures.Read more

  • Dave SwansonTravelerFrance2024

    Bourges Day 6 in Châteauroux

    April 20, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    The visit to this town was last minute, and until the evening before, completely unknown and unresearched by us. We had contemplated visiting Orleans, but we'd been there before, then Nevers, but it didn't have as much to see as we might have liked. Chateauroux was a pleasantly surprising little city. Right outside the train station is a museum dedicated to the former US military base there f om 1951 - 1967. We had no idea. The museum is just one room, and it was closed when we got there. However, there were people there who were accepting some exhibit material from a man who had been the assistant commissary manager. Obviously they let us in, very happy to have some Americans visiting. They had some nice exhibits and interesting information.
    From there, we traveled into town a couple blocks and had lunch at an Italian restaurant. We discovered it's a local chain, as we had eaten at the one in Bourges when we arrived. It's a great atmosphere with really good food. After lunch, we walked to the closed chateau the town is named for. The prefecture owns the building and keep it closed to the public. A bit of a bust, but we were able to walk through town and stroll in a really beautiful public park system along the river. A visit of the large church, not a cathedral, though cathedral sized, and a coffee finished our visit. We decided to try the bus system to get back. It worked pretty well and was comfortable enough. It got us back to Bourges in about the same amount of time as the train would have.    Read more

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