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Île-de-France

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    • Iceland
      Day 11

      Transit in Charles de Gaule airport

      December 20 in France ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

      Not much, a 9 hour layover...untill
      We have had some fun:
      We arrived in Paris with a 9-hour layover.
      First hour at McDonalds having lunch.
      Then the fun started
      Terminal 2 has 3 lots of gates K, L, and M. All 1 to 50.
      Our flight was K41 at 1 pm.
      It then changed to L53, so off we went. Long walk, train ride, long walk and back through security and unpacking hand luggage.
      After 3 hours in L, we saw the flight was now in K again.
      So back we went...long walk, train ride, long walk, back through security for the 3rd time.
      Just this time Anneke had filled her water bottle at the water fountain and they picked up the bottle of water.
      They said "Drink it please", so I drank it to the amusement of the official. And burped loudly at the end.      Read more

    • Einrad & Pazifik
      1
      Day 1

      Pinke Koffer in Paris

      July 17 in France ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

      Während wir gemütlich das Mittagessen verspeisten und Macarons zum Dessert genossen. Gab die Koffer mit dem Renneinrad von Yves drinn viel Gesprächsstoff beim Flughafen Personal. Beim Boarding wurden wir darauf hingewiesen, dass das Gepäckband verloren ging und wir die Koffer identifizieren müssen. Hoffentlich kommt der Koffer dann auch in Mineapolis an....Read more

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    • TravelerLearning To Swim
      Day 3

      The Lady and the Unicorn

      August 19, 2019 in France ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

      Woke at 5.00am, so not too bad. Breaky in hotel. The bread is devine. Salami and cheeses.

      Off to Musee du Cluny to see the medieval tapestries The Lady and The Unicorn. They depict the 5 senses along with desire. Massive red and dark wall hangings filled with millefleur and forest animals. Loved this so much. Read the novel and it's Harry Potters common room. So beautiful. The lighting is dark to keep from fading.

      We get to the museum just at opening time, bonus.
      The first room we enter is an old bath house. Massive empty room with a few statues and items from the era. A copper bathtub sits at one end. Loved this room. Next we check out a room full of jewellery and medieval artwork. I come across a golden rose. It looks to be important, so I take a photo. I may sit still one day and learn about it. But not now.

      We look at other tapestries leaving the best til last.
      Then we enter 'The' room. It is quiet, dark, black with a crimson glow from these magnificent tapestries.
      I am beguiled and take my time to investigate each one.

      Loving this so much. Finding treasures that you never think you will ever see. Then here you are in front of them. Always blows me away.
      I love this because it is like time travel.
      I imagine the pressure and artistry it takes.

      The intricate flowers are devine. The bunnies and birds whimsical.

      Even Athena says she really enjoyed seeing them.

      Bucket list tick ✅      Read more

    • 2019 - Loire und Normandie
      Day 1

      Kaffeepause in Meaux

      August 19, 2019 in France ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      Um die 8 Stunden Fahrt angenehmer zu machen, hatten wir uns im Vorfeld die kleine Stadt Meaux am Rande von Paris als Halt für die Mittagspause ausgesucht.

      Wir parken am Rande der Innenstadt und laufen Richtung Kathedrale und Fußgängerzone. Wir merken recht schnell, dass Montag in Frankreich ein gefühlter Sonntag in Deutschland ist. Kaum ein Bistro, Cafe oder Restaurant hat offen.

      Wir nehmen nach kurzer Suche das nächste am Place Notre Dame und landen in der Brasserie Esplanade. Wir trinken Kaffee und essen ein Croque Brie de Meaux und ein kleines Mousse au chocolat zur Nachspeise. War lecker, aber nicht genial.

      Nach einem Besuch der Kathedrale (extra Footprint) machen wir noch einen kleinen Spaziergang durch einen Teil der Innenstadt. Nachdem auch die meisten Geschäfte Montag Ruhetag haben, ist die Stadt etwas ausgestorben aber nett.

      Zurück im Auto geht's weiter nach Angers.      Read more

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    • 2019 - Loire und Normandie
      Day 1

      Kathedrale von Meaux

      August 19, 2019 in France ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

      Die Kathedrale von Meaux ist ein imposantes Bauwerk, das im 12ten Jahrhundert begonnen wurde im romanischen Stil zu bauen. Fertig gestellt wurde die katholische Kirche und heutiger Bischofssitz erst im 17ten Jahrhundert im gotischen Stil.

      Der Innenraum wirkt irgendwie noch viel größer, als das Bauwerk auch von außen schon wirkt. Die Höhe im Innenraum ist teilweise 48 Meter.

      Die Kirche ist sehr schön und bietet viele schöne Sichtachsen. Auch die Fenster hinter dem Altar sind wunderschön gearbeitet und zeigen wahrscheinlich biblische Szenen.      Read more

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    • TravelerLearning To Swim
      1
      Day 3

      Galleries Lafayette and the Blue Line

      August 19, 2019 in France ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

      Up off the grass and off to catch the bus to Galleries Lafayette (the shopping centre) and I end up getting lost trying to enter The Opera Garnier. We didn't end up going in though as I thought it does not really catch my interest. Let me know if it is worthwhile please?

      I asked a young female how do we get to the dome in the shopping centre. The look on her face reminded me very quickly that I am not in my own country. I forgot to speak French, can you imagine?? 😂 She pointed right then left. So off we trot. She soon enough tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the correct entry doors, which weren't where I thought she'd said.

      Inside is like a massive exquisite Myer, In the middle is the glorious dome. Very pretty. Athena was impressed. We headed to the rooftop for a coffee. Go up the top, it's free, you can see all of Paris from up here.

      Our Big Bus tour has a 'Blue Line' which drives around Montmartre main streets. Whilst waiting for the bus I popped into a lindt shop. Athena wasn't coming in with me until she saw them hand me a lindt ball. Then straight in behind me she followed.

      Martin was our guide, he stood in front of us up the top and spoke in English. He shared all the quaint details of getting around Paris and the buildings history.

      We passed the sex shops, Moulin Rouge, Nord Gare station, Sacre Couer. Great idea to sit up in the open air and be ferried around the city.

      Once back at Notre Dame I decided to make sure Athena could find her way back to our hotel. I made her read a map and remember the street names to follow and cross. I pointed out any landmarks. Then shut up to let her lead. She did well mostly. She is not too great with following directions.

      For dinner I spied Athena's massive hoop earrings she brought along. I asked if I could wear them (to show her how ridiculously too big they are)

      So big hoop earrings on, Athena lost the plot laughing at me. She told me that they suited her as her head was bigger. She advised me she wouldn't be seen with me in public wearing them. I said ditto. So she agreed not to wear them.

      We were stuffed, so to the corner restaurant for steak tatare, soup and a wine. We are eating bread constantly here. Night!      Read more

    • TravelerLearning To Swim
      121221122
      Day 5

      Louvre

      August 21, 2019 in France ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      I needed to be at the bottom of the Montmarte hill by 12.00 midday in order to make it to my entry time stamp of 1-1.30pm at the Louvre.

      This meant catching 2 train lines and lining up for security, for ticket collection and to get into the louvre from the pyramid entrance.

      Well I had no clue what to do, but had every faith in myself to just work it out, and make it happen. It did, I was inside the Louvre in approx 20 minutes.

      Online booking meant I already had my ticket. Time stamp meant had a fastpass in a 30 minute window. I walked past huge lines inside. Until The Mona Lisa!

      I was heading to Vermeer's 'The Lace Maker' in Richelieu wing as this area would be quieter. Not this time. They had moved the Mona Lisa in a room right next to my painting!!!

      Dumbasses. Bloody renovations. I asked staff which direction for Vermeer. They smiled at me as if to say you poor girl, wanting to see a painting next to the most famous one in the world.

      They got it. This was my experience with every staff member I chatted to in the Louvre. They sit there all bored. Then I walk up to them. You see I tried to speak French to them, failed miserably, I would say the magic word 'englais' to them, then their faces lit up with big smiles. They could see in me my joy to be there, a willingness to try to adapt, stuffing it up but smiling anyway. Now where can I find Delacroix?, Canova? and so on.

      Julie asked me to find Eugene Delacroix's 'Frightened horse leaping from water' in lithograph. I looked, nothing in the French artists section. I asked where it is? I was told that if I came back tomorrow, and booked a time, the director could take me into a special room to see the drawings. You see the drawings are not on display, due to their delicacy. Well so sorry Jules I am not coming back tomorrow as will be flying to Italy.

      Walking the Louvre by myself, best thing in the world.

      My arts history teacher, Mr Ross Miller, has taught me about these world famous paintings and artists with huge passion when I was 16 years old. Every slide he showed me has stuck.

      I treat these works of the masters of any era like my old friends. Even tearing up, when I face one unexpectedly. Recognition. I totally know these guys. I see a painting and the artists name comes out of my mouth. I get to really celebrate my own appreciation for these works.

      I eat Quiche at the corner Cafe while staring through the windows at the crowds outside the pyramid.

      I come across my favourite pieces - Canova's 'Cupid and Psyche' and 'Winged Victory of Samarance' (Which always reminds me of Carolyn)
      Bought them on way home in a model shop for 10 euro each. In Louvre were 110.00 euro.      Read more

    • TravelerLearning To Swim
      111
      Day 5

      Montmarte

      August 21, 2019 in France ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

      Began with an early breakfast, always the first to breakfast. I think we are going by our tour 4 years ago! Slow start to Montmarte.

      I have been teaching Paris train travel lessons on a daily basis here to my fellow traveller and today, after 4 days, my only student graduated. She was very pleased with her ability. And so was I. However, had she not been able to find her way back then tough shit baby, I was in the Louvre xxx.

      For Montmarte we got off at Abeyss station, per advice from services. Wrong answer!! We should have got off at Sacre Couer. Our trail would have all been downhill. But it was all uphill you twit! Steep uphill steps forever! Whaaaat! This was not my plan. Luckily at the top, after 50 thousand steps lay the Place duTertre. This is the artists square. Portraits, scenes of Paris, famous icons.

      I have wanted to visit here ever since I read a golden book called `Gay Paree` when I was 6 years old. It did not disappoint. I loved the buildings, the hillside views. I bought x 2 paintings. Miniature Sacre Cour and Moulin Rouge. They represent where I bought them. The artist himself lit up with a beautiful smile when he witnessed me returning to his little stall with money in hand.

      I used Google maps to navigate around the cobblestone lanes to points of interest to me.

      Came across the cafe used in the film Amelie. Then to Moulin Rouge. Just the outside.

      Athena said to me at the end, Sandra you have a passion for Paris that I have never seen in anyone before. You just love everything this city has to offer- art, gardens, architecture, music, food, police.
      My answer was yes indeed I do as I marched off to explore the Louvre all by myself!

      (Obviously I asked Athena if she was OK to get to our hotel. To which she replied yes, and for the first time I believed she could actually do it on her own)      Read more

    • Family NomadsEine Familie entdeckt die Welt
      1
      1
      Day 15

      Sacré Coeur und gaz lacrymogène

      August 31, 2019 in France ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      Nach einem weiteren kurzen Zwischenstopp in Mailand geht es in über 12 Stunden nach Paris. Wir erwischen den Zug in letzter Sekunde da wir zunächst beim falschen Bahnhof landen. Die Fahrt dauert so lange da wir Regionalzüge nutzen, um die hohen Reservierungsgebühren, die für Schnellzüge wie der TGV trotz Interrail-Ticket anfallen, zu vermeiden.

      Unsere Airbnb-Unterkuft im 17. Arrondissement erfüllt alle Klischees. Es handelt sich um eine kleine Wohnung über einem Szenelokal in einem alten Haus. Die Kühlschranktür fällt fast heraus, die Vorhangstange runter und man hat immer wieder Begegnung mit kleinen posierlichen Tierchen. Dafür ist zwei Türen weiter eine typisch pariser Boulangerie (Bäckerei) mit herrlichen Croissants und die Innenstadt nur 40 Minuten zu Fuß.
      Auf jeden Fall bekommen wir hier einen authentischen Eindruck vom Leben in der französischen Hauptstadt.

      Am nächsten Tag nehmen wir an einer interessanten Führung im Montmartre Viertel Teil. Wir erfahren die Geschichte vom Moulin Rouge, sehen die pariser Wohnungen von Toulouse Letrec, Picasso und Gaugin und bestaunen eine Mauer auf der in etlichen Sprachen die schönen Worte "Ich liebe dich!" festgehalten werden. Die Führung endet an der Kirche auf der Kuppe des Montmatre, der Sacré Coeur.

      Wenige Minuten später werden wir Zeugen der weniger pittoresken Seite Frankreichs:

      Einige Gelbwesten demonstrieren am Fuße des Hügels und wollen hinauf. Die Polizei will das verhindern wohl um die Touristen zu "schützen".
      Wir können also hautnah miterleben, wie es um die französische Gesellschaft steht.
      Viele Bettler und Diebe unterstreichen die Spaltung der Gesellschaft. Miri entdeckt in der Metro zum Glück rechtzeitig wie ein Mann an der Tasche mit ihrem Handy nestelt.
      In der Dämmerung besteigen wir noch den Eiffelturm. Hunderte von Händlern, meist schwarzer Hautfarbe, vekaufen kleine Eiffeltürme und andere Staubfänger und überhaupt vermarktet sich Paris sehr effektiv.
      Den letzten Tag in Paris genießen wir auf der Champs Elysse und lassen ihn im Jardine de Tuellerie ausklingen und erholen uns vom Sightseeing Stress. Morgen geht es nach England mit dem Eurostar.      Read more

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    • European 5000 team 31
      Day 5

      In Parijs ff stressen.

      September 11, 2019 in France ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

      De TGV van Toulon naar Parijs had 35 min vertraging bij aankomst Gare de Lyon Dan kaartje kopen bij de Metro, met ongelofelijke lange wachtrij, om naar Gare du Nord te komen. Na 3x extra stilstaan in de Metro en wat rennen op het station de Thalys naar Rotterdam gehaald. ( met 3 min. speling ).Read more

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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Île-de-France, Ile-de-France, Isla de Francia, 일드프랑스, Ilha de França

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