Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Countryside and the coast... Provence to St Tropez!


We arrived in Avignon which is a beautiful picturesque french country town and hired a car! My husband had to navigate his way around driving on the opposite side of the road and opposite side of car! 


 We drove to a gorgeous little town called Gourdes. 


Crepes and cafe au lait are a must when in France!     



These ancient buildings with their blue shutters are so beautiful.



 We stopped off in the town of Arles which dates back to 800 B.C! The magnificent Amphitheartre was but in 90 A.D. and was capable of seating over 20 0000 spectators. It was built to provide entertainment  in the form of chariot  races and hand to hand battles. Today it draws large crowds for bullfighting and plays and concerts in summer! 


 Crepes for lunch! My favourite lunch  with cafe au lait!

 

We stayed in Avignon. Beautiful boutiques and old buildings and lots of art and museums. I loved  stumbling  upon a puppeteer in the street! 


The Palais des Papes is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe! This building was the papal residence for Christianity in the 14 th century. Today it is a tourist attraction. It was so interesting walking around this ancient building and discovering old frescoes and reading fascinating facts about its history and the many Popes.


I was so excited when I found this beautiful "French Weimaraner! He was so similar to my weimaraner back home! 


Le Pont du Gard was my husbands highlight. This magnificent Roman aqueduct is in a town nearby Avignon. It spans the Gardon river valley and is 275 metres long, 49 metres high, 6 metres wide at the base and 3 metres wide at the top. It has a total of 53 arches. It was built around 50- 60 A.D. It is now a Unesco World Heritage site - truly amazing experience to walk around this structure. 


Creme brulee of course! French food is - magnificent!


 There was always time to stop and relax, chat and have a cafe au lait! 


 We then drove down to the coast of France and stopped at St Tropez! It was so busy and the weather was beautiful so everyone was out in their luxurious boats on the Mediterranean! 

 

We were told by friends to carry on along the coast to a beautiful seaside town called Cassis. Here we spent the afternoon in our costumes soaking up the warm sun. This was my favourite spot on the Med! The water was a little cold - similar to Cape Town water! 




 

 We then headed back to our hotel to meet our friend James who had also joined us for a few days in Avignon. This was the sunset from the  terrace of his room looking over the rooftops of Avignon. So beautiful! 

 My favourite place in the french countryside - Roussillon! There are many shades of ochre on the houses of the village, taken from the palette of the old ochre quarry in the valley nearby. It is on a ridge of steep red cliff and at the top as you make your way up the narrow winding streets you get a wonderful panoramic view across the valley to the Grand Luberon, the slopes of Mount Ventoux and the picturesque town of Vaucluse.


 

These colours are just beautiful. 


Chatting with James and trying to find a creperie and cafe au lait! Or maybe a glass or two of wine!! 

 We took the fast train back to Paris for one last night and day before flying home! After supper we headed to explore Centre Pompidou.It is an amazing art museum with a beautiful restaurant on the roof with a look out deck. Here we watched the sunset and the Eiffel Tower  light up in all her gold glory!  
"La vie est belle." ( Life is beautiful) 

Our last day in Paris we walked along the Seine and over the Love Lock bridges and did our last shopping and sipped our cafe au lait. How blessed we are and to have such a wonderful holiday together. Forever grateful for Paris and France and all her beauty and charm!  

xxx


Saturday, October 3, 2015

Paris is always a good idea!


Leaving Cape Town for Paris! I was so excited - my dream becomes a reality! "Travel broadens our perspectives.Suddenly, the palette with which we paint the story of our lives has more colours." - Rick Stevens 


Dubai airport at 3 a.m. ready to board plane to Paris! 




Catching a taxi to our hotel and trying to speak French to the driver! At last I spot the Arc de Triomphe in the distance! 


Our lovely hotel is just a few steps away from the Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe and shops! " 


Electric cars! 


Having our first French meal  and a view of Paris streets and life! 


Walking and taking the Metro's became our daily life. Such fun and so many adventures. 



Walking through the tunnel to get up close and personal with the magnificent - Arc de Triomphe! 






Shopping, boutiques and the most incredible stores I have ever seen! 

" There is no cure for Paris" !!


                                   Our very little lift in out hotel in Paris! Only space for the two of us!

Navigating our way around the Metro's! Everyday Paris life!


Gallery Lafayette is a huge department store with so much to look at! The glass dome is so beautiful and you can have a "cafe au lait"( coffee with milk) at the top restaurant which has a glorious view over Paris! 



Daily Metro life! Such fun! 


" Respirer paris, cela conserve l'ame. " - Victor Hugo ( Breathe Paris in , it nourishes the soul.)


Just one of my favourite buildings and patisseries/ restaurants! 


 The magestic Eiffel Tower!! 


 Taking the lift to the TOP! 

 

Half way - spectacular Paris views!


Taking it all in - having a baguette and cafe au lait for lunch next to the Seine! 


One of my favourite things we did in Paris was take a boat cruise on the river Seine! Magical!! 

 

Just the two of us and the Eiffel Tower - of course!! 


 Sightseeing with lots of other tourists! Sacre Couer and the town of Montmartre. 


Always time for a cafe au lait and the french pronounce my name as - "Julie" - I love it! 



The Louvre showing off on the most beautiful Paris day! 


 Getting lost in the Louvre and eventually finding the Mona Lisa! 


 " There is but one Paris, the French air clears up the brain and does good... a world of good." 
- Vincent Van Gough 


One of the highlights for me was  meeting up with my nieces French friend  Noelie! She took us to my favourite spot now - Le Marais. We expereinced unique French shopping,beautiful  boutiques and food. 


" La vie est belle ." - Life is beautiful! 


Love lock bridges over the Seine! Yes we put our lock on! 


 My favourite artist and one of my favourite paintings of his - Monet's Water Lillies!! Absolutely beautiful!! 


 We could never get enough of the Eiffel Tower! 

 

My favourite building - Saint Chapelle! Absolutely spectacular! 


 Magnificent!! 


 My husband ate snails  - of course! 


Leaving Paris for Provence and the french countryside for a few days. My first time on a fast train! So  exciting! 

"We'll always have Paris." - Casablanca