Chateaux – Cheverny

This is the first post using a new MacBookPro.  It has taken several days to get all the photos and editing software installed and set up the way I like it.  Today we have had heavy rain which is badly needed here in California.  The rain reminded me of our recent time in the Loire Valley where it rained every day.  One of the wettest was when we toured Cheverny.  The chateau is still owned by descendents of the original builders, the Hurault family and is beautifully maintained.

Loire Valley
Loire Valley

Bayeux

After 5 days in Paris we took the train to Bayeux to visit the D Day sites in Normandy.   On the way to the hotel we drove over the Aure river which flows through town.  At the bottom right of the photo you can see alcoves and benches where they washed their clothes.

Bayeux
Bayeux

Art Class on a Submarine

We took an open air boat tour on the Seine and passed by this island that looked like a submarine with trees growing out the top.  The tour guide told us they have art classes there which you can see.

Seine River Paris
Seine River Paris

Cabaret De La Boheme

This cabaret and restaurant is in Montmartre, just east of ‎Sacre Coeur.  I was here in the very early morning.  I had walked from Sacre Coeur to the cafe and found one lonlely coffee drinker setting outside. I suspect it is much more lively at night but I was never up late enough to find out.

 Montmartre Paris
Montmartre Paris

Sacré-Cœur

Sacré-Cœur is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre the highest point in Paris.  This is a very popular tourist attraction and I wanted to photograph it without the crowds. I got there so early in the morning I was the only person there for about 30 minutes.  

Paris
Paris

 

Trocadero

There is an elevator that goes to the top of the Eiffel Tower which is 986 feet high.  Coming off the elevator you’re inside an enclosed area but a short stairway allows you to reach a platform that is outside.  This shot of  the Trocadero with the fountains in the foreground was taken from that platform. It was a windy day and the tower was moving enough that I had to increase the shutter speed to get this in focus.

Paris
Paris

The Tower

I have just returned from France in a jet lag haze with hundreds of photos to sort through, edit, and post.  I visited three areas.  Paris, Normandy, and the Loire Valley.  Each area is unique and I will share photos that are majestic or simple, happy or emotional, colorful or black and white.  Those of you that follow this blog may get tired of France and if you do please comment something like “enough of France”.  

This is taken from the Place Debilly Bridge.  I thought this bridge, far from the most beautiful in Paris, complemented the erector set nature of the Tower.

Paris
Paris