- Col de Montgenèvre
A historically super-important pass, known already to Romans (including Julius Caesar). But, as you can guess, also a possible route for Hannibal. "Does not lie in sleep." - Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi
Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is easily one of my top five churches in the world. Especially the Lower Church. So so so beautiful. - Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi
The entrance - nowadays the exit - of the church. - Piazza inferiore di San Francesco
- Cathedral
- Baptismal fountain
The fountain was made by Giovanni di Cecco and moved to the cloister in 1379. - Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico
I cannot find any data on this painting. Any ideas? - Abbazia di Sant'Antimo
Capital with Daniel and the Lions by Master von Cabestany (12th century). - San Francesco
This church is one of the few buildings from the times of Corsignano. - Giotto's Campanile
These hexagonal panels depict (from left): Gionitus (Astronomy), the Art of Building, Medicine, and Hunting. By Andrea Pisano and his workshop, and Nino Pisano. - Convent of San Domenico
Rebuilt and renovated several times, this is from the 16th century. - Fountain
A relief on an early Renaissance water basin with the coat-of-arms of the monastery. - Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça
The interior of the church is empty, corresponding to the Cistercian order, but huge! The main nave is 106 m long. - Room of the Kings
Room of the kings is full of statues of kings. The tiles depict the monastery history. - Claustro Real
The royal cloister was built by architect Fernão de Évora in 1448-1477. - House of Blackheads
The name of the house derives from the guilders' patron St. Maurice, who was often depicted as a Moor. - Riga centre
- Local graffiti
- St. Peter's Church
St. Peter's Church (Rīgas Sv. Pētera baznīca). Founded in 1209 and rebuilt in the 15th century. - Still-life with Tulips
Believe it or not, this painting is from 2004. By Imants Lancmanis (1941-). Painting is in the National Museum of Art. - Gift for My Wife
Another one by Imants Lancmanis. This "Gift for My Wife" is from 1987-1989. Painting is in the National Museum of Art. - The Fourth Rider of the Apocalypse, detail
Detail of the Fourth Rider of the Apocalypse by Imants Lancmanis (from 2007-2009). Painting is in the National Museum of Art. - Self-Portrait by the Apple Wreath
Self-Portrait by Imants Lancmanis from 2011. Such an interesting motive. Painting is in the National Museum of Art. - Fairy Tale Coin: The Old Man's Mitten
A special exhibition on Latvian coins in the National Museum of Art. I had no idea Latvia issues so many beautiful coins. This one is based on an old Latvian fairy tale about animals warming up and dancing in an old man's mitten. - Miracle Coin
A special exhibition on Latvian coins in the National Museum of Art. "The Miracle Coin invites you to look at the world in the light of imagination letting it show us the way to miracles and hope." - 150 years of Ainaži Nautical School
A special exhibition on Latvian coins in the National Museum of Art. - Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ
The Orthodox Cathedral was built in 1876-1884. - View of Riga
View towards Daugava river. Most notable are the Zeppelin hangars (center), the Latvian Academy of Sciences (left), and the 368.5 m tall Radio and TV tower. - Winter wonderland
On the way to the airport. - Riga airport
I did not know that Latvian alphabet has 33 letters! - The beach at Théoule-sur-Mer
- Département des Alpes-Maritimes
There is something pretty about the Département des Alpes-Maritimes logo. - Antibes
A charming old window in Antibes. - St. Francis Xavier church
The interior of the church is very well preserved early baroque. - Pic de Peyre Eyraute
Winter holidays in Puy Saint Vincent. This is the view of Pic de Peyre Eyraute (2903 m) from Residence la Dame Blanche. - Pic de Peyre Eyraute
View of Pic de Peyre Eyraute (2903 m) from Puy Saint Vincent 1800. - La Cucumelle
View of La Cucumelle (2698 m) from our apartment before sunrise - La Cucumelle
View of La Cucumelle (2698 m) from our apartment at sunrise - View from Pousterle towards SW
Close to Refuge de la Pousterle, view towards Tête de la Canonnière (3205 m), Tête de Soulaure - Pic Félix Neff (3232 m) and Pointes de Rougnoux (3160 m). - Puy Saint Vincent 1800
Station 1800 with Mont Pelvoux (3743 m) and Pic de Clouzis (3453 m) - Col de la Pousterle
View from Col de la Pousterle over Vallouise towards Pic de Clouzis (3453 m). A lovely walk or an intense cross-country track. - Mont Pelvoux
View from Col de la Pousterle: Pic Sans Nom (3913) on the left, Mont Pelvoux (3943 m) with the glacier, and Petit Pelvoux (3739 m) in the front - Col de la Pousterle
A wonderful harmony of hiking, snowshoe walking, cross-country skiing and ski touring. They live happily ever after :-) - These feet were made for walkin'
There wasn't much snow so walking with crampons was much safer and comfortable. - Bliss :-)
- Still life
From Tournoux towards Lac des Hermes. These are some steep cross-country slopes! - Branch art
Well, hello there! Found along the the "Rando Luge" track. - Vallouise
Wonderful cross-country skiing trails! - Pont des Fontaines
One of the many bridges across L'Onde. Pont des Fontaines. - Still life
Another still life, this one is in front of the Restaurant d'altitude L'Etoile des Neiges. Where we had lunch ;-) - Planes!
I don't know what was going on but we're just not used to seeing so many planes in the sky anymore! Love the difference in the colours of the contrails. Great for conspiracies ;-) - Snow track
Somebody or something descended to the artificial lake - Ice on the artificial lake
There really wasn't much snow/water. The artificial lake was almost empty. - View towards SE
View from the artificial lake (left to right): Tête du Puy (2528 m), Crête de l'Aste (2620 m), way back Le Peouvou (3222 m), Crête des Pareis (2622 m), way back Pics de la Font Sancte (3371 m), Aiguille de Chambeyron (3396 m) and Brec de Chambeyron (3376 m), Pointe Jean Rostand (3220 m) ... Very little snow indeed. I should acknowledge the source: PeakVisor.com - Snow
- Dog sleigh!
Oooh, next time I'm trying this as well! Mushing add!ct. - Winter in Vallouise
We found a valley where the sun doesn't shine... And there was still proper winter. L'Onde valley. - Vallouise
What a lovely name for a bridge: Pont Sans Nom ;-) There may be more to it, though, as there is also a Pic Sans Nom nearby. - Winter in Vallouise
- Vallouise
Pont des Fontaines over L'Onde - Petite Onde
- Ice
Fluffy ice crystals - Black and white
The Onde valley where the sun doesn't shine - winter 10 meters higher - spring - Tender clouds
Fairy clouds above La Blanche (2954 m) and La Rouya (2751 m) - Tender clouds
More playful clouds over La Blanche (2954 m) and La Rouya (2751 m) - Madame Carle
Statue of Madame Carle by Christian Burger (2017). Plenty of legends about the Madame Carle, but basically she lived here in the early 16th century as the wife of Geoffroy Carle, Président du parlement du Dauphiné. Now Pré de Madame Carle up the valley is a very touristic spot. Next time. - Edward Whymper mural
A graffiti of Edward Whymper, FRSE (1840-1911). When climbing Mont Pelvoux (3946 m), he realised that there was a taller mountain nearby: Barre des Écrins (4102 m). He was the first to climb the Barre des Écrins (4102 m). Also, the first who climbed Matterhorn :-) And - the one who invented the A shaped tents :-D - Saint Etienne Church in Vallouise
What a lovely pretty ceiling. - Saint Etienne Church in Vallouise
The main nave of the church. First row of pillars is rectangular, the rest is cylindrical. Someone changed their mind during the construction! A baptismal font from 1518. - French pattiserie
I wish we could have taken more... - The beach at Théoule-sur-Mer
- Le Nomade
Le Nomade (by Jaume Plensa) is still there. Still lonely. - Théoule-sur-Mer
We're reminded to take care of the environment on (almost) every step. - Femme allongée
A statue by Popoy (1993). - Local art
Well, I must admit I've got no idea what this is about. - La pointe de l'Aiguille
Super windy and almost stormy weather. But a lovely day to walk to the Pointe de l'Aiguille. - Le Vent
This is a wonderful statue of the wind by Popoy (2013). - Antibes
Le Fort Carré in Antibes - Le Nomade
- Le Nomade
The sea and the mountains and the winds and the waves ... just make me happy. - Antibes
Waves at the Plage de la Gravette - Église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in Biot
An interesting detail of renovated frescoes in Biot - Nooooo!
This is a very clear message! - La Tour de David by Chagall
Marc Chagall, La Tour de David (1968-1971), detail. - Le Paradis by Chagall
Marc Chagall, Le Paradis (1961). Eve's creation on the left and the Temptation on the right. - Adam et Ève Chassés du Paradis by Chagall
Marc Chagall, Adam and Eve Expelled from Paradise (1961). Self-portrait in the top right corner. Animals look away but the mother with the child "confirms this rather optimistic vision of the Sin". - Paysage Méditerranéen by Chagall
A tapestry by Chagall (1971). He claimed he was born for the second time once he moved to Côte d'Azur (Vence). The left sun is above St. Paul de Vence and the right sun above Nice. - La Création de l'homme by Chagall
Marc Chagall, The Creation of Man (1956-1958), detail. And just like that, there's someone hanging upside-down on a pole, while God is creating Adam. - Le Paradis by Chagall
Marc Chagall, Le Paradis (1961), detail. The Temptation of Adam and Eve. This is just beautiful. - La baie des Anges
Too many photos of the sea? - The waves!
Yes. - La plage des Ponchettes
Listening to the waves is probably the most relaxing thing. - La baie des Anges
So this is where the Angels are hiding ;-) - La baie des Anges
Yes, definitely too many photos of the sea. - More beauties in the garden
- Hacklhaus
The house was built in the 16th century and decorated in 1680. - Pestsäule in Leoben
The plague column in the town square was erected in 1716. We see the Holy Trinity at the top, St Sebastian, St Rochus, St Jakob and St Florian. To fight the plague, the people were advised to isolate, distance and wear masks ... sounds familiar. - St. Francis Xavier church
The St Francis Xavier church was built between 1660 and 1665. - Schwammerlturm
The town gates as seen from the river side. The river is Mur, by the way. - Traudl and Franz