- Vézelay Abbey
Adam and Eve. A snake climbs the Tree of life and gives grapes(!) to Eve. - Derrière une porte
I once had to write a story "Derrière une porte" being given an image similar to this one. I probably could write another one for this door as well. - Vézelay
The hollyhock grows in every corner of the town. So beautiful. - Vézelay Abbey
- Château de Falaise
From the Loire valley - via Le Mans - towards Normandy. First stop was Falaise, where William the Conqueror was born. The construction of this castle started in 1123 by Henry I of England. - Falaise
View from the falaise of the Falaise castle. - Bayeux Cathedral
The portal of Saint Thomas Becket, showing the assembly of Northampton (1164) and the Assembly of Ambosus (1170); crossing of the English Channel and his martyrdom; and the veneration of his tomb. - Bayeux Cathedral
- Bayeux Cathedral
Plenty of old windows in the cathedral as well... These are from 1260, showing the local bishops Exupère and Loup. - Bayeux Cathedral
The 11th century crypt is simply magnificent. The entrance to the crypt was closed soon afterwards and the crypt forgotten - until 1412. - Bayeux Cathedral
One of the more unusual capitals in the crypt. - Bayeux Cathedral
One of the many angels in the crypt. They play all sorts of instruments. - Bayeux Cathedral
15th century fresco of angels in the crypt. - Bayeux Cathedral
Here is where the famous Bayeux tapestry was exhibited until 1793. Possibly from 1077. - Bayeux Cathedral
12th century carving. I see a lion and an eagle carrying a fish. But it may also be a lion and a griffin. - Bayeux Cathedral
Some more lions/griffons/creatures higher up, but the most notable are the Bayeux lovers underneath them. - Bayeux Cathedral
The ceiling in the Bayeux cathedral choir shows various local bishops and saints. The whole cathedral is indeed a stunning place. - Bayeux
What a lovely town it is. This is on the main Saint Martin street. - Arromanches
Arromanches beach was the landing area during the D-Day Normandy Invasion. - Arromanches
The endless windy beaches are perfect for flying kites! - Arromanches
Remains of the artificial port in Arromanches. - Arromanches
We returned to Arromanches for a lovely dinner. - Arromanches
- Pegasus Bridge Café Gondrée
First house to be liberated in France on the 5/6th of June 1944, located in Bénouville. - Fougères
What a picturesque castle this is! - Fougères
Anne of Brittany (1477-1514) is a name that comes up often in these parts. She was the Duchess of Brittany and Queen of France, twice. - Fougères
Now THIS is a castle. Built from 12th to 15th century, it occupies an area of two hectares. - Fougères
Hortensias everywhere. - Fougères
This belfry was the first in Brittany, built in 1397. - Fougères
Fougères castle. The original wooden one was destroyed and a new one built in 1176. The Gobelin tower is from the 13th century. - Mont Dol
What a lovely house - with a curved corner. - Cherrueix
What a charming village this is! - Cherrueix
Well... now you know! - Cherrueix
I really like this town. - Mont Saint-Michel
This is one of the most fascinating places on the planet. I have spoken. - Mont Saint-Michel
The roofs remind me of an Asterix village :-) - Mont Saint-Michel
Church of Saint-Pierre. Originally from the 8th century, often rebuilt, this tower being from the 15th century. - Mont Saint-Michel
We decided to visit the abbey in the afternoon and there was absolutely no queue. We just entered the ticket office. But if there was a queue, these guards would keep us in line. Clever design! - Mont Saint-Michel
Climbing the Grand Degré my kids said they felt like entering a computer game. Totally unreal and out of this world. - Mont Saint-Michel
We planned the visit to avoid the crowds. But we didn't think it would be so empty on a Sunday afternoon. - Mont Saint-Michel
Plenty of lovely souvenir shops and places to eat in the town, but some of them closed fairly early in the evening. - Mont Saint-Michel
What a magnificent place indeed! - Côte de granit rose
I've seen many beautiful houses but this one might be my favourite. It looks good even in rain. - Le Croisic
What a lovely place Le Croisic is. - Le Croisic
One of the many crêperies. I think we counted six just here. Within a two minute walk. - Château de Beynac
The castle was built in the 12th century by the barons of Beynac, and later remodelled and enlarged. - Château de Beynac
The oldest part of the castle is a large keep on the right. Unfortunately, I could not convince other members of the family to visit yet another castle... - Beynac
The whole village is fascinating. - La Roque-Gageac
Oh, another spectacular village. - La Roque-Gageac
- La Roque-Gageac
A truly spectacular village. - La Roque-Gageac
If you have the time, hire a canoe. We unfortunately didn't. Next time :-) - Le fort de la Roque-Gageac
The ancient medieval fortification dates from the 12th century. It does have a spectacular location. - La Roque-Gageac
The main street in La Roque-Gageac. Well, the only street in La Roque-Gageac. - La Roque-Gageac
- La Roque-Gageac
I can imagine these are some old stairs... - La Roque-Gageac
Yes, it's right up there. A troglodyte fort. The wall's been occupied since the prehistoric times and the fort built in the 12th century. - La Roque-Gageac
The old picturesque village as seen from the fort. - La Roque-Gageac
Le manoir de Tarde from the 15th century. - Dordogne river
Climbing the exposed stairs might be scary for some. For me it was just insanely hot. But the views are rewarding. - Dordogne river
- Le fort de la Roque-Gageac
Unfortunately, I have very little information about the castle... - Dordogne river
- Le fort de la Roque-Gageac
Occupied since prehistoric times, the fort was built in the 12th century. - Le fort de la Roque-Gageac
What an interesting curtain. And one of the modern pillars, keeping the fort stable. There were way too many collapses in recent past. - Le fort de la Roque-Gageac
This are the stairs I was talking about. Hot hot hot. - Le fort de la Roque-Gageac
I mean... how cool is that entrance? - Ack!
Nope, nope, nope. - La Roque-Gageac
What a charming old town. - La Roque-Gageac
A lovely place to rest and enjoy a drink. Especially in such a heat! - La Roque-Gageac
A lovely shade indeed. - Château de Montfort
- Calès
This might be a hotel, it might be closed. But it may be something completely different. In Calès. - Rocamadour
Another fascinating place: Rocamadour. - Rocamadour
One could go down the stairs. And up the stairs again. Or not. - Rocamadour
Spectacular place. Already inhabited in the Paleolithic. The town peaked in the 12th century. 12th century! - Antibes
A lovely morning in Antibes. - Renoir's house
The house of Auguste Renoir and his family in Cagnes, now a museum. Not a bad house, not bad at all. - Saint-Paul-de-Vence
- Salvador and Frida
- Saint-Paul-de-Vence
A wonderful town. I can imagine it can get very crowded so getting there off-season late in the day was a good choice. - Panthere
Panthere by Nicolas Lavarenne. A sleeping beauty. - Prévert's house
Jacques Prévert lived here. I would too. - Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Even mailboxes are art in this picturesque town. - Saint-Paul-de-Vence
The town fountain. - L’église Collégiale Saint Paul
The church was built between 12th and 18th century. - Impermanence
Impermanence by Dominique Rayou (2020ish). J'adore. - Olive tree
Sculpture of an olive tree by Constantinos Valaes in Galerie Lefakis in Saint-Paul-de-Vence - Saint-Paul-de-Vence
A sculptured olive tree. - Èze
Carnival in town, Harry Potter and Naruto. - Èze
Carnival in town, Luffy from One Piece. - Èze
I know, I know, Èze is famous for its views... but I love Èze in fog even more :-) - Èze
Château Eza, a lovely corner of the town. - Èze
- Èze
Rue du Barri - Èze
Rue du Barri - Èze
Up towards Col d'Èze. Now that is a steep climb! - Mouans-Sartoux
A lovely old town, very similar to Valbonne. - Mouans-Sartoux
This is NOT how you repair an old wall. - Mouans-Sartoux
The French. They can even make an ordinary town hall pretty.