- Château de Chambord
The chandelier in the royal ceremonial apartment. - Château de Chambord
Governor's bedchamber. Charming. - Château de Chambord
The castle chapel. Started under François Ier, continued under Henry II and finished under Louis XIV. It is quite uncommonly oriented towards west. - Château de Chambord
The almost perfectly symmetric castle. - Château de Chambord
Laurel bedchamber was refurbished in the 18th century. Parquet floor was added and the walls covered with wallpaper. I love love love this pattern. - Château de Chambord
The magnificent stairs go all the way up to the castle roof. - Château de Chambord
Ah, the castle terraces. The lantern tower is topped by a royal crown with a fleur-de-lys. - Château de Chambord
All the details of the castle become visible from the terraces. - Château de Chambord
Am I repetitive with these pictures? Maybe. But the castle, pardon, the hunting lodge, is splendid. - Château de Chambord
The NE facade of the keep. It was here that we realised that we 'lost' our younger son somewhere in the castle. It's just the largest castle in France, no biggie. - Château de Chambord
Lapidary deposit. This is a part of the original lantern tower. Obviously showing more salamanders. - Château de Chambord
Chambord in all its beauty. The keep was finished under François Ier in 1519, the wings were added later on. The castle was first open to visitors in 1821. - 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. - 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
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. - Mont Dol
Mont Dol has been inhabited since Neanderthal period. Currently there's Notre Dame de l’Espérance and the Notre Dame tower, inaugurated in 1857. - Mont Dol
The 1843 windmill is still in perfect working order. - Mont Dol
Different bags for different flour: T45 for pâtisserie, T55 standard flour, T65 for baguettes, T110 and T150 are wholewheat flours. - Menhir de Champ-Dolent
The second largest menhir in Brittany, over 9 metres high, erected c. 5000–4000 BC. - Plage de Cherrueix
View of Mont Saint Michel from the beach in Cherrueix. - Cherrueix
15th century church. - 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
The first sanctuary was built in 709 and later expanded multiple times. The latest addition was the spire with Saint Michel in 1897. - Mont Saint-Michel
The wooden ceiling of the early 1000s abbey church. - Mont Saint-Michel
When a part of the church collapsed, they rebuilt it in contemporary fashion. The Romanesque choir, for example, collapsed in 1421 and was rebuilt in Gothic style in 1446 to 1523. - Mont Saint-Michel
What a perfect architecture. - Mont Saint-Michel
Adam and Eve's expulsion from Paradise, 1546. - Mont Saint-Michel
Christ's Descent into Limbo, 1547. What cuties these little devils are. - Mont Saint-Michel
Virgin and the child, 13th century. - Mont Saint-Michel
I am fascinated by 13th century statues, my kids by 19th century swords. Made by Mellerio from Paris in 1877. - Mont Saint-Michel
The abbey cloister was built in the beginning of the 13th century. - Mont Saint-Michel
Refrectory, where the monks took their meals, has plenty of well-hidden windows :-) This wall is nothing but windows! - Mont Saint-Michel
Salle des Hôtes, designed to host royalty and nobility. - Mont Saint-Michel
Fireplaces in Salle des Hôtes, designed to host royalty and nobility. - Mont Saint-Michel
The great pillared crypt was built in the 15th century to support the Gothic choir. These support columns are massive! - Mont Saint-Michel
The chapel of Saint Étienne (~1160) was a funeral chapel. - Mont Saint-Michel
Deambulatorium (a covered walkway) from the early 12th century. The monks used to go for walks in winter or take breaks when writing books in the Scriptorium (Knights' Hall). - 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! - The Chapel of Sainte-Anne
The lovely chapel of Sainte Anne (1687) replaced an older wooden one. - Digue de la Duchesse-Anne
The constructions of these dykes started in the 11th and 12th century. The dykes still separate cultivated polders and salty marshlands. And of course offer a great opportunity to hike or cycle :-) - Pointe du Grouin
Some art on a WWII bunker. - Pointe du Grouin
View of Mont Saint Michel from the Pointe. - Le Fort du Guesclin
As everything in Brittany, this place is also full of history. Romans, destroyed, fortress in 800s, destroyed, fortified castle built by Bertrand du Guesclin in 1100, destroyed in 1598, this one built in 1756... - Côte de granit rose
In Port de Ploumanac'h, close to Tourony. At low tide, obviously. - Côte de granit rose
An old tidal mill at Grand Traouïero. The mill's been here since 1375, the current building is from the 18th century. If I remember correctly, it was used to crush ice for the fishing trade. - Côte de granit rose
Every interesting rock has a name, I'm sure an interesting name was given to this one as well. This one is close to La Plage Saint Guirec. Update: it's called Napoleon's hat :-) - Côte de granit rose
Oratoire de Saint-Guirec dating from 11th-12th century. Apparently sticking needles into the saint's nose (and the needle remaining there during the high tide) would guarantee you getting married within a year. No wonder it's so eroded :-) - Cairn of Barnenez
The tumulus contains 11 chambers entered by separate passages. - Cairn of Barnenez
It is considered one of the oldest man-made structures. And yet not many visitors! - Cairn of Barnenez
Early Neolithic monument (4800 BC). It's 72 m long, up to 25 m wide, and over 8 m high. - Cairn of Barnenez
Art exhibition by local kids. Love it! - Calvary at Guimiliau
This Calvary was completed in 1588. It depicts 37 scenes from the life and death of Jesus Christ. - Calvary at Guimiliau
The south face of the Calvary. Top row: St. Veronica holding her veil with Jesus' image; Jesus' baptism; Jesus carrying the Cross. Bottom row: Luke the Evangelist; St. Elizabeth and a servant greeting Virgin Mary; Jesus washing a disciple's feet; the Annunciation; Matthew the Evangelist. - Calvary at Guimiliau
The statue of Luke the Evangelist with his ox. - Calvary at Guimiliau
The west face of the Calvary. This part shows the entry into Jerusalem. - Calvary at Guimiliau
The east face of the Calvary. This part shows the Flight into Egypt with Mary holding baby Jesus. Joseph with a pilgrim stick leads. - Calvary at Guimiliau
Matthew the Evangelist with a small boy. - Guimiliau
The Saint Anne chapel/the Ossuary (1648) is part of the Guimiliau Parish close. Bodies were kept here isolated, especially when plague or cholera were in play. - Guimiliau
The entry to the South porch (1617): We can see Cain killing Abel (bottom left), and plenty of Noah: picking grapes (top left), being drunk (top right), Noah's Ark (bottom right). I don't know what the rest it. - Guimiliau
Adam and Eve and the temptation. - Guimiliau
The South porch: Eve being born (i.e. pulled by God) from Adam's rib. - Guimiliau
I don't know who these guys are. Fauns? Did they have fauns in early 17th-century Brittany? - Guimiliau
Someone on a donkey... - Guimiliau
Carved wooden ceiling in the church. - Guimiliau
Every little corner is richly decorated with funny creatures. Again, I have no idea who these two guys are. - Calvary at Guimiliau
The west face of the Calvary. Most notably: the doors on the left, so the priest could climb on the calvary and deliver a sermon. A niche with Paul Aurelian; Top row: Crown of thorns; Pietà; the Resurrection with drunk guards sleeping; Mouth of Hell with devil's lover. Bottom row: John the Evangelist; Entry into Jerusalem; The Last Supper; Luke the Evangelist. - Mont Saint-Michel de Brasparts
Once the site of an old Celtic temple, a chapel was built here in 1679, restored in 1820. And obviously in 2023. - Mont Saint-Michel de Brasparts
The hill is a dormant volcano, once called Menez Kronan. - Calvary at Pleyben
The Resurrection of Jesus. Three soldiers sleeping and one is blinded by what he sees. I find it so amusing by how they are dressed. So 16th century :-) - Pleyben
Recently cleaned Pleyben Parish close (1583). With one Gothic and one Renaissance tower. - Calvary at Pleyben
Calvary from 1555. Funnily, the cleaned Calvary no longer looks so old :-) Bottom row: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Flight to Egypt, Jesus meeting the lawyers. Top row: the Harrowing of Hell; Jesus leading Adam and Eve; a Jew holding a scroll with the charges against Jesus; a soldier dressing Christ in his royal robe. - Manoir de Kervaudu
The manor was built in the 15th century and belonged to one of the first Protestants here. What a lovely house it is. - Manoir de Kervaudu
I get the door. I get the open upper part for ventilation or light. I even get the cat door. But why do you need two cat doors? - 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 Montfort
There are numerous castles along Dordogne. The Montfort castle was first destroyed in 1214. And three more times. So far. - Château de Beynac
The castle was built in the 12th century by the barons of Beynac, and later remodelled and enlarged.