MONT SAINT MICHEL

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Le Mont Saint-Michel has quite a varied past. It has been (over the last 1200 years) an abbey, monastery, pilgrimage site and prison. It is a tidal island in Normandy on the West coast of France and is named after the Archangel Michael who, it is reported, ordered the original abbey to be built way back when.

Regardless of its past, it is now considered a little French town (or commune as they say in France) and one of the most visited spots in France. It boasts a long history, incredible architecture, museums, hotels, restaurants and, of course, tourist shops. Three hundred+ steps get you to the top.




Now...about that tidal part. This area has some of the strongest tides in the world and I happened to be there during a full moon (didn't see it though since it was raining). As a result, the usual warnings, and they're all over the place, obviously didn't make an impression on several drivers who didn't move their vehicles in time. It was quite a sight watching the local security force tie ropes around the vehicles and then secure the rope to something solid on land.





I was told that, sometimes, if not secured, the cars or bicycles would just float away.

CHARTRES

Leaving Paris is always difficult for me, but the French countryside offers its own beauty and charm. The town of Chartres is about an hour Southwest of Paris and is known mostly for its fine Gothic cathedral.





While I'm a fan of Gothic cathedrals, this one intimidates me a bit so I spent more time exploring the town itself. They've done a great job of blending the very old (Chartres dates back to the 900s)...the narrow streets and walkways...with the more contemporary and even very current looks in houses and shops.






As the most important market town in the region, Chartres has shops selling many tempting goodies and, whether a new or an old facade, the treats are just as good!

PARIS - Passages & Galleries

I had heard of the passages of Paris, but had never seen one. On this trip, I decided to search them out.....and it took some searching! Although they were shown on my map, I walked quite a bit before I found one. The entrances are quite easy to miss. The passages were designed and constructed mostly in the nineteenth century to give pedestrians and shoppers shelter from the elements...sort of an old time version of a shopping arcade.



For decades they were left to crumble and decay, but many have now been renovated, their tiled floors and glass roofs restored. I lucked out and stumbled upon Galerie Vivienne just as it stated to rain. It was time for lunch in the cozy cafe and then some photography in the beautifully restored passage.

PARIS by Night

One of my favorite things to do in Paris is to "wander aimlessly" after dark. As the lights come on, a different world emerges and it's incredibly beautiful! Buildings that look nice during the day really come alive in late evening with light and shadow enhancing the elaborately designed architecture. It gives me the opportunity to practice my night photography too!

Main streets, walkways and areas along the Seine River take on an enticing glow.






Those quaint little bistros on the side streets take on a quiet and intimate feeling...quite conducive to romance!


And shadows.....I just love shadows. The light shimmering through the long, elaborate walkways of the Louvre create intriguing patterns everywhere!


The beauty of the more famous buildings just speak for themselves.





SIGH.....night time in Paris.....what a memorable treat!

PARIS by Day

What an assortment of sights!!!

The businesses in the neighborhood...




There's an interesting custom in Paris regarding locks and bridges. I saw the locks on at least three of them. I'm told that you write your sentiment on a lock (usually "somebody loves somebody") and then place it on one of the iron bridges...to be seen forever...or at least as long as the love lasts. I wonder how heavy that gets!?



The city of Paris does its part to bring the tropics to the banks of the Seine River each summer for the vacation season. Paris Plages (beach) is created with truckloads of sand, lounge chairs and even palm trees! It stretches for over a mile and includes refreshment stands, play areas, concert venues and even sand sculptures! Quite a sight!


Of course, the Louvre area and Tuileries Gardens with it's many statues always provide plenty of photo ops.

PARIS - Bastille Day

Being a holiday, the streets were quiet and a pleasure to stroll.


The Champs de Mars (huge park area on one side of the Eiffel Tower) was empty at 7 a.m., except for me and two Japanese tourists. Apparently they couldn't sleep either.


Even the markets were rather quiet...although stocked with plenty of fresh food. The coffee and croissant hit the spot.


After a full morning of strolling and photography, I headed back to the hotel for a rest and to watch the grand parade on television. Once I found out that the parade was almost 100% military, I lost interest in hiking over to see it. I also knew that the eveig would be rather long.

Finally...the time came and I wandered over to the now-crowded Champs de Mars, which was filled with music, wormed my way into as close to the middle as I could and watched the evening unfold.











IT WAS SPECTACULAR!!!

PARIS

A short ride (2.5 hours) on the Eurostar train from London brought me into a different world. Paris is a city which many people, myself included, just love! It's exciting, as many cities are, but just seems to have something extra. I was here primarily to experience Bastille Day and the fireworks by the Eiffel Tower. More on that tomorrow. I couldn't waste the evening though so decided to stroll with my camera. A long walk from the hotel led me to the Arch de Triomphe. I love taking pictures of it from the middle of the street! :)


The Eiffel Tower wasn't too far away and I can't help shooting many pictures of it...even though many others have already done it. The following is my favorite view. The massiveness of that arch always amazes me!


Wandering the city with my camera is one of my favorite treats. There's soooo much color and excitement...and so many very broad streets!


It doesn't get dark until after 10 p.m., so I was out late wandering neighborhoods with narrow streets, where I was treated to the brightly lit Tower at almost every turn. Just lovely!




SIGH. I really like it here!