Traveling Down Memory Lane – Notre Dame Cathedral, the symbol of Paris

notre dame cathedral, paris, france

Our tour of the French countryside provided respite from our first few days in the bustling urban environment of Paris, but soon enough, it was back to the City of Light before returning to Canada.  I won’t say that we saved the best for last, but our final sightseeing did include a visit to famous Notre Dame Cathedral, an evening spent at Moulin Rouge, and a romantic boat cruise on the Seine River. Read more

Our Time Among The Romantic Loire Valley Castles

An image of Chateau de Chenonceau in Centre Val de Loire in France.

Chateau de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley in France

Having left the hustle and bustle of Paris behind, Bob and I next planned to spend a few days in the countryside.  On our list of must-sees were some of the  Loire Valley Castles such as   Château de Chenonceau,   seen above, as well as Monet’s Garden in Giverny and a tour of the Palace of Versailles. Read more

Our Tour of Chateau de la Bourdaisiere’s Award-winning Gardens

An image of the rose and vegetable gardens at Chateau de la Bourdaisiere in the Loire Valley, France.

An image of the main entrance gate to Chateau de la Bourdaisiere in the Loire Valley, France.

Chateau de la Bourdaisiere in the Commune of Montlouis-sur-Loire, in France, is elegantly situated on a 54-hectare estate of combined gardens and mixed woodlots in the famed Loire Valley.  Having changed hands many, many times over the centuries, it was lastly bought, in 1991, by the brothers Prince Philippe Maurice and Prince Louis Albert de  Broglie. Read more

Chateau de la Bourdaisiere A Magnificent French Castle

An image of Chateau de la Bourdaisiere in the Loire Valley in France.

An image of the main entrance gate to Chateau de la Bourdaisiere in the Loire Valley, France.

One of my hopes on our trip to France was to spend a night in a “real” castle like Chateau de la Bourdaisiere.  By happenstance we learned about this castle when we came upon a little tourist information booth along a country road in the Loire Valley.  It happened to be staffed by an English-speaking young woman.  Read more

Touring The Palace of Versailles Royal Grandeur

An image of the Palace of Versailles in France.

An image of the Royal Courtyard at the Palace of Versailles in France.

After spending a few days exploring the streets and life of downtown Paris, Bob and I were anxious to leave the hubbub of the city behind.  The Palace of Versailles was our next destination and is actually located in a suburb of Paris.  It is a massive complex…800 hectares of gardens, buildings, water fountains and even a man-made lake called the Grand Canal.  For both Bob and me, it was a given that we would visit the Palace of Versailles considering its history and what happened there before and during the French Revolution. Read more

Arc de Triomphe One Of The Great Things To See In Paris

An image of the Le Triomphe of 1810 sculpture on a pillar of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.

An image of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.

Without a doubt, we have all seen endless pictures of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.  Similarly, it is probably one of the most popular sights to be both visited and filmed in Paris.  But I have got to tell you that, when Bob and I emerged onto the surface from Le Métro subway stop, the sheer enormity of the Arc de Triomphe and its ownership of the landscape literally brought tears to my eyes.  Standing across the street from it, I just stood there amazed, very moved, and in awe. Read more

Our Walk Through History In Paris

La Madeleine Church at the end of Rue Royale

Bob and I began our second day in Paris, France, with a visit to the Roman Catholic church La Madeleine located at the very top of rue Royale.  With its massive Corinthian columns, La Madeleine Church occupies a commanding position at the end of the street, and I remember being awed when I first caught sight of it.  This church has a very interesting history. Read more

We loved visiting Paris in the Spring

Pantheon dome on the left in a sea of Paris domes

Paris downtown - hazy morning

There are few places on the planet that Bob and I have visited that can compare to Paris In The Spring.  And even as our picture illustrates, it does get cloudy in that City of Light.  Paris is a city where time seems to stand still, and as you walk its streets, hills and riverside, the past and present seem to meld into one. Read more