Our France road trip was in two parts: First with Jason and Roberta where we traveled from Saint-Jean-de-Losne to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. We stopped at towns along the way that either Jason and Roberta had visited years ago on their bicycle tour of the Dordogne or places that Linda found OAT has included in France tours. Our first stop was to Sarlot in the Dordogne department. The center of town is now designated a special sector to limit development that might damage its character.
Our boutique hotel in Sarlot.
Our room
View from our room of street behind our hotel.
Our walk from hotel to center of old town.
Fontaine Sainte-Marie
Emerson says "At least my belly isn't quite as round as the Michelin man's!"
Roberta says, "What's up with all the Kelly green?" Everywhere we went in France this color was seen in shop windows and on women in the streets!
Dining out our first night. Unintentional photo bomb?!
We hung around after dinner to pay the check while Jason and Roberta went back to the hotel. We started talking to a couple at the next table (though mostly listening!). The husband kept saying he was from Norway despite living more than 50 years in Switzerland!
Back in the old town on day two, we pass a manikin with a pretty top (under the jeans overalls). Roberta went back later and purchased it!
Sarlot Cathedral
Memorial to the lives lost in WW1.
Reflections from the stained glass.
On a search for a good view of Sarlot we walk a hilly street. No great view but we did pass some interesting hedge trimming.
The de Gisson Family Mansion/Museum. In front of the mansion are three bronze geese. The foie gras in the area is made from duck (not goose) livers.
Inside the mansion we take a tour of the many rooms. This kitchen had an automated roasting spit.
The dining room.
The smoking room.
The library.
More spiral stairs.
The bedroom.
Attic view of the roof.
The tiles on these roofs are flat stones "lauzes". The roofs must weight many tons.
Three different roofing types in this view.
Descending many spiral stairs, we reach the basement where we find the Cabinet of Curiosities containing many items. These curiosity collections of many rich folks at that time became the first museums.
No prince is coming for the damsel in distress.
On our tour of Sarlot this building contained several galleries.
Well worn stairs going to the galleries.
An artist on the top floor.
He was very English and not a fan of the monarchy
Behind the church.
Lanterne des Morts. A unique architecture.
A dragon on the windvane on top of the church.
Some fun art behind the church.
We bought truffle salt at this little shop.
Panoramic view of the courtyard where we dined our second night.
So happy to be traveling with Jason ...
... and Roberta again in France!
Our evening walk back through town....
...as we head back to Hotel St. Albert for our second night in Sarlot.
After Sarlot we hit the road and head to Rocamador. On the way we stop at this Villa where Jason and Roberta stayed while on a bike tour years ago.
The beautiful grounds there.
Their suite was on the top floor of this turret!
As if to warm us up for Rocomador, we pass some other castle-estates...
...along the way.
However, must say ... Rocomadour is breathtaking!
Map of Rocamadour.
We head to the Chateau - the highest structure in Rocamadour.
It sits above the town on the cliff.
Breathtaking view of streets of Rocamadour little city and the valley below.
So picturesque!
A sense of how high up we are!
After Linda and Emerson take the elevator to the Sanctuary level.
Part of the Sanctuary.
Amazing to see how it's built into the rock.
The bells were ringing for some time before the video was started.
La chapelle Notre-Dame de Rocamadour and a welcome by the Virgin Mary as represented by this simple Black Madonna statue.
Another pretty view.
We travel down to the town level and stop for refreshments at a cafe under this lovely canopy of trees.
Lots of good shops in the town part of Rocamadour.
One more look back at Rocamadour as we head south to Cahors.
In the town of Cahors.
The view of surrounding area from near the historic town center.
A building of note on our walking tour of Cahors.
L'Ange Du Lazaret - bronze statue
A small church near the Lot river in Cahors.
we find this marker in the streets of Cohors marking one of the routes of the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage Trails. In English it is known as the Way of St. James.
A much larger church in town.
St Joan of Arc
Non traditional stain glass.
The projected scene kept changing. It was quite nice.
The sea shell is the symbol for the Camino. Pilgrims carry the shell with them. They were for sale at the church but the lady gave Jason two and wished him a good journey.
A very expansive town plaza.
Interesting garden in plaza.
Never seen this before!
The Pont Velentre crosses the Lot River.
On the bridge.
After crossing the bridge we locate the Fountaine des Chartreux (on our walking tour!).
Before heading back over the bridge we stop at pumping station that has markings of how high the Lot River has risen on several historic floods! The highest mark is 1927, then 1866, 1868 and 2003 is the lowest mark shown
Such a picturesque bridge.
Ok, one more photo with us in it this time.
Ok, we'll take one of you two now.
Just one more photo on this medieval bridge, ok Emerson? Geesh he says!
It took awhile but we finally found this archeological site in an underground parking lot!
Old Roman ruins.
After all that walking we need to stop for beers and pizza. Cheers!
Walking back to car.
Sunset in Cahors just before we drive away to spend a night at our Ibis Hotel which is outside the historic city center.
It's wednesday and the hotel bar had actual martini glasses which Roberta spied right away!
So we properly celebrated Martini Night! Jason had to tell them how to make them, and they came with ice cubes but they were pretty good!
As we leave Cahors, we spy yet another castle/chateau on a hill.
On the drive from Cahors to Lourdes we stopped and devoured baguette sandwiches and wine at a lovely roadside park. We bought these items at a previous gas station/reststop similar to those we have in the US. However in France some of the rest stop food is exceptional!
We start to see the Pyrenees Mountains as we get closer to Lourdes.
Reaching Lourdes
One of our first looks at the church in Lourdes.
Lourdes
Outside altar
Linda's mom at the same alter in 1950.
One of several sactuaries at Lourdes.
The grotto of the apparitions. Pilgrams touch the rock as they pass by.
Jason, Emerson and Linda sit in line waiting to go into the baths where Lourdes docents (one male, one female) performed a very touching ceremony including pouring of water to wash our hands and face and reciting the Hail Mary. Additionnlly, they had Linda and Emerson join hands with more Lourdes water poured and prayers said as a marriage blessing.
Linda lights a candle she bought. There are several small open air buildings with the candles that are tended to day and night.
Watching the candles we lit for our families.
View from across the Ousse River.
Roberta and Jason
Emerson and Linda
Hiking from the Santuary grounds through town to visit the Chateau Musee.
Chateau Fort Musee Pyreneen
The Chateau Museum had interesting displays of early Pyrenees life.
Waxing the wix.
One of a few typical Pyrenees clothing.
There's that Kelly green again! Geesh!
Roberta and Jason looking down...
...at the cemetary within the chateau grounds below.
View from the top of the castle.
Roberta and Jason
Looking back up to where we had the view.
Tiny chapel at the Chateau.
Inside that chapel.
Several miniature castles at the Musee. Amazingly detailed.
After the Chateau tour we stopped for drinks.
We decided to go back to visit Lourdes again in the evening.
The beautiful grotto at night.
A view from Lourdes of the Chateau Fort lit up at night.
People queued up in front of the church for the evening processional.
Viewing the processional from above.
Everybody below joins in the prosession. They end in a very modern undergound basilica which we discover the next day.
We stop for a late night meal after our evening at Lourdes.
This entertaining woman (likly the owner) encouraged us to eat here.
We return to Lourdes our second day, stopping first in one of the main sanctuaries.
Saint Bernadette of Lourdes.
Emerson and Linda with the Grotto in the background. Linda's Mom and Nana visited Lourdes in 1950 and a similar photo was taken then. It will be nice to compare when we get back to the states.
Washing our hands in the spring water.
Filling our bottles to take home. You could buy gallon containers for the water.
The Spring and baths are behind the church.
We've been wondering about the football shaped and football field size lawn that lies on the grounds of Lourdes and discover that beneath this mound is the Saint Pius X Basilica where the evening processional ends.
A lot of similar paintings are along the ramp into the underground church.
Saint Pius X - an underground basilica built in 1958 for the centenary of the Apparitions. It can hold up to 25,000 pilgrims!
In the center of the underground church.
There is a series of paintings telling the story of Bernadette.
We stopped at a Ukranian Christian Church.
"That was lovely and we even gave donations and received Ukranian flags!"
Jason stopped to help these two Irish ladies with the ATM. Even with his help it would time out as the two ladies discussed each step.
Goodbye Lourdes...you delivered more than we expected!
On the road again and heading toward the Pyrenees.
We arrive in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
Jason finds Jim by chance.
Another bit of chance, our outside dining table is adjacent to Jim and Leigh Ann's indoor table!
Walking the hilly streets.
Pretty views of countryside from this pretty town.
Love the hilly streets and dramatic views.
Emerson and Linda selfie!
.
We part ways and say good-bye and bonne chance to Jason and Roberta as they head out the next day for their five week pilgramage walk!
The rest of our trip, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port back to Lyon
We arrive in Carcassone.
A pretty street near our hotel that leads to the Old City.
The park across from our hotel.
We stayed two nights here.
A somewhat humorous depiction of Queen Elizabeth who had very recently passed away.
We took a walking tour of the "newer" city and of course visited a church.
A modern memorial to the war dead.
Updated with more recent conflicts. You may and often should disagree with the reasons countries fight but the young men who die often in vain should not be forgotten. None of these memorials are to the generals who led them to their death.
A bridge over the L'Aude river. We took this on our way to the Old Fortress City of Carcassonne. In the foreground, elementary age students enjoying a lesson outdoors.
Crossing the bridge.
Our first glimpse of the Old City.
Postal delivery. We usually saw the mail being delivered on bicycles in the city.
Port de l'Aude (Aude Gate) our first entry into the Old Fortress City the first day.
Slits in walls for arrows to be shot in defense of the fortress back in the day.
Stopping for refreshments before continuing our tour of the Old City.
One of the old city's streets populated with shops and restaurants.
An aerial photo of the Old City of Carcassonne.
Outside wall of the old city.
Inside the city walls.
Another entry gate.
Archway to a city street.
Basilica
Inside basilica.
Another gateway into the fort.
A nun and her dog.
We toured the main fortification inside the castle.
Ammunition for the trebuchet.
A few more views of the countryside from the Castle.
As we walk back to our hotel for a bit of a rest, another view of the old city of Carcassonne.
Ok, let's go back and have dinner in the old city!
Late afternoon makes for pretty shot of the countryside from inside the old city.
Outdoor dining in a lovely spot in the old city.
Walking back through the old city at night.
Pretty night view of old city from near....
...and then farther away.
Back in the city for breakfast the next morning.
Last view before leaving pretty Carcassonne!
Pont du Gard Museum - we visited this first before heading down to see the real thing.
Layout of the grounds including museum and the bridge.
Roman artifacts and details showing how the bridge was built.
We found the mosaic with the female athletes unexpected.
The Pont du Gard. Built in the first century AD.
The 31 mile path of the Pont du Gard water.
The Gardon river flows beneath it.
A wonderful view.
Looking down where the water flowed.
We traveled north to Avignon where we stayed 2 nights at an Ibis Hotel, which is just outside and across the street from the old city walls.
Lookiing down from our hotel window we see the confusing intersection that was difficult to figure out when we were trying to find where to park at the hotel. The traffic light is way to the right of the picture.
Our small room.
Wheelchair accessible bathroom with no shower curtain. Interesting!
A nice free private museum along the way to the Palace of the Popes.
More stuff nicely displayed.
City Hall
Notre Dame of Avignon
Palace of the Popes
Entry into Palace of the Popes
Inside the Palace of the Popes
A view over the rooftops at the Palace
Behind this turret at the palace, the statue of the Blessed Mother gracing Notre Dame of Avignon Cathedral.
Nice ceiling but in general we were underwelmed with the lack of effort and interest in restoring the vast, empty and boring rooms in the palace.
Le Pont Saint Benezet- Historic remains of a 12th century bridge -sections of which have washed away over the years. We skipped walking out onto this historic bridge due to the ridiculosly long lines!
The guy with the beer was sitting there waiting for people to come and play chess with him.
A nice carousel.
The Opera House.
Inside the opera house. Nice (but Linda likes the Galveston Opera House better!).
We stopped in this church.
Where we found another statue of Joan - I texted this to Roberta!
A singer was preparing to give a concert that evening.
Interesting double doors to the church above.
A shopping street. Note the hat decoration overhead.
Chapelle de l'Oratoire - We found an art exhibit inside.
We both really liked the "reflected" image.
Another interesting piece.
Windows of some buildings would have artwork displayed. We also saw this is Basoncon.
We enjoy a nice meal at one of the outdoor restaurants in Avignon's public square.
Just outside the gates of Avignon's old city is the Gare d'Avignon Centre (Central Train Center) which was located next to our Hotel Ibis.
We head to the old city the next morning to do a bit more shopping and pass this sign. Flavin has a permanent exhibit at the Menil in Houston
We say goodbye to Avignon as we drive pass the fortified walls of the Old City.
On the road again in lovely Provence France.
We drive to Vaison-la-Romaine. John and Michelle had an apartment here for many years
Yet another Memorial to the first World War.
First we stop for refreshments!
Lots of Roman ruins around
We visit the Archeological Museum there.
Another very nice museum. They had a list on the wall of museums around the world which had items taken from Vaison-la-Romaine.
An amphitheatre. Still in use as we see it's under construction for improvement.
We drive to the hilltop to see the castle there.
One more view of the town of Vaison-la Romaine before heading north.
We drove on to Vienne just outside of Lyon and spent the night. View from our room after we check in.
As we walk back from a nearby pizzaria for quick dinner we spy our Hotel Ibis with this nice view of an old castle on the hill behind it.
Taking photos of our hotel rooms is helpful for cementing Linda's memories of our trips!
The next day we across the Rhone from our hotel...
...to visit the Musee et sites de Saint-Romain-en-Gal-Vienne.
A depiction of the active wharf area and warehouses in Roman times.
They made some big jars back then.
A boat with smaller jars.
It's amazing what they were able to recover after all these years.
These mosaics had previosly been the floors of the homes found in these Roman ruins, remarkably in good shape!
On the grounds outside we saw young students watching demonstrations about Roman times.
A lavish garden with pond in Roman times.
It's always so hard to fully realize we walked on a road that survived from the Roman times.
Back in Lyon, we check into Campanille Hotel, where we stayed last time we were here 3 weeks ago!
We cross the bridge to find a restaurant.
We enjoy a casual meal here. No reservations needed and good food!
Back across the river, we head back to our hotel for our last night in France.
And then we fly home.
