We begin this week hanging around Düsseldorf. We've gone on walks, spent some time with Anja Kühner and nights with Stefan and Michiel.
Dus River, Königsallee, Düsseldorf, Germany
Rhine River looking to Rhine Tower and Alstadt
Media Harbor (MedienHafen) contrast between modern architecture and buildings classified as historical monuments can be seen making this a uniquely distinct place
Media Harbor (MedienHafen), the Rheinturm (Rhine Tower) and the harbour high-rises like the Gehry buildings add to the range of architectural masterpieces. Since 1999, the Gehry buildings have been an icon of Düsseldorf
K21 Ständehaus: Between 1876 and 1880, the Ständehaus in Düsseldorf was erected in the historicist neo-Renaissance style by architect Julius Raschdorff. For many years, the Ständehaus accommodated the Provincial Diet of the Prussian province of the Rhineland. The Parliament of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia met there between 1949 and 1988.
We are ready to begin their vacation in Cote d'Azur and leave very early Saturday morning 1Sep at 5:00, car packed and on the road to Avignon at 17:39. We are all excited about the vacation for 2 weeks in France. Stefan started the drive to Avignon then we switched off drivers along the way. After checking into the Grand Hotel Avignon we went to our rooms then met downstairs to see the City.
We walked across the road to the City walls and inside to the Avignon. Avignon is located along the banks of the Rôhne River in the Provence region of Southern France. The city itself is recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site for its architectural beauty and historic importance. Avignon was a simple Greek Emporium founded by Phocoeons from Marseille around 539 BC, important Roman town during their occupation and papal seat. For 67 years from 1309 to 1376 Avignon was home to the Papacy, who abandoned Rome due to French King, Phillip IV and Pope Clement V. Avignon was again a Papal residence during the 'Western Schism' where there were two Popes, Rome and Avignon from 1378 to 1417.
We saw the celebration for a Moroccan Wedding in front of the Hotel De Ville below the Papal Palace. There was a beautiful two story carousel with lights and smiling faces of people riding the animals. Popes’ Palace was an amazing sight to see. The architecture and the size was incredible to see. The entrance to the Cathedral with arched ceiling and statues invite you to the Cathedral center awaiting you. There are several side altars with stained glass and frescos.
The views from above the City, Rhone the emerald green river and Castles in the background. We hiked above the Palace of the Popes to the Parc de Rochers des Doms for a panoramic view over Avignon, the Rhône River Valley and Pont Saint-Bénézet.Retracing our steps we see the gates to the Petit Palais, which were closed.
Inside the City Walls entering the old City of Avignon
Avignon is a perfect place for day trip, charming old European City with medieval architecture and rich historical importance
Mairie D'Avignon grand municipal neoclassical building in the square below the Papal Palace (Palais du Pope)
Main Square below the Papal Palace and Cathedral
Façade of Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in Europe. the Church erected more than three miles of protective wall (and 39 towers), "appropriate" housing for cardinals. This was the most fortified palace of the time. The pope left Rome to be more secure and with 10-foot-thick walls, it was a symbol of power. Besides housing the pope himself, it was also built to accommodate 500 people as the administrative center of the Holy See.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms d'Avignon. The cathedral is a Romanesque building, constructed primarily in the second half of the 12th century.[1] The bell tower collapsed in 1405 and was rebuilt in 1425. In 1670–1672 the apse was rebuilt and extended.
Cour d'honneur (Courtyard) Palais des Papes
Main Square below the Papal Palace and Cathedral
Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms d'Avignon
Entering the Cathedral, magnificent beauty with rising gothic ceilings
Shrine with altar
Access to enter and leave the Cathedral with high ornately decorated arch
Tomb of Pope Benedict XII (Tombeau de Benoît XII)
View from Rochers des Doms. The Rocher des Doms is a rocky outcrop located on the left bank of the Rôhne River
Saint-Bénézet Bridge (Pont Saint-Bénézet) was originally a wooden bridge spanning the Rhône between Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and Avignon was built between 1177 and 1185. This early bridge was destroyed forty years later during the Albigensian Crusade when Louis VIII of France laid siege to Avignon.
Panoramic view Rochers des Doms
We walk down to street level to see Pont Saint-Bénézet (originally a wooden bridge), Beginning in 1234 the bridge was rebuilt with 22 stone arches. It was abandoned in the mid-17th century as the arches tended to collapse each time the Rhône flooded making it very expensive to maintain. Four arches and the gatehouse on the left bank at the Avignon end of the bridge have survived. The Chapel of Saint Nicholas sits on the second pier of the bridge.
Pont Saint-Bénézet
As darkness approaches most of the restaurants and shops begin to close at 20:00. We decide to have lunch at The Forum in the main square, high tourist traffic area but they are serving food. We walk through the streets and get ice cream for a treat while we continuing walking.
Small cafes and restaurants with patrons having dinner on quaint sidewalks
Street art found on a quiet side street
Nicely lit church
Keith, Michiel and Stefan on a quiet street
The Saint-Agricol d’Avignon church ruins
Fortified walls around the medieval City
Walking to the hotel we chance to see The Saint Agricola Church ruins. Preserved in and lite in a handsome state for viewing at night. (The Saint-Agricol d’Avignon church was founded in the 10th century over the ruins of an ancient mediaeval structure. In 1321, Pope John XXII decided to finance a part of its construction works and raised it to the rank of a collegiate church. In the 15th century, the church was renovated: the nave was elongated to connect it to the Aumône de la Petite Fusterie chapel and the present facade was added.
Damaged during the French Revolution, the Saint Agricol church was restored in the 19th century and served as a cathedral until the renovation of the Notre Dame des Doms.)
On Sunday morning, 2Sep we wake and get complimentary breakfast since the hotel's air conditioning was not functioning. We agreed to divert our journey to Châteauneuf-Grasse and see Pont du Gard. The marvel of Post du Gard is beyond words. The structure is an impressive remnant of a foregoing day built Roman engineers and slave labor still stands to this day proving the incredible insight and knowledge with perfectly cut stones fitted together without mortar, was designed to slope ever so slightly. The aqueduct is part of a 30-mile canal system that let water flow effortlessly into the city of Nîmes.
Pont du Gard
We spend about 3-4 hours here walking across the aqueduct then around the bridge. We went to the museum and intrgrued by the vast amount of information on the system, building and fountains throughout the area. Nimes was famous for denim production around the time of the American Civil War in 1865 but the production required a lot of water.
Michiel, Stefan and Keith sit near the stairs leading to the aqueduct
Keith and Wayne sitting near entrance to aqueduct
Inside the aqueduct, calcium deposits along the sides
View from the top of aqueduct
Wayne and Keith panorama above the aqueduct
View of the aqueduct after we did the tour through from the other side
Stefan, Wayne, Michiel and Keith
Looking at Pont du Gard from the river. Pont du Gard's stone blocks, some of which weigh up to 6 tons, were precisely cut, fitting together by friction alone and eliminating the need for mortar.
The drive to Châteauneuf-Grasse took us 3 hours, we were excited about our arrival to the house in the mountains over Cote d’Azur. The house was modern, sits on the side of a high mountain looking over a valley. The swimming pool was very inviting as Stefan ran over to the shower and jumped in while we unpacked the car and get settled in. Michiel joined him. Wayne later joined Stefan for a swim then we got dressed and went into Grasse, after the rain shower passed. The roads here are tight for the car we are driving and most stores were already closed for groceries. We lucked out that the restaurant we chose was next to a small grocery store. We picked up some small things to get us through Monday breakfast. (We made it to the house we have for two weeks in Châteauneuf-Grasse after stopping at Pont du Gard. We back track 30 minutes to see this spectacular aqueduct. The house is magnificent, the pool was 84. Then off to Grasse for groceries and dinner at Bella Napoli. The roads here are so small and very tight for turning the car, plus not much room with oncoming traffic.)
Very narrow roads in the mountains to the house
The rental car
Pool with view of the valley
Deck above the pool leads to the main house
View of Châteauneuf
Mon: 3Sep Relaxing morning, having breakfast and updating photos, blog highlights. The four of us went to the grocery store late in the afternoon, then I cooked dinner for us on the grille. Beautiful evening with wine, appetizer Caprise Salad. Grilled potato with scallions, olive oil and rosemary. Steak with salt and pepper. Sunset and perfect weather.
Sunrise first morning
Peaceful, majestic beauty of the valley Châteauneuf-Grasse
Grilled potatoes fresh off the grille
Table is set and dinner is cooking
Sunset over the valley
View of the valley from the pool
Great setting for our first dinner at the house in Châteauneuf-Grasse
Finished the evening with Mexican Dominoes.
Tues: 4Sep Today is slightly overcast but comfortable. Ran out with Michiel for croissants and fresh baguette for breakfast. We decided to spend the day in Nice and go to the gay nude beach in St. Laurent-Eze. The rocky beach was comfortable, with clear fretting water. There is a natural spring off to the side to rinse off.
Nice is traditional France in the old City, courtyards, magnificent architecture with shutters and iron work on the balconies. The new promenade has green space and walking areas for the public. Parking in underground and removed for more views of the City. We walked to the Gay District and sat in the shade of the building enjoying a Cappuccino at Comptoir Central Électrique.
Came back to the house and prepared dinner, sauce with fresh vegetables and pasta. Then Mexican Dominoes…
Espace Masséna, It was named for André Masséna. Its layout was designed by Joseph Vernier in 1843-1844. Main square in the City.
Espace Masséna
Miroir d'Eau, Espace Masséna was added after parking was placed underground
Michiel and Stefan walking through Miroir d'Eau, Espace Masséna
Pedestrian walkway in the Old City
Narrow passage ways in the old city maintain a charm of this provincial French City.
The chapel of the Holy Sepulcher or of the Most Holy Sepulcher or of Notre-Dame du Sincaire or blue penitents of Nice was built by the architect Antoine Spinelli on the Garibaldi Square , from 1782 to 1784. The facade is of both neoclassical and late Baroque style for the upper and the inner part.
Marina Port of Nice
Wayne at Marina Port of Nice
view of Nice looking towards the beaches
Beautiful wrought iron throughout the City, especially there lamps
Keith, Michiel and Stefan walking to Plage de St Laurent Eze located between the Pointe de Cabuel and Cap Mala in the St Laurent Bay. This beach has an idyllic setting. After a promenade in the shady woods with a little stream, we arrive in this beautiful bay where the waves splash agains the rocks and stones.
Views along the way to the beach, crystal clear water and rough coastline of jagged rocks and cliffs
Plage de St Laurent Eze, you have to use the rope to climb down to the beach, smooth rocks, clear clean water. There is a pool of stream water to rinse off the salt before you leave.
Coastline view from the beach
Thurs: 6Sep After breakfast we took a drive on some very narrow roads that were nearly impossible to travel to Grasse. The terror of the drive was worth the end result. Grasse is charming old world village. The Cathedral is probably the most incredible old style cathedral we have ever been in built 1244. This area is known for perfume and many perfumes are made here.
Stefan driving to Grasse per the navigation through very narrow roads
Making a very tight curve, Michiel had to get out to navigate the turn
Romantic Grasse with old architecture and warmth of the medieval houses raised in the 17th and 18th centuries,
Walking around you will find gurgling fountains and picturesque squares with welcoming café terraces, vaulted passageways, freshly painted red and yellow ochre housefronts.
Farmstand within the City along the narrow walkway
The sound of water caught our attention from this unusual fountain, Labyrinth Fountain in a small square
Marblehead, MA USA 6,079 km away
Keith and Wayne with Grasse and the Valley behind
Walking back in the time along narrow passageways
Cathédrale Notre-Dame-du-Puy de Grasse, The nave’s monumental cross is an 1830 mission cross
Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Le Lavement des Pieds (The Washing of the Feet).
It shelters works by such masters as Rubens (Saint Helena and the ecstasy of the Holy Cross and Le crucifiement de Notre Seigneur 1602 shown here), Charles Nègre, a beautiful triptych by Louis Bréa, and the only religious painting by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Le Lavement des Pieds (The Washing of the Feet).
The Main Altar of this magnificent Provençal Romanesque style cathedral. In the 17th century, an exterior staircase was built, while a chapel dedicated to the Saint Sacrament was added in 1740, in a beautiful Baroque style. The cathedral’s strict, basic style, structure, vaults, and discreet décor reflect Lombardian and Ligurian influences.
The organ dates from 1855 and was made by Toulouse organ-builder Jungk
Grasse Cathedral (Notre Dama du Puy Grasse Cathedral)
Picturesque streets
17th century bronze statue " The Perfume Peddler" Grasse, France
Grasse, Provence-Alps, Côte d'Azur
Fri: 7Sep We have fresh croissants and baguette for breakfast then set off for a day at Saint-Tropez and the beach.
Michiel played a clip from a movie dancing and singing Saint-Tropez from 1964. We walked around the marina in Saint-Tropez then into the old streets and out of the blazing hot sun.
Eventually, we found a quaint little bakery for sandwiches and cappuccino, food was good and quiet atmosphere, La Tropezianne.
Saint Tropez old city and rugged coast
Walk along the Marina, plenty of tourists, coffee shops and tourist shops
Saint Tropez marina with sailing yachts and mega yachts
Place de l'Ormeau park
Gendarmerie Nationale former police department and now museum representing gendarmerie in film.
Wayne and Keith are characters from The Troops of St. Tropez (1964)
We walked to Gendamerie Nationale museum and location of the old police station found in famous French films in Saint Tropez. We then left for the beach at Pampelonne.
Pampelone Beach long sandy beaches with Clubs along the beach serving cocktails, chairs for rent and crystal clear water.
Long sandy beach, clean with plenty of parking except for tourist season, though we are at the end of vacation time we had to wait to get in to park. The beach was beautiful, water inviting, clear and warm. It was a little cool at first with temperature outdoors 28c. Keith and I went for a long walk down the beach, listening to families and several places playing music, loungers for rent and drinks.
By the time we left traffic had cleared and we stopped in Ramatuelle for dinner. Magnificent views from this hilltop village and plenty of restaurants running up a long hill. We stopped at Au Soliel.
View from Ramatuelle as the sun sets over he French Riviera (or Côte d'Azur)
Keith and Wayne with the view Côte d'Azur from Ramatuelle
Stefan, Keith, Wayne and Michiel get dinner at Au Soleil in Ramatuelle
Restaurants line the streets of this quiet, quaint village
Ramatuelle at night, charming
We got home late, rinsed off from the beach and called it a good day.
Sat: 8Sep We decided to take the train from Grasse to Cannes. We toured Cannes La Croisette Promenade by the water and beaches. Pedestrian space is well used by keeping traffic to two lanes and open the other two lanes permanently to pedestrians.
Carlton Intercontinental
Cannes La Croisette Promenade
Carlton Intercontinental Hotel overlooking the beach
Beach along the promenade
Keith and Wayne along the promenade in Cannes
Location of the Cannes Film Festival
We went to Hotel de Ville where a wedding was happening, sat in the shade then went up to the Citadel (Castre Museum, Cannes). Medieval castle situated in the heart of Cannes Old Town, Le Suquet Hill. We saw the exhibitions from Japan and all over the world. We proceeded to the Tower to see the City from high above, breathtaking views of the mountains and Cannes below.
Citadel on the hill in Old Cannes
11th century Saint Anne Chapel houses a remarkable collection of musical instruments from Asia, Africa, America and Oceania.
Cannes and mountains from Tower
Cannes Marina
Cannes coastline
Keith, Wayne and Stefan at the Tower
Wayne and Michiel, selfie from the medieval tower
Wayne and Keith with Cannes Marina in the background
Street art at the train station as we leave Cannes
After walking the old part of Cannes we grabbed a quick sandwich and head to the train station. We got back to Grasse and went grocery shopping for food for Sunday, since all the grocery stores are closed.
Mon: 10Sep
Sunday was a down day by the pool to relax and enjoy the pool. We decide to stay closer to the house today since the weather in Castellane is cloudy. We will go to Torrettes-du-Loup and Vence. We toured Tourrettes-Sur-Loup, medieval village close by in the mountains. Then we went to Vence historical city to tour it then came back to the house to relax in the pool.
Dinner Sunday night, garlic bread, Watermelon salad, chicken skewers with lemon and small tomatoes, chicken skewers with apricot, yellow peppers and small tomatoes and beef skewers with metal skewers small tomatoes and peppers.
Approaching Tourrettes-Sur-Loup, this medieval village that sit out on the ledge of the hill, on the southern slope of the Puy de Tourrettes.
Archway entering the old city on Grand Rue, one of two arched entries into the Village. The most well preserved medieval village we visited on the French Riviera.
Beautifully maintained and distinct in the character of this well preserved village. The site was occupied by a Celtic-Ligurian tribe, then by the Romans from 262 BC, until 476 AD.The present castle in 1437, including the old twelfth-century belfry, were built by Count of Provence Louis II of Anjou and given to Guichard Villeneuve.
The interior of the fortification is well preserved and maintained.
Photo of a bicycle planter.
Walking around the village and finding new and interesting views.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Viewing the Village from the exterior wall of the Castle
Église Saint-Grégoire (Saint Gregory Church) - On the south facade, reused stones, emblems of Christianity, are engraved with symbols.To see inside: a stele dedicated to Mercury dating from the third century, and the Triptych in the tradition of the fifteenth century, in the style of Bréa brothers.
The present church was enlarged in 1551 on the site of a Romanesque church of the twelfth century.The current entrance is of a Romano-Renaissance style. Built in Place de la Libération
Romanesque style interior style
Keith and Wayne walking in the old city
Vence was the next stop, which was not as spectacular as Tourrettes-sur-Loup. Very large modern City surrounds the medieval village. You enter through a large portal arch La Porte et la Fontaine du Peyra. The current Peyra fountain, or high fountain, was made in 1822 by architect Etienne Goby. It replaced another fountain dating back to 1578 and had itself taken the place of a fountain built in 1439 by Ribellini. It is fed by the water of the source of the Foux. This source has powered Vence since Roman times. A first aqueduct was built in the first century to bring water to the city and the baths. Until the canalization of Riou, in 1886, the fountains high and low were the only two fountains feeding the inhabitants of Vence in drinking water.
La Porte et la Fontaine du Peyra
Peyra Fountain Vence
Narrow streets and market places within the city now house small cafes and restaurants
Tourist shops in the old city walls, cobblestone streets with interesting architecture .
Keith and Stefan near another arched entry into the old city
Notre-Dame de la Nativité CathedralThe cathedral was built in the 4th century on the site of a Roman temple. The stone of the western façade dates from 239. Another, on the right, was engraved in December 220. Other stones in the external walls represent funerary dedications. Also on the western side of the church, the Pierre du Tauroble evokes the cult of Cybele and also the Great mother of the Gods of Mount Ida. A chapel in the cathedral has a mosaic by Marc Chagall, dated 1911.
Notre-Dame de la Nativité Cathedral main altarBuilt on the site of a temple of Mars and a Merovingian church, it surprises with its heteroclite character: Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque.
Organ above the church
We sat out by the pool, did some swimming and sunbathing, had Küchen and coffee, then read some. Keith and Stefan played ping pong.
Tues: 11Sep
We leave the house early for a long day of travel, we stop at Tour des Delices bakery in Châteauneuf for breakfast then start the journey to Castellane. On the way we stop at Gourdon, medieval village known for its roman architecture. You park your car below this amazing village, taking the old "Chemin du Paradis" which used to be a mule track.
UNESCO Geopark of Haute-Provence was the first Geopark in the world recognized by UNESCO. Michiel and Stefan rented a paddle boat and Keith and I went for a swim in Lac de Castillon is a reservoir in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France. At an elevation of 880 m, part of the UNESCO Geopark. The views within the park are remarkable.
Gourdon,Le Nid d'Agile is a restaurant overhanging the edge of the hillside
Gourdon is perfectly settled white stone-built medieval houses, nestling around the feudal castle, all of which are beautifully restored and maintained.
The Château de Gourdon was built in three stages.First step, the 9th century.Second stage, in the twelfth century, on the foundations of the fortress of the ninth, when the Counts of Provence organized their border between the county of Ventimiglia and the county of Provence.
They built a fortress on the cliff of Gourdon which was from the beginning a fortified place.It remains the general plan with the three round towers at the corners and the big wall to the north looking towards the road Pré du Lac.
The rest of the Château de Gourdon was built in the 17th century, arcades, the first floor in 1610 and the second in 1653.
Plateau de Cavillore Gordon
Château de Gourdon and the fortified City
Laundry area for washing clothes
Castellane is a village in Alpes-de-Haute Provence at the northern end gateway to the Gorges du Verdon. This rich medieval village filled with cultural and natural heritage is at the crossroads between the Route Napoléon and Routes de la Lavande, in the heart of the Verdon National Park.
Porte de l'Horloge original gate was built in the 14th century as part of the gate through the ramparts, the clock and campanile were added in the 18th century. We explored the old centre after passing through the gate, very close to Castellane Tourist Office at the west end of the old town.
View of the old city through Porte de l'Horloge
Eglise du Sacré-Coeur
The Church of the Sacred Heart, now a parish church, was built in 1868-1873 by Father Pougnet and dedicated to Our Lady. It was widened by side aisles in 1896. The first transept is occupied by a platform. The interior is Gothic, with the tower built against the façade.
The altar and Gothic arched ceiling
Stained glass above the altar is beautiful
The fortified vestiges and the Pentagonale Tower (five-sided tower), there is now a part below the tour within the fortifications. The views are incredible.
View of Castellane and the towers from the two churches.
Tower Park and view of the mountains
Coming down from the tower small streets welcome you to tour
Old Castellane
We took the road to Lac Castellane. The D952 is the most dreaded cliffside road in the high country of Provence. The narrow two-lane hairpin route is a 13-mile window to the vast natural wonders of the Gorges du Verdon, France's wild, rugged, remote Grand Canyon. At times the hairpin turns are imposing with traffic coming close to you at higher speeds than you would anticipate.
Cliff hanger drive with sharp curves running back on each other along the edge
The Grand Canyon of Europe from the car
Gorges du Verdon, a must see! Stop along the way if you can. Not many places to view but just drive through to the Lake.
We drove through small villages with tight streets for two way traffic and ski areas along the way. Quaint French mountainous country side. Terrain was change to more pine trees and low grass for farmers with horses, cows and goats. This is La Palud-sur-Verdon.
Keith, Michiel and Wayne above Lac de Sainte Croix
Entering UNESCO Geopark in Gorges of Verdon and Lac de Sainte Croix
You can rent electric boats, paddle boats, canoes and kayaks to enjoy the water
Rocky beach but refreshing water and so worth a swim
Beach and mountains, partly sunny day and warm weather made this a great trip
The gorges on the lake, Michiel and Stefan rented a paddle boat for 2 hours.
Keith and I went for a swim in Lac de Sainte Croix is part of a reservoir in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France. At an elevation of 880 m, part of the UNESCO Geopark. The views within the park are remarkable.
Thurs: 13 Sep
We leave early today for the Naturist beach in Saint Tropez. We took the ‘Nun Road’. Traveling through wine vineyards and Grimaud towards Port Grimaud and Saint-Tropez. The naturist beach is near Shellona Club, Club Bagatelle and Polyensia. We rented an umbrella from FoolMoon for 10 Euros. Despite the wind blowing sand at times the day was very nice and relaxing.
Forêt Domaniale des Maures
Forêt Domaniale des Maures narrow roads in the mountains
Pampelonne Beach
Pampelonne Beach
Pampelonne Beach
On our way back home from Ramatuelle, photo take along the coast road in Bertaud, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Sailboats and power boats along the way through Guerre Vieille
Fri: 14Sep
We head to Monaco then Eze Beach. We toured Monaco (Monte Carlo) for 3 hours in hot humid weather, reminded us of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia type of weather. We walked around the Yacht Club Monaco, mega power yachts, some very large sail yachts and and some smaller sailboats docked at the marina.
We walked through a very pretty Japanese Garden, shades and alive with water features with koi. The Monte Carlo Casino architecture was incredible. Afterwards we walked up stairs along the hillside to the Palace sitting on an old fortress from the 16th century. The views of Monaco are spectacular with a combination of the old and new with the marina. The aquiline water in a series of blues and greens.
We finished with the Musee Oceanagrafit Museum started by Jacque Cousteau. The building is Renaissance and Baroque.
Jardin Japonais, Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Monaco Yacht Club
Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo. Belle Époque style built in 1890 and 1896 the architect Nicolas Marquet with the participation of Gustave Eiffel.
Casino Monte Carlo and The Salle Garnier and Palais Garnier Opera House
Opéra de Monte-Carlo is an opera house, which is part of the Monte Carlo Casino. The architect Charles Garnier also designed the Paris opera house now known as the Palais Garnier. The Salle Garnier is much smaller, seating 524, compared to about 2,000 for the Palais Garnier, and unlike the Paris theatre, which was started in 1861 and only completed in 1875.
Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo pened in 1863 as part of the development of Monaco by the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) under the auspices of Charles III of Monaco.
Michiel, Stefan and Keith looking at the Marina from the fortification
Old City of Monte Carlo streets on Rocher de Monaco
Prince's Palace of Monaco.
The Prince's Palace of Monaco is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. Built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress, during its long and often dramatic history it has been bombarded and besieged by many foreign powers. Since the end of the 13th century, it has been the stronghold and home of the Grimaldi family who first captured it in 1297. The principal façade appears as a terrace of Renaissance style palazzi from differing periods of the Renaissance era.The Rocher de Monaco overlooks both the port and the Mediterranean. The Prince's Palace is on the Rocher de Monaco. Also found on the Rocher is the Palladian building Oceanographic Museum, founded by Prince Albert I in 1906.
Newly claimed land through land reclamation from the sea. View from Rocher de Monaco.
Wayne and Keith at the fortification wall on Rocher de Monaco looking over Monte Carlo and the marina
Yacht Club de Monaco from Fortification
Then Eze beach to finish the day, the sun was not as strong as it was in Saint Tropez but the water was warmer and the men were interesting.
Sat: 15Sep
Our last full day in Châteauneuf-Grasse was spent hanging around the house and pool then we took a ride to Tourrettes-sur-Loup for some things Michiel wanted for his mother. The agent for the house came to inspect then we packed and played in the pool and ping pong.
Parked outside the village and view from the main road
Cannot resist taking photos inside this medieval gem of a village
Tourettes-Our-Loup
Mid-afternoon coffee and snack at Tourettes-sur-Loup, take time and have a coffee with a pastry. Really inexpensive here compared to the rest of Côte d'Azur
We wanted to have dinner in Châteauneuf but there was nothing in the actual village. We found Le Capriccio after the roundabout. Nice local restaurant with a good menu and excellent food , full with local people.
Quaint and peaceful Châteauneuf, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Châteauneuf had only residences, no shops or restaurants
Old city streets in this sleepy village
Keith, Michiel, Stefan and Wayne at Le Capriccio for our last dinner in Châteauneuf
Sun: Sep16
Up and out at 6:00 on the road to Strausbourg, should be there around 15:00. Map shows clear all the way with no traffic.
We arrived in Strasbourg around 15:00, checked in to the Hilton then toured the city. We took the tram to the old city, walked into the Cathedral du Notre Dame. The cathedral is a fantastic mix of architecture from Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. The stained glass work is incredible, the cathedral was built 1015 with additions to the building over the next 500 years.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de StrasbourgAlthough considerable parts of it are still in Romanesque architecture, it is widely considered o be among the finest examples of high, or late, Gothic architecture. At 142 metres (466 feet), it was the world's tallest building from 1647 to 1874 (227 years), when it was surpassed by St. Nikolai's Church, Hamburg. Today it is the sixth-tallest church in the world and the highest extant structure built entirely in the Middle Ages.
One of two doors to the Cathedral
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg or Strasbourg Cathedral, as viewed from the rear looking down the central isle. The stained glass at the St. Pancrace's altar (1522) from Dangolsheim
Stained glass windows dating from the 12th to the 14th century
The presence of an organ is attested as early as year 1260. There was also two other instruments built and modified in 1291 and 1327. The oldest sections of the actual organ case are not older than 1385. The bird's nest was built in the same period. It is built in fir and is hung from the wall by a very large vertical oak beam down to the Samson's statue.
Christ , the Judge and angel bearer of the cross
During that WW11, the stained glass was removed in 74 cases and stored in a salt mine near Heilbronn, Germany. After the war, it was returned to the cathedral by the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives section of the United States military
Rose window
Western facade of the Cathedal and Old City German architecture
We made our way through narrow streets to Petit France, also know as Grande-Île and Neustadt (UNESCO) The French and Germanic influences have enabled the composition of a specific urban space combining constructions reflecting major significant periods of European history: Roman Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Rhineland Renaissance, French 18th century classicism, and then the 19th and early 20th centuries which saw the emergence of a modern city, the capital and symbol of the new German state. A must see when visiting Strasbourg, the locks and architecture is a beautiful mix of French and German.
Place des Tripiers
Grande Île is an island that lies at the historic centre of the city of Strasbourg in France. Its name means "Large Island", and derives from the fact that it is surrounded on one side by the main channel of the Ill River and on the other side by the Canal du Faux-Rempart, a canalised arm of that river.
La Petite France is a historic quarter of the city of Strasbourg in eastern France. It is located at the western end of the Grande Île, which contains the historical centre of the city.
Le Petit France
Keith and Wayne in UNESCO area, Le Petit France
Le Petit France
Le Petit France
La Maison des Tanneurs (Tanners' House), Built in the 15th century and extended in 1572, was formerly a traditional tannery.
La Petite France was occupied by tanners transforming skins into leather. This work consists of cleaning the skins so that they absord the tannin and achieve the necessary softness and pliability. The craftsman used plant-based tannin made from oak and chestnut bark. The residue was dried in cheese molds. The tanners dried the skins in the attics with openings in the roofs to let in the air. In the 19th century, the tanners moved out of this area to Lingolsheim.
The Bouclier Refromed Church parish founded by John Calvin in 1538, whcih was subsequently taken-ver by Pierre Bruly. The church was built between 1788 and 1790 for Reformed Protestants who had been allowed to have a place to worship in the city since 1563.
Keith and I toured the rest of the city seeing Palais Rohan (former residence of the prince-bishops and cardinals of the House of Rohan) now the Musée archéologique.
Place Kléber (central square of Strasbourg) in remembrance of General Kléber. The square house lovely water fountains, meeting area for many people and children running and laughing.
Place Kléber
The Barrage Vauban, or Vauban Dam, is a bridge, weir and defensive work erected in the 17th century on the River Ill, arches control the water with a waterfall and lock system.
The Palais du Rhin, the former Kaiserpalast, is a building situated in the German quarter of Strasbourg dominating the Place de la République with its massive dome. A huge building, it and the surrounding gardens, as well as the neighbouring stables, are an outstanding landmark of 19th-century Prussian architecture.
Place de la République large park with many Louis XIV buildings.
Strasbourg at night
Sunsetting over the canal
The Gothic arches and architecture show more prominent at night with lighting to the cathedral
The Palais Rohan in Strasbourg is the former residence of the prince-bishops and cardinals of the House of Rohan, an ancient French noble family originally from Brittany. It is a major architectural, historical, and cultural landmark in the city. It was built next to Strasbourg Cathedral in the 1730's and is considered a masterpiece of French Baroque architecture.
The palace has hosted a number of French monarchs such as Louis XV, Marie Antoinette, Napoleon and Joséphine, and Charles X.
Le Petit France at night
Michiel, Stefan, Wayne and Keith last day of holiday in France
Mon: 17Sep
We leave for a 4 hour trip back to Dusseldorf. We made it back, unpacked, cleaned out the car then Michiel & Stefan returned the car.
