Vacaciones en Francia: Segunda Parte

After our first week in France (in Bretagne) we headed off to Strasbourg and the Alsatian wine country. Alsace is a region along the German border and many of the towns still bear their original German names. I believe this is called toponimia (thank-you Paz)
In any case, it was very different from Bretagne, but still a beautiful area with lots of things to do and see.

The Cathedral of Strasbourg

 Close-up of the doorway with the virgen and baby Jesus

 The plaza in front of the cathedral. Typical Strasbourg half timbered houses.

 The astronomical clock inside the cathedral

 Complete with cuckoo type figures.

 Climbing the stairway to the lookout point on the roof of the cathedral. I might be smiling in this picture...but if you know me and heights...

 Feeling better at the bottom of the stairs- I made it!

 ...then proceeded to open a san pelligrino and have it spray all over me.

 We encountered a Fète de la Bière and decided to check it out.

 It turned out to be a good time. Live music and people dancing. The food was good too. This looks like it might be some sort of dialect of German on the coaster. Brewed in Schelige a pleasure for all. ...at least I think that is what it says.

 This was a giant marshmallow rope- how could I say no?

 The european parliament is located here in Strasbourg.

 La petite France-a quaint neighbourhood of Strasbourg.

 The laundromat that I used to clean my clothing- thanks to the genius who figured out how the system actually worked... ;) It was not your usual insert coins press start... :(

 After touring around Strasbourg we headed to the wine country and spent a few days at a B & B in St. Hippolyte a little village along the Alsatian wine route. Above are Pinot Noir- apparently they turn redder as the season progresses.

 Here we are for a stroll through the vineyards-followed by a giant meal in a restaurant in another small village.

 We visited a stork rehabilitation centre- didn´t see them delivering any babies though-maybe they were on vacation too!

 Here I am learning more about the various types of grapes used to make wine in the region.

 A baker is cutting a piece of walnut & raisin bread off of an enourmous loaf.

 Picture taken from a hike to one of the trois châteaux that were in the area.

 We made it up to this one, and took some pictures. In the background-behind me you can see one of the other castles.

 There it is again-along with the beautiful  countryside.

 A picture of St Hippolyte- where our B & B was located.

 Before our return to Paris for the final week of the vacation we took a ride on the BatoBus or boat tour through the canals and river of Strasbourg.

Vacaciones en Francia: Primera Parte

During the first part of our France trip I arrived to Paris where we stayed in Montmarte. We only stayed for one night and part of the following day, although we did manage to do quite a few things before our train left at noon. 

 Making it up the hill to Sacré Coeur was well worth it. It is quite a beautiful church, both from the outside and inside as well. Luckily since we went so early there were very few tourists.

 We had breakfast at the Galeries Lafayette, which is a fancy department store, that has an equally fancy grocery section in the basement. These were some of the tempting treats that I did not eat- although it did not take long to give up finding lactose free meals and snacks :(

 Upon leaving Paris, we took the train to Rouen, and then drove in a rental to a number of locations- including Juno Beach, and Mont St Michel (see below) a sort of monastery & army fortress. It was really quite interesting to tour around Bretagne- the tides come in so quickly and change the landscape drastically.

 Inside the Mont St Michel

 The tide making its way in. Look out!

 On the southern shore of Bretagne is a town called Carnac which contains megaliths- which are enornous rocks that have been placed into long rows- there are also other structures similar to Stonehenge. Bretagne is also known for its celtic roots-like many parts of the UK and Ireland (and Galicia).

 The sheep here in Carnac are responsible for mowing the lawn- and enhancing the photographs of tourists.

 The shores of Bretagne were quite beautiful and awesome. This photo was taken along the Côte Sauvage, on the way to Quiberon, a small port with ferries to Belle-Île a famous vacation destination for many people.

After leaving Bretagne we continued on to Strasbourg in the province of Alsace, along the German border. Photos to follow.