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Back to French Keyboards.... Ugh.
1 June: Beaune, France
Went back to Marche Aux Vins, and actually bought some this time. Showed Stacey the Hotel Dieu. I was exhausted so I napped whilst Stacey walked around the town. I met her at place Carnot, and
2 June: Orleans, France
Long drive. Stacey's allergy attack left us both not wanting to walk around the town.
3 June: Chateaux Chambord, France
Being so close to the Loire valley, we would be remiss if we didn't see at least one. Chateaux Chambord was one of the closest, and with the alcohol connection, it rapidly became a must see. It was quite impressive. Built in canal, what appears to be millions of spires, a double spiral staircase designed by Leonardo (who spent his last years around here). Then on the way to our next hotel in Rouen we saw a beautiful chateaux with stars of david on the side. This was the Chalet de Anet, the favorite residence of once of the most famous French mistresses, Diane de Poitiers. The first building to catch our eye was her crypt. However, inside the chalet was a wonderful chapel with monochrome stained glass windows. The French only tour was interesting, but cramped.
On the way out I went to the money machine to find that my ATM card had expired. Good thing I brought a backup...
4 June: Rouen, France
Town was pretty much closed today. Stopped into the cathedral with its gigantic spire, and found that I had seen too many cathedrals to appreciate them. The Joan of Arc church down the street, was quite interesting, shaped like a ship. I should come back on a day when this town is hopping...
5 June: Caen, France
Got into town and checked into the Etap. Then we went to the Caen Memorial, listed as the best WWII museum in Normandy. It's only 13 years old, so the exhibits (which concentrate alot on the French Resistance) are quite modern and multimedia. You start by decending slowly down a spiral which illustrates the lead up to the war, the spread of facism over Europe, and the death and destruction that were the means.
6 June: Normandy
Seeing the sights of Operation Overlord is made much more powerful and moving when experienced on an overcast and rainy anniversary of the landing.
7 June: Le Mont Saint-Michel, France
This is a sight that is most impressive from a distance. When you get close up to the throngs of tourists travelling down narrow chiachki-filled streets, it loses much of its luster. When combined with me becoming overwhelmingly sick after eating the local delicacy, Omlette Montoise, I didn't have the best time. The architecture and size of this abbey-filling-a-rock are worth the trip, however. I'm fairly sure that this would be a great stop over at night, but Versailles and the appeal of Paris are near...
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