Some news from France LXXIII

Back in Brittany after a hectic last 10 days that included trips to Paris/Versailles and South Africa. Now things settled for a while until my next trip there next weekend ::) Paris/Versailles that is.

I wanted to dedicate this post on driving in France in general. I hear it all the time in travel forums, its difficult to drive in France ,and especially in large cities like Paris. Well it is not true at all. It depends how you learned to drive lol!!!

I will expand a bit about me, I learned to drive in the New Jersey ,New York City corridor, and you know what they said there, if you can make in NYC, you can make it anywhere ;YES! Driving in and out of Lincoln and Holland tunnels and crossing the George Washington Bridge prepares you for anything in car driving.

I first was able to drive in Europe in Madrid, big city boy, had no problems there, then came France, and Paris. Well I just came back from another trip to the area by car ,my Ford, the best. American name, German engineering ::) I come into Versailles and Paris in and out with it all the time. In Paris you need to know where the Seine river is ,and will give you directional support to find all things. There are signs in the city, more than any other, and if you know from a map where they are, and where in relation to the Seine, you will be fine. In Versailles all roads radiates from the chateau or palace, right in front is ave de paris, to your left looking out is ave St Cloud and to our right is ave Sceaux, the street of the train station rive gauche is Gen de Gaulle, and it becomes ave Gen Leclerc to your right next street you reach the Cathedral of Saint Louis, if you go from ave de Paris to your left you are in ave de l’Europe to the marche notre dame and continues on rue du mal Foch and the train station rive droite. Once on Foch turn left on rue de la Paroisse to get to collegiale Notre Dame. All was done in a square basis as per the king Louis XIV ::) And the ave de Paris becomes the N10 or D910 right into Saint Cloud and Paris as per the king.

Driving in France, again is easy, many signs are everywhere with the end closest big city listed in black with white background first then the green and then the blues. Green is for N roads=National, and blue is for expressways or A roads =autoroutes. You have many stretches of roads manned by private companies, like on the popular Paris to Normandy and Brittany area on the A13 you have the SAPN  and the traffic radio 107,7 FM even sometimes with reports in English! and the webpage also has information about rest stops areas such as AIRES in French, http://www.sanef.com/Preparez-votre-voyage/Autoroute-temps-reel/Trafic-en-temps-reel

You will find tourist information, itineraries,  and weather or meteo on the above site too pretty complete for on the road attack , but of course in French. You, also, can look into Bison Futé site in English for information on all roads, the info is complete, webpage http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr/diri/Accueil.do?langue=en  And, if you need to know where to gas up and the prices the site Zagaz has it all, just click on the department on the map, or on the drop down window choose the town you want. Once you see the best price click on the towns name or service station for all pricing, and directions to the station. webpage http://www.zagaz.com/index.php

On the tolls, or péages, you need to choose, the Liber-T prepaid lanes, the Cartes or bank card lanes, or the especes or cash lanes. Approach slowly,and get it pay, then take off quickly, its normal in any country to step on the gas to get out of the block,so dont be surprise if that happenned here. The A13 is toll roads from Paris to Caen is 14,70€ one way the rest of the way to my place is on free N roads.

I start on the A13, then go on the A84 by Caen to get to Rennes, here you can go on the N175, then at Rennes get on the N24 to Vannes you will need to get on the N166, and once there I need to get on the N165 to Auray (D768)  or the beaches of Carnac and Quiberon etc. All is one road just change number. The distance is about 550 kms, I do it in 5hrs stopping for gas and quick bite or as long as 10 hrs if stop for sightseeing like in Avranches or Rennes,and having a nice lunch or dinner (this is when traveling with the family only). These are real km and time actual driving, the popular route planner like viamichelin is a good estimate but they seen to give you the times at 2AM lol!!!  webpage http://www.viamichelin.fr/

I dare enough this time to take some photos while driving wont do it again, but needed to keep a momento of my driving in the area, usually I dont take these pictures. Dont recommend you do it either lol! I give you a couple more sites I look too, is tha main autoroutes de France site, this will cover all the autoroutes or expressways in France, and the site for the weather here meteo France. http://www.autoroutes.fr/index.htm?lang=en  in English version

http://france.meteofrance.com/ in French

Enjoy the photos and give a try at driving in France. Any question let the road warrior know.Cheers

 

 

Wonderful quaint old nice Rochefort-en-Terre

This is inland Morbihan, my department in France now. Today was wonderfully sunny all over, and the folks were out in mass,along the beaches, so  I headed inland for quiet, nice, and quaint Rochefort-en-Terre!

I went in posing as a tourist into the tourist office, ask all kinds of typical questions, and the lady there was very nice, friendly helpful, she came and directed me to different pamphlets or brochures, very nice indeed,feel welcome there. It was my first visit to the office, second to this wonderful town. All of it is on hills, and cobblestones, and quaint all medieval looking buildings all around you.

The tourist office webpage is here http://www.rochefortenterre-tourisme.com/  there still so much to see here, two days is not enough. I overheard French locals staying here for four days. The tourist office tells you of this town and others nearby, some already visited and told in different posts. Some new just went by and mark for future trips such as the Castle of Château du Plessis-Josso.

One place here that I was, and lucky because now is close for the rest of the year on renovation is the Château et Musée de Rochefort-en-Terre , it was a fortress in the 12C, now still has from that period the ramparts and the chatelet, the rest kept on under the French revolution , the American Painter  Alfred Klots revitalise the castle n successive stages, a new castle was created and now it it the property of the regional gov council of  Morbihan; keep an eye when open again in 2013 it is worth a visit.

Rochefort-en-Terre is name in Brittany one of the town of character and history , as in French « Petite Cité de Caractère », she is ,also , a village fleuri four flowers rating!  or a flower town of France, and Les Plus Beaux Villages de FRance or the The most beautiful towns of France designation. All worth it.

The city has many artisans or artists of local traditions, all over the town, the list of the most important are in the tourist office webpage in French ,http://www.rochefortenterre-tourisme.com/content/artisans-de-rochefort

Not needed to stay for me as the city is only 45 minutes from my home, but the best hotel is right in the center of town as Le Pelican, Logis de FRance 2 stars, and only 7 rooms, plus a restaurant on street level not try yet.  However, seems very clean and pisturesque plus very central to all, webpage http://www.hotel-pelican-rochefort.com/

The other historical place to see here is the church of Notre Dame de la Tronchaye, the fortified tower on the transept dates from the Roman chapel of 1125AD, and the facade north dates from 1533AD in gothic flamboyant style ,inside it is richly panneled with very old ceilings still bearing the dukes of Brittany seals . The church was originally built to house a wooden statue of the virgen withe enfant Jesus from the 12C, a nice place to visit.

I have try several of their places all good in previous post, but today I try a new one. La Terrasse pizzeria creperie on the main street. 8 rue Saint Michel, tel +33 (0) 2 97 43 35 56, no webpage , a young family, very very friendly , serve on time,and plenty of free water. The chef invite us into the terrasse in the back overlooking a wonderful cliffy forest. Recommended. We had galettes ham and cheese ,2, half a cheese pizza big portion and leafy green salad, a bottle of cider brut from Nicol,local breton, and ice cream of different sorts, all for 43€ for 3 persons. nice

Some of my other favorites stores is the one we always buy our souvenirs, my family is into decorating with Merlin the magician , Arthur of the Round Table, and dragons all is from the leyend of this area. The must stop store is O lutin charmeur, on the main street 7 rue Saint -Michel. We buy at the epicerie or grocery store, Entre Ciel et Art, 5 Chemin du Tertre, actually you can see it from rue St Michel, and has its own webpage at  http://www.entre-ciel-et-art.com/ Le Savonnerie, 7 Place des Halles, for candles, gifts,and foremost soaps n any kind , right by the main street near the hotel de ville or mairie.  Other times we had eaten at Restaurant Les Ardosiéres, 4 pl St MIchel where the Swiss Painter Bergeaud did his work, lovely terrace on a plaza great views and food, Cafe Breton, 8 Rue Porche, great food in good ambiance, in very old house from the 16C, it is rated by Routard, Lonely Planet, and  Hachette.

As to how to get to Rochefort en Terre, I do the road warrior drives all over. From Vannes, take the N166 direction Rennes and get out at D775 Redon, then follow signs for Questembert, and then Rochefort en Terre on same road,easy lol!  You can come by department bus No 9 from Vannes direction Rochefort en Terre. Schedule hours here in pdf file http://www.morbihan.fr/UserFile/flash/CarteTIM/horaires/HLn9-H1-2011-2012.pdf  There is a train station in Questembert and you can take taxi or the bus No 9 as per above to Rochefort en Terre;http://www.ter-sncf.com/Region/bretagne/gare/questembert.aspx

Enjoy the photos is a wonderful place indeed and I for one recommended, which I dont do hardly ever ::) Cheers

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Wondering ,walking on 8 mai at Auray.

Today was an off day as we celebrate the May 8 1945 end of World War II all over Europe. Many places close but the restaurants and bars are open even the ice cream parlor. Is a time for families to stay together and go out into their city, walking and eating out. We were no different.

Yesterday the twins got an off day but I need it to work, hopefully I was able to leave early before 5pm when normally is 6pm (18H). We went into Vannes to see if stores were open but as they also were getting ready for a holiday the videogames store was close earlier,and we decided to head back not before eating dinner at Villa Valencia. 3 Rue Bienheureux Pierre René Rogues  ,http://www.lavillavalencia.com/ where I had my filet mignon pork in a wok oriental style, and the kids had their pizzas , a bottle of Charles Pain, Chinon red wine , banana splits desserts and coffee for 3 all for 73 Euros.

Today we head out for Auray, wondering and walking all day around the historic St Goustan district just below city center, you can walk down from here, go around parc Kerleano by car or go outside on the high city and park at St Goustan on the other side of the river Loch.

We walk the cobblestone street with woodend houses, and old artist quarters at rue du petit port, and had our lunch at Creperie La Frégate, 11 Rue Petit Port  ,http://www.cityvox.fr/restaurants_auray-56/la-fregate_71061/Profil-Lieu very quaint area but rather isolated and small portions, but all good. Here is the typical galette with bacon, ham, eggs, cheese,and the banana splits or dame blanche,  a bottle of house cider brut,and coffee all for 45€ for 3.

We wandered into the castle ruins across the river Loch and pl St Sauveur, it is a steep climb but the views are always great, the trails of thick trees magnificent, and always on the footsteps of history, as it was a duchy and very old Breton history here.  The castle was sold in auction by king Henri II of France in 1560 after taken by French troops. The castle of Auray was the site of residence of the dukes of Brittany François Ier and his wife Isabeau d’Ecosse or Elizabeth of Scotland in October 30, 1442.  It was an strategic fortress, as in September 29 1364 duke of Brittany Jean IV put a siege on it to end the pretentions of the dukedom to his adversary Charles de Blois. the views are wonderful ,recommended.

I gave you some photos of driving going to St Goustan, and walking its marvelous streets, we did stop for an apero or before dinner drink at L’Armoric bar right on 3 Place St Sauveur  , the hangout place for the young and young at heart, with bar and restaurant attached, webpage http://www.larmoric.com/

As our wondering took us late, we decided to have a bit heartier meal so not to cook at home, and we stop again by one of our favorite, Bar Franklin, right at 21 Place St Sauveur  , the corner of pl St Sauveurs and the quai Franklin alongside the river Loch. Here we had galette of bacon and cheese,cheese and ham two, 50cl beer Leffe for 3, coffee, and banana splits for 43€ for 3. no webpage but here is the Telephone +33 (0) 2 97 56 65 56.

We went home and now relaxing on my blog sharing another escapade with friends and readers alike as well as family, that comes in once in a while to see how we are doing ::) Enjoy the photos. Cheers

Some news from France LXX

Well so much to do and see in France, this entry is on my new area of Brittany, or Bretagne or even Breizh in breton language. I know nicer weather is coming and the area gets fill up very quickly ::) Some of my favorites are :

To know about king Arthur and the round table plus Merlin de magician, well this is the area where those stories were born of, and there is an imagination center at Concoret (my dept of Morbihan)  in the Chateau de Comper on the forest of Brocéliande, more info at www.centre-arthurien-broceliande.com

The academie de musique et d’arts sacrés de St Anne d’Auray or the sacred music academy of St Anne d’Auray near me is holding an event on organs in churches, it also train folks on choral singing,and organises expositions on the matter of organs, see it at www.academie-musique-arts-sacres.fr

The Fêtes des enfants or children feast at the Domaine de Kerguéhennec in the hamlet of Bigan is on June 10th ,free admission for all, all for family fun in beautiful forest and castle, more info on email kerguehennec@cg56.fr or webpage http://www.morbihan.com/domaine-de-kerguehennec-art-architecture-paysage/bignan/tabid/7430/offreid/5b1f52e4-71d4-4f0b-95ed-f73944e959d6/detail-visites.aspx

In nearby Baud up on road D768 from me, there will be the 15th Salon de la Carte Postale or post cards Sunday may 13 2012.This is at the salle du Scaouêt from 9h To 18h30 ,location Cartopole, rue d’Auray, contact: contact@cartolis.org  The dates and hours are  from June 15 to Sept 15, all tuesdays and sundays from 14h -18h -Wednesdays,thursdays, fridays,and saturdays from 10h-12h30 and 14h-18h  From Sept 16 to June 14, open on tuesdays and thursdays from  13h30-18h - wednesdays 9h30 -12h30 and 13h30-18h -Saturdays from 9h30 -16h, general admission is 2,50€ more in French at  http://www.cartolis.org/salon.php

At the Haras d’hennebont or national horse raising place, and principal one in Brittany you will have an exposition until Sept 30th of Simonne L’Hermitte ,painting of the life and history of horses with a visit to the Haras the site of horse in Brittany, beautiful indeed. Haras National, Rue Victor Hugo,Hennebont or webpage www.haras-hennebont.fr

You have n Lorient, the Volvo Ocean Race with the course from June 16 to July 1st 2012, aerial airplane presentation over water,attractions in many kiosks,concerts,  the arrival of the stage Lisbon-Lorient on June 30th , and see the 66 best seaman in action in the world. Even Yannick Noah will be here singing on friday June 23rd webpage at www.volvooceanracelorient.com   While in town do not missed the live music at Le Galion,2 rue Florian Laporte, port de pêche or webpage perso at http://www.myspace.com/legalion

You have the percussionists of the world event at Lorient, this is their 9th edition with some nice names and newcomers,this is June 6 and 7th see more at webpage www.percussionsdumonde.net  awesome event indeed.

You have at Carnac near me, the Gouel Karnag, 7000 years of history,with guides, demonstrations, concerts, projections, meet the authors, stories telling at the espace terraqué or musée de la prehistoire from the 17 to 28 of May, webpage www.terraque.fr

Coming even closer to me at Auray, you will have precisely at St Anne d’Auray the magnificent event on letters and verbs of the Breton treasures, or Le Verbe et La Lettre, at the gallery of the cloister of the Basilica of Sainte Anne d’Auray (patron saint of Brittany and selon history the mother of Mary, grandmother of Jesus). from May 17 to October 14 2012 and hours 14h to 18h30

At near Vannes in Arradon ,we will have from May 18-19 the Festival Algues au Rythme ,with live music on the port with Saturday 18 mussels and french fries on tap with a popular val breton, and on the 19 the rock comes in, more info at webpage http://www.alguesaurythme.com/ admission is free before 18h30 then 20€ adults down to 10€ children.

We have at chateau de Suscinio near Sarzeau, the wonderful Sundays at the castle or Dimanche au Chateau, 6 Sundays from June to September from 15h, great encounters with the best artists from the region of Brittany, adults fare 15€ , not to mention ,here live and visit Anne of Brittany ,Duchess and two times Queen of France, and there is an exposition of her times here from May 19 2012 to April 2013. webpage at http://www.suscinio.info/index.php

The wonderful Salon du Livre en Bretagne will be on June 22-24 2012 in the gardens of the ramparts of old castle ruins. City center by the port area. Free admission from 10h to 19h, dedications,conferences, discussions, to see the ocean in a different way, all about books, see more at webpage www.livresenbretagne.fr

The city of Vannes gives out lectures of modest fees from 3€ to 5€ for walkers to see the city on foot and enter into spaces usually not open to the general public, you can contact the tourist officeor city of Vannes  so when in town to see if there is any programme; webpage http://en.mairie-vannes.fr/discovering_vannes/1266/index.html  and http://en.tourisme-vannes.com/

To see the world champion Eric Tabarly and his sailing school at Lorient you visit the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly ,admission is 11,90€ adults,8.60€ children ,more at webpage www.citevoile-tabarly.com and for a little tropic in seafaring Brittany stop by in Lorient to Casa Varadero, resto and pizzeria at 19bd Franchet  d’Esperey open every day except Sunday noon and continues otherwise until 23h30 in weekends and 22h30 during the week. webpage www.casavaradero.com  if problems see the dept tourist office info at http://www.morbihan.com/pizzeria-la-casa-varadero/lorient/tabid/7419/offreid/2e3977d5-54d4-4a7e-a9e7-fcfda4c1648b/detail-restaurants.aspx

One of my friends n the area recommended me this camping 7 Saints , nicely located by Erdeven ,near the river going to ocean, nice modern facilities, just too close for me I think, we usually go to Bordeaux beaches along the Medoc but here is the webpage for someone from elsewhere looking for accommodation in the area, webpage http://www.sept-saints.com/#3

Cheers

Some news from France LXVIII

Well here I am just getting ready to go back to Versailles and then Paris for a conference of 2 days. My twin boys arrive just now on TGV from Montparnasse Paris,and were so lucky as has been raining here on and off with golf balls of ice!!! then the sun came out; great ;we have the power lol!!!!

The going back  got me my Paris bugs flying so here is another episode of Paris and France for you.

The Désert de Retz, popular with artists for many years, then closed for several years,and now its officially open ( I told you was going to open on previous news)  238 years of history comes back, 20 hectares of land bordering the golf course of Joyenval,just by the town of Chambourcy (dept 78 Yvelines) . the visits will be until October with two Saturdays per month and only with reservation. Complete information as  visits the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the months of April to October. Time to be prepared to spent is about 2 hrs  obligatory reservation by calling +33  (0) 1.39.22.31.37 or at the tourist office of  Poissy, tél. +33  (0) 1.30.74.60.65, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, tél. +33 (0) 1.30.87.20.63 or Marly-le-Roi, tél. +33 (0) 1.30.61.61.35. admission is  10 € adults and 5 € enfants from 8 yrs up .  You have the webpage for the towns tourist office as well here

http://www.poissy-tourisme.fr/fr/

http://www.ot-saintgermainenlaye.fr/

http://www.marlyleroi-tourisme.fr/

Some ideas in Paris Matisse au Centre Pompidou , enjoy the night days from Thursdays to Mondays until 23h (closed Tuesdays, and at 21h Wednesdays). Place Georges-Pompidou ,webpage  http://www.centrepompidou.fr/Pompidou/Manifs.nsf/AllExpositions/74951096E37F5FB0C125795F00364512?OpenDocument&sessionM=2.2.1&L=1

“Degas et le nu ” at  Orsay . Edgar Degas  shows  nudity in paintings présenting  170 paintings, posters and designs as well as sculptures of the artist. Every day except Mondays from 9h30-18h (21h45 on Thursdays). Admission is 9€ adults and 6,50 € children. webpage  http://www.musee-orsay.fr/fr/evenements/expositions/au-musee-dorsay/presentation-generale/article/degas-et-le-nu-30632.html?tx_ttnews[backPid]=254&cHash=9cb3345b8a

A new renovated Palais de Tokyo is open,  showing the work of contemporary artists with a huge opening exposition call « la Triennale ». Every day excepts Tuesdays from mid day to mid night .Admission is 8€ and 6€ ; 13, avenue du Président-Wilson webpage  http://www.palaisdetokyo.com/

then to to the Grand Palais where Helmut Newton will show its big photos of mannequins ,erotism, and the violence in the fashion world. Especially see the photos on Isabelle Huppert, Catherine Deneuve and Jean-Marie Le Pen. From wednesdays to Mondays and 10h-22h Admission are 11€ and 8€ . Avenue Winston-Churchill  webpage  http://www.grandpalais.fr/grandformat/helmut-newton/

Go to the Cité des sciences and see the latest discoveries by the inhabitant the Gaulois,and their  agriculture…From Tuesdays to Saturdays and from 10h-18h, Sundays until 19h. Admission 11€ and 8€ . 30, avenue Corentin-Cariou , webpage http://www.cite-sciences.fr/francais/ala_cite/expositions/gaulois/

Tropicomania,see the social life of plants tracing their journey from tropics such as the banana, pineapple,etc to your supermarket. Free admission from Tuesdays to Saturday and hours 11h-19h . see it at 9 esplanade Pierre Vidal-Naquet Halle aux Farines 75013 nearest metro  Bibliothèque François Mitterrand (line 14) webpage  www.betonsalon.net

The jazz joint is back in operation again, newly renovated, Le Trabendo, 211 avenue Jean Jaurès  Parc de la Villette. so if you like Jazz check it out, webpage http://www.letrabendo.net/  hey hey who doesn’t like jazz ?

And a sweet news, last March 5th was born  Loango, a male Mangabey monkey (Cercocebus atys lunulatus),in the infirmery of the Jardin des Plantes . He was rejected by the mother and the jardin keepers took care of him.. You can come to see how he is fed with biberons (fruits and veggy cook) every day from 12h-16h. webpage  http://www.jardindesplantes.net/rencontres-avec-les-soigneurs-de-la-menagerie-6

 The tourist office of Versailles is full of activities, too numerous to mention in my little blog but I will put the webpage there and it is in English (we are so good ::)) http://www.versailles-tourisme.com/en/whats-on.html  You have the wars of Napoleon as well as horse shows in the ecuries, and the water musical events as well as Jazz ::)

One in Amboise in the castle laden Loire, my favorite one and city, we do a promenade gourmande into the vinyards tasting local goodies and their wine including my house wine Domaine Dutertre. The proceeds go to the Lions International of the Loire, Amboise les 2 Vallées. Good food ,great wine, and a good cause in beautiful territory, it is one day on a Sunday July 1st and now thru my blog you are all invited. webpage http://promenadegourmande.free.fr/

Closer to me now, the Tonnerre de Brest boat show:race is coming July 13-19 2012. More than 2500 boats from all over the world. Done every four years now its that time again at Brest . About 30 countries are invited to each festival and for one week Brest is transformed into the biggest port in the world. Over 7 kilometres, the quaysides roll out the red carpet to hundred-year-old sailing boats and other remarkable vessels. An invincible armada, with around 20,000 sailors parading their uniforms to the tune of dozens of musical performances and the backdrop of villages draped in the colours of the world. the Brest Maritime Festival a global exhibition of the maritime world. webpage http://www.lestonnerresdebrest2012.fr/en

Have a great rest of weekend everyone ,cheers.

Another inland beauty in the Morbihan, Maletroit and St Marcel

Well on the occasion of my company annual semi marathon get together and this time they were hosting the agricultural communities in Brittany, I was drawn to Maletroit, inland Morbihan. It was a thrill to find another beauty here, and on passing saw little historical St Marcel as well. A great Saturday indeed. I am preparing for another foreign business trip so today is the day to put new things in my blog.

No train station, there is a bus line no 4 from the train station in Vannes or pl de la LIberation in Vannes to Maletroit, this is the schedule on TIM http://www.lactm.com/clients/lactm/upload/fichiers/int-l4-hiver-edit-2.pdf  Then best is by car from Vannes take the N166 direction Rennes and come off at exit D776 Maletroit, follw the signs for the city. Or a bit further or coming from Rennes closest is the exit D10 Serent/Maletroit. From Nantes you take the N165 to the N166 direction Rennes and follow above. Its a gem and only by car.

Maletroit as other 23 cities in Brittany receives for its historical richness the title of « Petite cité de caractère ».or small towns of character. All works around the river Oust, that connects here with the wonderful Canal Nantes-Brest. You have many things to see here and a day will be filled with goodies to enjoy,such as the place du Bouffay (houses from the 15C to 16C intermingle), L’île Notre-Dame(isle of Notre Dame between canal and river), church of Saint-Gilles (12-16C), chapelle de la Madeleine (where treaty of the 100 years war was signed), monastery of the Augustines, see and walk medieval streets such as rue du Général de Gaulle, rue Sainte-Anne ,and rue des Ponts (houses from the 15 to 16C), see the stone shales in purple, green,and blue, sand, tiles, stones, and granite in the architecture of the buildings and houses.See the windmill of flour,and the ecluses or levies on the river and canal, plenty of houses of wood front from many years old since 15C ; and see the house of water and fishing or maison de l’eau et de la pêche.

The city tourist info is small here in French http://www.malestroit.fr/tourisme-et-patrimoine/presentation-et-actualite  , more information is in the site for the towns of characters of Brittany here, http://www.cites-art.com/les-petites-cites-de-caractere/visiter-les-petites-cites-de-caractere  bottom of the page is Maletroit. There are others some already commented on my blog.

The church of St Gilles was under renovation but still open, and very nice in a pedestrian section by the pl du Bouffray, really nice,the most impressive is the meridional  façade shown very high on the front. On each side of the south portal you have two doors sculpture from the 17C, you can see encrusted on the wall the sculptues that comes from the church of the 11C, great reliefs rounded, chapters and corbets, all representing a melee of attributes of the evangelists (lion of Saint-Marc landed by  Samson  that symbolises maybe the man of Saint-Mathieu,the deer of Saint-Luc resting on a socket decorated with the eagle of Saint-Jeanand ) ,a nice place to eat at Bar du Bouffray lights meals and drinks (which I did) , other heartier restos abound. The places to stay I saw was a lot of chambre d’hote and gîtes, but just took a picture of one, the Auberge des corps garde for its historical context too, however it is now mostly a restaurant at  Entrée 4 rue du Gal de Gaulle just after the pl du Bouffray and the church. Most hotels are in nearby Rochefort-en-Terre,also showcase in my blog.

At 4 Faubourg Saint-Michel  ,you see the wonderful Monastery of the Augustines, and next door the chapel of the Immaculate Conception. A wonderful history even narrated in French at the webpage, There were Augustins on the isle of Notre Dame from 1633 to 1791, stop by the revolution . In 1828, Jean-Marie de Lamennais. that came to found the Congrégation des Prêtres de St Méen, buys the building and creates the  Novitiate. On October 25 ,1866,well welcome by the locals, the new monastery under the support fo the Immaculate Conception came back to be. However, the laws of 1902 against the Congrégations teaching in France needs to close and the Sisters flee to England. In order to continue the Sisters need to have a nurse degree to care for the sick. April 7 1915, the group arrives back again to Malestroit, the room welcome the refugees from Belgium due to WWI,  Friday September 13 ,1918, all the community gets together for a geste that give birth to a house, the consecration of the Sacred Heart that still is celebrated on that date to this day. The official hospital next door to the monastery has a webpage http://www.groupe-hospitalier-saintaugustin.fr/ in French and English!  In WWII ,they did heroic acts curing and guarding resistants fighters in their monastery and clinic at great risks,the Géneral Audibert, chief of the Résistance de l’Ouest, hid in the clinic, made prisioner and deported to Buchenwald, mentioned on his return « Elles ont agi avec joie, espérance et charité ». ”they acted with joy, hope, and charity” BRAVO! This is their webpage in French, http://www.augustines-malestroit.com/index.php

Other wonderful thing to walk ,see and admire is the magnificent Canal Nantes Brest that passes the town along the river Oust. A guide with all amenities ,things to do, lodgings, and eating out, along the whole Canal is here http://fr.calameo.com/read/000001315ba06c06a6207 , the traject with highlights here http://fr.calameo.com/read/000001315a4af9c366225 A bit of info on it, the Canal link the two cities in the name from Nantes to Brest, taken the valleys of the rivers Erdre, Isac, Oust, Bravet,Doré,Hyéres,and Aulne; these rivers are link by three canals that joints flanking the lines of water. Its construction goes back to the first half of the 19C and it has 364 kms long. The idea was to link by water as by road was more difficult the whole of the Dukedom of Brittany, idea as far back as 1538. After many hesitations and the ravages of war, the project took fly in 1803, and was achieved in 1858 ,with the presence of emperor Napoleon III and the Imperatrice Eugenia at the levy of Guilly Glaz.

On my way to Maletroit, passed by St Marcel, and notice a sign for the Museum of Breton Resistance in WWII or Musée de la Résistance Bretonne. it was a pleasant surprise for military history lovers like me; the weapons are all spread out n the yard from guns to bunkers and great history inside. If by car, you can combine a visit to both St Marcel and Maletroit very nicely and get away from historical,navigable ,and military sightseeing at its best.  The inscription in their site pretty much sums up everything indeed,  Saint-Marcel,in the forests of Lanvaux, sheltered the largest Breton maquis, where on June 18, 1944, a memorable combat of the Brittany and French history proceeded. Before the allies unload in Normandy, the parachutists of Free France were released on Brittany, and in the days which followed to Saint-Marcel where 2500 Breton gathered. These feats of arms of Resistance in Brittany, one of the first areas of France recognized for its heroism and its sacrifices, deserve to be recognized, explained, commemorated and preserved forever. You come here and you too will recognised them.  You reach here bycar on the N166 from Vannes or Rennes, and get off at D776 direction St Marcel/Maletroit, at the roundabout take direction St Marcel and follow the signs to the museum. webpage in English http://www.resistance-bretonne.com/en/practical-informations.html

Enjoy the photos as I do, and have a great rest of the weekend.

 

Some news from France LXVII

Hello this is the midweek interlude of things to tell and whisper. France is on the move and so am I.

Accor just announced will opened 45 hotels in India from now to 2015 to become the first foreign hotel operator there, read in French at my favorite Le Figaro, http://www.lefigaro.fr/societes/2012/04/04/20005-20120404ARTFIG00680-accor-veut-ouvrir-45-hotels-en-inde-d-ici-a-2015.php

The Galerie Lafayette again goes thru a renovation period to make them prettier, if like they are not already lol!! My favorite, I am a customer and online newsletter from them.  They are going to invest 800 millions Euros over five years. The objective is to give more space to the big brands on the lines of bags, shoes, watches and jewerly. The «shop in shop» Vuitton, Cartier , and Chanel  will be in two floors with each its own private stairs. The lines ready to wear or prêt-à-porter women, now on five levels will be regroup in three levels ,the lines of records cd will close and the spaces left for cosmetics and toys will be reduce. However, the fifth floor will be entirely dedicated to children clothing.  The tourist in force here, they account for  60 % of sales at the store at blvd Haussmann. The renovations will allow to double the area for welcoming tourists with three spaces dedicated to them. One for the Japanese, and Americans on the basement or sous-sol, another to the Chinese at street level or rez-de chaussée, and the last one especially for Brazilians that are up and coming force of tourism here. All in French again at the fabulous Le Figaro, http://www.lefigaro.fr/societes/2012/04/10/20005-20120410ARTFIG00617-les-galeries-lafayette-de-nouveau-en-travaux.php

Same source, the best sandwiches in Paris, nice to know for those on the budget coming to the city of LIghts, not all but some of my favorites for a lunch on the run are  Le Petit Vendôme, 8, rue des Capucines, IIe. Tél.: 01 42 61 05 88. open everyday except Saturdays and Sundays  sandwichs between  4 and 6 €. webpage from my French resto avis or tips which I have as a link here on my blog below page, http://www.cityvox.fr/restaurants_paris/le-petit-vendome_68691/Profil-Lieu*

L’Avant Comptoir , 3, carrefour de l’Odéon, VIe. Tél.: 01 44 27 07 97. open everyday from 12h-23h. menu  6-8 € (sandwich + drink). One of my favorite places in Paris for just more than a sandwich, webpage  http://www.hotel-paris-relais-saint-germain.com/

Cosi, 54, rue de Seine, VIe. Tél.: 01 46 33 35 36. open everyday from  12h-23h. menu at 10 €. Sandwich at 6,50 € and a nice bench by Jardin du Luxembourg lol!. Flottes and Go 2, rue Cambon, Ier. Tél.: 01 42 60 00 84. open everyday  Formule:about. 17,40 € with the plat du jour + 1 dessert + 1 drink.CARTE: env. 10 €. Sandwichs from 5,50 € (le Parisien) to the great Cocorico at  8,50 €  part of the empire Flottes all good, webpage http://www.brasserie-flottes.fr/flottesandgo/.

Then some events coming up are Bob Dylan, l’explosion rock,Musée de La Musique  ,to July 1st 2012.From Tuesdays to Saturdays from 12h-18h,and Sundays from 10h-18h.webpage http://www.citedelamusique.fr/francais/Default.aspx

And ,Chick Corea & Gary Burton, great combi piano and vibraphone at Salle Pleyel, the 17 of April 2012, webpage http://www.sallepleyel.fr/francais/concert/11733-chick-corea-gary-burton-duo

Dont forget the best market flea or no flea in the world ,the marchés aux puces de St Ouen, webpage http://marcheauxpuces-saintouen.com/1.aspx with the renovated and vibrants Paul-Bert (founded in 1945, 250 stands, dedicated to a mixing of styles from the 19 and 20 centuries, and the  Serpette (open in 1977, 150 stands), occupied by the antiquearies or antique shops, with a new resto Ma Puce with deco by Philippe Starck , a cantine chic and branché with 300 seats, and half in the terrace.

Closing with a nice webpage on what was Paris at the time of Philippe Auguste circa 1200 lol it was still beautiful, ::) http://www.philippe-auguste.com/ville/index.html in French of course, but you can read portions of it and then have google or other site translated for you. Sorry but its long.

This just in so no need to wait for another post, the Lenotre at Champs-Elysées fully renovated and enchanting as always, at the Pavillon Elysées done in 1900 for the Universal Expo.. Also great for reception and business meetings ,this is whre I have been in, great, webpage http://www.lenotre.com/FR/Sections/Lieux/presentation-lieux-receptions-pavillon-elysee?IdTis=XTC-FK1A-D0CPB8-DD-DUQ4C-WPS

Cheers

Sainte Anne d’Auray, Pluneret,and Le Bono…Morbihan alive!!!

A typical Sunday here is to get on the car and ride the beautiful spots around the Morbihan. The do not stop showing me wonderful places to see ,and come back for more.

This morning went to show my twins where the new bus line and new school will drop them off starting tomorrow. So we visit the sanctuary _city of Sainte Anne d’Auray. I have done other entries on this city, but in short, it is the center of Breton religious fervor, Ste Anne in bliblical terms is the mother of Mary, grandmother of Jesus Christ, and the patron saint of Brittany or Bretagne or Breizh.

The town is totally her, from a wonderful ,magnificent basilica to arch stairs with beautiful stained glass, to statues of her, and memories of the visit of Pope Jean Paul II in 1996. You will see monument to the fallen and the parishes of all Breton departements. You will see monasteries and houses for the elderly run by nuns, and a nice small quaint city center with good crepes/galettes to eat. I had info on my previous post here. For now, more webpage here of the city of Sainte Anne d’Auray in English, although more info is in French, http://sainte-anne-auray.net/spip.php?article87 ,and the Auray area tourist office webpage http://www.auray-tourisme.com/sanctuaire-de-ste-anne-d-auray/ste-anne-d-auray/tabid/8277/offreid/f1e991cc-aa34-4c2d-9cb9-b2d41c877b32/detail.aspx#

We went on to nearby Pluneret, a nice town, typical of the region, with a beautiful church of Saint Pierre and Saint Paul, 19C on the spot replacing an older church from the 11C. It is right in the center of town, a great stop for lunch overlooking the grand church is forthcoming, no tourism just the Mayor’s office webpage on tourisme in French http://www.pluneret.fr/cartographie.php

We finish our balade par voiture, in the wonderful harbor town of Le Bono, very near me, and just wonderful. I have heard of it by collegues but this was the first time here, so close, so beautiful and just saw it today lol! The modern bridge Joseph le Brix (an aviator born in nearby Baden) has 320 meters total lenght done to connect the circular Auray to Vannes. http://www.lebono.fr/accueil/decouverte/patrimoine/nouveau-pont-joseph-le-brix/var/lang/FR/rub/3155/textes/3600.html  However, the beauty is beneath it!!!! Just a lovely ria or inland bay river of du Bono, with green phospherus waters and lovely sailboats. It takes you out into the Gulf of Morbihan. You come into the Port area, lovely quaint, fisherman paradise, more lovely sailboats,and a nice city center bar Le Petit Mousse to have a light lunch while gulping some Grimbergens ::) beers.

Here you get to see boating par excellence including the beautiful black boat taken out on special occassions and historical,call the Forban du Bono “Notre Dame de Béquerel”, a replica of a chaloupe type boat from 1910 ,and rebuilt to identical in 1991.  The boat has an association for its preservation and can contact them events, http://forbandubono.free.fr/ , and many interesting maritime info on the right column in black.

There is an older bridge from 1835 that was approved for construction by king Louis Philippe in 1837, to cover the ria du Bono, its stil there for pedestrian use. This is the suspended bridge. For those into sailings there is a great event here call Route de l’Amitie or the route of friendship that will end here in Le Bono in August 2013. More in English here http://www.routeamitie.fr/e_index.html

For those who enjoy long walks there is a circuit of 7,4 kms in French but if interested google or other similar can translate totally.  It has a map and the trip begins from the harbor or Port area, webpage http://www.lebono.fr/accueil/decouverte/sentiers-cotiers/circuit-des-deux-rivieres/var/lang/FR/rub/3471/textes/3624.html

I past by it for the only decent hotel in the area but it looks lovely,and overlooks the ria or river harbor of du Bono, Hotel Restaurant Alicia, Rue du Général de Gaulle, email contact hotelalicia@orange.fr and webpage in English here http://www.hotel-alicia.com/indexen.html

However, you have plenty of tourist rentals or B&B here ,http://www.lebono.fr/accueil/decouverte/hebergement/locations-/var/lang/FR/rub/4679.html  For those looking to come in with their boat or go boating info on the harbor is here with contact email on below right of city webpage http://www.lebono.fr/accueil/portmouillages/le-port/var/lang/FR/rub/3474.html

Bus service is limited but available on line 6 from the departement Morbihan TIM lines from Vannes and Auray cities, and from line 13 of the TPV Vannes line. The train is at Auray or Vannes, then bus or taxi to Le Bono. Best is the car off expressway N165 exit D101 . In all a wonderful place to visit, and I am sure we will be back. Some photos for now, cheers,and happy Sunday of Palms.

A city by the canal, Vannes

Yes lots of old narrow cobblestones streets, gorgeous wooden houses, great Cathedral, wonderful old castle ruins and beautiful ramparts, not to mention great Breton food. But the main reason people come to this place, is the canal. Its the happening place in Vannes.

Today as I was walking about searching to eat,on the city where I work, visiting amazing hehehe.. I saw tents about promoting the agglo metro area of Vannes and encouraging businesses to relocate here. Which I second is not a bad idea, work performance will improve surrounded by such beautiful way of life. The city tourist office official webpage is at http://www.tourisme-vannes.com/en

One of the secrets of the city, is the parc Kérino. This is a walkers park, sitting on a butte or hill overlooking the last stretch before the canal opens up to the gulf passenger boat terminal. There is a bridge and tunnel to be built here to alliviate traffic of boats and people crossing the canal. Here you have great views over the bay,gulf and city, as well as a wonderful cross calvary of Kérino; you can go crossing the canal into the area of the naval builder Le Pennec or from the city at rue Kerviler.  On the cross, there is a Christ surrounded by Saint Vincent and Sain Patern, attached by a log where you see the arms of the city of Vannes (hermite stout,symbol of Brittany done with a crown of 3 towers, symbol of the fortified city of Vannes). Behind the cross, you see the Virgen with the Enfant Jesus. This monument was done by cisseling the stones by sculptor  Yves Hernot de Lannion , and was erected in 1913  in memory of the renewing missions of the eucharism of 1906, and  1910 to which that of 2004 was added.

We did ate at the Capitanerie building or Marina Captain’s office, on top there is a cafe resto, à l’Aise Breizh Café, lovely place, great enthusiastic service, nice to see the harbor and city from above,gorgeous terrace, the prices are good, and the food terrific, we had Breizh burgers ,huge ones, with fries, banana splits, and plougastel ice cream and strawberry sauce, a bottle of Provençal rosé wine, and table water for 63 € for 3.  Also at Brest, here is the webpage in French, local and good, http://www.alaisebreizhcafe.com/alaisebreizhcafevannes.htm

They ,also, carry a line of Breton clothing, for the house, tables, souvenirs, decorations etc etc,  very good for the entire family at reasonable prices,one to come back too lol!!!  have webpage in directions, near the covered market and cathedral in city center Vannes, http://www.alaisebreizh.com/?option=com_albrevendeurs&view=boutik&id=13   if you go top to Boutik en ligne will bring you to the store section and you can see what they have.

I took some pictures of the surrounding area, as we still looking around our new surrounding, so much to see in the Morbihan department not to mention the region of Brittany or Bretagne or Breizh will be a long tour…. Of course we ended our day at the FNAC store for DVD, tapes,and video games as usual.  Cheers to all and have a wonderful rest of weekend.

Some news from France LXV

We have many things to tell you about France, and Paris, and Versailles and well, all of them are a movable feast indeed!!!

One near me that I have been once, and will have promise to come back is the Institut Franco-Americaine de Rennes, where they will have American artists in Pont-Aven then and now :: conférence Thursday April 12 at 18h30 in English.  The importance of Pont-Aven in the artistic development of Gauguin is well known.  Less known is the fact that this village in Brittany was an artist colony created by American artists 20  years before Gauguin arrived !  Who were these artists and what did they create there ?  When Americans returned to Pont-Aven as teachers and art students at the Pont-Aven School of Contemporary Art, they were now the avant-garde, while Gauguin’s work is accepted and revered.  How are these artists reacting today to the same history and beauty of Pont-Aven so admired for 150 years; by Caroline Boyle-Turner,she has an Ph.D. Columbia University in Art History. She has created the Pont-Aven School of Contemporary Art where she was the Director from 1994 to 2008, and continue a career of conference lecturer. Free admission information at +33  02 99 79 89 23 | contact@ifa-rennes.org  if you want to know more about the Institute, sponsored by the US embassy in France, see the webpage http://www.ifa-rennes.org/index.php?lang=en

New rules for the train travelers in France by SNCF the French railroad company. For those traveling in TGV and InterCités trains, first change will allow the traveler which the departure is cancelled or delay by more than an hour to have a proposal given, or reimbourse in cash if so wishes ,this is including the tickets that were originally purchased non remboursable as the Prem’s.In addition, the guarantee will be given even if the delayed or cancellation is not the fault of the SNCF. The other novelty is the clients without a seat given for the trajects of more than 1h30  will be replace by the onboard chief inspector including those in first class and given a discount coupon for the next trip going from  10-30 euros. All these two innovation will take effect by the end of this month or first of April. 

and my train station of old the gare Saint Lazare is having  a new look!!! 10 000 square meters full of shops, with 80 boutiques and hours open until 21h even 22h In the old room the Salle des pas perdus, the new hall has a glass gallery of 200 meters long; the work allows for 3 addtional floors, at the metro level and two more of parking to welcome 250 cars !!!yes!!! and 50 motos. The passenger information will be provided with 300 tv screens. This train station welcome about 450 000 passengers per day and almost 1600 trains. This is the second highest frequency in Europe just behind the other Parisien station ,gare du Nord. I mentioned in previous post a Burger King will open there too ,a first in France and comeback of the chain to France.

Enjoy the Art Fair at the Grand Palais, the art event of the year missed again, 120 international galleries on tap from March 29th to April 1st 2012 see it all here http://www.artparis.fr/2012/fr/

Another apartment site in Paris CobbleStay, for your lodging pleasure, check it out here http://www.cobblestay.com/?loc=interstitialskip

And yet another to live like a Parisien, and lodging plus private tours, Rue Amandine, http://www.rueamandine.com/

An American n Paris for private tours and walks of the city ,Michael Osman, check it out at http://web.me.com/parisfind/Discover_Paris/About_Me.html

This I have reported before the IN place in Paris now by a new neighborhood to tourist the 19th . I was there when it was being constructed by the impulse of the folks at St Christopher’s nearby hostal. See the activities at the La Rotonde Place Stalingrad 6-8, place de la Bataille,    Stalingrad, Paris,75019 and the webpage http://www.larotonde.com/

And in French my favorite paper guide of Paris, and also online The l’officiel des Spectacles, see the site here http://www.offi.fr/  events, concerts, theaters, restaurants ,cinema, art, all the wonders of Paris in one little magazine, you can purchase at any tabac kiosk or maison de la presse.

Sad news need to post here asap, the poney club at the jardin d’acclimatation in Paris is going to close.My kids rode there when little, so sad to read in the Le Parisien newspaper that a company that runs it part of the group LMVH has decided to close the club. !!! It already had 600 members, 12 employees,45 poneys and 4 horses, there since 1997. Sad story.

Last but not least, a wonderful site to see all the subways,metros,and tubes of the world including Paris bien sur,http://www.amadeus.net/home/new/subwaymaps/en/

Enjoy Paris, France, and all French ::)