Monday, November 9, 2015

Viva La France!

After spending the summer in the UK we were ready for a change of scenery and some different food. English food choices seemed to focus on pub fare, Indian Curry and Pizza and after 6 months it was time for cuisine. Departing from Dover, we saw the famed white cliffs.



We crossed via the ferry into
Looks like a tough place to live.
Calais, France.  Calais is the last jumping off point for immigrants desperately trying to get to England. Travelers have set up a camp just outside the port called "The Jungle" which sadly seems to becoming permanent with entrepreneurs opening  24 hour restaurants, cell phone charging stations and money changers.
People warned us to use a different route but as we were traveling in the "wrong" direction, we weren't worried.We caught a glimpse from the highway.






Dieppe, a French seaside town was out first stop. France is very hospitable to motor home travelers offering low cost parking with handy amenities.  Dieppe featured seaside camping for motor homes and we were looking forward to an evening on the French coast.

Apparently everyone else likes the French coast as well...














Dieppe made up for the scenery with an amazing outdoor food and flower market.

So glad we came to France!




We stumbled upon this private chateau that was also a rehabilitation zoo. Beautiful grounds and a great collection of free range creatures including these adorable monkeys.

Great 'stache!




















PARIS! Melanie was excited for her first visit to the city. It was worth the death defying traffic to get a photo that everyone else who visits Paris also takes.
A classic...


The first afternoon, Justin was pointing out landmarks as 
we walked along. And this conversation happened: 

Justin "Look at that.." 

Melanie, seeing the only French word she understands Boulangerie, exclaims "Oooh a bakery!"  

Moment of pained silence then "No, in the background...the Eiffel tower."

Melanie still thinking about the bakery"nice..." 
   









We attempted to visit the Louvre. Luckily it was off season so the wait to enter was only 2.5 hours...So we contented ourselves with some classic photos
This is a fun photo. 2,000 Asian photographers cannot be wrong...
The only line longer than the Louvre was outside Louis Vuitton....People know they can buy online right??


Paris features some beautiful views.



Having enough of city living for a while, we toured the Loire Valley and a few vineyards.
Even the cows look elegant.
 A very nice vineyard using the 500 year old limestone caves for wine storage and cooling.

View from inside the cavern

While we didn't have great weather, the views along the river and the small towns were beautiful.
Small city along the Loire.


Vineyard after harvest with the leaves turning for Fall.



One vintner gave us directions to an excellent fromagerie (cheese maker) a few kilometers away. We tasted several types of aged goat cheese and bought them all.  Thanks for the cheese ladies!

Even French goats wear scarves.


Turning to Lake Geneva, we visited Evian, the town with the famed spring.

Yep, it really tastes better here....


Everyone likes Evian spring water.....


















Annacy is an old Roman city along Lake Geneva. Water forms the backbone of the city and makes it a pleasant place to stroll around.
Old part of town with canals made by the lake. 

View of Lake Geneva from the waterfront park.

As we mentioned, the weather wasn't cooperative so our view of the much anticipated French Alps was limited to the lower 500 feet. Feeling slightly thwarted, we consulted our Italy tour guide (thanks Angie!) and turned to the  Italian Mediterranean for some sun and clear skies. Last view of France, Monte Carlo and the visiting cruise ships.

Au revoir France!
Next update from the coast of Italy! 




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