Day 1, Friday - Paris - Eiffel Tower
Arrived in Paris from Barcelona and transferred to our hotel. It was our 1st time in Paris not including plane transfers.
We left our Gate1 Spain and Portugal trip for our Gate1 France, Loire Valley and Normandy trip.
That trip started in 3 days, so, we were on our own till then.
That afternoon we rode the METRO to the Eiffel Tower. Cathy started crying when she 1st saw it; since, it is so iconic. It was really windy at the top. Beautiful views though.
Views along Seine River on way to Eiffel Tower.
Views from the top.
Display at the top.
Night time views.
Stairs down.
Twinkling lights.
Day 2 - Palace of Versailles and Paris Catacombs
Rode the train to Versailles and took the short walk to the Palace. We didn't have to wait in the long, long line; thank goodness, because, we had a time pass.
Regardless, the Palace was terribly crowded and we just wanted to get the heck out of there. But, still we had to see
the Hall of Mirrors,
and Hall of Battles. Both were pretty amazing.
Napoleon.
Out in the gardens, it was wonderful. We spent almost 4 hours wondering through the various gardens. (Might have some of the fountain names wrong.)
Lake of the Swiss Guard,
Queen’s Grove.
Bacchus Fountain.
Mirror Pool.
King's Garden.
Saturn Fountain.
Apollo's Fountain and Grand Canal.
Enceladus Grove.
Ceres Fountain.
Apollo's Bath Grove.
Water Theatre Grove.
Three Fountains Grove.
Dragon's Fountain.
Neptune's Fountain.
Then we rode the train and METRO back and went back to our hotel for a short break. That evening we walked the 10 minutes from our hotel to the Paris Catacombs. We didn't have advanced tickets, so, we waited in line for almost an hour. It was certainly worth the wait.
We walked almost a kilometer underground. There are bones of millions of the dead that were moved from cemeteries in the city to these underground quarries to make room for buildings. The Catacombs were closed in the 1860's.
When we came out of the Catacombs a kilometer from where we started, we had no idea where we were, so, we had to ask directions back to the hotel.
Day 3 - Paris - Louvre
Rode the METRO to Notre Dame. The 4 Line was closed, so, we needed some help to figure out the B Line.
The reconstruction of the Cathedral is progressing quickly.
Some costumed paddlers on the River.
From there we walked to the Louvre. It is massive.
It would take many days to see everything. Sculptures, paintings, and so much more.
Had a 40 minute line to see the Mona Lisa. How could we not go see her.
The Egyptian Section, of everything Napoleon stole from the Egyptians, was impressive.
Then we walked through the Tuileries,
I can't believe this bird is pooping on my head!
past the Obelisk,
the Eiffel Tower,
the Grand Palais,
the Invalides,
the Champs-Elysées,
ending up at the Arc de Triomphe.
Day 4 - Chartres, Chambord and Tours
We drove to Chartres, home to the greatest Gothic cathedral in France.
Chartres Cathedral.
The world-renown collection of stain glass windows were removed and hidden in a small village during WW2 to protect then from damage.
Originally built in 1020, the cathedral contains the sacred Veil of the Virgin relic.
Side door.
This labyrinth is on the floor of the Cathedral but is covered by chairs.
The square across from the Cathedral.
Departed Chartres and traveled to the Chateau de Chambord, the largest residence in the Loire Valley. Chambord was built for Francois I in the 16th century by 1,800 men and master masons. Then the king only lived there for only 7 weeks.
Saw some sight in the Loire River Valley on our way to Tours.
Ended the day with a wine tasting before heading to our hotel in Tours. The winery produces mostly sparkling wine that needs to be fermented for at least 9 months to be called Montlouis.
They produce about a million bottles a year with a very modern production facility for the local Market only.
That night went to the Leonardo de Vinci Restaurant in Tours with our Gate1 group. Tours is near the town where De Vinci died and is buried. More of him tomorrow.
Old, old building.
On walk back to hotel.
Students in monk outfits. They were also drinking beer, lots of beer.
Day 5 - Loire Valley
Traveled to the magnificent Chateau de Chenonceau. Stretching across the river Cher.
The Guardhouse.
The chapel was just for the family.
The Chateau boasts a 197-foot gallery, built over a series of arches.
The extravagantly furnished rooms. (When the Royals went from castle to castle they took the furniture with them. Always a lot of people and wagons travelling with them).
The kitchen was full of copper pots.
Formal gardens were added by the mistress of Henry II, Diane de Poitiers, Diane's Garden.
The Domes Wine Cellar and
the Queen's Apothecary were in an out building.
During WW1 parts of the estate were used as a hospital.
The Labyrinth.
From there we went to Amboise.
First we visited Chateau du Clos Luce', where Leonardo da Vinci lived his later years and died in his sleep at age 67. He was supported by King Francois I, the same one that built Chambord.
da Vinci's bedroom.
da Vinci's workroom.
The museum and Parc da Vinci have models of his many inventions. He invented many things for military use.
Tank,
Multi-Canons,
Bicycle,
Paddle wheel,
Helicopter and more.
Parc Leonardo da Vinci.
Who knew we didn't need to wait for 40 minutes in the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa.
On the way to visit the Chateau d'Amboise, we passed homes built into the cliffs. Later we even saw a hotel with rooms built into the cliffs.
Visited the Royal Chateau d'Amboise. The castle is most closely associated with King Francois I who introduced the Renaissance to France, built Chambord and brought Leonardo da Vinci to his court.
The castle is only one-fifth of its original size.
Da Vinci is buried in the chapel.
Certainly, had a nice view of the Shere River.
The largest room of the Chateau.
This painting of da Vinci dying with Francois 1 at his side is "fake news". Da Vinci died in his sleep. His body was discovered in the morning.
The Chateau had nice gardens along with the view.
That evening we did a walkabout of Tours, going to the
Cathedral Saint Gatien, another massive Gothic cathedral.
Then walked along the Loire River to Old Town.
Some old, old buildings.
The remains of Basilique Saint Martin. It has since been rebuilt across the street.
Day 6 - Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy
Traveled northward to the iconic Mont St. Michel, rising from the sea on a mighty rock.
One of France's most recognizable landmarks, the fortified town is crowned by the mighty 10th century Abbey.
The courtyard.
Looks like Spiderman's head on the wall.
Big fireplace.
This is what was used to bring supplies up the mount.
Zach and friend!
The most expensive omelet in the world!
The view from the "Caserne".
They like painted cows here.
From there we went to the Bayeux Tapestry that commemorates the Norman Invasion of England by William the Conqueror in 1066. Hard to believe that this Tapestry almost 70 meters long is also almost 1000 years old.
Then we visited the Bayeux Cathedral where the Tapestry previously resided. The Cathedral is yet another massive Gothic cathedral built almost 1000 years ago.
Day 7 -Normandy
We celebrated the 75th anniversary year of the D-Day Invasion of Normandy with visits to
Omaha Beach, where most American soldiers we killed.
Normandy American Cemetery, where 9,387 American soldiers are buried.
A Catholic Chaplin's mass kit.
172.5 acres perfectly manicured.
Ranger Memorial at Pointe de Hoc, Only 90 of the 250 that originally climbed the cliffs using grappling hooks and ropes survived the 1st 2 days of fighting.
The Ranger Memorial.
Inside bunker.
View of the English Channel from the bunker.
Bomb shell holes from WW2.
Remains of bunkers.
Ste Mere Eglise, remember "The Longest Day" where the Paratrooper was caught on the spire of the church.
In square outside church.
Utah Beach, only about 250 American soldiers were killed here.
Higgins Boat on display,
Normandy German Cemetery, average age of their soldiers was 21. 21,000 are buried here, 8000 unknown.
After, we returned to Caen and did a walkabout. 90% of the city was destroyed during WW2.
Went to the castle wall,
and the Cathedral.
Renovation of the bell tower in progress.
Day 8 - Giverny and Paris
Departed for Paris. On the way, stopped in Giverny and visit the former house of Claude Monet.
Explore the famous gardens which inspired many of Monet's paintings.
His studio.
That evening after dinner, we were walking in front of the Pantheon. We smelled fire. Sure enough the building next to it had a small fire.
Day 9 - Paris
In the morning, we walked to Luxembourg Garden,
Cathy stopped to say hi to a friend.
Then over to the Pantheon.
Many sculptures adorn the building.
The former basilica; now the burial site for many famous and heroic French people including;
Voltaire,
Hugo,
Dumas,
On the way back to the hotel we went through the other part of Luxembourg Garden.
Guarding Parliament Building.
In the afternoon, we went to check out Montparnasse area. What a wonderful surprise and a great ending for our time in Paris.
We discovered the Cimetiere de Montparnasse. People have been buried here for hundreds of years in mostly family plots.
We came across Jaques Chirac's former President of France, monument. He died just this week.
From there we went to the Montparnasse Tower, Observatoire Panoramique. It was 56 stories and 210 meters tall. Still one of tallest buildings in Paris. We had a wonderful view of all of Paris. It was fantastic to see all the places we had visited in Paris on our last day.
Eiffel Tower.
Notre Dame.
Louvre.
Arc de Triomphe.
Parthenon.
Cemetery.
Luxembourg Garden.
And some places we didn't have time to visit
Invalides.
Montmartre and Sacred Coeur.
Day 10 - Depart Paris for home.
On the morning of our departure, we went with Mike and Mary to Mass at Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Medaille Miraculeuse.
In this chapel in1830, the Virgin Mary appeared to St Catherine Laboure'. The chapel is part of the convent and Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul. They are doing God's work in more than 90 countries.
Later that day we departed for home.
We walked over 450,000 steps totaling over 200 miles, averaging over 8 miles a day, during our 24 days in Spain, Portugal and France.
