As I brag so much about my road warrior past-time all over Europe, many times I have to encounter folks who think that I do not take public transport in France. Well ,if you live in Europe you know that cannot be true. I have done many many train rides (grand voyageur SNCF frequent traveler ) all over not to mention riding on tramways, buses, metros, and taxis to know and be able to speak about transportation. Of course,not to forget my educational background is aviation,,,(see post), Therefore, to the point, let me update with new text/links in getting to Geel near Antwerp (Anvers Fr), Belgium , which did a couple times taking trains and car to get to Geel, Therefore will tell you about my visit to Geel, Hope you enjoy it as I
The Midi or Central train station is one of 3 in Brussels. I have walked by the others, but the one used has been always Midi. At Brussels-Midi, the main station of Brussels, Thalys high-speed trains take you comfortably and quickly back to Paris ensuring the connection from Gare du Nord. Brussels-Midistation, more commonly known as Gare du Midi, This station, which was a terminus when it was inaugurated in 1869, and the second station was inaugurated in 1949, and covered with a yellow and smooth brick facing and is surmounted by a square clock tower became a station of passage from the junction Nord-Midi in 1952. The station has 22 lanes, including two dedicated exclusively to Eurostar trains. It is located at Avenue Fonsny 47B ,main entrance and back side is Place Victor Horta, 26 Saint-Gilles side and where I get my car rentals Avis !
The different was on the going the ride was an odyssey, first TGV Vannes-Paris Montparnasse, change to metro line 4 but was block, police intervention so needed to take alternative line 6 to Denfert-Rochereau then switch again to RER B to reach Gare du Nord; running not to miss my Thalys to Gare du Midi in Brussels. There had reserved an Avis rental car Citroen C3 to reach destination on the ring road of Brussels all with traffic jams to stand still !!! Went around on the E19 straight to Anvers, there took the ring road R2 to final destination. The return was not easier, Avis rental car to Brussels Midi train station was fine, but the thalys was delayed 30 minutes !! by the time reach Paris Nord took metro line 4 alright this time to Paris Montparnasse, arrive late the train TGV was ready to leave, spoked my way to train operators until finally called me back and allow me into the train, oofs !! and reach Vannes, no taxis, tourist had taken them all, needed to wait 15 minutes to have one arrive and finally reach home! Never again by public transport here !
A bit about Geel, a Flemish-speaking city of Belgium located in the Flemish Region in the Province of Antwerp. The central point is the pleasant market (markt) square, facing the Saint-Amand Church. With its attractive terraces and easy parking . The oldest part of the City /town hall dates from the 17C. Not far away, the Sint-Dipna Church marks the place where the saint was buried.The area around the Saint Amand Church is full of bars/restos and took up residence on one lol ! One big event taking place here is the Reggae Festival. The Reggae Festival, one of the larger reggae festivals in Europe, the next one is schedule for August 4-5 2023 keep track webpage : https://www.reggaegeel.com/en
I like the ambiance around the church and should have taken more time but the resto ambiance was very good, The Sint-Amandskerkor St Amand Church is the oldest parish church inGeel. It is located near the Markt square in the center of the city. It is a late Gothic church that was built from 1489-1532. The predecessor burned down in 1489. This was built in Brabant white sandstone. The rebuilding of the church took place in 1490 in brick. A few parts of the sandstone structure remained. The tower has a substructure from around 1400, partly also from 1489, and was raised to 59 meters in the mid-16C. In 1567 most of the works of art in the church were destroyed by the iconoclasm. Only images of Saints Dimpna and Gerebernus were spared, as well as two paintings, including an Adoration of the Three Kings. The interior of the church, as it is revealed today, dates from the Baroque. It concerns the paneling of the side aisles and the confessionals. In addition, the choir stalls from the end of the 17C, a pulpit from around 1715 , the high altar from 1748. Furthermore, on the pillars the statues of the Apostles and the marble choir enclosure from 1693. The stained glass windows can be seen in the south facade.
The market square,(Markt) facing the St-Amands Churchand bordered by attractive café terraces, is the focal point of the city Stroll through the shopping streets Nieuwstraat, Pasand Stationsstraat and end your shopping with a relaxing terrace on the traffic-free market! Several events and a nice Christmas market. An overview of all stores and events can be found on this webpage: https://www.geelcentrum.be/winkelen-in-geel/winkelen-geel/kalender
I stayed both times there at the excellent hotel walking distance to the best in Geel just around from the main square ,200 meters, with excellent personal service was the Hotel Verlooy. Located at Pas 117,(street address) Geel . The 12 rooms are luxuriously furnished with comfortable beds, unique light design and spacious bathrooms. Oak parquet floors and the use of natural materials create a comfortable space for body and soul.The rooms take their name from the world of pastry with a nod to the neighboring bakery-pastry Verlooy, renowned in the region. Your morning starts in the best possible way with a crisp breakfast in the veranda, overlooking the winter garden. Possibility to rent bicycles and e-bikes only with prior reservation. Parking, WiFi and minibar in the room are free. Webpage : http://www.hotelverlooy.be/en/rooms
I went out to drink and eat at the Het Forum ,and the Celtic Legends Irish pub with a nice Guinness,only has a FB page, Het Forum webpage : .https://brasseriegeel.be/hetforum/
A bit of history I like tell us that from the time of the French revolution in 1795, the Duchy of Brabant was dissolved and Geelmade part of the French department of Deux-Neuves, the precursor of the present province of Antwerp. Geel actively participated in the Belgian Revolution of 1830, resulting in the award of an honorary flag from King Leopold II. A major occurrence in the history of Geel is the battle of Geel in September 1944, one of the heaviest and bloodiest fights during the liberation of Belgium. Eventually the territory of Geel, and the smaller villages around it, were finally liberated on September 23 1944.
There you go folks, a train ride which as said can be taken all the way to Anvers but much better the ride from Midi into the side roads of Anvers to reach wonderful picturesque Geel. It would be on the list for a future visit and include the big City ,eventually, Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
I was asked to go to Cuba on a business trip for my company, and needed to go, I have seen it all, and not really wanted to go but business first as they say, I took advantage with my assigned driver to see the family still there , and by now the vast majority out of the country finally as told them many times, I went around with nostalgia and sadness to see what has remain. It all began there for me many many years ago. I left it in 1971, and hardly any sight pictures, the current pics in this post are from this last trip in 2012. You can see my many posts on Cuba in my blog for the real picture,,,Hope you enjoy the post as I,
I took a long flight it seems endless from home in my beautiful Morbihan 56 , went by car to Nantes airport;following the road N165 all the way to exit D201 Nantes Atlantique signs about 1h30 minutes. Then took a regional Air France flight to Amsterdam, Schiphol airport, which as today’s travel goes make you go north and then south ! I change there to KLM for the flight to La Habana about 10 hours !!! and finally arrive in Havana, very tired !
I stayed at a Casa Particular as was assigned this by the ongoings of local politics ,house in the new district of Playa,(old Miramar) no fancy hotels for me, My other collegues did stayed in the Mélia Habana Hotel,the new aparthaid ! Stories about Cuba abound from all periods; blaming each other, but no doubt the previous pre 1959 regime was better for the mayority. Proof over 2 millions have left already and several millions waiting for the opportunity while been politically correct.
We had not much time to see the sights ,so I took a ride by car on the Malecon, went over to the old Church of San Francisco de Asisi, the Morro , Fuerza ,and Cabanascastles (see post). Lots old history ,and sad stories of my Cuba.
We had business lunch at Restaurant 1830 at Calle Calzada esq. a 20, Vedado. This was a branch of La Zaragozana that was founded, in 1830 ! It is now considered one of the best there , There was a special treat at a casa paladar on a fifth floor of a building, but could not remember the name as it was at night and friends rode me there, we had asked for lobsters supreme but not available even if was on the menu , realities of life there; at least it had a nice view of the city. The highlight was at El Palenque, near pabexpo Cuba, and serving the Convention palace wonderful typical Cuban place and food, very nice lechon or pork with yucca,moro (blackened rice), and the local Cristal beer, It is by now a local institution, stands out as an unpretentious and authentic eating spot that attracts a large number of Cuban families and foreigners. It can be crowded and lively, but it is a great way to feel Havana at Calle 17 & Calle 190 , now Playa For a nostalgic trip we passed by El Potin resto, (see post) my dear late Mom Gladys used to take me here as a little boy, just a sandwich and light platters place and ice cream,juice and soda drinks, still there!!! and it looks nice after all ! Inspired by French immigrants ! at Línea corner of Paseo, Vedado neighborhood of La Habana.
The next day I asked my assigned driver to take me to my native town of Punta Brava, (see post) just in the city of La Habana, visiting family aunt and cousins (which by now all left Cuba ) , I ate at a typical Cuban casa paladar in pesos nacionales, (local currency) a dish of roast pork,moros black beans,yucca,tostones in garlic sauce, salad of tomatos and lettuce, plus coffee and four beers for two persons at about 260 Cuban Pesos Nacionales. Just in Calzada (main street Avenida 51) before turning left to Guatao, on the old Carretera Central.
I went further inland to visit another aunt and cousin at Cayo La Rosa, (these still there) off Bauta, this was a huge textile plant (Ariguanabo) of 5000 workers done by Mr Hedges an American from Tennessee in the 1950’s and now in ruins. The village have not change much, and took a ride with my cousin in an electric moto on the town, crazy, but a great and cheap means of transportation there now. And proud of myself was able to take my local driver there as he did not know how, and I did it with so many years out just on good memory lol! He was impressed !
Of course in each visit I ate with the family and reminiscent of the old days, telling me what a nice guy I was !!! Finally, it was time to come back again, and took my flight from La Habana Jose Marti International airport, very easily, this time in route to Paris CDG on Air France. The plane was full and cheapy company had me on economy class! But I was bump up to Business Class , by asking and it shows the difference, very nice flight of 9 hours to Paris CDG. There change again on AF to Nantes, and took my car from the airport parking for the trip home after paying 54 euros of parking fees. Cheaper than renting a car lol!
I was hoping not to be the last trip to Cuba, but still that was my last probably, and no plans to be back ; time is ticking and hardly any family there, one aunt and one cousin. Even in the difficulties of that system was the same warm welcome by the family and the faces of the buildings even if change were still recognisable, and I look forward to the future when all can have a pleasant place to visit with family and no dictatorship mistreatments and abuses. It is time to put more emphasis or at least equal treatment to the holocaust and the gulag.
There you go folks, another nostalgic spot in my life and happy to be able to share it with the world. Havana goes deep with me, even if now is a distant star flicking for survival, I believe you should know these places and eventually visit in better freer times , Again, hope you enjoy the post on my last trip where it all begun ,Cuba as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
This is my latest from my belle France ; as we are into Spring, but with rainy days However, is that time again to tell you my latest rants about some news fromFrance. An eventful post in my blog that I have enjoyed together with you for the last 12+ years , And for those non Roman CCCLXXXIV is 384 ! ,with another dandy round of news of my belle France , of course, chosen by me; there are many others. We have already enjoy our veranda as nicer weather has arrive ! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The National Assembly of France (house of reps) rejected, by nine votes, the motion of censure tabled following the triggering of article 49.3 by the government. This week is likely to be eventful, with a series of actions and rallies before a big Thursday March 23rd of mobilization at the call of the unions. The pension reform is adopted , However, after this tight vote, the calls to resign are multiplying for Borne. The Prime Minister must leave, believes Le Pen (RN) in particular. The Nupes (left) and the RN (right) have announced that they will seize the Constitutional Council. In vain as the 49.3 is constitutional and difficult to vote against it, However, this is a dictatorial article without the vote of the people nor the congress !
Neither worse nor better. The Parisian trash cans are still overflowing with over 7K tons of garbage on the streets. According to the City of Paris, the situation has not changed since the days before. « If Macron withdraws his reform, in four to five days, we empty the city of all its garbage » says a garbage collector, The situation is critical as even private firms hire to do the work has not done it as folks are on the streets protesting the above mentioned 49,3 that allow the President to passed laws without the before approval of Congress,
The rue Saint-Petersburg is a one-way street but remains “a bus highway”. The problem of bus traffic jams in this street crossed by 5 lines remains unresolved. The mayor has put this one-way axis in the north-south direction from April 2023, Yes huge trafic jams by taken away roads for cars and Paris still does not learn, folks are leaving,,,and not just for high prices.
The A86 road that goes around Paris on the south will be closed for the installation of a footbridge, The installation of this 70 meters long footbridge, which will allow pedestrians to reach the Louvresses sector from the city center, begins yesterday Monday March 20 2023. This will lead to the closure of the road four evenings in a row. At least Thursday evening March 23rd between the Villeneuve-la-Garenne/RD 7 exit and the junction to the A15. In steel, the structure is surprising with its tubular shapes, its 6 meters wide, its more than 4 meters high, its arches, its circular diagonals… Good, but will be jams I took the A15 and A86 several times.
Until June 15, the menu at Bleu Coupole 9éme arrondissement is designed by Joey Starr, now known for his militant passion for cooking, has teamed up with the executive chef of Printemps, Clément Blondeau, to put to music his favorite recipes from his Bistronomik guide, published at the end of 2022, Webpage :https://www.printemps.com/fr/fr/printemps-paris-haussmann#restauration
The next Asterix is called “White Iris” and immerses the Gauls in full positive thought, In bookstores on October 26, 2023, the 40th album of Gallic adventures, scripted for the first time by Fabcaro, bears a name of flower, webpage :https://asterix.com/liris-blanc/
After the drought of winter, Monet’s gardens are preparing to reopen their doors, Gray sky over Giverny (Eure 27). And yet, Jean-Marie Avisard The head gardener of Claude Monet’s gardens had never seen such a dry winter since his recruitment as an intern more than thirty-five years ago! “This is the first time that we have had to water our flowers during the winter. Webpage :https://giverny.org/gardens/fcm/visitgb.htm
A great expo by Jean-Gabriel Barthélémy which explores in photos the three emblematic places that are Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Palace of Versailles and the city of La Courneuve. Light and architecture are at the heart of his work, presented in 80 giant shots, exhibited on the roof of the Grande Archeuntil June 30. The 35th floor of the Grande Arche in La Défense (Hauts-de-Seine 92) . In the vast room with its mahogany parquet floor, two huge photographs of Notre-Dame Cathedral stand proudly at the entrance, bearing witness to the grandeur of the past and the tragedy of the present. Go see it if you can, Webpage https://parisladefense.com/en/news/events/exposition/exposition-barthelemy-2023
A week before its national release, the first episode of the film “The Three Musketeers” by Martin Bourboulon, partly shot in the episcopal city and in the cathedral of Meaux, will be screened during two sessions at the Luxembourg Theater. Later will be released on Wednesday April 5 2023 in French cinemas. Two previews will be organized in the presence of the director at the Luxembourg Theater in Meaux, a week before, i.e. Wednesday, March 29 spectators will see on screen Vincent Cassel, Romain Duris, Eva Green, Pio Marmaï, Louis Garrel, Lyna Khoudri, Éric Ruf from the Comédie Française, and many other talented actors in the credits. A unique visual identity that we discover on the trailer, in which some of the images shot in Meaux appear. All this bodes well for a film with polished images. We will see it of course ! Webpage on the shots of Meaux !https://www.magjournal77.fr/vie-locale/item/55884-meaux-video-les-trois-mousquetaires-la-cite-episcopale-et-la-cathedrale-ont-servi-de-lieu-de-tournage
And the trailer on youtube video with scenes of Meaux !!
Ryanair reaffirms its presence in the Oise (60) , the Irish low-cost airline, has decided to densify its activity at Paris-Beauvais airport. The main announcement is for the base it opened in December 2020, which will accommodate a third aircraft. “These are all Boeing 737 Gamechangers,” Ryanair said in a statement. These quieter and more environmentally friendly aircraft (-16% fuel and -40% noise emissions) will operate a total of 63 routes, including four new ones to Belfast (United Kingdom), Lanzarote (Spain), Cluj and Iasi (Romania). Good for the travelers but not for me tried and gone, and the locals claim too much noise lol !!!Webpage: https://www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/vols/compagnies-aeriennes
Léon and Claude Monet reunited at the Musée du LuxembourgParis ;a beautiful exhibition looks back on the relationship between the famous painter and his older brother, a great collector of paint and manufacturer of synthetic pigments , After a youth of which we know next to nothing, he was a merchant in Rouen, then, from 1869, sales representative for the Basel company Geigy et Cie, specializing in chemical dyes. In 1872, he founded with industrialists from the Rouen region the Industrial Company of Rouen (SIR), In 1892, Geigy et Cie established a factory in Maromme, in the suburbs of Rouen, to circumvent customs duties between France and Switzerland, and Léon ruled it until the end of his life. That Monet’s brother was a master of artificial colors is intriguing. A hypothesis immediately comes to mind: would he have allowed his brother to have access to synthetic pigments produced by his chemists, whose luster is more intense than that of natural pigments, of mineral or vegetable origin? It is impossible to say, if only because it is extremely difficult to know with certainty whether such a color was produced by Geigy et Cie or by another company in the sector. Indeed, for now go see the exhibition, Webpage : https://museeduluxembourg.fr/en/agenda/evenement/leon-monet
The Centre Pompidou has just signed a cultural engineering contract with the Al-Ula site, in northwestern Saudi Arabia. In addition, Beaubourg, which continues to expand abroad, should open a branch in Seoul in 2025. But the ambitions of the Center Pompidou abroad also target Asia. To be continued,,,,Stay tune, Webpage :https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/the-centre-pompidou/international-offers
The fine delicatessens treat us to good products. The opportunity to find taste pearls that cannot be found anywhere else. Here are my favorite delicatessens in Paris.
Causses is a place where it is good to linger to unwind, choose good products, meet your neighbors and enjoy yourself. Find them at Causses Épicerie fine 55, rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette 9éme Open every day from 10h to 21h (Sundays to 13h) ,and Causses Épicerie fine 222, rue Saint-Martin 3éme Open Monday to Saturday from 10h to 21h webpage : https://www.causses.org/
La Esquinita lives up to its name: it’s the spot around the corner that delights the whole neighborhood, with the added bonus of a taste trip to all regions of Mexico. La EsquinitaÉpicerie fine 36, rue de la Lune 2éme Open Monday to Saturday from 11h to 19h Webpage : https://fr.la-esquinita.com/
Huguette et Henri,it is the story of a Breton, Val, and a fervent South-West, Fab, great epicurean friends. Together, they have created a place where good products from their regions converge. When you enter, you have the impression of entering a spatio-temporal fault. Vintage decor, 60s music etc Huguette et Henri Épicerie fine 40, rue Sedaine 11éme Open Monday to Saturday from 10h30 to 20h,Sundays from 11h to 19h webpage :https://huguette-et-henri.fr/
Head for the Iberian Peninsula with this 100% Spanish delicatessen. It smells good of the sun, the sea air and the olive oil, no doubt, we are at La Vendimia d’Espagne. The ideal spot to find the must of small pleasures in cans or jars, La Vendimia d’Espagne Épicerie fine 2, rue Hégésippe-Moreau 18éme Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10h to 14h, and from 16h to 20h , webpage :https://www.lavendimiadespagne.com/
And let me tell you about some wonderful spots we have enjoyed over the years and plenty of articles in my blog. Here I go with Toulouse, La Baule (as I call it); and Guérande. Hope you enjoy them as I
How about listen to Nougaro, but not too much. Toulouse has changed a lot since the famous song dedicated to “his” city. Place du Capitole is still there, it remains a lung of the city, which has become pedestrian like the whole center. The adjacent areas, place Wilson, place Saint-Georges, rue d’Alsace-Lorraine, place Saint-Sernin, place Saint-Etienne, the quays of the Garonne, in other words the cardinal points of the heart of Toulouse are the kingdom of walkers, cyclists. Cars are barely tolerated there. The metro leads there from the extremes. The tram too. You will borrow them but moderately. Toulouse is best discovered and revealed on foot !! Its streets strewn with mansions erected in brick are sometimes reminiscent of Venice. On the outskirts, to the north with the Airbus factory, to the south with the Cité de l’Espace, Toulouse takes on its technological, modern, unique dimension. And Sud-Ouest obliges, you’re never far from a good bar or a table to discover!, The train hypothesis should be seriously considered since rue Bayard was renovated. Adjoining the Matabiau train station, (used it nice good) it allows you to reach the center (place Wilson, place Victor Hugo) in about fifteen minutes walk and if your suitcase does not have wheels or you do not want to walk, the metro leads to the same place. in five minutes, And something unique to see there now me think, the Momies, corps préservés, corps éternels on contemporary conservation techniques and raises ethical and deontological questions related to the conservation of human remains. A way of questioning humanity about its relationship to time, the search for eternity and death. Until July 2, 2023 . Muséum de Toulouse , 35 Allée Jules Guesde, Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10h to 18h. Webpage :https://www.museum.toulouse.fr/momies
Take a ride south of me and historical Bretagne and look up in the heart of the Côte d’Amour, along a 9 km of sandy beach, the southern Breton, dares the most daring architectural pirouettes, without eroding, quite the contrary, the attachment of its visitors. Born Escoublac in the 9C, engulfed twice under the dunes, no doubt to counter fate, the village moved a few meters and in the 15C took the name of “Bôle”, marshy shore in patois, that is to say its attractions. In 1896, a new change of identity, when the first summer visitors arrived by train, Bôle became La Baule before, in 1962, reconnecting with its origins under the double surname La Baule-Escoublac. Today La Baule offers two faces, that of the Remblai, a promenade along the sea, colonized by rows of buildings, built during the last fifty years, Le Panorama, the Tour Saint Clair, the Waves of Pierre Doucet, evoking a succession of breaking waves, and that of the neighborhoods with incredible villas of all styles and from all periods of the Bois d’Amour. A big gap between the old and the modern, reserving some very nice surprises for the curious. On foot, by bike or on horseback, these three options add up. Note that galloping near the sea, at the limit between the Atlantic and the sand, and not in the water, is authorized at any time outside the summer season. In summer, the beach is only accessible to riders early in the morning before 9h and after 20h. You can rent a horse or take part in a ride organized by the Manège des Platanes (25, avenue Antoine Louis) To pedal, you borrow an electric two-wheeler (or not) made available by the city, or you rent it from Chaillou (213, avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny,) the tread, from Pornichet to Pouliguen, its 9 km of beach bordering the Atlantic Ocean. do take in the whole bay at a glance, you start from plage des Libraires beach to the east, at sunrise, then cross the grand plage of La Baule, plage Benoit beach adored by fishermen, where you can swim in all security. Arrived at Pouliguen we reach the quays of the port stuck in the heart of the city. You get lost in its streets lined with low houses from the 18-19C. We walk through its halls before walking to the lighthouse, without forgetting to admire the stalls overflowing with regional products (closed on Mondays).
Leave La Baule towards Guérande by bike or as I by car,,,,. Another possible option is to take bus line 1 , near the SNCF train station. Only 7 km separate the beach from the medieval city, which can be reached on foot via the Porte Saint-Michel. Surrounded by massive ramparts in the 14C, during the war of succession in Brittany, opposing two relatives of Duke Jean III, The city retains its medieval character, but beware, it is a small Mont-Saint-Michel , very touristy on weekends and afternoons. The best is therefore to disembark there early in the morning (say 9h30) to circulate quietly on the ramparts. Half-timbered, granite and brick houses follow one another along the narrow cobbled streets. Sublime !!!
And now something unique usually do not put real estate stuff as not to do publicity but this one is unique me think, For those looking to live in Paris,(not me) how about an apartment on the banks of the Seine river with a view of the rooftops and monuments of Paris? This apt is located in the heart of Paris, on the Ile de la Cité, a stone’s throw from Place Dauphine and the former apartment of Simone Signoret and Yves Montand, with a breathtaking view of the Seine. The building for sale is located on quai des Orfèvres and has absolutely breathtaking views of the rooftops and the most beautiful monuments of Paris. From the Panthéon to the Arc de Triomphe via the Saint-Jacques tower, the most beautiful treasures of the city are visible from the terrace at the top. The 243 m2 building has a beautiful entrance, an office, but also a garage on the ground floor. An independent studio with living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom is then on the mezzanine. On the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors are 3 independent apartments in T2, with living room, bedroom, separate kitchen and bathroom. Finally, the 4th and 5th floors are occupied by a completely renovated duplex with living room and American kitchen, 2 bedrooms, but also a dressing room and a bathroom. On the top floor, the terrace overlooks Paris and its rooftops and offers a view of the typical Parisian buildings on the quay opposite. It will therefore be necessary to pay the modest sum of 9,990,000€ for the whole thing, Ok go for it lol! Webpage: https://www.admagazine.fr/adactualites/article/a-vendre-immeuble-seine-ile-de-la-cite/amp
There you go folks, another round of my some news from France coming to you freely by the road warrior travel guy . Hope you enjoy this post and do take care ,enjoy we are now in Spring, great,,, And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
I come here often for shopping and have a post on the mall at Christmas but feel need to tell you as well about the town of Saint Herblain,and its wonderful carrousels at the Atlantis shopping mall, Therefore, this is my take on it and hope you enjoy the post as I,
The town of Saint-Herblain is located in the Loire-Atlantique department 44, in the Pays de la Loire region of my belle France, The city is located a little north of the Loire, immediately west of Nantes. The city center of Saint-Herblain is 7 km from that of Nantes,
The town is mainly served to the east by five gates of the ring road (A844) , which I have taken many times for business and pleasure trips, These gates are from south to north, gates of the Estuary (no. 30), of Saint-Herblain (no. 31), of Atlantis (no. 32), d’Ar-Mor (no 33 going home for me), de la Chézine (no 34), de Sautron (no 35)), in the center run by the D17 road, The town has its own train station of La Basse-Indre – Saint-Herblain, located in an area with difficult access. The station is served by the TER Pays de la Loire ,The Saint-Herblain network TAN (same as Nantes) is served by 2 tram lines ; line1 with six stations in the town, and line 3 with two stations in the town, Also, 14 bus lines, The public transports for info here I come by car always,
However, the main thing I come by this town of Saint-Herblain is the shopping center Atlantis, right off the N444 road best by porte d’Atlantis no 33 beltway road on your way to the Nantes Atlantique airport. The mall or shopping center is huge atypical for the French, this one is of international quality. Words cannot describe it. I have another post on coming at Christmas time here sublime, Shopping is fine with our favorites Adidas, Armand Thiery, L’Atelier du chocolat de Bayonne,Boulanger, Brico Depot ,Chaussea, Burton of London,Darty, Decathlon, E Leclerc and its cultural space, H&M ,L’Occitane en Provence, Lacoste, Lego, Micromania, Nocibé, Norauto,Orange, and Yves Rocher, Big cinemas with the 12 rooms of UGC Atlantis and 14 rooms of Pathé Atlantis, The restos Brioche Dorée, Burger King, Häagen Dazs, Hippopotamus,L’Hacienda, New Yorker,Starbucks, Subway, and Vapiano.
And while here nostalgia even if my boys are older now we remember when we took them to these and as said memories forever, From the earth to the moon, the extraordinary carrousel or merry-go-round at the Atlantis shopping mall takes children on a fantastic journey in the middle of a dream. This took me to write this post more on the town.
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Things to see here with time are the Saint-Hermeland Church, The church is from the 15C, modified at the end of the 19C, It was built in the shape of a Latin cross. The original church is in the Gothic style, elements were added in the 18C and 19C. The bell tower rests on the columns of the north transept, its spire has eight sides. The polychrome oak barrel vault dates from the 15C; its dragon head decoration makes it look fantastic. The confessional, the high altar, the wooden altar of the Virgin and the statue of Saint Hermeland are from the 19C. The niche where Hermeland’s statue is encased contains relics of the saint. The blue stained glass windows, destroyed during the bombardment of September 16, 1943, are reconstructed on the basis of fragments from 1987. A cross in granite, stone and tufa dating from the 15C is located next near the church. Others are the Protestant church Amour Foi Espérance. The Van Hanh pagoda, dedicated to Buddhist worship, The Château de la Gournerie dates, in its oldest part, from the 17C, Tillay Abbey was built in the 14C. Built in stone, it is located in the middle of a park enclosed by walls three meters high. A carved stone porch is present, its arched lintel bears the insignia of the Cordelières.
A bit of history I like tell us that around the 7C, a Merovingian necropolis was installed in the foundations of the villa. The parish of Saint-Herblain was founded around 675 by Saint Hermeland, a Frank of aristocratic origin who became a monk of the Abbey of Fontenelle (today Saint-Wandrille), at the call of the Bishop of Nantes, Miracles are attributed to Hermeland, who died around 720 ; having become a local saint, his worship would later be used by the orders of the Franciscans and the Dominicans, and Hermeland would be the patron of six parishes: Indre, Indret, Bouaye, Guenrouët, Saint-Herblain and Saint Herblon. The monastery was demolished after the sack of Nantes by the Vikings in 843, In 1678, Charles Maillard, Sieur du Plessis, squire and court lawyer, owner in Saint-Philbert de Grand-lieu, chose to acquire land closer to Nantes. He buys La Béhière de Saint-Herblain and La Sionnière, In 1743, his son increases the family patrimony by buying the Château de la Gournerie, Becoming the biggest owners here before the end all French revolution.
There you go folks, a nice pleasant shopping mall in Saint Herblain just outside Nantes really same public transports network, I passed by here so many times and saw it, came in and love it , we have been coming ever since 2012 !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I,
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Once again, is that time of the year in end winter just waiting for spring that we come to Vannes for our favorite wine fair, and to see old friends of the wine world, This is awesome, recommended to all and hope you can see it one of these days, I like to again tell you about the Aux Vignobles, wine fair of Vannes !!! Hope you enjoy the post as i.
One of the highlights of living in my beautiful Morbihanis that gastronomy and wines are tops, whether locally or folks coming in , we are serve the best of France, And that is saying a lot me think, We have jump on the wagon sort of speaking early on in our stay here,and participated in these events, One we go every year since 2014 is the now call Aux Vignobles or its former names over the years, Let me tell you again about my experiences yesterday Saturday March11 , 2023 in the Chorus expo center.
Aux Vignobles was held from 10 to 13 ,and we were there on Saturday March 11th at the Chorus Parc des Expositions de Vannes in the Parc du Golfe. General admission 5€! (we get invited by the merchants so free admission) ,We were ready with our wheel baggy and carry a load of wines, and cold cuts and foie gras and cheeses the works, This is great and already a tradition for us to be here. This year there were 135 participating businesses but we narrow it down to three and spent quite a bit of time talking to them all as well tastings their products, then buying it and got some freebees as well !
This year’s properties were :
Château Fontbaude, wines ofCastillon-Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux at stand F21
Foie Gras AGERRIA , Duck foie gras, pâtés, confits, preserves, Basque ready meals at stand E14
Maison Gastellou, Salted meats, products and cakes from the Basque Country at stand C7.
Vignoble La Rodaie, Cosseau-Boireau , Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil (Loire Valley) at stand E18
These were repeated visits each year and were chosen this year for their price/quality ratio and friendly welcome of always, The Vignoble la Rodaie are by now friends that come to stay in their second home near me and we go to theirs , The owners are on the pictures. tops ! The Maison Gastellou we have gone to their main store in Saint Jean de Luz and see the post on that, very friendly folks and free googies always as well.
You have the real Francehere nothing industrial, supermarket type but the real deal straight from the farms and the artisans who produces the marvelous things we all came to know Francefor and still is. You have them here from different regions all defending their land and product. We later came to visit many of them on site and the history continues…
There you go folks, my world, and you are welcome, This was another wonderful experience in my capital City of Vannes and the by now great Aux Vignobles wine fair. Again, hope you enjoy the post as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
This is my latest from my belle France ; as we are imoving right along in Winter and the sun is out ! We can have 6 more weeks of winter due to the marmotte so they say, However, is that time again to tell you my latest rants about some news fromFrance. An eventful post in my blog that I have enjoyed together with you for the last 12+ years , And for those non Roman CCCLXXXIII is 383 ! ,with another dandy round of news of my belle France , of course, chosen by me; there are many others. We will be tidy and drinking a nice glass of wine ! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The construction site of Notre-Dame: From Tuesday March 7 2023 , a new exhibition invites you to discover the restoration site and its trades. It’s free and for everyone. it offers a 300 square meter course in four stages. In the introduction, a room allows visitors to watch a new film of about fifteen minutes, which traces the fire and the history of the site since April 15, 2019. Further on, it is a large model which highlights restoration work, and in particular that of the framework. Finally, and above all, eight thematic islands are devoted to specific techniques and know-how. Finally, a large fresco presents all the trades mobilized on this extraordinary site. With the hope of arousing, among young people, some vocations. Notre-Dame de Paris: At the heart of the construction site”, at the House of construction and trades, forecourt of the cathedral (entrance opposite 6, rue de la Cité, 4éme. Until the reopening of the Cathedral. Tuesday to Sunday, 10h to 20h Free, without reservation. Webpage :https://www.batiactu.com/edito/notre-dame-metiers-art-nouveau-a-honneur-sur-chantier-63835.php
The treasures of Notre-Dame exhibited at the Cité de l’architecture de Paris Immense, 8 meters high, the photo captures you as soon as you enter the exhibition “Notre-Dame de Paris, from builders to restorers” at the Cité of architecture (16éme). Taken the day after the fire of April 15, 2019, it shows the scale of the tragedy, the collapsed vaults revealing the sky, the piles of charred debris from the frame and the spire strewn on the ground, and immediately immerses you in the heart of the matter the restoration of the most famous cathedral in the world: Webpage: https://www.citedelarchitecture.fr/fr/agenda/exposition/notre-dame-de-paris-des-batisseurs-aux-restaurateurs
Chantilly, Pierrefonds, Compiègne… 2022, a record year for the châteaux of the Oise dept 60, historic attendance. At the Château de Chantilly , we do not hide our pleasure when discussing the number of visitors over the past year. And for good reason, in 2022, they are 525,000 to have crossed the gates of the monument bequeathed by the Duke of Aumale to the Institut de France. Webpage Oise tourisme :https://www.oisetourisme.com/visiter/les-incontournables/
Maincy, the first village in Île-de-France region to receive the « Petite Cité de caractère » or Small City of Character label The castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte, a 17C jewel, offers an additional cachet to this village of 1,858 inhabitants , Located 4 km from the center of Melun the famous Pont de Maincy bridge immortalized by the painter Cézanne, Maincy also hides nuggets like the Maison des Carmes which housed the Royal Tapestry Factory of Maincy before Colbert transferred it to Paris to the Gobelins, a drinking trough, a washhouse and a large fountain in the heart of the village, the medieval Church of Saint-Étienne… In fact, out of 1,019 hectares of surface area, Maincy has only urbanized 104 of them. The rest is divided between woods and agricultural land, in town center ,there is a brewery, a restaurant, a bakery, a grocery store, a hairdresser and a post office. Maincy Webpage: https://www.maincy.fr/patrimoine/
The collection of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Quimper, created by Breton artists of the 19-20C, including Gauguin, Boudin or Sérusier, will discover the land of the rising sun, Japan, on the occasion of a traveling exhibition on the theme Wind and Light. The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Quimper, inaugurated in 1872 following a donation made by Jean-Marie de Silguy (he bequeathed his entire collection, i.e. 1,200 paintings and drawings) has a magnificent private collection of works, focusing mainly on European painters from the 18-20C, including Breton artists linked to the Pont-Aven school. You can admire sketches by Rubens, paintings by Fragonard or François Boucher, Breton artists, Émile Bernard, Paul Gauguin, Paul Sérusier, Théophile Deyrolles or Eugène Louis Boudin, to name but a few. As part of a traveling exhibition on the theme “Wind and Light”, 63 paintings will therefore be loaned to Japanese museums in Tokyo, Fukushima, Shizuoka, Toyohashi and Hiroshima. The exhibition will present the chronology of painting in the production of Breton landscapes (from the 19-20C), from the last fire of naturalism, to pre-impressionism with the School of Pont-Aven, to the neo-impressionist, and to the “Black Band” to end with Fauvism and Art Deco. Japan is very fond of the works of the painters of the School of Pont-Aven, finding there many resonances with the art of Japanese prints. . Webpage :https://www.mbaq.fr/en/home-3.html
On the Paris-Mantes line, trains have been cancelled… due to a lack of personnel on line J between Gare Saint-Lazare and the Yvelines (78) . About fifty drivers are missing on the entire Transilien network. Line J, which leaves in particular from Mantes-la-Jolie, is particularly affected, Just a tad but a problem all over the train lines sadly this line was taken by yours truly several times while living in the area.
Salon de l’agriculture or Agricultural show: at the time of the closing of the halls of the Porte de Versailles which recorded 615,204 visitors The record dates back to 2014, with more than 700,000 visitors. This is over but here for the record I could not go this year,: , Webpage : https://www.salon-agriculture.com/
The new temporary exhibition at the Val-d’Oise Archaeological Museum in Guiry-en-Vexin follows in the footsteps of Homo neanderthalensis, in the light of the most recent discoveries and local archaeological pieces. Indeed an interesting museum worth the detour, Webpage : https://www.valdoise.fr/608-le-musee-archeologique-departemental-du-val-d-oise.htm
At the Musée de l’Orangerie, in Paris, an exhibition over ten years that transformed Matisse, Chez Matisse, it was later: it was at the age of 60, in 1929, that he abandoned his women to run the guilledou. We are not talking here about his wife, but about the models that, for fifteen years, living in Nice, he painted in eternal bayadères. Odalisques that modern critics agree to find syrupy at will and of which he himself said he was disgusted. He was saved by a doctor, Doctor Barnes, who had been collecting him for a long time, and by a strong journey, which led him to cross the Atlantic (by ocean liner), then by train in the United States, from New York to San Francisco. , until embarking for Tahiti. It is this story, and the fruitful years that followed, that tells the exhibition of the Musée de l’Orangerie, until May 29, 2023. Webpage : https://www.musee-orangerie.fr/fr/agenda/expositions/matisse-cahiers-dart-le-tournant-des-annees-30
Sad news of one of my all time favorite French singers, Long interviewed in the magazine “Seven to eight” on TF 1 this past Sunday evening, Florent Pagny, who thought he was in remission from his lung cancer, announces that he has undergone a biopsy because of a worrying lymph node. Florent Pagny, back to the wall , or in the face of recurring cancer, kept his freedom to speak, In January 2022, the historic coach of “The Voice”, even if he does not participate in the new edition, announced that he had to interrupt the tour of his 60th birthday after the diagnosis of a cancerous tumor in the lung. Since then, TF 1 journalist Audrey Crespo-Mara has met him three times, in June in Paris, in November in New York and then, one last time, in January in Patagonia, Argentina where he spent the winter in his other home, his wife’s country, I keep up with news and wish him and his family the best, I know the sad truth of it all, If want to know more of him in French: https://www.florentpagny.org/biographie/
His official webpage show up coming concerts but of course all pending and difficult to be on: http://florentpagny.fr/
It has seen monarchs, heads of state and stars from all over the world: the Hôtel de Crillon is a luxury setting in the center of Paris, but also a place with a rich and diverse history. The Hôtel de Crillon shares its colonnaded façade erected in 1758 with its neighbors in the Place de la Concorde, the Automobile Club de France and the Hôtel de Coislin. The Blues celebrated their victories there in 1998 and 2000 football World Cups, greeting the crowd massed on the Place de la Concorde (8éme) from the balcony. Andy Warhol, Orson Welles and even Michael Jackson stayed there, John Travolta got married there in 1991, Celine Dion and Jennifer Lopez came there, as did the K-pop group Black Pink recently. Here, again, was signed in 1919 the pact of the League of Nations, ancestor of the UN, Webpage: https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/hotel-de-crillon
TheSeven Kings, an English pub with barber shop hidden in the heart of Courchevel ,An authentic English pub with vintage decor and a lively atmosphere. Owned by the Fahrenheit Seven Hotel and its managers, The Seven Kings plunges us into a so British universe both hushed and baroque where the scent of beer is added to that of leather Chesterfields and the wood of the walls, To sustain the thirst, the house offers a sharp selection of 7 English and Scottish draft beers, British gins and signature cocktails. From Thursday to Saturday evening, The Seven Kings raises the mercury by inviting an eclectic selection of DJs and performers (electro, rock, house and groovy) to ignite the address and melt the ice. If The Seven Kings also has a table football, the real originality is hidden in a small room adjacent to the bar: The Royal Barber Club, an authentic barber-shop which offers gentlemen an express treatment between two pints in a decor still once immersive at will. The Seven Kings, 114 rue du Marquis , Courchevel , From Tuesday to Sunday from 17h to 01h Webpage :https://www.fahrenheitseven.com/en/restaurant-bar-courchevel/bar-pub-courchevel-seven-kings.html
There you go folks, another round of my some news from France coming to you freely by the road warrior travel guy . Hope you enjoy this post and do take care as winter is winding down sofly , with no white in sight, great,,, And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Inmy road warrior trips in my lovely Bretagneof my belle France! This is awesome, I was visiting Carhaix (see posts) and saw a church which I thought was there but not, it was actually in the town of Kergloff so off I went ; more amazing sights to show in my blog for me and to the world, This is the wonderful off the beaten path town of Kergloff up in my Finistére dept 29, Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The town of Kergloff is near Carhaix only 4 km away, It is also located at 37 km from Morlaix, 55 km from Guingamp , and 85 km from Brest. It is about 92 km from my house.
The parish Church of Saint-Trémeur, dedicated to Saint Trémeur, in neo-Gothic style, was rebuilt between 1881 and 1887 on the site of the former collegiate church built in 1370 and remained collegiate until 1790. Only remains of the old building the bell tower-porch of flamboyant Gothic style (1529-1535), See the altar of Notre-Dame-du-Frout. And Altar of Saint Tremeur (right side altar). The initial church was established around 1371 in place of a Priory founded in the 12C by the Benedictines of Redon. The belfry has long openings forming the top floor of the square tower. The bell tower is the only vestige of the old church built between 1529 and 1535, The Sacristy is from 1697, In the tympanum of the double door, at the base of the bell tower, is the statue of Saint Trémeur. A double blunder crowns the gate and for the newer part of 1882, a neo-Gothic style was used. The Choir of the church ends with a flat bedside opened by a large open bay culminating about ten meters.
The Choir and transept walls are painted with figures of the Coronation of the Virgin ,maybe her assumption and the Holy Trinity dated 1751 and restore in 1858, The symbol of Saint Trémeur remind of his martyrdom, His father Conomor have him decapitated to conserve his title as Count of Poher, Trémeur goes to the tomb of his mother Tréphine, also, killed by Conomor;holding his head in his hands.
A bit of history tell us that between 1589 and 1598, like all of Poher, Kergloff was involved in the wars of the League, From July 6 to October 12, 1675, the Revolt of the Bonnet Rouges or Red Bonnets around Carhaix was led by Sébastien Le Balp, born in Moulin Meur en Kergloff, son of millers. He was sent to prison from 1673 to 1675, and after his release, revolted against injustice, he took the lead of the rebellion which looted mansions and castles, He was finally killed by the Marquis de Montgaillard at the castle of Tymeur in Poullaouen , his corpse was hastily buried before being dug up, decapitated and placed on a wheel at the entrance of the village to serve as an example.
Other things to see me think are :
The Chapel of the Trinity is located in the village of Saint-Drezouarn part of Kergloff ,and dates partly from the 18C, its steeple bearing the date of 1723; it has 18C altarpiece above the altar with an effigy of the Good Shepherd and bas-relief medallions of Christ and the Virgin; it has several statues including those of Saint Herbot, Saint Eloi, Saint Barbara and the Holy Trinity. It was sold as national property during the French revolution. A niche carved into the west wall contains a few bones including a skull that tradition claims to be that of Sébastien Le Balp. The Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Secours Chapel is dated from 1817; abandoned and threatening ruin, it was restored at the end of the 1990s.
There you go folks, a huge off the beaten path town north of me, This is Kergloff, and its worth the detour me think, Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels , good health, and many cheers to all !!!
In my road warrior trips in my lovely Bretagne of my belle France! This is awesome, i past by this town briefly and had no pictures, the decided today to take a trip there with the boys and take a closer look to find more amazing sights to show in my blog for me and to the world, This is the wonderful off the beaten path town of Carhaix for short up in my Finistére dept 29, Hope you enjoy the post on the St Peter’s Church as I.
The parish Church of Saint-Pierre de Plouguer , is impressive and had the opportunity to see it up close and personal . It was originally a Romanesque church, it was founded in 1108 for the priory created by the Benedictine monks of Saint-Sauveur de Redon,. It was Viscount Tanguy de Poher who built this church. It is one of the eight oldest sanctuaries in Brittany still standing, and the oldest in the town of Carhaix. In the 16-17C, we speak of Plou-Ker-Karahes: the parish of the town of Carhaix. During the French revolution, Carhaix and Plouguer became two independent parishes. The municipalities of Carhaix and Plouguer were also set up, which would not merge until 1957.
Thus the Church of Saint-Pierre de Plouguer dates back, for its oldest Romanesque parts such as the interior of the nave, to the 11C. Its southern porch has a very particular horseshoe arcade, probably dating from the 18C, The Church Saint Pierre de Plouguer was built on a basilica plan. The church implements both the Romanesque and Gothic side. We can see this because it was in the Romanesque period that this church was consecrated. Romanesque art developed from the 10C and extended until the 12C. This art is characterized above all by its barrel vaults, its cross vaults and by the construction of buttresses to stop the thrust. Romanesque buildings are relatively low and have thick walls and low light inside, due to few and often small windows. Regarding the church, it has been altered several times, because the sacristy was rebuilt in 1514. This church has a particular style regarding its southern porch, it has a horseshoe arcade. The nave is of Gothic origin as it was remodeled in the 16C.
Of the Romanesque construction, the nave remains: on the north side, four bays are preserved. On the south side, only two and a half spans ,partly walled up, remain. It is characterized by its high third-point arcades carried by octagonal pillars. The nave and the side aisles are covered with a unique two-sided roof. A steeple-porch imitating that of Saint-Trémeur,(see post) in more modest, is raised to the west in the extension of the nave.
A bit of history I like, and a nice one Carhaix has indeed, but will condence much for ease of reading, on this post.
It was in 1206 that Carhaix entered the ducal domain of the Duke of Brittany, when the existence of a Viscount of Poher, in this case Rivallon III, was also mentioned for the last time. In 1341, the bishop of Léon, who held the castle of Carhaix for Charles de Blois(see post) had to capitulate to the troops of Jean de Montfort.The Monfortists were driven out by Bertrand du Guesclin in 1363 after a six-week siege. It was through a postern in the garden of the Augustinian convent that the troops of Charles de Blois slipped into the enclosure. The enclosure was then demolished and Carhaix became an open town. In 1365, the Treaty of Guérande, which followed the death of Charles de Blois, kept the domain of Jeanne de Penthièvre, including the castellany of Carhaix. The treaty of Aucfer of 1395 confirms the possessions of Penthièvres. In 1420, the goods of Penthièvres are confiscated by Jean V and are attached directly to the duke of Brittany, On June 5, 1432, Charles de Blois and Jeanne de Penthièvre occupied Carhaix before joining it on June 13 at the siege of Hennebont.
In July 1588, the town and its inhabitants swore loyalty to King Henry III and the Holy League. On October 12, 1595, the army of Henry IV, commanded by François d’Espinay de Saint-Luc, lieutenant general of Brittany, entered Carhaix where the population celebrated it., The town was at the center of the peasant uprising known as the Bonnets rouges or Revolt of the Red Caps between July 6 and October 12, 1675 with grave consequences for the participants, As part of the Counter-Reformation, three new convents were established in the town in the 17C, the Ursulines ( education) in 1644, that of the Discalced Carmelites (public charity) in 1687, and that of the Hospitallers (hospital) completed in 1698.
In September 1791, during the French revolution, the National Assembly decreed the merger into a single parish, under the invocation of Saint-Trémeur, of the parishes and truces of Carhaix, Plounévézel, Sainte-Catherine, Saint-Quijeau and Treffrin , Refusing to give up monastic life, the monks of the Carmelite convent were expelled in 1790 and those of the Augustinian convent in 1791. The nuns were expelled on April 13, 1792 against the will of the inhabitants (they returned in 1811). During the Terror, Carhaix was under the control of a “Committee of Six” made up of extremist Jacobins; there were many lootings, for example the very rich library of the Château de Kerampuil, formed by several generations of advisers to the Parliament of Brittany. The counter revolutionary Chouans scoured the Carhaix region led mainly by De Bar from the summer of 1792. After 1805, De Bar eventually emigrated to England to escape prosecution.
In the 19C and in the first decades of the 20C, Carhaix was truly obsessed with the memory of La Tour d’Auvergne, its “great man”, in favor of whom it multiplied commemorations and various festivals, often with the arrival of national personalities. , for more than a century. In 1841, the inauguration of his statue gave rise to a grandiose celebration. That day inaugurated, as we know, the statue of the “first grenadier of France”.
There you go folks, a huge off the beaten path town north of me, This is Carhaix for short, and its worth the detour me think, Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels , good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Inmy road warrior trips in my lovely Bretagneof my belle France! This is awesome, i past by this town briefly and had no pictures, the decided today to take a trip there with the boys and take a closer look to find more amazing sights to show in my blog for me and to the world, This is the wonderful off the beaten path town of Carhaix for short up in my Finistére dept 29, Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The town of Carhaix-Plouguer commonly known as Carhaix (as I call it) ,is located in the Poher, an important territory of Cornwall, sandwiched between the Monts d’Arrée to the north and the Montagnes Noires to the south. The town of Carhaix is at the crossroads of two important roads: the N 164, axis Rennes – Montauban-de-Bretagne – Loudéac – Rostrenen – Carhaix – Châteaulin, gradually transformed into an expressway and the D769 Lorient-Roscoff axis via Carhaix and Morlaix, two-lane but with a modernized profile. It is 92 km from Vannes ,141 km from Rennes, and 191 km from Nantes, It is ,also, 92 km from my house, The town has also maintained a rail link with Guingamp which allows it connections mainly with Rennes and Paris.
The gare of Carhaix train station became, at the beginning of the 20C, the heart of the Breton network and one of the largest meter gauge stations in Europe. It is in service between Carhaix and Guingamp only today. Emblem of the Breton Network, the Mallet E415 locomotive is displayed near it, next to ti . The locomotive was built in 1913 by the Piguet Establishments, it ran on the Breton Network until the end of the network in 1967. The city of Carhaix bought it at auction in 1986. Completely restored in 2016, it returned to the square on June 15, 2017. To protect it from the weather and enhance it, an Art Deco style awning was installed in 2018,
Coreff is a brand of Breton beer it has been brewed in Carhaix (29) since 2005 , It was created in 1985, and historically, it is the first craft beer in France me think, A second factory was created in Vigneux-de-Bretagne (Loire-Atlantique 44), and a third factory was done in Liffre, near Rennes (35).
The Carhaix-Plouguer Roman aqueduct is a set of two Gallo-Roman aqueducts supplying the town of Vorgium. 11 km long and 27 km long, the aqueduct was fed by numerous springs and streams located southeast of the town. The remains of the aqueduct located rue de l’Aqueduc-Romain in Carhaix.
The Château Rouge with its unique architecture was commissioned, at the very beginning of the 20C, by Constant Lancien, a notary from Carhaix to please his wife. And the least we can say is that you are here in front of an original building. The estate, in addition to the castle, includes stables, a garden and you will even find a house at the back. But before becoming one of the cultural emblems of Carhaix, the Château Rouge had a darker past when it was the scene of executions during the nazis occupation. Purchased by the city in 1956 , today a public building, it houses the city library on the ground floor and the music school on the first floor, Nice well kept building indeed.
Other things to see me think ,with more time are
The maison du Sénéchal (currently the tourist office), dating from the 16C, Place de la Mairie: it corresponds to the former place des halles. The medieval wooden halles or market there were destroyed at the end of the 19C.However, newer ones were built just behind it. These old restored halles offer a very beautiful modular space of 410 m² with a capacity of 620 standing places and 350 seats. The vocation of the room is versatile with a festive dominance. The current city/town hall dates from the 1890s. The Place de la Tour-d’Auvergne corresponds to the former Place du Champ-de-Bataille built in 1760. A bronze statue, a tribute to Théophile-Malo de La Tour d’Auvergne -Corret and sculpted by Baron Carlo Marochetti, was erected on Place de la Tour-d’Auvergne on June 27, 1841. The castle of Kerampuil, The Pantheon of the most popular Bretons is in the heart of the city center, statues of the Goadec sisters, cyclists Bernard Hinault, Louison Bobet, Jean Robic and Lucien Petit-Breton, by Anatole Le Braz, in homage to illustrious Bretons. The Chapelle Sainte Thérèse of Lisieux is part of the hospital now and was built in 1934. The construction has a rectangular plan with windows and doors in pointed arch. The Augustinian convent of which only a few arcades and a portal remain, The Carmelite convent of which only the facade of the old chapel remains; the city’s town planning departments are based there. The former convent of the Hospitallers and the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. Founded in 1663, its construction was completed around 1698. The Sainte-Anne Chapel, rebuilt in the 19C in the neo-Gothic style, is the last vestige of the house of the poor founded in 1478 and which was the first hospital of Carhaix.
There is one major festival that must be seen at least once, It is now most known for hosting, since 1992, the Vieilles Charrues festival, one of the main music festivals in Europe.(indeed), It is a music festival welcoming international, national and local artists with the aim of mixing genres and being accessible to all audiences. It quickly became the largest French music festival in terms of attendance , Organized by the association Les Vieilles Charrues, the structure donates part of the profits for the development of the associative and cultural fabric of central Brittany. See it next in July 2023 ; webpage :https://www.vieillescharrues.asso.fr/
There you go folks, a huge off the beaten path town north of me, This is Carhaix for short, and its worth the detour me think, Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels , good health, and many cheers to all !!!
In my road warrior trips in my lovely Bretagneof my belle France! This is awesome, I found me a new town !! ; more amazing sights to show in my blog for me and to the world, This was part of on the road again warrior as was planning to go another town and took a side road C1 to see a new route and passed by Motreff !!,it is in department 29 of Finistére. So another off the beaten path gem and see the nice Church Saint Pierre of Motreff on the communal road C1 or route de la Montagne. Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The town of Motreff is located on the border of those of Morbihan 56 and Côtes-d’Armor 22 and south of Carhaix.The western part of the town is crossed by the D 769 going from Lorient to Roscoff via Gourin, Carhaix and Morlaix, I came up on this road, then bear off on the C1 as above. The town is about 92 km from my house.
The monument that made me stop here was the parish Church of Saint-Pierre ,it dates from the 17C. The construction is in the shape of a Latin cross with a canted apse, The High altar in a curved tomb, 17C. At the two side altars, altarpieces with two columns and curved cornice, 18C or early 19C; in the counter-tables, paintings of the Rosary, to the north, and of Purgatory, to the south, painting on canvas. The Choir enclosure with balusters at the side altars only. Stalls in place in the choir , It has old statues, in wood: of Saint Anne in the porch; – in painted and gilded wood: Christ on the Cross, 18C, Holy Trinity 16C, two adoring Angels, Virgin and Child, Saint Peter, Saint Corentin, Saint Leuffroy bishop, reliquary bust of an unidentified saint. Painting of the Crucifixion, painting on canvas, above the door to the porch. The current church shows remains of the 16C construction: transept vaults, interior door of the south porch and part of the west gable; reconstruction from 1763 to 1768; south porch bears the date 1767; font chapel in 1834.
A bit of history I like
The motte castrale of Kergorlay dates from the 11C or the 12C as the story goes Jean de Kergorlay was crusader in 1096 (First crusade); Pierre III de Kergorlay was crusader in 1249 (Seventh crusade) and 1270 (Eighth crusade), his name and arms appear in the Salle des Croisades of the Palace of Versailles , The lords of Kergorlay had right of preeminence in the parish church of Motreff and their arms appeared on the main window of the parish church built in the first half of the 16C, right which was recalled during the construction of the current church in 1767, Motreff was one of the towns of Finistère where the slate activity was the most important with about thirty slate quarries were in activity around 1848, all initially exploited in the open air, except that of Lescollet, The slate quarry of Lannezval was the last to be close its doors in Finistère in 2001,
The other things to see here are
The motte castrale of Kergorlay located on the road D22 to Plévin. There are traces of several members of the Kergolay family, owners of the motte, from the 12C. The family died out in 1380, . The Calvary ,date from the 16C, of the type with three close shafts as at Saint-Hernin. Crosses deprived of their thieves. On the main cross, the risen Christ on the reverse of the Crucifix; Virgin and Saint John on bases, Saint Michael slaying the dragon in bas-relief against the shaft, Virgin of Mercy supported by two holy women at the foot of the shaft.
There you go folks, a huge off the beaten path town north of me, This is Motreff, and its worth the detour me think, Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels , good health, and many cheers to all !!!
The parish Church of Saint-Pierre de Plouguer , is impressive and had the opportunity to see it up close and personal . It was originally a Romanesque church, it was founded in 1108 for the priory created by the Benedictine monks of Saint-Sauveur de Redon,. It was Viscount Tanguy de Poher who built this church. It is one of the eight oldest sanctuaries in Brittany still standing, and the oldest in the town of Carhaix. In the 16-17C, we speak of Plou-Ker-Karahes: the parish of the town of Carhaix. During the French revolution, Carhaix and Plouguer became two independent parishes. The municipalities of Carhaix and Plouguer were also set up, which would not merge until 1957.
Paris1972-Versailles2003 