Category: Europe Sept-Oct 2006

Our first stop in this principality was at the 19th century neo-Romanesque Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the resting place of 17 sovereign princes of Monaco and their wives.  It is also the burial place of the Grimaldi family. As the crowds file silently past the tombs of past princes, many took most interest in the tomb of Princess Grace.  September 14th was the anniversary of her death and numerous garlands and baskets of flowers decorated her tomb.

Our drive from Aix to Nice took us through Chambery and then up into the hills, in the reverse direction that Napoleon took when he returned to France to reclaim his empire.  Chambery was once the capital of …

Aix-les-Bains, on the edge of the Le Lac du Bourget, is France’s most celebrated natural lake. Aix-les-Bains was a spa town back in Roman times and has been one of France’s premier spa resorts since the eighteenth century. Some of the old elegant architecture reflects Aix-les-Bain’s belle-epoque heyday, when high society from across Europe dropped by to relax and enjoy the waters. The British and Queen Victoria were especially partial to the place.

Annecy, in the Haute Savoie, is a pleasant town on the northern end of the Lac d’Annecy. Take a stroll around the old town and you’ll quickly see why this town has earned itself the tag of Little Venice. A network of canals and bridges adorned with beautiful floral baskets criss-crosses the narrow streets and here and there a medieval tower reminds you that the town has an ancient heritage.

Off season, the views of Mont Blanc etc. are still spectacular.  Warm (28°C) at ground level, but take the Teleferique up to the Aiguille de Midi (36€, two stages, 3,872 m) and it’s a lot colder at the …

Follow the owl (chouette) walk around town, small arrows and owl motifs in the pavement lead you from place to place. Stroke the tiny owl on the side of the Notre Dame church for good luck and to …

As you drive towards Beaune on the Cote d’Or, the village names read like an elite wine list.  In the town itself you can visit the Hotel de Dieu on your own. Wonder through the different rooms where the …

Chablis is not a large place, but there’s no doubt what it’s famous for! However, before you sample the local grape juice, be sure to check out the church with horse shoes hammered on the door and the …

When you visit the church in Vezelay, note the 15 large wooden crosses around the walls. These were brought from the various warring countries after WWII in 1946. There were originally 14, but a 15th was made by …

Troyes, the old political capital of Champagne, isn’t shaped like a champagne cork as far as I can see, I reckon that idea was the product of some tourist marketing man’s over-fertile imagination, but the old town is …