Paris, Provence & Nice
May 2010
May 2010
Our group of 12 was undaunted (mostly) by the cool, windy and sometimes wet weather in Paris. We forged ahead with our sightseeing that included an overview of the city with a visit to Notre Dame and Sacré Coeur. We spent time at the Orsay Museum and the Louvre and had a private overview tour at each. We took the lift to the summit of the Eiffel Tower--where we did not blow away--but did enjoy the panoramic view of the city. Most of us went to the cancan show at the Moulin Rouge where we were wowed by the pageantry. We spent our last full day at Versailles with its spectacular palace, huge gardens and Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon. There was also plenty of time for us to pursue our individual interests. Some of us took pictures, some visited more churches including Chartres, and others checked out more monuments, museums and other sights.
We traveled via the high-speed TGV to Provence, amazed at the smoothness of the train. Upon arrival in Avignon, we took a boat ride around the periphery of the city, sipped wine and enjoyed the view. In the days that followed, we visited some of the most gorgeous towns and sights including Roussillon, Gordes, Les Baux, Orange, Pont du Gard and Chateauneuf du Pape. Yes, we did some wine-tasting there and were treated to a lesson and some history as well. Those of us from California considered ourselves pretty adept at tasting, but they were able to teach us a thing or two! We took a guided day trip to Arles where we visited the ancient thermal baths, Van Gogh's hospital and the still intact coliseum. Back in town, we took in Avignon's most renowned sight, the Pope's Palace, as well as the Benezet Bridge of "Sur le pont d'Avignon" fame.
Those who went on to Nice had a little drama when we got on the wrong train leaving Avignon, but we were fortunate that the right train was just behind us and, thanks to an understanding conductor and a helpful couple, were able to switch in Marseille. We enjoyed sunny, warm weather and the views from our water-view hotel in Nice. We spent quite a bit of time exploring the Old Quarter and visited the Chagall Museum and Russian cathedral. We took a tour to Monaco-in time for the changing of the guard-and Monte Carlo, where they were preparing for the Grand Prix. We also visited the idyllic towns of Eze and St. Paul. Lastly, we saw the yachts of Antibes and the goings-on and red carpet in Cannes, where the film festival had just begun.
It was a busy, fun-filled trip. Aside from all the touring, we really enjoyed the fine food and came back with a list of must-go-to restaurants. Can one ever get her fill of France, and Paris in particular?
We traveled via the high-speed TGV to Provence, amazed at the smoothness of the train. Upon arrival in Avignon, we took a boat ride around the periphery of the city, sipped wine and enjoyed the view. In the days that followed, we visited some of the most gorgeous towns and sights including Roussillon, Gordes, Les Baux, Orange, Pont du Gard and Chateauneuf du Pape. Yes, we did some wine-tasting there and were treated to a lesson and some history as well. Those of us from California considered ourselves pretty adept at tasting, but they were able to teach us a thing or two! We took a guided day trip to Arles where we visited the ancient thermal baths, Van Gogh's hospital and the still intact coliseum. Back in town, we took in Avignon's most renowned sight, the Pope's Palace, as well as the Benezet Bridge of "Sur le pont d'Avignon" fame.
Those who went on to Nice had a little drama when we got on the wrong train leaving Avignon, but we were fortunate that the right train was just behind us and, thanks to an understanding conductor and a helpful couple, were able to switch in Marseille. We enjoyed sunny, warm weather and the views from our water-view hotel in Nice. We spent quite a bit of time exploring the Old Quarter and visited the Chagall Museum and Russian cathedral. We took a tour to Monaco-in time for the changing of the guard-and Monte Carlo, where they were preparing for the Grand Prix. We also visited the idyllic towns of Eze and St. Paul. Lastly, we saw the yachts of Antibes and the goings-on and red carpet in Cannes, where the film festival had just begun.
It was a busy, fun-filled trip. Aside from all the touring, we really enjoyed the fine food and came back with a list of must-go-to restaurants. Can one ever get her fill of France, and Paris in particular?