France
A 2014 vacation to France, covering Paris, Loire Valley and Normandy
Pre-prep: Writer’s Intro
Initial planning and basic itinerary
Pre-Prep: Final Frenzy
Last minute change in plans!
Day1: Groundwork and Gruntwork
Arrival in Paris and first impressions
Day 2: Walking Woes
Walking to Sacre Coeur and then down the Champs Elysees
Day 3: Serene on the Seine (not yet published)
A boat cruise on the Seine and then Le Tour Eiffel
Day 4: Mona’s Museum (not yet published)
A visit to La Giaconda, aka Mona Lisa at the Louvre and up the Arc de Triomphe
Day 5: Vast Versailles
Versailles, it’s gardens and the Hall of Mirrors
Day 6: A Couple of Cathedrals (not yet published)
Notre Dame and Saint Chappelle, two beautiful cathedrals
Day 7: Weapons of War (not yet published)
Les Invalides, Napolean and reminders of war
Day 8: Loitering around the Loire Valley
The chateau at Chenonceaux and a piece of history
Day 9: The Monastery at Mont St Michel
A visit to a fascinating monastery off the coast of Normandy
Day 10: Normandy Notes 1
Vire, Saint-Côme-du-Mont, Ste Mere Eglise and a French savior!
Day 10: Normandy Notes 2
Ste Mere Eglise, where the paratroopers landed to kick off D-Day
Day 10: Normandy Notes 3
Omaha Beach, Normandy, site of the American D-Day landings
Day 11: Lazy Le Mans
A trip to Le Mans, the Museum (and Asterix, the Gaul!)
Day 12: Last Look (not yet published)
A last look at Paris, a walk around Les Halles
