Chambord Grand Canal

We discovered a new view of Château de Chambord today while we were cycling. Wewere delighted when we found this view from the bridge at the end of the Grand Canal. Nous avons découvert une nouvelle vue du Château de Chambord aujourd’hui en faisant du vélo. Nous étions ravis de trouver cette vue depuis le pont …

The Little Town Hall – La Petite mairie

To tell you the truth, I can’t remember where this was taken, but it was in a little village on a bike route. I think it must be the perfect place to work! A vrai dire, je ne me rappelle pas où j’ai pris cette photo ; c’était dans un petit village sur un itinéraire de …

Here's the church and here's the steeple – Clocher d'église fait battre le coeur

We came across this little church with its tall steeple as we were cycling from Muides to Chambord. Many churches in the area are dedicated to Saint Martin, who was born in about 316 and died in 397. The Saint Martin de Crouy church was built in the late 11th century. Above the door you can see a …

Postcard from Germany: Denis Papin in Hann Münden

I’ve been looking for connections between Blois and Germany since we arrived here three weeks ago on our cycling holiday. Imagine my delight when I discovered, quite by accident, that Blois’ very own Denis Papin, the inventor, built a steam-pump powered paddlewheel boat, probably pedal-driven in 1704, and as a demonstration, used his steam paddlewheeler …

Postcard from Germany: Wind Turbines – Aeoliennes

Another kind of windmill in Germany – wind turbines – which are present in large numbers and are often very close to the houses. Below is an early style of wind turbine that I have never seen in France. Un autre type de moulin à vent en Allemagne – l’aéolienne – qui est présent en …

Postcard from Germany: The White Windmill – Le Moulin blanc

< We came across this windmill when cycling along the Elbe between Meissen and Riese. You may remember the post windmill I published earlier. Notice the very patriotic car. We’re rather worried about how popular we’ll be if France wins the soccer against Germany on Friday. Nous avons vu ce moulin lorsqu’on faisait du vélo …

Arch to Nowhere – L'Arche qui mène nulle part

I loved going under this archway when we cycle between Blois and Saint Dyé sur Loire. It used to be connected to a bridge before, of course. J’adore passer sous cette arche lorsqu’on fait du vélo entre Blois et Saint Dyé sur Loire. Autrefois, bien sûr, elle était reliée à un pont.  

Cycling across the water – Traversée en vélo

We have a book called (in French) Freewheeling from the Atlantic to the Black Sea  with photos of the Eurovelo 6 bike route that goes from Nantes on the Atlantic Coast of France to the Black Sea.  One of the bike paths really took my eye. In the photo, you could see this couple, with their bikes, …