Discovering Limoges – Limoges inattendu

We once stopped briefly in Limoges (about 15 or 20 years ago) and wrote it off as being without any interest whatsoever so were surprised this weekend to discover that is has many attractions! Nous avons fait une visite éclaire à Limoges il y a 15 ou 20 ans et l’avons trouvé sans intérêt. Nous …

Postcards from Istanbul – Dolmabahce Palace

This modern palace built in the 19th century was the home of six sultans and their harems until the republic was proclaimed in 1923. It showcases the best craftsmen of Europe at the time and occupies a prime site on the Bosphorus. Unfortunately, it is not possible to take photographs inside. It then became the …

Postcard from Nantes – From the Balcony

This scene is behind Graslin Theatre in Nantes but so far I haven’t found the origin of the statues in the foreground or the people on the balcony watching them. Cette scène se trouve derrière le théâtre Graslin à Nantes mais je n’ai pas encore trouvé ni l’origine des statuts en avant-scène ni les personnages …

Postcard from Paris – Canal Saint Martin

The Canal Saint Martin is not an area I know well and we really enjoyed discovering it. We walked along it from Hôpital Saint Louis down to the market at Bastille then rode Velib’ (city) bikes back (with our baguette and oysters) to our starting point. Je ne connais pas bien le quartier du Canal …

Postcard: Sunset over the oyster beds – Coucher de soleil sur les parcs aux huîtres

No, this is not the Loire Valley, but Poitevin Marsh, on the Atlantic Coast, just north of La Rochelle, where we are cycling for 3 days. Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from me every day! Non, ce n’est pas la vallée de la Loire mais le marais poitevin sur la côte atlantique au …

Postcard from Lisbon – Caravel

You may remember another caravel in Saint Dyé sur Loire. This one is in front of the statue of Marques do Pombal, both emblematic of Lisbon. Vous vous souvenez peut-être d’une autre caravelle à Saint Dyé sur Loire. Celle-ci se trouve devant la statue du Marquis de Pombal, toutes deux emblématiques de Lisbonne.

Postcard from Lisbon – Palacio dos Marquesas de Fronteira

The Palace and Gardens of Fronteira were built by the first marquis in 1670 in the outskirts of Lisbon as a hunting pavilion. The azulejos are quite stunning – even in the rain! Le Palais et jardins des Marquis de Fronteira furent bâtis vers 1670 par le premier marquis aux alentours de Lisbonne comme pavillon …