The Baguette
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The church of Bagnères-de-Luchon is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. The image of the Virgin can be found in bas-relief in the tympanum above the main door of the western façade constructed in 1890. Sadly, this door is closed and scaffolding is...
Before arriving at les grottes de Lacave, I made a quick stop along the Dordogne via the small village of Bastit. The river itself is quite calm and the region famous for its good food and wines. Those seeking excellent accommodations in the area need...
On Sunday, October 9th, I went with a group of 40 people from the AVF Cherbourg Association on a tour of several private and public manors, châteaux, churches, windmills and gardens that make up a large part of this region’s cultural heritage. The first...
Yesterday was another beautiful day for a hike along le sentier des douaniers. Again, I did about six kilometres on a trail near the one I did a few days ago close to Herqueville. This hike starts at the bottom of the D403 below Le Hameau Linnet. Walking...
Le Manoir du Parc à Saint-Lô-d'Ourville is a souvenir of rural life in the Cotentin during the 15th and 16th centuries. Its architecture presents a variety of elements which have come to symbolize the power of a lord in a feudal society complete with...
In March of this year, my French teacher from Maison Pour Tous gave me some cuttings from her Christmas cactus. At the time, we were debating whether or not it should be called an Easter cactus. I think I can put that discussion to rest now that it has...
Finally finished decorating for the holidays. Normally, I go to a friend's house in the southwest of France but this year I am staying in Querqueville. I guess that will give me more time to enjoy my tree and the rest of my decorations. The house is not...
Starting from Bagnères-de-Luchon heading east is the famous Col du Portillon, a high mountain pass in the Pyrenees that connects Luchon to the town of Bossòst in the Val d'Aran of Spain. The climb from Luchon is 10.2 km long while the climb from Bossòst...
A good friend of mine sent me a video about plans to recreate the old castle fortifications of Cherbourg using computer technology. In the future, visitors can hold up a computer tablet device and see where towers, walls, gates and old buildings once...
On m'a demandé de ne pas publier les photos du Château d'Omonville à Denneville sur mon blog, car c'est une résidence privée. Si vous voulez voir mes photos, s'il vous plaît envoyez votre adresse email à thomashugues007@yahoo.com et je vous enverrai un...
The Basilica of Saint-Just Valcabrère is a Romanesque building from the 11th and 12th centuries and is known as one of the ancient stops for pilgrims along the Camino de Santiago, a World Heritage Site. One kilometer east of Notre-Dame de Saint-Bertrand...
Last night I went to le r estaurant Pékin in Cherbourg which is owned by two friends of mine from my French class at Maison Pour Tous. They were so kind to allow us to gather at their place of business to ring in the New Year. We started our New Year's...
Many of you already know that I was in the United States for ten days in November for a family reunion. I flew from Paris into Houston and then stayed with my brother, Steve for a few days before our cruise with the entire family started. I was so glad...
Le Mont de Besneville is a hill 116 meters above sea level offering a breathtaking panorama of the countryside and the coast. This was the second stop on the trip I took with the AVF Cherbourg group on October 9th. There is a road leading to the summit...
Three weeks ago we worked with encre "colored ink" and water to create these winter scenes. It was somewhat difficult since no one in the class had ever attempted to create such a picture. We followed the directions from a book the teacher had and I have...
After visiting the beautiful church in Montfarville, my friend and I ate lunch at Restaurant t'cheu Suzanne. It is a warm and comfortable place with several large dining areas complete with fireplaces and authentic Normandy charm. The hosts, Marianne...
Le Manoir de la Crasvillerie near Réville is a granite mansion dating from the late 15th to early 16th centuries. Its two octagonal towers and its mullioned windows guarded with iron bars gives it an aspect of being stern and contemptuous. It was built...
La place Bellecour is a large square in Lyon. In fact, it is the largest pedestrian square in Europe and makes a great starting point for visiting any part of Lyon. The town’s tourist office is located here and lies between La Saône and Le Rhône, forming...
Since I was in Lyon for four days, I purchased a two-day pass that allowed me to use the public transportation system and access to all the museums at any time. It was so convenient not having to worry about ticket prices. Lyon, which is listed as a Town...
On June 23, I attended the Clochers en fête which took place among several churches in the Marais du Cotentin. Because I didn’t want to be shackled to a tour guide and only see one or two churches, I visited about twelve on my own. It was quite an adventure...
I’ll always have pleasant memories of New Year’s 2012 in Strasbourg. Upon arrival, I was a bit overwhelmed with all there was to see—the historic city center lined with timber framed houses and shops decorated for the holidays, the colourful medieval...
Today I am leaving for Bordeaux and the southwest of France for a week before beginning my pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. I plan on walking the 800 km route for about 40 days and so I won't be posting anything here unless I have access...
The lighthouse, which stands on the northwestern extremity of the Cotentin peninsula, is one of the tallest in France (71 meters). The light has a range of 56 kilometers, and the radio beacon, installed in the small 18th century semaphore, guides ships...
I was in Bricquebec last Friday and Saturday for the Week-end sur l'Esprit Saint, part of the Parcours Alpha of which I belong. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every...
Friday, May 3, 2013 -- Lavra to Sâo Pedro de Rates I think all of us slept very well last night. Tommy was nice enough to go into the village and buy all of us croissants for breakfast. It’s always good to have something to eat before hiking. Together,...
