La Belle France

My sister D. and her husband T. have been travelling in the north of France and Paris for the last two weeks. Happily, I suggested that they write us an email once in while to tell us where they are and what they are doing and faithfully, T. has been writing a Where Are T & D every day since they left.

It is such a pleasure to hear from them and live the trip vicariously through them. As I helped them plan their trip, I am familiar with most of the places they visited.

Here is their itinerary:

1. Paris no need to explain
2. Chartres to see the cathedral
3. Loire Valley to see a few castles
4. Saint-Malo because of the song we sang as children: "Ah Saint-Malo beau port de mer..."
5. Mont Saint-Michel just to see what a marvel this island is
6. Bayeux to see the famous tapestry
7. Juno Beach very significant for Canadian History in World War II
8. Honfleur because Samuel de Champlain left from there to found New France and Québec
9. Arras because of the famous Canadian Vimy Ridge War Memorial*
10. Verdun significant World War I site for Canadians
11. Epernay because of our love of Champagne
12. Soncourt to see the house where grandpère was raised
13. Darmannes to see our relatives
14. Flavigny-sur-Ozerin because that is where the movie Chocolat was filmed
15. Provence** to stay at our apartment for a couple of weeks.  They will be visiting the Côte d'Azur too.
16. Marseille to return home

* T. and D. read The Stone Carvers by Jane Urquart which is a novel set around the creation of the monument at Vimy Ridge, a beautiful, captivating story.
 ** They are also reading two novels, one is a sequel of the first novel,  by the renowned French author Marcel Pagnol:  Jean de Florette and Manon of the Spring.  Pagnol is a compelling storyteller.  His characters are fascinating and the plot lines hold you captive from the beginning to the end of the story. 

There you have it.  A perfect little itinerary to build a dream on...

Bonsoir et bons rêves,

Stella

                                                          A segment from the famous Tapestry of Bayeux.