france

Amboise Chateau, our first chateau. It was not very crowded. Beautiful buildings and grounds.

Amboise Chateau, looking from the Chateau grounds to the streets below. The area around the Chateau is very touristy.

Fontevraud Abbey, the graves of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, with their son Richard the Lionheart.

Fontevraud Abbey, historic abbey built in the 12th century.

Chinon is a small town with a pretty medieval center.

Sunday lunch outside in the square in Chinon.

The first of many goat cheese salads, frequently the only vegetarian option on menus.

Steve walking along the Vienne River in Chinon.

This trip report was originally posted on my blog, which is now closed. Our trips to France are becoming a yearly event. This year we decided to spend our week in Burgundy, south-east of Paris, with Chris and Shannon. This area was new to us all. We had to choose between the western part near...

By Sharon J from Texas, Winter 2007 A late-planned, quick trip to Paris, March 5 - 9, 2009 for Sharon J and her husband. This trip report was originally posted on SlowTrav.com. Last Minute Trip and Arrangements Sometimes, I think the best trips are made at the last minute. Personally, it keeps...

By Sharon J from Texas, Fall 2010 Highlights of two sisters as they visit Paris and take a night train to Venice, September 23, 2010 - September 27, 2010. This trip report was originally published on SlowTrav.com. Day 1 ... Arrival I'm not too sure how great this trip report will be, as we...

Paris, in a Dream By Kim from NJ, Spring 2006 A last minute trip to Paris to accompany my husband on business gave me the opportunity to explore the city on my own for a few days, followed by two wonderful days with him. This trip report was originally posted on slowtrav.com. A Little Bit of...

In the 1990s Chet and Carolee Lipton wrote a brilliant set of books about hiking in Europe: Walking Easy in the Swiss Alps Walking Easy in the Italian Alps Walking Easy in the French Alps Walking Easy in the Austrian Alps In the 2000s these books were updated and combined into two books. New...

By teaberry from Pennsylvania, USA, Spring 2006 April 7 to April 23, 2006. We spent our first week in Paris and had a family reunion, and spent our second week in glorious Provence. This trip report was originally published on SlowTrav. Why France, and Where to Go? In the summer of 2005, my...

Regions and Departments of France France is divided into thirteen regions (not including overseas regions). Regions are further divided into departments. In total there are 96 departments (not including overseas departments). In some cases the department is better known than the region. For...

The town of Fréjus sits on the western edge of the Estérel Mountains, on the Mediterranean coast. During ancient Roman times Fréjus was an important port town called Forum Julii and situated at the crossroads of Via Augusta and Via Domitia. There are various Roman remains in and around the town...

From the outside.

Entrance.

Information sign.

Historic town center.