Everybody knows about BOURDEAUX and wine so I don’t really need to say much about that. But the city of Bayonne is something very different. It is a little bit touristy but it is a small city and very interesting to walk around. You should spend at least a day there. it is in the Basque area so the people are very different from the French and the language seemingly has no relationship to any other language in the world. So when you visit see if you can tell the difference between the atmosphere around the Basque people and the French.
But getting back to BOURDEAUX they have a very nice and beautiful wine museum where you can also do the experience where you learn about wine tasting and flavors and so forth. Coming from the Bay Area as a kid we did this so many times it’s something you should think about doing if you have done this before. I didn’t want to do it but they’re also are some specific things about the area and the taste of the wines in that specific area you might want to consider.
of course you have to try the wine wherever you go in France This is the new wine museum and experience center Actually I have found the French to be experts at parkingParoisse St. Louisif I were you I would just wait to cross the border to Spain to have tapas St. Andre Cathedralif you have seen the movie “lion in winter“ with Catherine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole you will understand the storyI had the pizza with melted cheese on top but it tasted mostly like mush. This is one of the worst tasting pizzas I have ever had. I picked the wrong restaurant ScreenshotThis is a small wine tasting and sales shop with excellent service, a very interesting guy, Jerome, and the food was extremely nice. Of course he is a sommelier. you should talk to Jerome also when you’re there but stand to the side of him. He tends to spit quite a bit, French and Basque habit which is very stereotype. I’m sort of kidding but he is just an interesting fellow and he has a lot of information and he will go out of his way to give you good service.
It’s easy Touring Toulon. Unlike Marseille which is very spread out, Toulon is fairly compact and a nice little Port town to be walking around in. What you will see is not only a port for private yachts and boats but also for some smaller cruise ships, fairies which will take you to Corsica and some military ships as well. The seafood here was very good. In fact all of the food was very good so just spend time walking around and enjoying the southern France ambience. This town is not far from Marseille.
These are different serving flavors of mussels, not the cheapest place but the quality was pretty good. The restaurant is Midi Moins Quart As you can see it’s a fairly large serving. And remember that what is called french fries in the US were actually invented in Belgium. They are just called fries in France. My timing was awful a little bit. I tried to get the photo of the first dog which she is leading holding the leash of the second dog in his mouth. So they were a chain of a dog leading another dog which I thought was kind of fun.I just liked this buildingThey serve good Italian food and also a lot of love, that’s AmoreCity center fountainIt was not an expensive cigar from Nicaragua and I don’t particularly recommended. It was a little bit bitterA good GelateriaCafé on the bottom and raspberry on topA port with yachts, fairies and naval ships This guy is pointing out to the ocean, probably to the pirates who stole his clothes A glimpse into the past of this town, painted on the wall walls Evening entertainment in France A meal would not be complete without ice cream, this time not gelatoAlmost all the tourists were French and so the tourist population seemed to be way down from what I saw last yearBeauty is in the eye of the beholder, so it is said. I don’t know why I found this interesting and a source of beauty but I just had to take a photo of it.Le Bateau SculptureA very delicious Middle Eastern style (almost like a curry) sauce with chicken (Tajine de Poulet) cooked very well. It was very delicious at Le Petit Prince de ToulonCathédrale de Notre-Dame-de-la-sedsJust an interesting old line of buildings This is a very old door still in use Look closely down the street here because where that little sign is you will find the municipal police station. It’s very well hiddenNice little grill restaurantThis is exactly the same kind of pot that my chicken was served in today. I find this design very interesting and also that it is somewhat popular in this part of FranceMy information indicates that the English language is about 25% of French origin. As you will know it is due to the Norman invasion of England in 1066 by the Viking descendants who occupied Normandy. They brought French in as the official language of England. And what I like is that I was able to understand 100% of what is written on this commemoration to the statue. I also find it interesting that English is classified as “low German“. But in Germany I understand almost nothing except for food menus. But once I cross into France all of a sudden I feel very able to get around just by reading. Speaking French is an entirely different issue. I only know a few words.This kiosk sells many different things You can’t see their line of products It was interesting seeing this manga shop. But I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised since French people are very un tuned to Art and especially to Japanese art and culture. This is how they park on the narrow streetsThis is the brasserie in front of the train station and I find a design very interesting and retro
this trip was done last year but it looks like I might be back again in a month or so so I wanted to put these photos up.
Just some nacho chips with a beer. That’s all I needed for dinnerThe following photos were from an elegant dinner I had with my college buddy from Japan. A nice piece of beef with the sauceAt the hotel the onion soup was very delicious and it was ““French “Place VendômeThis old style shopfront was just fascinating. Instead of automobile it says motor car. The shop is, or was, specializing in getting people and things sent to many places possibly in the world The buffet breakfast had some of my favorites especially lots of bacon St. Mark’sThe French motto which is in English, “liberty, egalitarianism and brotherhood“At the old Bourse which is now a museum and has an excellent restaurantInside the old building with a cement structure designed by a famous Japanese architect/artistSome more elegant food focusing on fishArtwork on the table at this famous restaurant After the meal final are you finding a place we can have a cigarSome activities for Halloween The hotel knew it was my birthday since they had a copy of my passport and so they brought me this and sang a song sad go back go backThis was a very nice wine Babysitting a dog, a Jack Russell named Dolly A day cannot be completed without gelato This is obviously the place to go in the evening. It was a very young crowd. A really beautiful piece of meat with a nice wineDolly is all tied up and very comfortable The house next-door. Parc des Buttes chaumontThe old bridge on the right it’s not in good shape so people are not allowed to use it Dolly on the left and King on the rightInteresting graffiti An interesting old car Parking skillfully on narrow streets and small parking spaces Walking around in the neighborhood These guys were trying to fix this new glass window and it was looking like a little complicated A very popular name for Italian restaurants No Dolly is completely lost Interesting name for a restaurant. And I was interested to see there is such a thing as “French tacos”I didn’t know you could get sangria in such a cheap container Hello Kitty is everywhere Dolly finally comes out from the nice warm spaces
just south of Bordeaux, a few hours by train, you come to an interesting small town in the Aquitaine. Bordeaux is known for wine, especially red wine but honestly I found the wine offered experiences to be really great for novices and people who have never visited a vineyard or had the chance to hear someone’s explanation of how to appreciate wine. But I started learning about wine when I was 10 years old and visited so many vineyards in California and through the years in many countries. Wine being my drink of choice always, maybe because I grew up with it or maybe because I enjoy the incredibly huge variety of flavors and combinations of tastes that come with a new bottle. So go to BOURDEAUX if you want to learn something about wine or want to spend a lot of money to try to wines at the new exhibition hall for wine in the city. But for that reason I did not do any wine tasting in Bordeaux. Instead I experienced it in this small town. I will explain below.
Wine and cheese and salami are my evening heaven. Ever since I was a kid it was the really stinky cheeses that pleased me. Bier cheese was often available when we had guests over for a bridge game. I would sometimes sneak into the kitchen, very quietly opening the refrigerator door and pulling out the bier cheese. To understand how stinky this cheese is, you count to four after peeling back the rapper to cut a piece off in the kitchen while everyone else is in the living room playing bridge. After those four seconds mom would say in a very stern and loud voice, “ Billy, stay put the cheese back“. Two days ago I passed by a cheese shop and asked for the stinkiest cheese they had. This is what she provided. It is not quite as stinky as bier cheese but the taste is just as pungent and delicious.The train station This is a really bizarre outfit. It reminds me of a Japanese ancient Shintopriest outfit.
above I mentioned wine tasting. While walking I passed this Small restaurant and the owner, Jerome, a sommelier, greeted me and talked a little bit about the wine tasting he offers and some foods he has in the restaurant. But the most interesting things he mentioned were concerning the local and tourist attraction to big name and fashion restaurants and chains. He explained it’s not easy for independent shops like his to attract attention. Since I am not really attracted to big names or fashion I decided to give his offering a try as he provided to tastings of reds, one with a lot of tanin flavors and another one from 300 m up in the hills not far from Bayonne. That one was more interesting for me so I ordered it and then the second option on the menu which was a pork liver pate with chestnuts and a vinaigrette dressing for the lettuce and tomatoes. It went extremely well with the wine. These little shops are the places you should be visiting since they have not only good service and attention to details but they are very personalized and the people are interesting. Jerome knew some of the wines from California and so we had a discussion about some different flavors. Having the opportunity to receive an introduction to local wines and pairing foods from a sommelier is usually extremely expensive but not at Jerome‘s shop. If you’re ever in Bayonne make sure you stop by, taste a few wines and get his suggestions for the food that goes with it. This was the highlight of my visit to Bayonne.
The menu The food was delicious The Spanish gate. I was wondering if this was a dividing line between France and Spain. The old buildings still standingOld buildings in one of the plazasCathédrale Sainte-Marie de BayonneThe lone woman in a private conversationBeautiful ceilings I found this church to be amazingly beautiful The colors inside are really stunning
Reims is a pretty interesting ciy to visit, the place where French kings were crowned for many centuries .
The roman wreath for crowning kings in Reims is what the lady is carrying The old city centerMany train stations in France have pianos for people to play some music, a very interesting and enjoyable idea.
not Steven Colbert!A typical streetNice architecture. The roof identifies it as FrenchAn ancient carouselThe church where the king were crownedA main plazaLouis XVStill carrying my Lao garment bagNice coffee but not my best cigarJohn Wick’s Continental Hotel?Didn’t ask if he stayed here
Any Luxembourg Adventure starts with the main city which has free public transport (countrywide) and is also very walkable.
A memorial for the Jewish citizens who lived and perished in this country during the second world war .An interesting statueBeautiful building. This is a government building Statue of the Grand Duchess CharlotteFrom the brdge. Lots of greneryBy the river bank lots of space for people to exercise inWar dead memorialMore views from a bridgeBeggars in Phuket got dogs when they saw how many people crowded around me when I had a cute puppy. Now it is a worldwide thing. Beggars need dogs.Some hotel and archives related to Joan of ArcBeautiful churchChurches bury famous people in the floorsAncient church artworkChurch historyMoving on to Nancy in FranceMain city gateA very interesting cheeseI thought Vienna Coffee was a Japanese invention but that is not the case.One of the Grand Duke’s palacesBeautiful countrysideNice design for a public toilet
I have to clarify “Busy Lyon”. I was told by a Paris resident Lyon is a French food capital. It is! The restaurants were packed. I didn’t try a lot of the local food since I was not willing to eat the large portions presented (still on my strict diet). But It all looked so delicious. If you are into food and are in France I think you should visit Lyon. It is an interesting city, though expensive during this tourist season (June).
The good restaurants were packedLook what some kid dropped on the street.The cathedral at the top of the hill is popular pilgrimage church.Basilica of Notre Dame of FourvièreA local churchAncient Roman amphitheater In busy LyonIs this a typical old style store? I am fooling you. This is a miniature of a store presented in the Cinema Museum in LyonI told you it is packedOk…..Indian Tapas?Busy Lyon restautantsSaône RiverFrench Cuisine? Popcorn dessing?Shops along the river, very good pricesA huge Asian Food and commodity storeI finallly found the perfect cup to carry for making my own coffee
You wouldn’t think Lyon in France is where you would find one of the largest cinema museums but it is indeed here. Here are some things I found interesting at the Lyon Cinema Museum. All of the items here are from the actual movie productions. This museum is also housing many miniature movie sets that are really fascinating to see. It is well worth the entry fee if you are interested in movie memorabilia.
My new buddy from Beatleguise. A Ford Anglia I recognized right off. I had a miniature Matchbox version years ago. It was used in an England movie. Lyon Cinema MuseumA ghost capture device from Ghost Busters.Edward Sissorhands` handOne of the old movie camers used for many decades produced in the first town I lived in, for just one year.One of the original auto tape destroying recorders used in the Mission Impossible TV series.Mock heads used in the Thelma and Louise cliff dive final scene.One of the original Batman costumes.AlienDarth Vader mask and gunHellboy suit. This would be very hot to wear.The way an actor gets “run through”Gun from Bonanza
Hopping around Paris you will see really interesting things and experience many interesting people. Remember to always greet people every time you meet them and to leave with a greeting as well. You can find many interesting museums to visit at one which I recommend. It explains the Dreyfus affair.
Watch out for the deadly anglesYou can take a trip on the river SeineWhat do you think would be hiding in the blanket. Actually it’s a miniature pincer that wants to keep warm in the cool of ParisWe see something hiding here too It’s a Jack Russell with a head cone to keep it from licking a woundA typical arcade with a café outsideAn old Peugeot where everybody can take photosA tower of somebody famous Enjoying a large space looking at the Concorde Hopping around Paris managing the dogA great portraitA famous clock chimeHawaiian Poké bowl is even a thing in Paris The two dogs on a walk but I can’t reject ice creamStreet Art is not allowed Lady liberty Fresh fruit and vegetables everywhere Typical Paris CaféI had to have tiramisuI just liked this paintingDreyfus was accused of treason, and easy target to be framed partly because he was Jewish. But after five years the person who framed him confessed. You can visit this museum which has many artifacts of the Jewish presence in France.The front of the Dreyfus museum One piece of street art which is all over the city Notre Dame is now complete and available for visits free of chargea very impressive pulpit an interesting design for pipe organit was very crowded inside my friend noted that before the fire the inside of Notre Dame was very dark due to dirt and suit and hundreds of years of aging. Now it is clean and brightSome priests were gathered a beautiful design with the ceilings in the Royal French blueThe place is huge I’m not French so I guess I am not a bastard. This is a famous French bakeryThe Jack Russell stancea wonderful dessert thoroughly aged in BrandyMy first croissant in France. It is so much different than what a croissant in the US taste like. A beautiful park with a bridge whose foundation is crumbling and needs reconstruction Roast duck whiz cheese mashed potatoes. The best mashed potatoes I ever hada great restaurant. I highly recommend it a nice wine With King you could pile on all the blankets and pillows and she wouldn’t minda dog made of sandDog parking outside the storePicasso Museum an interesting interpretation I found this very interesting. It reminds me of the day of the dead in MexicoLooking out the Picasso Museum Picasso worked in many genres. He was more versatile than I had ever imagined. You should visit this museum to get a good perspective of his versatility.The famous goat
This town in the Champagne area is a really cute town to visit and they have a nice champagne winery to visit. Enjoy the photos with Bill Smale Adventures.
Our guy is showing us the different bottle sizes. He confirmed that the largest bottle size is not the one used to celebrate at the races.Down in the caves you can see how these bottles are stored in order to get the yeast to settle so they can extract it. Sometimes the extraction is done by hand.The shows a bottle with yeast that still needs to settle. Yeast venting As with all wine caves this one is nice and cool. It was pretty warm outside. These are the three types of grapes used for their champagne at Châlons en Champagne. Only the Chardonnay grape is used for the Blanc de Blanc.This shows their vineyards throughout the champagne area. The front entrance A parking mushroom Old houses on the river Beautiful old churchA Chinese restaurant named Angkor . I wonder if they’re playing with the Cambodian Temple complex name.Typical French perfume shop Beautiful old buildings in Châlons en ChampagneI think this lights up in the evening Making sure this building doesn’t fall while they are putting up a new building beside it.Pipe organ in Eglise Collégiale Notre-Dame-en-VauxBeautiful stained glass window The original remains from the church One of the original stone panels A memorial for war dead the map of the canal and locksThe different locks in the canals in France allow boats to travel all over the country a boat travels up to the lockThere is a control light indicating whether they should enter or waitThe boat passes the first lock and up to the administration window The boat owner ties the boat to the stanchions to make sure it’s not moving too muchWhen the lock is filled she can then untie the boat and proceed through the next lock This is the front lock gate Why not go fishing? a beautiful old building
