July 18 2013 Paris

This will be a catch up blog of our last few weeks in Europe.We arrived in Paris where we’re staying at camp Bois Du Bolgone.This campground holds about 500 and packed,they have a bus that takes you to the train which is very convienent.We will stay 5 nights here.We have been to Paris before but this is one of our favorite city.The first day into Paris we took bus #69 recommended by Rick Steves.This passes by a lot of places to stop but my main mission was to go to a cemetery,not just any cemetery but the largest and oldest we have ever seen.There are many famous people buried here and here’s some photos.

Victor Hugo

Chopin

Jim Morrison(Doors)

Others buried here Simone Signoret,Yves St. Montand

We walked around and went by the Eiffel Tower and there were lots of people in line to go up to the top.We have done that before so only stopped to take some photos.Always a beautiful sight.

The second day into Paris we went to Notre Dam.Again very crowded.Mid July through Aug. is the high tourist season so if your going a different month would be wise.

Notre Dame

The statues are the 28 kings of Judah.

From here we walked to the Latin Quarter and there every kind of food you could want.

On to St.Chappel a gothic church built in1248 for King Louis 14th It was hard to get photos inside the church but was very nice.

St. Chappel

Next stop was to the Hall of Justice and the Conciegerie. The Conciegerie was a palace of kings and also a prison.2780 prisioners were sent to the guillotine including Queen Marie Antoniette.

Marie Antionette in cell before hanging.

Sam along the Seine River

Seine River

The 3rd day in Paris we went to the Louvre,Musee D’Orsay and Arc Du Triumph.The Louvre is a wonderful museum full of famous paintings and sculptures.One of our favorite places.Although it was wall to wall people we still like looking at the paintings.The Mona Lisa was so packed with people you couldn’t get near to take a photo.We were able to walk right up to her years ago and there was no rope to keep you behind it.Some photos of some paintings and sculpture.

Venus De Milo

Mona Lisa

We went to the Musee D’ Orsay and we weren’t allowed to take photos.I love this museum because it has some of my favorite painters.Manet,Monet,Rembrandt,Degas among others.

Next and last stop in Paris was the Arch De Triumph.It was constructed in1806 to 1836 for Napolean 1st because he wanted his soldiers to be able to walk through Arches of Victory.There is a tomb of the unknown soldier and this memorial is to all the soldiers who died for their country.You climb up to the top of the Arch and you have a beautiful view of Paris.

Arch De Triumph

Sam and I top of Arch

 

Goodbye Paris

 

2013-7-12 Beaune and Abbey Fontenay

Today we are on our way to Beaune France,but we make one stop along the way.This stop was at Abbey Fontenay,one of the oldest abbeys in France.It was founded by St. Bernard in 1118.That's a long time ago.The church is very plain,they didn't want the monks to be distracted by their prayers.Their daily rations were a loaf of bread and a quarter liter of wine.Everything was here that they needed.It was a prosperous abbey in that they had the 1st metal working plant.They would forge tools and sell them for profit.

We left the Abbey and headed for Beaune (the wine country). When we got to Beaune we found the parking area for campers and it's all free.All it is a parking lot per say but that nite there were 22 rvs.Beaune is a very busy little town with lots of tourists but we  enjoyed it anyway.First off it was a very short walk to town and to the Hotel Dieu. The Hotel Dieu was not a hotel but a hospital for the poor.It was established in 1446 and closed in 1971.The Chancellor of Burgandy wanted to do something for the people.The exterior roof of the courtyard had a colorful glazed tile.It is beautiful.The paupers ward was the grandest for the poorest.Every patient deserved dignity and had a pewter jug,mug,plate,and bowl.The smaller St. Huge ward was for the wealthy that could pay for their services.Everything was there,kitchen,surgery,pharmacy,maternity and church.Every patient received the best services weather poor or rich.This is a must see if you get to Beaune France. Our next stop was to go to one of the cavas.We decided to to try Patriache Peret Fils. When we arrived we paid our tasting fee and off we went to the cellars.When we got to the tasting area the lady told us to start with the 3 whites then move on to the reds.We were down in the caves and there was a barrel with a candle and a bottle of wine sitting there for you to taste.She left and we proceeded to taste.After 3 whites and 9 reds I was a little tipsy.We bought a couple of bottles and went on to have lunch.Very nice indeed.When we got ready to leave Beaune the shift lever broke again and Sam had to find a longer bolt.He got it fixed and we're off to Paris.

July 10,2013 Verdun WW1 Battle fields

Verdun's battlefields are littered with monuments and ruined forts.Here you will find a tribute to the 800,000 lives that were lost here during the war of 1914-1918.You can see some of the lunar landscape still here today.A battle insued between the Germans and French and lasted for over 300 days.Several villages were destroyed and here (13 in all)and were never resurrected.Where one village use to be they have a small church and memorial to those that lived here.

There is a museum that is very well done and show's the destruction of what a war can do.

Fort De Douaumont was the most important stronghold that was built to protect Verdun.It was strong and built into the hillside but still the shelling from the Germans rocked the structure leaving it useless.Inside there are 2 miles of cold and damp hallways underground.Think of the soliders who lived here like moles.Outside you can see the round iron gun emplacements that would revolve and could go up and down.

When I was a teenager and went to get my drivers license(back in 61) I remember the instructor telling me that more people were killed on the highway than in the World Wars.For some reason that information has always stuck in my mind and I can relate to that by coming to see these battlefields.We spent the night at a place that makes almonds.

July 8,2013 Luxembourg City

We crossed over to Luxembourg and immediately filled the RV up with diesel.This is the cheapest fuel in all of Europe.We paid 1.20 liter.It still isn't cheap considering that it takes 3.75 liters for one US gallon.Most of the time it has run us around 1.40 liter.We stopped at Camp Kockelscheaur and found this close to the city.The bus is just out the gate and drops you off right in the center of city.This campsite is very nice for the price and grassy and clean.All for 15 Euros a night,what a deal.We took the bus into town and did our own walking tour.Luxembourg is the 1st city to be named the city of culture.There is also a Unesco World Heritage site here.We visited the church of Notre Dame now called Church of our lady,built in 1613.

Next we come to the Palace of the Dukes dating back to 1572.And we think some of our history and places are old.

The Unesco site is the Casements Du Bock.This is a rocky cliff with natural fortifications and 23km of underground casements.During WW2 this could be used as a bomb shelter for over 35,000 people.The view is very nice from here and you can see the old Viaduc and the town of Grund.

July 7 2013 Trier

Our next stop was in Trier Germany.It is the oldest medieval town in Germany and was once the ancient Roman capital.It was founded by Augustus in the 16 B.C.We took a 3 hr. walking tour of the city and found out a lot of history here.It originally had 4 gates and now only one remains,Porta Nigra.It was built without mortar and only iron pegs held these giant blocks of sandstone together.

They were having a street fair this particular day and so the town was packed.Our guide took us to the largest baths we have ever seen that were built during the days of the romans.

Notice where the door is placed in this house. It was called a floating door because the staircase would come up and they could fight off their enemies.

More photos of Trier.This was one of my favorite towns.

July 3 2013 Burg Eltz

After leaving Berlin we went down the Mosel and stopped at Burg Eltz.We drove up to the parking area and then walked to the castle.They have a shuttle that will take you up to the castle but we decided to walk and ride it back.You can also hike in from a town about 1 and a half hours through the forest if you choose.The castle has been in the same family for over 850 years.The setting here is surrounded by trees and all by itself.

Along the Mosel there are lots of vineyards and campgrounds surrounded by small villages.This is a very nice area to just relax and enjoy the surroundings.