Plans to fly to London, take the Eurostar via the Chunnel were dashed with last minute flight changes by Air Canada. The airline came through and altered our tickets so that we could fly out a day early. So now it will be a flight to London, connecting with another flight to Paris.
It has been a number of years since we have been to Paris and of course there is much to check out. New pen stores, galleries and numerous sights. At the end of a couple of days in Paris we will pick up the car and travel off towards Brittany.
| We will be staying at the Eiffel Park Hotel in the 7th Arrondissement - and that will be different than the Marais, our usual location. |  |
||
| A couple of days will allow for some leisurely time to revisit favourite sites. Of course there are numerous pen stores also to check. |  |
 |
|
 |
 |
||
| We are in the process of getting a hotel arranged. We like the Maris district. |  |
 |
|
 |
|||
 |
In Paris we will be staying at the Villa Fénelon; 23 rue Buffault. We will be able to report back is this is a "great place to stay" at the end of our visit. |
||
We'll visit the Muse Orsay, an example of a mistake that can turn into an benefit. |
The Grand Palais, used for
various exhibitions. Some very good temporary exhibitions and a
planetarium are displayed. |
The train station - Gare d'Orsay, was built in 1900 was meant to service the Orleans line but ended as the platforms were too short.Now as a museum it is devoted to all art forms from the second half of the 19th century (painting, sculpture, architecture, music and items trom everyday life). Significant Impressionist and neo-lmpressionist works are on display.
|
|
| Dependong on our route, we may head up and over to Vannes - where we will be staying in Bretagne for a few days, or head south and visit the Abbaye de Fontevraud just east of Saumur. |  |
 |
|
| Of course there are numerous chateaux to see in this area of France. |  |
||
| Dol-de-Bretagne dates back to the 11th Century. The cathedral gives one the appreciation for the importance the centre once held. Despite papal objections the kinds of Brittany made it the religious capital of the country in the 13th Century. |  |
The streets of Dol-de-Bretagne have the feel of Bretagne. |
|
| Dinan is a town we are looking forward to a return visit. When looking at the slides of our previous visit we commented on scenic the town is and that we just did not spend enough time there. The town is built primarily of light grey granite. The centre of the town, Place des Cordeliers and the Place des Merciers still have the classic timber houses. |
Walking up Rue du Jerzuai which is lined with 16th century houses occupied by craftsmen. It leads up from the 14th C port along the river to the old upper part of Dinan. |
||
 |
Dinan also has a lower section that runs along the river. | Saint Servan Mer, is really part of St. Malo, just not behind the walled section and offers a scenic view of the rough Atlantic Ocean. |  |
Daoulas (left) is know for its abbey. Rochfort-en-Terre (middle) is one of the scenic villages of Brittany. Also Potinvy (right) has a classic chateau.
|
 |
 |
 |
| Vannes, on the Gulf of Morbihan, is a charming town. We visited it on our last stay in Brittany. The ramparts are well preserved and complete with towers and gateways. Karen remembers Vannes very well. She had her hair done while there... looking trés chic! |  |
||
We plan to return to the scenic village of Pont-Aven which was a very pleasant town with a river running along streets with old classic buildings. . |
 |
||
Of course our mode of transport will be the famous Metro. 
