Part II of our tour through Germany and France

Here are some pics from the next leg of our recent trip through France and Germany. These photos focus on our time in four different places including Giverny, Rouen, Bayeux, and LeMolay-Littry. The first set of pics focus on the home and gardens of the French impressionist artist/painter Claude Monet. Monet lived in the quaint village of Giverny and drew inspiration from the countryside and the peace and beauty of the orchards and gardens surrounding his home. Monet lived in Giverny with his second wife, and the children from both of their prior marriages. It was easy to see how Monet was so inspired after walking around the gardens, and seeing the water gardens and ponds that he constructed.

View of the front of Monet's house

Monet's talents brought him considerable wealth in his mid to later years and much of this money went into the house and landscapes

One of the beautiful water gardens

Wonder how many gardeners he had to maintain this place?

Peace and tranquility

The English Backpacker

A destination well worth the effort

Beautiful flowers as far as the eye can see

Monet found Giverny while passing through on a train one day

The wild flowers reminded me of our days living in the Yellowstone region of Montana

This stream looked so clear and inviting

I saw trout in the stream and a little bamboo forest on the other side

Very interesting tree spanning the little stream

More water lilies-- one of Monet's favorite landscapes to paint

Green and more green

The next group of pics focus on Rouen. This city located in the Normandy region of France totally blew us away. There was so much history there to see. It is the site where Joan of Arc was tortured, beaten, put on trial and later executed. The city has cobblestone streets, lively street life, countless half-timbered buildings, and a number of impressive cathedrals. If you love old abbeys with massive spires and antique stained glass, then Rouen is the place for you.

Ornate detail of the cathedrale Notre Dame

The Cathedrale Notre Dame was severely damaged during WWII-- It was built between 1201 and 1514

Its spires soar above this ancient medieval city

The Eglise St-Maclou church was built in the flamboyant Gothic style

The facade has a unique arrangement of five pointed arches set over an ornate Renaissance porch

Amazing detail and craftsmanship

With an elaborate interior as well

An art display in the old city called Weather Reports-- The real life broken glass image on the floor quite literally "mirrors" the image on the wall

Europeans and side walk cafes go together quite naturally

An up close image of the Gros Horloge-- the clock's mechanism dates from the 14th century

Rouen is known for its nearly 2000 half-timbered buildings and houses

More half-timbered beauty

Almost done

Still smiling after a long day of travel

Rouen has many tempting street side cafes and lots of tasty treats

Macaroon heaven

Okay, a few more half-timbered structures and a sassy little girl

Time for a ham and cheese gallette ( otherwise known as a buckwheat crepe) and some apple juice

The Abbatiale St-Ouen

This 14th century church was part of a strong Benedictine abbey-- Notice the abundance of slim columns

Beautiful stained glass

The famous pipe organ is often used for concerts-- there were a group of musicians practicing while we were there

Less decorative than many of the other old world abbeys I have seen, but impressive nonetheless

A friendly game of boules outside the grounds of the Abbey

Last half-timbered pic of Rouen-- I promise

Unique artwork in one of the city squares

Wish I could do that

Napolean is never far away

Tower where Joan of Arc was held and tortured during 1430-31-- before she was burned at the stake in Rouen in May of 1431

This remarkable young lady is a patron saint of France

Relics inside the tower of torture

Maybe she was kept inside here-- Notice the security camera top left which might have been used to guard against an attempted escape-- Well, probably not

This cross marks the site where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake by the English bad guys in 1431-- For you reality TV fans, it marks the place of a stop for a clue (spring 2010 epidsode) on the hit series "The Amazing Race"

Joan of Arc

Chillin out in the hammock with her Barnes and Noble Nook-- Estalita and Kaylin at our gite (guesthouse) in the Normandy countryside

Our car is parked in front of La Rieu-- The blue car is parked in front of our section of the 17th century French stone house that served as our accomodations for 3 nights--- This site was only a few miles from General Eisenhower's quarters after the D-Day Landings

The section of the gite known as the farmhouse

Looking to the right out of the back of our gite

Time for a little American football in France

Easy come easy go

Now on to the wonderful city of Bayeux. This area serves as a great jump off point for exploring the Normandy beaches which are just a short drive away. Bayeux has a great war museum and a large British cemetery is located there as well. The city is perhaps best known for the Bayeux Tapesty, a 70 meter strip of linen that is nearly a thousand years old. The world famous tapestry tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England and the rise of William the Conqueror. No photos were allowed, so you will just have to go see the Tapestry for yourself. It is the most exciting piece of old linen I have ever laid eyes on!

Inside the Cathedrale Notre Dame in Bayeux-- which dates back to the 11th century-- when William the Conqueror was planning to invade England

A remarkable Cathedral with an elaborate crypt as well

A fine example of Norman Gothic and Romanesque architecture

Bayeux has lots of old stone houses and remnants of old watermills


Lights out.