Tag Archive - France

From Below – Eiffel Tower: The view is not just from the top

August 10, 2010 in Above or Below, Inspiration, Travel with 0 Comments

The Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel) is one of my favourite world landmarks, I’ve been coming back to Paris for years now, first as a backpacker and more recently as a husband with kids, and regardless of which arrondisement you’re in you are always catching glimpses of It rising up above the city. A constant reminder you’re in one of the most beautiful cities on earth.

From Below - Eiffel Tower - Day

Built in 1889 for the World’s fair, the tower was originally derided by the public, calling it an eyesore, and was intended to only stand for twenty years when it was to be pulled down.  However it was deemed useful for communications purposes and was allowed to remain.  A good thing as well as now it is the most visited paid monument in the world and a universal symbol of Paris.        

 

The view from the top of the tower is a must for any first time tourist, being able to see over all of Paris is breathtaking.  However I’ve always enjoyed the view from below the tower just as much and although I might have only gone to the top two or three times I’ve walked under the tower on over a dozen visits taking in the lattice structure from different angles, night and day, as you can see from my pictures from different visits 

Underneath Eiffel Tower

From above you appreciate the city unfolding before you, but from below you can appreciate the complexity of its construction – a structure as a piece of art, while taking in the sounds of Paris life.

Bastille Day: celebrated from New Caledonia to French Guiana

July 13, 2010 in Culture, Travel with 0 Comments

Eiffel tower fireworks on July 14th Bastille D...
Image via Wikipedia

July 14 is Bastille Day, France’s national day (also called La Fête Nationale or le quatorze juillet) which marks the storming of Paris’ Bastille (a notorious French Prison) on 14 July 1789 and a key date in the creation of modern France.

It’s a great excuse to uncork some of France’s finest wine or champagne (not that you need one).  I developed a fond affection for Bastille Day while in France for the first time in 1983, enjoying the festivities and atmosphere in Paris.  

But if you can’t be in France, and you want a bit more than uncorking a bottle of French wine at home then consider a few other Francophile options.  After all French influence can be found around the world where you’ll find a celebration.

South Africa – Franschhoek (meaning French Corner) is a gourmet lovers dream and holds a week-end festival each year for Bastille Day.  Besides the food and wine, enjoy popular traditions and activities of such as boules, Franschhoek minstrel parade, a barrel-rolling contest and a waiters’ race.

USA – There are plenty of celebrations with New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and San Francisco all having sizeable events, but a favourite of mine would have to be New Orleans with its great food and atmosphere in the French Quarter.

New Caledonia – Noumea called the Paris of the Pacific has the requisite patisseries and bistros and parade for the annual celebration.  What’s not to love about spending time on an island paradise and it’s only a short flight from Australia.

French Guiana – if you’re in South America, you could make your way to this sliver of French territory in the tropics.  Best known now for the launch site of France’s Ariane rocket, if you’re lucky you’ll get some extra fireworks!

Hungary – I wouldn’t have expected you could find a big Bastille celebration in Budapest but it’s celebrated with vigour each year with food, wine and fireworks. 

And wherever you are celebrate by raising a glass, wearing the tricolore (blue, white and red) of France and enjoy the festivities however you choose to make them.

3 stops you want to make on the Tour de France

July 3, 2010 in Sport, Travel with 0 Comments

I’m not a professional cyclist but I do enjoy a leisurely 20-30 minute ride along the coast near where I live.   However that’s nothing compared to the three week nearly 3700km odyssey across the French (and now also Belgium and Dutch) countryside that starts this weekend for the riders in the Tour de France.

The route takes in the diverse beauty of the French countryside and the cyclists don’t get much of a chance for a break (it is a test of endurance after all). Fortunately if you were to follow the route at a more leisurely pace you’d have the opportunity to stop and spend some time in the following three places along the way.  After all who wouldn’t want to take the time to enjoy glorious food and wine in the splendour of the French countryside?

Reims 

The home of champagne and one of the key gastronomic regions in France. Its beautiful cathedral towers over an easily walkable compact city centre. Have a drop of bubbly at some of the key champagne producing houses, and if you’re there on a Saturday morning enjoy the market at the Place de la Republique.

Chambéry

Situated in a valley this beautiful town has 360 degree views of the surrounding French Alps and to the north is bordered by the largest natural lake in France. Enjoy the beautiful architecture, great food and wine and depending on the season skiing, sailing or rock climbing is close at hand.

Saues De Bearn

 If you’ve made it this far along the route of the tour your body might appreciate a dip in the warm thermal springs that are found here.  For food, try some traditional Bayonee Ham whose taste is said to be dependent on the salts found in the area.