GENERAL INFO (Jump to Diary) France, officially named French Republic, covers 643,801 square kilometres. It is a unitary semi-presidential representative democratic republic. It has a total population of almost 67 million people, of which 65% are Christians, non believer/Agnostic account for 25%, and Muslim 8%, and Jews 1%. The currency is Euro, worth 7,46 Danish Krone. The GDP is $2.4 trillion.
The west of France has strictly oceanic climate, while
the Mediterranean and the lower Rhône valley experience a Mediterranean
climate and the mountains are alpine. Among the mammals are roe deer and red deer, along with the rarer fallow deer. Wild boars also live in French forest land. Many smaller mammals, including hares, foxes, marmots, badgers and beavers, are common in wilder places, and even larger predators, like brown bears and lynx exist in very small, endangered populations in France. Some reptilians are found here, like the asp viper and common adder, as well as lesser-known species like the southern smooth snake, ladder snake and western whip snake.
DIARY
At noon, the sun kick-in, and it make it all so much more
beautiful. The trees have small leaves, the rape is starting to flower, and
I open the windows in the car. I meet the first toll road, but at least, it
is smoother than the free ones. I have chosen the major roads towards
Laon is situated on the first mountain I meet on this Europe tour. Not a big one, but the cathedral on top of it look impressive. It is surrounded by a medieval town, which look great. The church is just as impressive inside, with stone carvings, glass mosaic, and figures of their female god. The view over the surrounded flat landscape is fantastic, and the small cafés real tempting.
But; I have more
I reach Paris, and the traffic tightens considerable.
Maybe Sunday wasn't such a good idea after all? The chestnuts have half
sized leaves by now, and the cafés are packed. The temperature reach 25C, and
the sun adds. I find a parking space a hundred metres from the
It
is amassing how many grand building the central Paris have, one more
magnificent than the other. I find my way to the Notre Dame church,
which truly are great. On the way, I passes so many familiar buildings and
Cleopatra's Needle, pinched in Egypt.
I had intended to see the
I
end up in Fontainebleau, and passes the huge Château. I have to return
tomorrow. My GPS know a camping 20
kilometres back north, but I can't be picky, if I want a shower and Wi-Fi.
It is located right next to a large canal, but at eight, I'm just interested
in something to eat and getting all my experiences of the day written down.
9/4.
The entire day, I am following the minor back- and
country roads, leading through waste but flat hills. Here are small
villages, build in limestone, and the few rocky outcrops are limestone as
well. The small farms are falling apart in a romantic way. The rape are
starting to flower, and the Primulas and anemones are way ahead.
A bit further down south is the little town of Auxerre,
famous for it timber framed houses, gothic style and cobblestone streets.
It is really a visit worth! I love these old, leaning houses with the
wood-cuttings, limestone walls and narrow streets. Here are just so many
motives - although a fish-eye would had become handy. Here are really a few people, and later, I learn Mondays are kind of still weekend for the French. A single rat runs around in the street, and doves are sitting on the roofs.
As I head on towards Noyers-sur-Serein, I pass the first
vine fields I have seen since Denmark. Here are also a few, old and
scattered apple orchards, all flowering nicely. I try to make some pictures
in the small villages I passes, but the lack of light make it impossible.
I
reach Noyers sur Serein, and park right outside the city gate at the
canal. The limestone walls are covered in plants like Sedum, mosses and
ferns. It is truly a must see place. The entire town is made up by ancient
houses along narrow cobblestones streets. Limestone bowls with flowers,
climbing plants, arches and general idyll. The newer part of town might only
be a couple of hundred years old though, the older parts a bit hobbit-like.
At present, I think this is From here, it is more countryside with green fields, small forests and limestone villages. The fields are also covered in numerous limestone, reminding me of vine-fields. The rain just won't stop - neither will I. In the outskirts of Avallon, I find a gas station and a huge supermarket, and fill the car - there are not much room for extensive food left!
I reach Avallon; a walled hilltop town, just as
old. The road is quite flat up there, and only when
A
huge building with round gables houses the market, which is closed today. It
is after all Monday...
Vézelay is little gem, located on a small hilltop. From distance, the church with a tower in each end dominates it. At the foothill, another little, ancient village; St Pére is found, and it is surely not the rich part! Then I crosses La Cure and start the assent.
The
At three; the sun peeks in, but just teasing. I reach the huge church, and here I meet the first nuns on this tour. As I walk around the church, I meet the great views to the surounding countryside. I am a bit amassed about I have seen no modern towns or industries today.
The
church is again a bit barren inside, but light and with a few but beautiful
stone carvings. I find a staircase, leading down, and it appears the
original church is down here, carved out of the limestone. Again, I have made too many photos, even though I'm not sure how good they will be, due to the lack of sun. As I head a bit back north for the camp site of the day, I passes another - closed one. A few places, the limestone is visible along the road, but it is generally covered in a layer of mulch.
Then
I head into some real narrow roads, leading in-between small limestone hills
and farmland. I have to stop a single place to confirm it actually is wild
Green Hellebore; Helleborus viridis, which are
A bit passed five, I reach a real nice camp, run by a
British guy. Unfortunately, it is even more expensive than the former ones -
which they all have been so far. It gota end! I sit in the cosy restaurant
and work, while a American couple enters. They have travelled more than me,
and it is real interesting to hear their stories. The make photos with giant
cameras on tripods, and spend the time, waiting for the sun, and their
photos are just amassing! Unfortunately, that means I get a real late finish
with my work, even though I kind of make the tagging way faster than it
deserves.
10/4.
I arrival at the former Roman city of Autun at
noon. As usually, I start making cup of tea for the ongoing tour. It remains
hot in my thermo mug, while the cooking gear will cool down, while I
explore. This time though, I knocked the boiling mug over, and it end in
one of the boxes beneath It is a former large Roman city, but now, it just a village. The large Cathedral of St Lazare is under renovation, and despite I do a loop around it, I fail to get a proper photo. The town is no match for those I enjoyed yesterday. Here are some Roman ruins, but a combination of the cold wind and the soaked car make me drive on, with the heater full on.
Auton is located on the first little mountain
The
landscape flattens out a bit, but at the same time, I can glimpse the snow
topped mountains
I am here to see the Pérouges medieval village,
which I think is used for films, although it is functional. Here are
discreet cafés and restaurants along with souvenir- and art shops.
When I have seen it all, I head on to the nearby camp
site. I reach it at five on the dot, and again, I can choose any site I
like, as it is only 5-10 occupied. That will come to an end - which I fear!
Where I had a lot of work, and additionally chatted three hours away
yesterday, this
evening will be comprehended quite fast, as the day have been made up by
manly driving. However,
that
does not prevent me from fast-tagging the photos.
Day 3: Autun and Pérouges
11/4. It is a long drive to the first site of the day, and I just enjoy the tour, despite the lacking sun. The hills are getting bigger, and without warning, a tunnel lead right into the true mountains! Roads build on endless bridges clings to the mountain sides, and deep valleys are glimpsed below. The lack of sun and the present of mist, make the photos blurry, but I experiences some astonishing sights.
I have chosen a shortcut, which turns out to be through
Switzerland, which
After a while, I smoothly drive into France again, and
start wondering: Why is it I'm here? It is just nice houses and farmland.
Then I reach Yvoire, a real nice town. It have a tiny medieval village,
and views to the large lake Geneva. Of unknown reasons, the GPS have chosen a road, leading first eight kilometres one way, then back by the same highway. Well, the views are nice, but it is a toll road both ways! Then I get into the French Alps again, and it really start to look right.
I reach Mt. Blance, which to no surprise, is
covered in mist. I stop and gas in a nearby village, and make a loop in the
area, but the mist won't leave. Next site is an over 100 kilometre long
mountain road, starting at Grenoble, and that will
The first part is a narrow trail, heading real steep up the mountain. Small farms are found along it, and the views to the valley fantastic. Eventually, it reach a slightly bigger road, and it follow the Alps, and are in some stretches cutting through real narrow gorges. In other places, the landscape opens up, and green meadows with scatted huts, small forests and the rivers make a beautiful landscape.
I
I reach Grenoble, and drive around it to the camp. It is
located in beautiful surroundings, but all the signs, showing the way say "Fermé
Camp", which I think is a strange name, and not the
one I remembered. I am not inclined
It does look quite empty, but an elder gentleman aloud me
to stay, if I can do with the little bathroom and a no receipt. Well, beside
from internet, a bath is all I actually are looking for. I start on the 300
photos of the day, and the head start means I'm finish early. It is now time to go to Diary 2 and the southern France |