France

Christmas Village in a Garden Centre

Our local Botanic garden centre has a Christmas Village. Still a shop but a fun outing on a Sunday in December.

Arc de Triomphe

We took advantage of our Paris museum passes to climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and enjoy the view.

Fête des lumières - Festival of Lights in 2015

Despite the grand spectacles being cancelled, Lyon’s light festival took place in its traditional form of candles placed in windows.

Musée de l’Orangerie

Monet’s Waterlilies in the Musée de l’Orangerie, were a highlight of our trip to Paris.

Summer in Paris

We spent four days in Paris over the summer. These videos highlight some of the places we visited.

Crowds – Paris Distractions

Throngs of people languished around Paris’s museums and galleries. Tour groups pushed in line at Versailles. Queues snaked in tight coils outside monuments.

Sainte-Chapelle – Paris Highlights

Sainte-Chapelle was an utterly unexpected delight. The stained glass in this chapel is breath-taking.

Just outside our main window is a gutter. It is not a traditionally sought after view. Sometimes, as in July, we reap a little reward. Birds flock around the city and swoop into and out of the courtyards.

Fallen Tree

A large tree fell in our local park. The tree’s fall was unexpected and the result of high winds. Since then mushrooms have bloomed on the stump.

Autumn Colours

Autumn is putting on a final show for the year. The leaves are colourful and the evening views are captivating.