Tag: France
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Tour du Mont Blanc: A circular Alpine trek
We will be walking the 110 miles of the Tour du Mont Blanc over the next two weeks, with a couple of breaks. The trek circles Europe's highest peak, which is really a mountain range of Alpine peaks, above 15,000 feet. We are starting in France and will go counter clockwise through Italy and…
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Tour du Mont Blanc: Our challenge begins
We were strongly advised to begin our trek with two gondola rides from Chamonix, taking us more than 5,000 feet up above spectacular terrain to Le Brevant, more than 8,000 feet high. Clouds blocked our view across the valley to Mont Blanc and made visibility poor for most of the day. So, after ascending…
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France: Life hums on the sidewalks
Notes from France Does anyone drink and eat at home in France (other than us)? Tonight, after our dinner at our Strasbourg apartment, we went for a long walk. There were thousands and thousands out and about. And it did not seem crowded, although most seats were filled. That's because Strasbourg has more cafes, bars,…
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Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg rises among the ruins
The Château du Haut-Krœnigsbourg would have slipped under our radar if not for two friendly American college students we met at dinner the other night. Sitting shoulder to shoulder, as is the custom at French sidewalk cafes, we struck up a conversation with the young men and were soon exchanging stories and travel tips. They…
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When in France…
The France vs. Germany semi-final Euro Cup match was cause for celebration in Strasbourg tonight. Crowds gathered early, grabbing good seats in the few cafes with outdoor TV screens. We were lucky enough to find a good seat, a great meal and entertaining company for an evening of good natured cheers and jeers. A France…
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Strasbourg Cathedral Survives the Ages
For nearly 600 years Strasbourg Cathedral has soared 466 feet above the cobbled streets of the city – an unmistakable landmark for the surrounding countryside. Work began on this Gothic wonder in the year 1176 and continued until the cathedral's completion in 1429. It's hard to imagine the manpower needed (and sacrificed) during construction…
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