Summer Vacation Part 4

 Annecy, France

This small town has been described as a mini Venice, which we are glad it was mini since Venice required way too much walking and there was too much whining, but instead of being attached to a sea, it is attached to a large lake. 

Just an alleyway, but it was the only picture we took without lots of color!

Too bad for them these were about $10 each but it made me happy we didn't have to deal with sticky hands and faces. 

 Palais de l'Isle

Apparently this is one of the most photographed buildings in France, not too impressive looking but everything around it is beautiful.  Palais de l'Isle is a castle in the centre of the Thiou canal, built in 1132. It was the primary residence of the Lord of Annecy as early as the 12th century, and later became a courthouse, a mint, and finally a jail from the Middle Ages until 1865 and then again during World War II.

 Thiou Canal

We loved  all the colors.

I had to throw in this picture of this adorable duck family we saw while walking through Annecy.

 Lake Annecy

After walking around the old town we rented a boat and peddled until it started to rain on us.

 Le Chateau de Menthon-Saint-Bernard 

For many centuries this castle was inhabited by the Counts of Menthon, an affluent Genevois family.  According to legend Saint Bernard, of Menthon was born there in 1008, the Saint Bernard dog is named for him.

 The castle of Menthon has been watching over the Annecy lake for some 1000 years. 

This was down below the castle while driving around the lake.

*On the way back to our hotel. 

Of course McDonalds are everywhere, and so are their signs.

 

 Nimes, France

Nimes is apparently the hottest city in France and is also known for supplying the denim for Levi's jeans in the 1870's for the miners, but it is more famous for it's amazing ancient Roman structures.

Las Arenas

The Nîmes amphitheatre was built at the end of the 1st century.  It is considered the best-preserved Roman amphitheatre in the world.  It was used for hunting wild animals and for gladiator combats from the end of the first century and onwards.

It was turned into a fortress in the Middle Ages, forming a refuge for the population in case of danger. The inner part was later filled by private houses until the nineteenth century. In 1809, houses, chapels and the chateau of the viscounts of Nîmes were demolished to give the monument its initial appearance.  Today it is used for bullfighting and many other events.

 

 Maison Carrée

The Maison Carrée is an ancient roman temple built in the year 16 BC-5 by Augustus the Emperor for his adopted grandsons Caius and Lucius Cesar.  The Maison Carrée is the only entirely-preserved temple of the ancient world.  It was built in Corinthian order with marble.

While we were looking for something to eat we found this sweet gator that would have liked to eat us if Medusa hadn't gotten to him first!

 Mas de Galoffre

This is where we stayed in Nimes, France.  I had to add  a picture of this because it was quite impressive.  It was built in the 1700's as a farm and monastery and then used in the 1900's as a camp for soldiers. 

*Now on to Andorra for our final stay. 

Pouzilhac Castle

Very little information in regards to this castle is available except that it was for sale recently.  It's a shame we missed out on that. 

Carcassonne, France 

In the 4th century B.C. these walls were built around the city on the hill.  There has been a lot of history and countless different occupants of the castle inside the walls, including the German army in 1944.

Kaiya's and Mason's head at the entrance to the walled city, which as usual was full of shops and lots and lots of tourists. 

9th Country: Andorra

La Massana, Andorra

Andorra is located high in the Pyrenees on the border between France and Spain. Next to La Massana is the capital city Andorra la Vella, which is the highest capital city in Europe and a popular ski resort.

We drove across this country and every city we passed through reminded us of Park City.  Unlike Park City, we stayed a night in a really nice hotel for very little money and the gas and food here were the cheapest we saw on our entire trip.  Andorra's principal industry is tourism.

More of Andorra i.e. Morgan's graceful arm.

After 11 days in 9 countries driving over 4,800 kms (3,000 miles), over 50 hours in the car, paying over 250€ in tolls and lots more in lodging and gas.......

Home Sweet Home! 

Except for the pool!