Château de Chambord

King François I built a huge Renaissance palace as his country getaway in the Loire Valley. From its humble origins as a hunting lodge, Château de Chambord became a symbol of the French king's power. Today the palace sits within the largest enclosed park in Europe, a forested domain that is home to deer and wild boar. Here's a peek inside the imposing château, from the double-helix staircase thought to have been inspired by Leonardo da Vinci to the carvings of the monarch's personal emblem, the salamander.

Château de Chambord

Tours: Heart of the Loire Valley

A good home base for exploring the many grand châteaux of the Loire Valley is the city of Tours. One hour from Paris via high-speed TGV train, the region's largest city is also set amidst the valley's much humbler troglodyte homes. And I had the opportunity to dine in one of these fascinating caves.

Town Hall, Tours

Angers: Gateway to the Loire Valley

The city of Angers on the Maine River in western France is a gateway to the Loire Valley and its many beautiful châteaux. A quick lunch stop in Angers gave me an opportunity to explore the city's medieval centre with its impressive 13th-century castle, Château d'Angers, and a cathedral constructed in a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles, Cathédral Saint-Maurice.

The French City of Angers on the Maine River

Mont Saint-Michel

One of the world's top pilgrimage sites is a small island off the coast of Normandy, France.  An important destination for Christians for over a thousand years, Mont Saint-Michel continues to draw throngs of visitors and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy

Bayeux Tapestry Museum

The town of Bayeux in Normandy, France is famous for an 11th century tapestry depicting the Norman conquest of England by William the Conquerer in 1066. The wall hanging consists of nine panels of linen cloth (measuring 70 meters  or 224 feet in total length) embroidered in ten different colours of wool thread. It was probably commissioned for a new cathedral in Bayeux and is now on display at the Bayeux Tapestry Museum.

Replica Detail from the Bayeux Tapestry

The Poppy: Symbol of Remembrance

Here in Canada, November 11th is Remembrance Day. Millions of Canadians will wear a red poppy in support of the Royal Canadian Legion and, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, pause to honour the sacrifices of those who have lost their lives at war.

Dream Now, Travel Later

 Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit us all early in 2020, I've had ample time to write about my visit to France last year. But I got distracted and stopped posting and there seems to be no end in sight to the crazy goings-on in the world.

D-Day Landings: Omaha Beach

When the Allied invasion of Normandy began on June 6, 1944, American troops stormed two beaches, codenamed Omaha and Utah. Many lives were lost in battle and since the end of World War II a number of memorials and war museums have been established in France. My tour last year to the landing sites of D-Day included Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc and the Normandy American Cemetery.

Omaha Beach, Normandy

D-Day Landings: Juno Beach

Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, began on the morning of June 6, 1944. Canadian forces landed on a 10-kilometre stretch of coastline codenamed Juno Beach and, along with American and British forces on nearby beaches, began their heroic mission to liberate France from Nazi Germany.

Juno Beach, Normandy

D-Day Landings: Pegasus Bridge

"In the first minutes of 6 June 1944, glider-borne troops of the 6th Airborne division

captured the bridge which was on this site over the Caen Canal. It was one of the first

objectives of the Allied landings in Normandy. It was renamed Pegasus Bridge

after the emblem of British Airborne Forces."

Pegasus Bridge, Normandy

Honfleur: The Old Port

The French port of Honfleur is located on the coast of Normandy where the Seine River flows into the English Channel. Samuel de Champlain set sail from the port to New France (now Canada) and founded the city of Quebec. Centuries later, Honfleur became the "birthplace of Impressionism" when artists like Eugène Boudin and Claude Monet set up their easels outdoors to paint the picturesque town.

The Old Port of Honfleur, France

Deauville: The Parisian Riviera

Before my trip to France I'd never heard of Deauville but that's probably because I'm neither a wealthy Parisienne nor a Hollywood film star. This chic, upscale resort on the coast of Normandy boasts the nearest beach to Paris (two hours away) and it's also home of the annual Deauville American Film Festival, thus earning its nickname as the Parisian Riviera.

Deauville, France

Rouen: Capital of Normandy

The capital of the region of Normandy in northwestern France is a city rich in history. Rouen was frequently visited by the Impressionist artist Claude Monet; one of its restaurants introduced renowned chef Julia Child to French cuisine; and its old market square still pays homage to the young martyr Joan of Arc.

Notre-Dame Cathedral, Rouen

Giverny: Claude Monet's Home & Garden

As a fan of both beautiful gardens and the art of Impressionist painter Claude Monet, a visit to his home in Giverny was a highlight of my trip to France. The day dawned cool and rainy but overcast skies softened the shadows and enhanced the watercolour hues of the irises, roses and peonies at the height of spring bloom.

Claude Monet's House in Giverny

Paris: Le Train Bleu

My first journey to the French Riviera was aboard a high-speed TGV train, from Paris in the north to the city of Nice on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The train departed from the Gare de Lyon railway station where I'd hoped to get a glimpse of Le Train Bleu, the station's posh belle époque restaurant. It didn't happen on that trip to France but I added 'dining at Le Train Bleu' to my travel bucket list.

Gare de Lyon, Paris

Paris: Atelier des Lumières

I'm a big fan of Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. Mere days before my departure to France, I heard about a special exhibition featuring his work and immediately sought tickets for Van Gogh, Starry Night at the Atelier des Lumières in Paris.

Van Gogh, Starry Night, Atelier des Lumières

Palace & Park of Versailles

Chateau de Versailles, residence of the French monarchy for one hundred years, was created by Louis XIV, the Sun King. When revolution broke out in 1789, the court departed for the capital. This magnificent palace is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an easy day trip from Paris.

Versailles Palace Gates

Paris: Ile de la Cité

A good night's sleep performed miracles and I was ready to begin my second day in France, refreshed and free from jet lag. Our destination this morning was Ile de la Cité, the island in the River Seine where the city of Paris had its origins.

Ile de la Cité, Paris

Friday Reads: The Gown

The Gown by Jennifer Robson

Paris: The Marais

My trip to France last month was a whirlwind of activity. I can't believe how much we saw and did in just two short weeks. Unfortunately, after a few busy days of touring, the entries in my journal dwindled to nothing. But I'm ready now to start documenting the journey while I can still remember the details. First stop: Paris.

Place des Vosges, Paris