Cascading Clematis

In the small village town of Tremolat, France is a gorgeous four star hotel.  Loaded with charm and ambiance, a great restaurant and a garden with beautiful plants and flowers.  Never before or since have I seen so many spectacular clematis in bloom as I have at this hidden treasure.

"Cascading Clematis"     © Kathy Dunham 2011

Pink Peony

For one short week in June I can find peonies in my local floral shop.  It's too hot to grow them where I live and it gets too expensive to travel to France where I first experienced this beautiful flower.  I enjoy its faint hint of a fragrance and of course, the bountiful cluster of petals that make this flower look like a cheerleader's pom pom.

"Pink Peony"       © Kathy Dunham 2011

Let's Go this Way

Sarlat, France is known for it's Fois Gras, or as we Americans call it, goose liver pate.  But the French version is awesome.  In recognition of their fame, the town has erected these bronze geese in the heart of the old medevial section.  But they look a bit confused don't they?. 

"Let's Go This Way"      © Kathy Dunham 2011

Birds or Orchids

I found these tiny (slightly bigger than my thumb) orchids on a country road in France.  Because of their size, I almost missed them.  And it wasn't until I reviewed my photos that I discovered the resemblance to a pair of flying birds. 

"Birds or Orchids"     © Kathy Dunham 2011

Cogulot Roses

Nestled in a small cemetery in the French countryside were these delicate roses peaking over the fence.  An old style rose with tinges of deep pink reminds me of crushed peppermint.  It's definitely a refreshing sight amongst the tombstones.

"Cogulot Roses"    © Kathy Dunham 2011

Chateau Biron

This was a pivotal chateau in France during the 100 year war.  Eleanore of Aquetaine was married in the small chapel on the left.  Any more history than that and you'll have to refer to the history books.

"Chateau Biron"      © Kathy Dunham 2011

Butterfly and Clover

It's amazing that you can find the same or similar flora and fauna in so many parts of the world.  I spotted these two in a country field in the Dordogne region of France. 

"Butterfly and Clover"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

White Peony, Red Heart

I saw my first peony when I was in France several years ago and fell in love.  What an exquisite flower. And the beautiful colors.  Too bad they don't grow here in the desert.  But then maybe it's a good thing as I appreciate them even more when I see them.

"White Peony, Red Heart"      © Kathy Dunham 2010

Kameleon

As I remember, the wine was pretty good, but I can assure you that the lunch was fantastic!  There's this little bistro in the town of Tremalot, France that fixes the most awesome food.  And each time I go there I am never disappointed.

"Kameleon"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Parisian Art Market

Montmarte is well known for being the area artists such as Degas, Picasso and Pisarro.  They dined in the local cabarets and were well known in the area.   This is what it looks like today.  But the most signficant landmark is Sacre Coeur, the famous white domed church that overlooks the Paris landscape.

"Parisian Art Market"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Musee d'Orsay

This treasure of a building that holds some of of the world's best Impressionist art was once a train station on the Left Bank of the Seine in Paris.  Originally built in 1900, in time for the Paris Exposition, the station was in use until 1939, when it was closed and totally ignored, except for it's location in Orson Welles' 1962 film "The Trial".  By the mid-70s it was considered for demolition.  But in 1977, the Paris authorities decided to save the building by converting it into this striking museum.  Note the huge clock on the opposite wall.

"Musee d'Orsay"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Stravinsky Fountain

If you've been to Paris you may have seen this unique fountain outside the Centre Georges Pompidou, which is one of the world's most famous pieces of modern architecture.  The building is "inside out", with brightly colored pipes on the facade.  This fountain was inspired by Igor Stravinsky's ballet The Firebird .  The bird (if you want to call it that) in the foreground is supposed to spin and spray water.  I just happened to be there when it wasn't.

"Stravinsky Fountain"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

French Wildflowers

Nothing brightens breakfast in the morning than a freshly picked bouquet of wildflowers.  So simple yet elegant they bring a smile and start the day with a happy spirit.

"French Wildflowers"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

French Cherries

Cherries picked fresh off the tree are the sweetest.  In mid-May they start turning red in the Dordogne region of Southwest France.  A typical French breakfast of cheese, ham, yogurt and a croissant is made even better with fresh picked cherries.

"French Cherries"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

French Deserts

My sweet tooth was acting up today and I sure wish I could have either one of these right now.  The fresh cherry crumble and the decadant chocolate whatever with all that rich cream sauce makes my mouth water.  Yes, it was cherry season in France when we stopped in the town of Bergerac.  And nothing beats fresh cherries.  Yummm!! 

"French Deserts"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

View of the Louvre

If you like art then you've gotta love Paris.  Museums, museums, museums.  And they house some of the most famous and spectacular art in the world.  This is a view of the Louvre from the roof of the Musee D'Orsay, separated by the River Seine.

"View of the Louvre"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Shingles and Stone

The old town area of Sarlat, France is very typical medieval from the 100 year war era.  Note the English wattle and daub style on the turret on the left of the house.  In this part of France you'll see this combination of architectural styles since the English and French fought over this territory for so long.  Guess they figured if they combined styles they'd please both.

"Shingles and Stone"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Rainbow Building

Someone had fun with paint and a paintbrush. And a bit of artist license. I spotted this on the high speed train from Bordeaux to Paris. One thing I learned, it's best to sit backwards when trying to take pictures from a fast moving train.

"Rainbow Building"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Join Me?

I came across this idylic setting in a the small French town of Beaumont last year.  It's just waiting for a twosome to sit down, maybe have coffee and a croissant while chatting about local events.

"Join Me?"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Street Beggar

Beggars are a fact of life, no matter where in the world we go.  This one was in Paris, the Latin Quarter to be specific.  She moved pretty well when no one was looking.  But when she was in the begging mode, she played to part perfectly.


"Street Beggar"    © Kathy Dunham 2010