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| France
Picardy and Normandy. 2011 |
In late July early August 2011, we
have been for one week in Picardy. Then we went to Normandy. Also for one week.
| France
Loire Valley (Val de Loire).
|
13 years later in 2024 we went to the Loire Valley. On the way we drove past Paris. On the way back we stayed overnight in Abbeville. So in the vicinity of 13 years ago. I place the photos at the bottom of this page.
Picardy.
Saint Valery sur Somme.
We were near St Valery sur Somme.
This town lies at the Somme Bay. Near the old city there is the beach that I've photographed from the road.
Through the two towers you get into the highest part of town. From the beach you
can walk on the quay to the port.
There is much difference between high and low tide.
From this place William the Conqueror went to England in 1066. (See Bayeux Tapestry) In
1430 Jeanne d 'Arc captured by the English was brought to St Valery.
The
Herbarium des Remparts in St Valery sur Somme.
This garden is located in the upper part of the city. Volunteers take care of the garden.
They look also after the plants along the street near the garden.
It is smaller than most other gardens, we have visited. But it is definitely worth
to visit. Everything is kept with great care and love.
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Parc du Marquenterre.
In Parc du Marquenterre (250 ha) are dunes, sand and
marshes. There are several trails.
The area is known for the many birds like migratory birds.
There are many observation posts. There you can observe the birds without
disturbing.
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The Valloires gardens (near the abbey).
The
gardens are managed
separately
from the Abbey.
Of course you can see the Valloires Abbey.
It is a
large symmetrical
garden,
consisting of lawns,
yew and
boxwood.
In many
small square
gardens
near the
abbey
are
rose gardens.
The
left side of
the garden on
the slope
looks
very different.
You can enjoy
walking on
the grass with
trees
and
shrubs.
This part
is divided
into 21 "islands".
For example a
shadow island
with plants
and shrubs
that love
the shade.
We loved the
place with
the wild
flowers. Something
different.
On the right is
a water
garden.
There are
no insecticides
used in
this garden.
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| The abbey of Valloires.
The abbey is built in the 12th century. But in the 17th century there was not much
left. In the 18th century, the abbey is reconstructed. The building is no longer used as a monastery.
In 1922 Papillon Theresea used it for a sanatorium. Today it is the property of
the Association of Valloires. An association with various social activities.
It includes the care of children in difficulty The association is responsible for building maintenance.
Part of the building is open to the public. Only with a guide.
We had stayed too long in the garden. We have only seen the outside.
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Normandy
Port en Bessin
In Normandy we were near Port en Bessin
Port en Bessin is a fishing village. The port is protected by a dike. Again, a big difference between high and low tide. At low tide the boats
lie on dry land. There is a rocky beach, where people are looking for shells. At high tide the beach is
covered by water.
The town is situated between two beaches where the Allies landed in 1944. Throughout this region you
find many cemeteries and memorials.
From our camping it is one kilometer walk to the city. On top of a cliff near the
road you have a beautiful view of the city.
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On
the same
cliff there
is
a memorial.
Here the
soldiers are commemorated,
who died
during the liberation
of Port en
Bessin on
June 6, 1944.
A nice place
far from the
crowds with
stunning views. |
Omaha beach. A
few kilometers
from Port en
Bessin.
A beautiful beach,
which is
narrow at high
tide but
at low tide very
broad. It
is an ideal beach for sand yachting
The name
Omaha
beach is the code name of
one of
the Normandy
landings
of the
Allies.
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Pointe du Hoc.
From
Ohama beach
we drove to
Pointe du Hoc..
It is a
cliff,
located between Ohama
Beach
and Utah Beach.
On
this
cliff
were the
German bunkers
and cannons
to defend the
beach.
The holes
are caused
by the bombing.
Now they are great
for kids to
climb in
and out. But
then it
was
no fun.
There is a
memorial in the
form of a
needle.
The visit is free
and is
impressing.
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Bayeux
The Bayeux Tapestry. When
we drove back
from Brittany
a
few years ago,
we saw the
signs to
Bayeux with
its famous tapestry.
But we
did not have time
to visit.
Now we were able to visit the town.
I haven't photograph the building. And
it was forbidden
to photograph inside.
So I
only
have a
picture of
the book,
we bought.
(In
the Dutch
language)
Actually it is
not a tapestry
but an embroidered
linen cloth
from 70
meters (height
50 cm).
It is probably
constructed in
England
in
the 11th century. And it is probably commissioned by Bishop Odo. He
is the
half brother
of William
the Conqueror.
The images on the Bayeux Tapesty describe the history of William the Conqueror of England.
Especially the Battle of Hastings, when he defeated king Harold II of
England.
A
beautiful
tapestry considering
how old it
is. The
colors are
bright.
William from
Port Bessin
to
St Valery sur
Somme before
he left France to defeat Harold II.
We did exactly
the opposite. First
St Valery sur Somme
and then
to Port Bessin.
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 Cathedral of Bayeux (De Notre-Dame)
If you're in Bayeux, a visit to the Gothic cathedral
is of course necessary |
Jardin Public de Bayeux / Jardin botanique A park where we drive along
when we visit the center of Bayeux. It's
about one hundred and fifty years old.
The main trees are planted between 1859 and 1864.
A famous tree is the weeping beech. The branches are supported to keep them
from breaking.
But the other very tall trees are also worth a visit.
At the end of the walk we saw a garden and a greenhouse with some euphorbia, agaves, cactuses.
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Jardins de Castillon The first part consists of terraces with lots of yews clipped into shape. In the second part you will find ponds, a Japanese garden and beautiful flower beds.
The entrance is a simple building. Behind it lies a beautiful, well-kept garden, which
surprises you at every step.
Clever is how tightly clipped shrubs matches the other shrubs and plants.
In 2009, this garden received the price of the Garden of the Year from Garden Journalists.
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Jardins du Chateau de Brécy. An Italian garden from the 17th century.
Everything is
very well
cut. The
building and
the church from
the 13th, 14th
century form the
backdrop. The
castle is not
open to visitors.
The ancient sculptures
give a
special atmosphere.
The plants along
the walls are
worth a
visit,
but we've
seen already so many
gardens.
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Chateau de Fontaine-Henry
After our visit of Jardins du Chateau de
Brécy
we drove to
the castle.
A Renaissance
castle with a
Romanesque chapel.
Around the castle
you'll find wooden
games. (ring
throwing, bowling,
etc.) This will keep
your kids
sweet. A
garden is unfortunately
not.
The castle is
still inhabited.
But with a
guide we have
visited
a part
of the castle
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| France
Loire Valley (Val de Loire).
|
13 years later in 2024 we went to the Loire Valley. On the way we drove past Paris. On the way back we stayed overnight in Abbeville. So in the vicinity of 13 years ago. I place the photos at the bottom of this page.
Camping Parc des Allais near Trogues.
We stood on the outside facing a lot of grass with all kinds of flowers and bushes. The insects, plants, that I photographed are the ones found on
Observado.
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Chinon.
Chinon is a historic city that was once visited by both English and French kings. It is situated on the Vienne River. The castle offers a magnificent view of the city and the river. |
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Château du Rivau
Since 1992, this castle has also had fairytale gardens with all kinds of sculptures, objects from fairytales, such as the big boots in the photo. We came across several school classes with enthusiastic children.
Many types of roses, but also other beautiful plants.
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Abbey of Fontevraud
A complex of monastic buildings. Founded by Priest Robert of Arbrissel in the early 12th century.
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Castle of Villandry
Built in the Renaissance style, the castle is best known for its 16th century style gardens spread over several terraces bordered by green yew and box hedges. |
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