A stop in Paris and then on to Annecy!

Hello all!

So after a few amazing days in Paris and in Maisons Lafitte outside of Paris, I've arrived in Annecy safely and happily.  My host family is amazing and I can say with much confidence that they are the perfect fit for me for during the next month.  My host mother's name is Francine and she works very close to the enormous lake here in Annecy and she lives with her seventeen year old daughter Marie.  They are both very very nice and friendly and are working hard to make sure that I'm comfortable in my new home.

Today Francine, her boyfriend Hervé, and his 7 year old daughter Manon took me on an incredible hike on the mountain ridge that

overlooks the lake (Lac d’Annecy).  We had a picnic of salade nicoise and a baguette at the top.  Afterwards we wandered around and were actually able to get lost.  They were amused when I knew how to ask, are we lost?  "Sommes-nous perdu?"  Eventually we made it back to the car and we headed to the lake beach where many people were gather to take advantage of the warm weather.  It is so beautiful here and I am so happy to have chosen such a place to study french!  Enjoy the pictures!  xoxo,

Kate

Florence suggested I venture to the Marais district behind Notre Dame because it is full of much smaller and more artisanal boutiques and cafes.  I love it of course.

Below is more for my mama than anyone else because this little guy was too cute to not include in the photo.  He is the sleepy old man chihuahua who wears a soccer jersey.

 Okay, I apologize because these few are sort of like Paris 101.

Notre Dame

Do I need to say what this is?  Somehow I ended up here on my self-guided tour of Paris last friday.  :)

L'Arc de Triumph

It seems this would be a typical Saturday morning at Chez Petits.  Thank you Frederic, Nathalie, and Alice pour votre hospitalite!  xoxo

Below are pictures from the hike today!  

Behind me is the lake, so blue.

The mountains here are so beautiful, as you can see.  

That is Annecy at the tip of the lake.  

Francine (la vrai marcheuse!), Herve, and Manon.  

She was very very ready to go on a hike, this one!!

Thanks for checking up on me and I'll update soon.  Hugs and Kisses!

Bretagne...continu

I've just arrived in Annecy after spending some days in Paris with my cousin Florence and then my cousin Frederic, his wife Nathalie, and their daughter Alice.  While taking the train here this afternoon, we passed many incredible mountains and the enormous lake which Annecy is at the north western tip.  (see map)  This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.  I'll be sure to post some photos soon.  

Just some more photos from our last days in Quiberon.  

Last night on the beach in Quiberon

Our friendly hotel cat..

Bretagne...c'est incroyable!

It has been an amazing and awe-inspiring week traveling with Lauren.  We were lucky to have a speedy wifi connection at our first stop in Rouen and since then have been more out of touch with the world.  It is certainly nice to have a break from the constant buzz but after a bit it does get isolating.  However, there is no better way to expedite a relaxing attitude than a  leisurely walk on the beach or a slow boisson in a seaside cafe.  

Our second stop was in Saint-Malo, a more popular beach resort on the central northern coast of France no far from the famous Mont Saint Michel, our original planned destination.  However, after experiencing the crowds of Rouen, the two of us were craving someplace smaller, less populous, and more relaxing than Michel, the 2nd most visited place in France.  St- Malo was certainly beautiful.  We were greeted by sunny weather but our second day there was a rainy Saturday and it was difficult at times to explore much of the city.  Despite the poor weather we walked all over the little beach town exploring its' many forts and ramparts.  So far our best meals have been there, a town with a renowned fishing company.  We've done a fantastic job taking our time at dinner, our longest seafood feast a three course meal stretching well over three hours and filled with many "mmmms".  Needless to say, the locals have been appreciative of the careful time we have spent enjoying every moment, sip, and taste of this incredible and multifaceted culture. 

Two days ago now we arrived in Quiberon on the western coast of Bretagne.  It is not as touristy here as we arrived during the week and it is more laid back.  Yesterday we visited an island of Quiberon's coastline called literally "the beautiful island in the sea" or La Belle-Isle en mer.  There we happened upon our very own private beach where I found shells and Lauren read her for her program which begins in Paris in three or four days.  Below our some pictures from some of the last few days.  Love you all and please please send me your address if you would like to receive a postcard.  I was bad about getting them before I left!

An accordion player in St-Malo

A local choir

Sunset at St-Malo

Exploring the citadel in Le Palais, Belle Isle en mer

The path through forest and meadow leading back to the village from our private beach getaway on the island.  

A stop along our hike back to the village from our private beach getaway.  

La Belle-Isle.

The island's port.

Quiberon's happy beachy children.

Sunset over Quiberon.

Rouen- photo post

It's our second day in Rouen.  Tomorrow morning we're getting up early for a train to St-Malo on the northern central coast of Brittany.  It was another good day that started off much more slowly.  We had a crepe for brunch filled with camembert and apples.  Ammmmazzing.

For dinner it was sandwiches and a chocolate filled croissant.  Yum.

I know a sandwich for dinner might not sound too extravagant but today is apparently a religious holiday, the day of Ascension, one of six religious holidays celebrated in France.  Hence, most every brasserie and store was closed and it was a good opportunity to explore.

This afternoon we walked for a couple of hours along the river Seine.  I really wish I had some pictures to show what I'm about to describe but it would have been rude to stare much less take a picture.  

Walking along the river was beautiful.  It's very lush here and people filled the boardwalk, many walking, some on bikes, and some on rollerblades (a hobby which continues to be more popular than skateboarding in this city.)  I've appreciated from afar all the many public displays of affection common between French couples.  Today was the first time I had observed many in a row.  We even saw several couples laying on top of each other. (?)  Needless to say we were amused.  

View from the board walk of the mountains and yet another church.  

The River Seine

Courtyard at Notre Dame

Near the tomb of Richard the Lionheart

Inside the Cathedrale Notre Dame.

Check for another post when we get to St-Malo.

Much love,

Kate

Une église sur toutes les rues.

Jetlag.   It could never keep me from a grand adventure. The day passes and I soon realize that no matter how exhausted I am, I can still manage to walk what seems like 10 miles through a foreign city.  

Waking up to church bells sounding from the Notre Dame de Rouen provoked in me a feeling of wakefulness that I rarely experience at home.  I was more ready for this adventure than I realized.  

It's been a long long two days so sorry to make this a short blog but the pictures from today can better describe the light and love that this city offers.  Lauren is a fabulous travel buddy.  We would spot an interesting sight down an alley or avenue and instinctively turn towards it with a nod or smile or a laugh towards each other.  Here is some of what we saw today...

Taken from le Jardin de l'Hotel de Ville surrounding the Abbataille Saint-Ouen

Dans le jardin.

Abbataille Saint-Ouen

A corridor at l'Abbataille Saint-Ouen

Le cathedrale de Notre Dame- the Lantern Tower cathedral spire is the tallest in France.  

L'eglise Jeanne Arc- marks the spot where Joan of Arc was burned in the Place du Vieux Marche.

Le Tour Jeanne d'Arc- where she was tried before her execution.  

Lauren walking near the le Musee des Beaux Arts.