FRANCE 2013 - CHAMONIX AND MT BLANC

An early rise and we were on the road to Chamonix from Annecy by 8am. We had been looking forward to seeing Mont Blanc, catching the cable car and finally the lift, to the summit. The day was perfect to view the Alps as there was not a cloud to be seen.

 

Before long we had turned off the motorway and were heading up the valley to Chamonix. Nearby were the Italian and Swiss borders. This was a spectacular journey with snow covered mountains on either side of the road.



As we started to climb towards Chamonix ( 1000 metres above sea level ) we passed waterfalls tumbling off the mountain cliffs, crossed a huge and very high viaduct and drove through two long tunnels before arriving at the large Chamonix car park situated just as you come into the town on the right ( watch out for the big Aiguille du Midi sign). We were surprised by the lack of cars parked here ( in May), but gladdened by the possibility we might not have to queue for long at the Cable Car.

 

After a short walk we soon had our 50 euros each tickets for the L'Aiguill du Midi cable car.

 

 

 A ten minute wait and we were on our way to the summit standing in the cable car with about thirty people shoulder to shoulder.

 

Now the cable car has two pylons, one at two thousand metres and one at three thousand metres. The first pylon arrives after a steep trip from the ground with stunning views. On arrival here you change cable cars.

 

 

 

There is a flat ridge here with a little cabin that is a bar with tables outside surrounded by snow. I think this is for very hardy skiers !

We were quickly in the second cable car heading for the second pylon at three thousand metres. This leg was nearly vertical and a lot of ooh aahs could be heard !

 

This pylon is situated on a rock pinnacle with a three story building built around the rock. There is a viewing platform on top, restaurant, shop, and cafeteria with glassed walls providing stunning views. This is all accessed by a steel staircase on the outside of the building. Not for someone with a fear of heights!

 

The Mont Blanc summit is another rock next to this and joined by a ten metre bridge. At this stage we were both feeling a little light headed and dizzy from the altitude.

On crossing the bridge we entered a tunnel that split into two.

 

 

 

We followed some serious skiers with backpacks and rock climbers with ropes slung over their shoulders through the tunnel until it opened out onto the snow. There before my eyes I watched them walk down a razorback ridge with death on either side to a ledge where there was a tent on the edge of a cliff where someone had spent the night ! Hope there was no sleep walking !

 

We headed back to the second tunnel where a nice lady shuffled us into a lift and we were soon heading through the middle of the rock to the pinnacle of Mont Blanc. We stepped out of the lift at 3800 Metres to a viewing platform that took our breath away.

 

A perfect clear day where we could just see the Matterhorn and snow covered mountains as far as you could see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile phone connection was great so we couldn't resist phoning the family back in Australia to tell them where we were !!

 

 

When we had had our fill of this beautiful scenery we headed down to Chamonix only to find that the first cable car had broken down for the first time in 20 years and we had to be evacuated by helicopter.

Needless to say this was an adventure in itself !

 

 

 

 

We shared a wood fired pizza for lunch, then walked around beautiful Chamonix taking in lovely cafes and shops all with the backdrop of mountains and a glacier.

 

 

The main shopping and cafe precinct was closed to vehicle traffic which made it like a very large mall. As you would expect a heavy balance of shops here were ski, climbing gear and clothing related.

 

 

Again we had missed the crowds as we visited in May and as you can see from the photos we almost had the place to ourselves but would love to return in winter to see the lovely buildings covered with snow and the lively ski scene.

The huge glacier just behind the village

FRANCE 2013- FAYENCE AND THE VAR REGION OF PROVENCE

 

Fayence is a lovely village in the Var region of Provence with some very old parts and  is situated on a steep hill with a very narrow winding road to the summit. 

 

Our accommodation is situated down a very narrow one way lane. The turn off is not immediately visible from the main road as it appears from a driving point of view that you are driving through an outdoor cafe. The road is very windy, one way, cobbled, narrow and steep in parts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our accommodation  is a very old house with the classic stone walls, half pipe terra cotta roof  and has the mandatory French shutters. A lovely outdoor area overlooks cherry trees with grapes and flowering wisteria growing on the walls and pergola . Of course being on the side of the hill we have spectacular views especially from the bedrooms which are upstairs. The house is very well equipped if not a little rough around the edges. Being so old and built of stone, none of the walls are square so where tiles don't meet walls" Selley's No Gaps" gets used in abundance.

 

 A house full of character that we love.

 

Every little bit of space is precious in these villages and is utilised to the full. We pass a cafe in one of the narrow lanes that cooks on one side of the street and has their tables on the other side.

 

 

 

We wandered down narrow lane ways looking at these stone buildings that are mostly three, some four, stories high with shutters painted in different colours, predominantly a purpely blue.

 

 

 

Some decorate around their front doors with ivy, climbing roses and other brightly coloured flowering pots and benches to sit on. Some houses are rendered and painted with earthy colours. Little cafes can suddenly appear down these lane ways leaving you wondering where their business comes from.

 

 

After exploring Fayence we then headed off to Tourrettes, Mons, Callian and Monauroux - collectively known as " villages perche ". All these villages have a common theme. They are all built on top of a very high knoll with a chapel or some sort of fortification on the top.

 

 

There is always a  town square usually with a water trough and Plane trees and Olive trees for shade.

 

 

 

The entry to Tourrettes was particularly narrow with the car mirrors clearing the buildings by inches only.

 

 

All these villages have the narrow lanes to wander and enjoy.

 

 

In Medieval times these villages would come under attack and everyone would move to the chapel and a defence would be mounted from the highest point which was very effective.

Of course everywhere the mandatory French cafes abound. I think that people who live in these villages must still live a simple life with few possessions .

The road that links these villages winds its way around these knolls and ridges with stunning views .

 

 

 

 

The country is very stoney but olive trees are growing very successfully and by the size of the trunks some would be very very old. The road was a good surface but very narrow in spots with not a lot in the way of guard rails, so care had to be taken to stay on the road as we were very high !

 

In the evening we booked a balcony table at a little local cafe called Le France about a ten minute walk from home. We booked at 8pm because that is time people eat out in this country.

 

Le France is situated overlooking the Main Street with a narrow walkway down the side. The Main Street is only one car wide here with your typical French shuttered houses on the opposite side of the street, a beautiful setting. We sat on the canvas covered balcony about four metres wide looking down along the street.

 

As the sun set the street was lit by very big French lanterns that are so common in these villages and which glow rather than provide bright light. The light given out is very yellow and muted which enhances an already beautiful setting.

 

The food as usual was beautiful. After ordering a two course plat du jour for 29euros we were presented firstly with a four piece nibble (gratis) then a small volute was delivered- Asparagus and cheese  ( also gratis). This we followed with veal in mushroom sauce with broccoli , potato, carrot, and artichoke all beautifully presented and served. Of course dessert was chocolate fondant with ice cream and raspberry !

 

 

 

The meal was accompanied with a bottle of Cote de Rhone rouge. A truly wonderful evening as we wandered home at 11 pm through winding dimly lit lane ways.

A lovely part of the world.

FRANCE 2013 - PARIS OPERA HOUSE ( GARNIER )

A visit to Paris Opera House (Garnier )is a must on your visit to Paris.

A quick ride on the Metro and we were there in 20 minutes. The Metro Opera sortie arises in the middle of a huge roundabout where many busy roads converge. The Opera House is very imposing facing the roundabout giving a great view as you surface from the underground.

We scuttled quickly around to the entrance at the side of the building as some tourist buses were arriving. We were through security and quickly purchased our tickets and before you knew it we were in the grandest marbled entrance you could imagine.

 

 A grand marble staircase, marble railings, marble columns, gilt and painted ceilings, grand lights hanging from the ceiling perfectly positioned to light the stair case.

The floors were of little tiles like a mosaic to make a pattern throughout the whole Opera House. On reaching the top of the stairs there were long rooms where I guess you gather before the show or at interval - rooms so grand it's hard to put into words.

 

There were two huge fireplaces , one at each end with high ceilings, paintings, marble, gilt and so on and so on.

Thinking it doesn't get any better than this we stepped into the actual auditorium and believe me it does get better than that !

 

Red carpet, red plush chairs, painted dome ceiling-Gold and red being the theme.

 

 

This is the opera house and chandelier that was the inspiration for Phantom of the Opera. 

"No photos !" the sign said but no way we were not going to bring this home with us, so with slight of hand the clicking took place.

 A truely beautiful place