Today was amazing! We got up leisurely and set off to take Mom and Jim to Toulouse Airport to catch their flight to Venice for a few days. How lucky are they? A special birthday gift for mom … Gateways International is the travel provider I booked with … Flights direct, transfers, hotels overlooking the bridge and canal, tours each day etc. I will pick them up in a few days 🙂
We used gps and maps to get there. It was a challenge at times … And we used major highways, 130 km most of way. Almost twenty euro for the toll! Phew. Safe, and sound.
Steve and I decided to adventure home. We programmed GPS to go to Albi first. If you do not have this town on your bucket list …. Time to add it! Maybe the most beautiful town …. ever! We found a place to park near the Cathedral. I had read about the red brick masterpiece just the other day in that fabulous book I was reading …. 100 places every woman should go in France. Well, she was right!
After we toured that magnificent structure, I bought a flag of Albi for the grandboys for three euro! It is beautiful and we walked around the corner to the information tourist building. Beside that and sharing the ancient red brick wall, was the Henri Toulouse-Lautrec museum. I also had read about this.  
Back in my younger days in high school or so, I remember writing a school report on old Henri. I remember his story a bit and know of the Moulin Rouge fame ….
We decided to go inside. Also as a secondary exhibit was a photo gallery of Marilyn Munroe.  
Once the museum sights were out of the way, we checked out the Gardens and the fantastic FABULOUS SPECTACULAR view of the river and buildings on the other side. We took more time than planned as it was so amazing. We even tried to sit and just take it in.
Then grabbed a sandwich for Steve, worried we would lose the sun for the drive home, to Roujan and the villa.
We set the GPS. Maybe to the most direct but not the fastest route, and without tolls. We wandered and meandered through the most amazing countryside.
Farms, sheep, cows, horses, fields upon fields. Ancient stone structures that must have at one time been someone’s home! Windy twisty roads. Speed bumps through little towns barely bigger than the speed bump and a few houses and a church. Always a church!  
Shutters closed, cars parked, no one put walking. Little tiny closed up towns, one after another, interspersed with farm land and old stone bridges and walls. Looked like long abandoned structures. They drew our attention. As did the rolling hills and tree lines. Still light enough to see …. And precious few cars on the road, luckily!
And then we saw a vision. A sight of a town on a hill and we were going right toward it. We see a sign for a Plus Beaux Village …. 
Now that I am home, I see it is Olargues. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olargues

We will go back there. Depending on weather, tomorrow … Or Saturday after the Saturday market at Pezanas.  
Perpignan is another area I want to explore. Perhaps the day we pick up mom and Jim…. Sunday. And Francesco is supposed to meet us there at the airport in Toulouse. Francesco was our CEO guide with GAdventures local living in Sorrento last year when I travelled with the gals after my retirement from government …..A drive south toward Barcelona and the Spanish border.  
On Tuesday next week we plan on meeting Glen and Maggie we met on Cunard cruise last year … In Carcassonne. They are vacationing from their home near Darby UK. That will be fun!  
So much to do. The time is zipping by and we are having an amazing holiday! Must go eat something now :). 
Ciao all, 
Love Pamela of France!  

We decide to wander slow roads toward Minerve. We stop in Pouzolles due to interesting sky line … Despite the gps encouraging to keep going straight, we take a turn and endure her pleas to do a u turn hen we can.  

We see old steeples, stone walls, church steeple …. We walked for an hour or more. Nothing open, beautiful doorways, window boxes, vistas of surrounding area … We see old stone buildings and walls, and interesting balcony structures. Lovely walk on this sunny fall day.
Back on the road. Only moments later we spy a sign: Moulin de Lene. We follow the road, again ignoring instructions from the gps gal. We find a wonderful old structure in a valley about two Kms off the main road. Are they open? We discuss that they probably won’t welcome us. We were wrong ….
 A small winery, still developing the property since purchase. I am scribing as I am the driver. The rest of the group settle in for much Inc tasting! A wine growing estate of 55 hectares. Crossed by the Lene River between the Mediterranean Sea and foothills of Cevennes mountains. Wine aged in oak barrels or stainless steel tanks and vinification in Demi-muids (600 litre oak barrels) or concrete vats. All harvest by hand to keep best grapes, pure aromas, smooth and silky tannins. They collect grapes at night to prevent oxidation to guarantee freshness. 
Reds, whites, rose, and orange wine! Orange is white wine same as Romans did it … Crushed grapes left for long time with the wine juice. Roundness of red and freshness of white, she says, and we will taste it last after the Reds.    
Chardonnay predominating in first taste. Then vermentino grapes. Very dry, refreshing. For with cheese, pasta or clam chowder. Wow, unique. Clair de Lene. They harvest only at night. A pun and play on word. Fruit is more crunchy. Less oxidation. Much better for wine.  
Next: Two blends with mostly Chardonnay and Muscat … One is 2014, is pure citrus, honeysuckle aroma. Then same blend but with oak barrelling … Good with cream, mushrooms, carrots. Justine … Best seller. Named after grandchild. Two, With oak is ‘mademoiselle’ by name. :). 600 litre in oak barrel every year … Clams, scallops, blue cheese, Roquefort, toasted bread. Unique flavour … Smokey they say.
Two Rose… Zanzibar, ok. Similar to the white of same name.
Clair de lune again, typical rose blend. Crisp, anytime wine. With tapas, pizza. Even while cooking! Vendanges nocturnes. Fruity ..
Frayssinett is surname of the owner.  
We love Frankie, she is speaking very good English. And so fun. And it was not open for wine tasting when we arrived. We pull up and she came out and expected to see local media with cameras.  
But she introduced us to the owner and began opening bottles twelve so far. Lol. I am watching. Perhaps we won’t get any further. Ha ha. My family, all three of them are blushing, laughing and enjoying stories and wine. It is very fun to watch. I am the scribe.  
Red wine, first easy drinking, Shiraz and blend … With fish, meat. Good quality, value. Alphonse is name of the wine … He owned the place before… In 19 century and planted the vines.  
Second red, Romanus, petit Verdot , (small berries, high in tanin). Shiraz, merlot, cab sav blend. Creamy cheese, quiche, more structured than previous.  
Le Reve de Marie … Cabernet Franc, age in oak, excellent with meat and fish. Have to cool it down to have with fish, Frankie suggests. Loire valley wines but warmer weather here, soil different so it is special and unique.
The Reserve, gold medal. One year oak, half Shiraz and merlot. Strawberry, raspberry smooth and fruity. It won Gold Award from over 8200 submissions. Frankie says REALLY YUMMY.
Cesar, blend all of the best … Less quantity. Nick name is THE BOMB. 600 litre barrel. Sort grapes by hand, those who had most sunshine. Grapes crushed by feet. Kept for over a year. Tasted regularly. Then laying down with cork. 2011 vintage. Gold medal in London last year. Steak or venison. She calls it pure happiness! Even with chocolate cake she says.  
Romanus popped in between tastings of white and reds …. and is handling the reporters …. Media. Last year Frankie was auditioned and interviewed: results was 92% of 100 and highest of all of them.
This was a spectacular stop. So much information about wine, grapes, and process. Great stories and fun for all.  
Orange wine, best for last. She had them use white wine to rinse glasses and palette … First vintage … Owner decided to do this Project To become ‘master of cellar’. Skin with wine for five months.  
Romans used this technique …roundness of red, freshness of white. Flower, curry, oysters, tuna, 2014 pure verantina. Cheese like Roquefort. Surprising, unique, different. Called Apicius! Crisp.
This is the story of south of France! How spectacular. We conclude our purchases. We see how the next phase happens, bottling, corking, wax dipped tops, labels placed carefully and rubbed to raise the embossing signature.  
Please support this fine place, and read about thei family http://www.moulindelene.com, on route de Fouzilhon, Magalas, France.
Frankie recommends we go to Narbonne. And road from Pezanas toward Paul Mas wine cellar. Overlooking view of mountain. And keep on road. Mas de Novi … Refurbished. Driveway is fantastic. Pilgrimage road, old chapel from 17 century. Old oak barrel cellar. 2 km after Val magne. The spot for tourism in area. Old abbey, cloister, church … Wine cellar converted there. Organic, lovely tasting. Olive oil and beer also.  
And on another day we are to drive Toward Spanish boarder, Collioure, sea side, painters. Port wines … Vineyards to sea.  
Now to find our way home. Fouzilhons. Distracts us, but we get to Roujans, decide to get groceries and then head home for some dinner. Probably did not travel more than 20 Kms from villa, all in all today.
It was lovely. Tonight mom and Jim are packing, tomorrow we drive them to Toulouse to catch flight to Venice for three nights away. Steve and I will stay at the villa for a few days and perhaps explore by walking around the area. We have enough food to last, and now some new wines to enjoy.
Anne and Barb are on cruise in Greece. We are so enjoying our time in south of France! Wish you were here!   
 

Reflections of France, so far
Beautiful little quaint villages nestled in the green hills and valleys of this southern region of France.  
Close to the moderating affects of being close to the sea, we experience breezes and beautiful sunshine weather 
Vistas of light terra cotta colored tiled roof tops, with peach, gold, and beige colored buildings holding them up. Surrounded by leafy greens of every description in clusters and in rows marking distinct growing fields of vineyards and other growing crops. Grasses, vegetables, fruit trees and low bushes in neat rows for easy farmer access to the riches.
Italian song on the car stereo system while driving through the ever changing microclimates of the region. Music of passion and fancy, deep resonating voices, and cheery buoyant sounds all taking turns to introduce the listening ear to the culture of the nearby country.
I am learning about France by reading about France. Some of this country once was part of Italy.  
Les Plus Beaux Villages in France. The most beautiful villages in France are numbered, recorded and celebrated. We have been to one so far and there are a few hundred I think in total. So charming and rich with history and story. Beautiful old wood doors, red flowers adorning high up window boxes surrounded by wood shutters that will close as the sun goes down. Homes for generations of families in France.
The sound of Franch language being spoken, rapid words, authentic accents and trying to be understood. Different pace and sound than italy. Passion sill belongs to the Italians!  
Red sand, white sand, sea shells, rocky soil, big boulders
Herons, egrets, small birds flitting around, sea birds
Small cars, mostly standard transmission, cute rounded, unique license plates from where we are from. Convertible sports cars, Mercedes.  
Speed limit 90 Kms an hour on back roads, 130 on highway. Great roads, toll highways.  
Lavender scent. Sunflower fields, past their prime.
Honey infused with lavender, rosemary and thyme.  
Herbs de Provence
Pink sea salt abundant with nutrients from the sea.
Rice from Camargue marshes, grown in this region
Tomatoes so tasty, and laid out with goat or Buffalo cheeses and covered with drizzles of balsamic, olive oil and fragrant spice and herbs.
Sea food, fresh fish, shell fish …. Gifts from the sea
Bright colors of cloth, reds, orange, yellow, gold, white and blue
The Rhone and Seine rivers flow through it
Wines: red rich full bodied, white crisp fruity clean, rose off dry part sweet and lovely pink colour for afternoon drinks and people watching

Today we ventured out.  
Yesterday we stayed at the villa, made a lovely Thanksgiving meal and spent the day relaxing and making plans. It was good, some laundry and lots of food and wine.
I have been reading an amazing book 100 Places Every Woman should see in France. And around 28-29-30 are in the general vicinity of the villa. In particular I liked the description of the Camargue region. It is some marsh lands south of Arles. A very big stretch of land where there are plentiful black Bulls, white horses and pink flamingoes.  
We mapped out the route to Ste Maries de la Mer and began our drive around 11 am, or perhaps even after that. No early start today.. Ha ha. 
Using gps in the car – which I am just learning to program – and paper map of Southern France I bought before I came, from Chapters, as well as the iPad photos I snapped of directions to and from this area to Roujan … We four began to find our way.  
It was so exciting to see the flocks of hundreds of pink flamingoes in the marshy areas. Also we saw herons and white egrets. Some flying overhead, some fishing and standing around the bull rushes. One white egret was catching a ride on the back of a large black bull. And one we saw on the back of a white horses also native to this area.
We drove through Grande Motte and to the parc ornithologique …. Spectacular flocks of many kinds and colors of birds.  
My iPad was plugged in to keep a charge and it all of a sudden synced to the car and began playing Italian songs, in English, that I had downloaded several months ago for the trip to italy with the women’s travel club. We were surprised. I am delighted. Dean Martin sings “that’s amore” and we all join in. A magic moment. O sole mio also comes on for a lovely moment as well. Andre Bocelli shares his voice as well. All in all, fabulous experience!
We arrive in Ste Maries de la Mer and stopped quickly at the fist cafe we see. Restaurant Brasserie, outside seating with a view of people walking by and an antique flea market across the road. We have some difficulty ordering and reading the menu. All they had for food was written en Francais. We made effort and ended up with some authentic food. I had a fantastic salad of tomato, lettuce and goat cheese in balsamic and French Prevence spices. Healthy and huge it filled my plate. The rest had meat, pommes frites and small salad and shared a large bottle of red wine that Steve had seen in our previous travels. They enjoyed the wine, I had Evian water:). I am the driver.
This town is famous for the black Madonna, and has a church to that name. Gypsy folk from all over the world come together here in May of each year and apparently third weekend in October. Today there are some tourists wandering, some cute shops open… Mostly it is closed. 
After lunch we walked through the town, to the beach, bought postcards and gelato …. And then onward driving to Arles. Before we leave I purchased some pink sea salt to take home to enjoy.
We are now in Arles and having some challenges with finding free parking. Steve and Jim have gone to see the amphitheatre and my mom and I are in the car ensuring no tickets or towing takes place …lol
I purchased, finally, some stamps so I can post some cards to the grandboys.  
We set the gps and found our way home. Arrived just after dark. Time for wine.  
Bon soir, 
Pamela

We are back on the train after a full two days of Paris. Let me try to recall the highlights!  
As we exited the train, we had all our belongings and started to walk. Enjoying the sunshine, bright sky and new sights, I was full of awe to be back in Paris!  
Jim found a great patisserie. An almond croissant for Steve and a delightful French toast for Jim, to walk around with. He said one of best he ever ate and wanted to go back. With map in hand we began the walk to the hotel, Best Western Jardin de Cluny on Rue de Sommeraud.  
We had to cross the Seine River, we select Pont Augustins close to Notre Dame cathedral. We stopped to get a bottle of red wine close to the hotel so we would have it later :). The hotel is easy to find, pleasant and very clean. We arrive and one room is available, we dropped our light overnight bags and head out to explore.
First stop at Cafe Village Ronsard.  

Shirley had beef Bourgogne, Steve had duck something, Jim a Caesar salad with chicken and I had tomato and Buffalo cheese salad. Mine gluten free swimming in olive oil and tasty green basil and spices. We had wine and enjoyed people watching. Back to the hotel and got directions for hop on bus.  
We walked on banks of the Seine, got on bus near Notre Dame perhaps a little after three pm. We rode it for an hour or two, top of bus taking great pictures and taking in the scenery. All the highlights of the city. Busy traffic on Champs Élysées and toward Arc de Triomphe. So beautiful and great weather. Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Tuileries, Pallais de Chaillot, Esplanade Invalides, and the river. Ahhhhhh the beautiful river!  
We walked by and stopped in a Swarovski store to see what they have in the way of bling. A crystal Eiffel Tower was very nice, just a few inches high. Bracelets like the one I wear.  
We walked around the Galleries Lafayette (we found the Starbucks in the third floor). The incredible ceiling I remembered from my last and only other time to Paris. We stopped at a cafe, sat outside and people watched, then strolled the Opera House district. We got back on our bus and continued the sight seeing until returning to the stop nearest the hotel.  
We opened a bottle of wine and had a snack of goat cheese and baguette. We found another cafe, Rives de Paris, for dinner, a short walk from the hotel. We had only an hour or so as we made reservations for a private taxi to tour the four of us around to see the city of lights at ten pm. Dining was quick and very tasty! Even time for dessert! Shirley paid a handsome tip and the waiter, who provided very great service was appreciative and told his buddies before we even left the cafe! His appreciation was appreciated!  
Back to hotel, a man named Lee picked us up in a lovely van. He followed a suggested route and the lights and sights were beautiful. All of us a little tired but willing to keep touring. We saw the Eiffel Tower in the dark, lit up and sparkly. Then we went down below it and took pictures up. It is so festive, like a party going on all around us!  
We saw the Diana memorial at Pont d’Alma and I got out of the taxi to take pictures quickly. We drove up the Champs Élysées and then to Arc de Triomphe. It was a beautiful tour and we thanked Jim for arranging it for us. The city is so alive at night, people out in cafes and walking and streets busy with traffic … Adding to the lights and festivity. Lovely.
Midnight and exhaustion saw us safely back at the hotel for a good night sleep. Up around ten … Really ….. Eleven by the time we headed out for breakfast. Comfy beds, clean, crisp white sheets and updated bathrooms. Much nicer than most three star hotels I have stayed in the past!  
 The locals were setting up for the market yesterday, and today it was in full bloom. Bags, fruit, fish, breads, clothes, hats, and more. So colourful and fun to walk around. We took our time, having left our bags at the hotel for the day while we toured around the city. The lady at the front desk gave us some great suggestions and after the market we made our way over to Marais district.  
We stopped at the shop for Berthillion glacé. I remember from my research how flavourful the sorbet of this name from my previous trip to Paris. Now getting used to my surroundings I was excited to enjoy the tastes once again. Yum. Everyone tasted and we walked along the Seine on isle de St. Louis … 
Heading over to the Bastion. The buildings are unique, old and very well kept on the outside. Beautiful grounds, red flower boxes on shuttered window sills. I took pictures of old wooden doors and window boxes. I can’t seem to get enough!  
We walked on cobblestone walk ways and roads, trying to stay off the main areas so we could enjoy less traffic and more quiet. Little alleys were inviting. Mostly window shopping we saw Mademoiselle Chapeaux, on a street in Marais district where I bought a wool tam, made in France. Oh la la! My mom bought one as well.
We walked back to the hotel however we stopped along the way at a cafe across from the bridge to enjoy the sights before catching the train back to the villa. We took pictures and drank wine … Ate mussels and fries and salad and local fare. It was so fun and beautiful.
Then to the hotel, we picked up a taxi to gare de Lyon and so here I am now on the fast train to the south with a stop in Beziers where Anne will be waiting to take us home to the villa.  
Tomorrow is my moms birthday. I have bought her a book of watercolour images from the Languedoc region … I am sure she will love it.  
The sun is starting to fade on the train, we departed at 1807 pm on 10 October from Paris. Not doing very well facing backwards in a moving vehicle, I am now seated in an aisle row beside my mom and across from Steve. People around me sleeping and enjoying the gentle sway of the train. The greenery and fields are beautiful and it is nice to be heading back to the quiet of the villa.
As the sun begins to set I can see silhouette of trees and some cows, sheep and goats in the dark fields. Some lights on in farmhouse windows as they are finishing up their working day, no doubt and maybe settling down to supper.  
Paris is always a good idea …. And it was perfect this time!  
The weather, the pace, the company … The touring, the food, the wine, the sights, the French tams, the tomatoes, the market, olives, olive oil, flowers, bright colours, green wooden boxes along the Seine, artists painting, brides being photographed, swans, ducks, pigeons, trees changing colours for autumn, lights of the city, old beautiful buildings, well dressed men and women.
Je t’aime…. 

Bonjour, en route to Paris Gare Lyon
“Paris is always a good idea ..” Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn, Julia Armond)
It is early morning and excitement fills the air as we prepare for our departure to Paris. Breakfast of gluten free toast topped with lavender honey from the region, fruit, xtra and go Vera, a protein shake, water.
 The four of us are packed, lightly and taking layers of clothes as it is expected to be about 4-5 degrees cooler in Paris. Anne says sunny and about 19 degrees is expected for today and tomorrow.
Bienvenue a bord! Allons y….. 
 On the train number 6204, to Paris depart Beziers at 628 am. Voiture 12, seats 115 and 116. Facing backward so we moved to 113 and 114 across the table at a seating arrangement for 4 people. Mom and Jim are across isle and close to us, also facing backward.  
Still dark out, we are up in the higher car, but can only see twinkly lights off in the distance. This morning the stars were so bright in the black sky.
Prochain Arret 640 schedule stop at Agde, then 656 at Sete. 722 Montpellier, 752 Nimes. 1050 Paris. I wonder if there are more stops between but not showing just yet? Time will tell.  
First class is classy. Well worth the extra 5-8 euros each. Quiet, velvet high back seats, big windows. We have a large folding table between us. Perfect for card playing :). Or in my case, for setting up iPad to write to you :). 
And as we were boarding, we passed a bar car on this train! Must try that out later :). 
Just departing Agde. The sky is starting to gently shift from black to very dark dark blue on the horizon. Promising to turn lighter as the moments, and hours pass. Perhaps it is from reflected light of the distant city…. It is beautiful. Sometimes I can make out silhouette shapes against light backgrounds… Palm and other forms of tree foliage.   
We have left the station at Sete and the sky is starting to lighten. The horizon is becoming more visible even if only the black silhouette. It seems like magic and more than a little special to be on this train this day, heading to Paris. Surreal!  
Golds and blues, violets and grey hues now join in the dark blue black of the distant sky. Can you see it where you are? We have the same sky, the same view, only miles and time separates us :). The moons fingernail like a wide topped coffee cup still hanging in the sky. Perhaps holding the dreams and desires of many, a bowl of hope. 
We are passing the beaches where we walked barefoot only yesterday. This is a place I said I would return to … Lol. I did not expect to be back this way so soon! I love this area. Both sides of the tracks and roadways are water. Hmmmmm
Prochain Arret: Montpellier Saint Roch. A much larger station and lots of coming and going. Morning has broken as we depart for the gare of Nimes.
The countryside at dawn on this fall day takes my breath away. Speechless . “Beautiful …. Wish you were here” .. line from the film French Kiss, with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline.
Mom, Steve and Jim are dosing on and off. Me, I am too excited and wish I could dance and sing aloud! Lol
And we are leaving and the train is now full. We share our table with another couple:). They speak French. How delightful! They are lovely and smart dressers, our age? I can never tell. Perhaps a generation older. Reading the paper as we begin the three hour ride to Paris! Direct, fast train … Woo hooo, here we go!  
I wonder if we had the last first class seats? The car we are in is full.  
And so we go ….. Little villages on little knolls, terra cotta tile roofs atop gold buildings tightly set together, church steeples near by and mostly surrounded at least partially by stone walls or fences. Then miles of fields, rock out cropping, dark green foliage and low brush, river ribbons gently providing lace and ties between the settlements. Fields well defined by row upon row of vineyard and other grains and grasses. Windmills gently turning. Stone cottages and tree lined streams.  
The train speeds up, taking us to Paris through all the geography between here and there. Evidence of the world turning, the sun begins its rise up from the horizon. Wow … The view from this train is spectacular.  
The sun so bright now in my window that I must squint to see, and I have removed all the extra layers of scarves and coats and shawls that seemed so necessary when we left the villa a few short hours ago. This sun is glorious.  
Twenty minutes before Paris stop. Farmland as far as the eye can see, cows, grain, farm equipment working the fields. Brilliant blue sky and cloudless. Little clusters of birds picking at the fields and seeds. Trees marking boarders just starting to change colour with the seasons. And then a tunnel blocking all views. Ten minutes to arrival.
Bonne journee!  

I love Paris in the springtime … I love Paris in the fall …
Excerpts from my Paris app:
  

*******the Louvre is much more than a museum—it represents a saga that started centuries ago, having been a fortress at the turn of the 13th century, and later a royal residence.

T

he most recognized symbol of Paris is the Tour Eiffel, but the ultimate traveler’s prize is the Louvre. This is the world’s greatest art museum—and the largest, with 675,000 square feet of works from almost every civilization on earth. The three most popular pieces here are, of course, the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory. Beyond these must-sees, your best bet is to focus on whatever interests you the most—and don’t despair about getting lost, for you’re bound to stumble on something memorable. Pick up an excellent color-coded map at the information desk.

The museum opened on 10 August 1793 with an exhibition of 537 paintings, the majority of the works being royal and confiscated church property.

Bear in mind that the Louvre is much more than a museum—it represents a saga that started centuries ago, having been a fortress at the turn of the 13th century, and later a royal residence. It was not until the 16th century, under François I, that today’s Louvre began to take shape, and through the years Henry IV, Louis XIII, Louis XV, Napoléon I, and Napoléon III all contributed to its construction. Napoléon Bonaparte’s military campaigns at the turn of the 19th century brought a new influx of holdings, as his soldiers carried off treasures from each invaded country. During World War II the most precious artworks were hidden, while the remainder was looted. Most of the stolen pieces were recovered, though, after the liberation of Paris. No large-scale changes were made until François Mitterrand was elected president in 1981, when he kicked off the Grand Louvre project to expand and modernize the museum.

Mitterrand commissioned I.M. Pei’s Pyramide, the giant glass pyramid surrounded by three smaller pyramids that opened in 1989 over the new entrance in the Cour Napoléon. In 2012, the Louvre’s newest architectural wonder opened—the 30,000-square-foot Arts of Islam wing. Built into the Cour Visconti in the Denon wing and topped with an undulating golden roof evoking a veil blowing in the wind, the two-level galleries house one of the world’s largest collections of art from all corners of the Islamic world.

 
**********The Eiffel Tower is to Paris what the Statue of Liberty is to New York and what Big Ben is London: the ultimate civic emblem. French engineer Gustave Eiffel—already famous for building viaducts and bridges—spent two years working to erect this monument for the World Exhibition of 1889.

B

ecause its colossal bulk exudes a feeling of mighty permanence, you may have trouble believing that it nearly became 7,000 tons of scrap metal (the 1,063-foot tour contains 12,000 pieces of metal and 2,500,000 rivets) when its concession expired in 1909. At first many Parisians hated the structure, agreeing with designer William Morris, who, explaining why he had been spending so much time at the tower, said “Why on earth have I come here? Because it’s the only place I can’t see it from.” Only its potential use as a radio antenna saved the day (it still bristles with a forest of radio and television transmitters). Gradually, though, the Tour Eiffel became part of the Parisian landscape, entering the hearts and souls of Parisians and visitors alike. Today it is most breathtaking at night, when every girder is highlighted in a sparkling display originally conceived to celebrate the turn of the millennium. The glittering light show was so popular that the 20,000 lights were reinstalled for permanent use in 2003. The tower does its electric shimmy for five minutes every hour on the hour until 1 am.

The glittering light show was so popular that the 20,000 lights were reinstalled for permanent use in 2003.

You can stride up the stairs as far as the third floor, but if you want to go to the top you’ll have to take the elevator. (Be sure to take a close look at the fantastic ironwork.) Although the view of the flat sweep of Paris at 1,000 feet may not beat the one from the Tour Montparnasse skyscraper, the setting makes it considerably more romantic—especially if you come in the late evening, after the crowds have dispersed. Beat the crushing lines by reserving your ticket online. You can also book a guided tour.

First stop of the day.Domaine de L’arjolle for some wine tasting at 1130 am. A few purchases and a giggle or two. A nice glow for most of the day. We have a case or two of hand selected wines to select from this vacation.
Beziers train station to get tickets to Paris and Nice. Gare SNCF. Billets to Paris from Beziers, x 4. Depart 6 hr 28 min and arrive 1050 am. Next day return from Paris depart 1807 and arrive Beziers 2233 hours. Anne has graciously and generously offered to take us and pick us up. The stress of driving to meet the deadline was immediately relieved. Thanks Anne!  
Also Pamela purchased billet from Beziers to Nice for 30 October. Thinking it was a short trip …. well, I arrive at 1700 hours in Nice. I will then get to Goldstar hotel and meet the other gals there. Jane, Laura and Sandee.  
TODAY continued: We drove through some very scenic countryside.
Series of nine locks connecting Mediterranean to Atlantic Ocean around Bordeaux. Beziers. Built in 1600s. Canal midi. Is unesco world heritage site. Picturesque. Plane trees lining canal. We stopped to watch a boat come through.  
Driving along tree lined canal through tiny villages. Spectacular
Palm tree groves also along side of road! Cyclists and walkers along side, ducks swimming 
A lot of changing landscapes without going too far. Different microclimates. Now like Alberta farmland …. Flat, cows, farmland, fields and machinery. Closer to the sea, windmills.  
Trois Dingues Beach walk, waded in the water. Selected sea shells. Sandy beach and warm sand, cool sea water. We will come back here! 23 degrees! Ar 3 pm local time 
Sete: two Panoramic lookout spots. 25 degrees. We can see forever! Butterflies and beauty. A school class doing a project… Fun to listen to French. Then another. Panoramique st Clair. lots of great photos!
Seignurie de Peyrat, winery near our place near Roujan. Her name is Cecile and she is lovely. She set up a table in the courtyard of this magnificent old estate, wine glasses, cheeses and breads. The feast began with several wine selections. Whites, rose and then reds. WOW! then a delightful walk through the chapel and on the grounds, through the garden. SEVERAL purchases of yet more wine! And we purchased all the remaining gifts to take home … glass wine stoppers each personally placed in cotton cloth bags cinched with string. Very cool gifts! Or maybe we will keep them all? ha ha – I think we must have bought the last twenty they had!! LOL. Who has that many wine bottles open at once??? Have to give the stoppers away as gifts to deserving friends!!! Are you one?? Speak fast ………..
Still to do, program the GPS in the rental car so I can get us around while Anne is cruising.

Places to visit
Minerve.. Small historical old city, Plus Beau Village, unesco. In gorge up on hilltop. Pretty, takes few hours to walk around it. Takes 1 1/2 hours to get there
Plage before Sete, return to beach 🙂 Trois Dingues
Carcassone, maybe on same day as Minerve if leave early. See castle, not city centre. Walk through castle, fee. Drive to Cite ( not centreville)
Narbonne. Bigger centre, historic. Has canal running through middle of it. Park at Les Halles parking lot and then will be right by canal and shops and city centre from one parking lot.
Montpellier, big square in centre, lots of shopping. Park at Comedie parking lot and will be right in centre square.
Nimes, historic. 1 and 1/2 hour away. Could do Nimes and Montpellier in same day.
Arles. Could do Nimes and Arles same day!Pont du Gard. north of Nimes. Bridge and Nimes same day. :). old roman aqueduct.  
Avignon. hour and half away. pretty much a whole day by itself. Little train may be available to take you around city. May not be still operating this time of year?