Archive for the ‘France’ Category

Nicolas Sarkozy and Julien

Mittwoch, März 30th, 2011

For the inauguration of teh new French Embassy in Beijing Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy was visiting Beijing. Julien went to the event and it is funny that CRI published a picture showing Julien on the far right side while chatting to Nicolas Sarkozy.

Fixie Ride from Denmark to Paris

Montag, Oktober 18th, 2010

My friend Rune from Denmark rode in 12 days from Denmark to Paris with a group of other fixed gear bike friends from Denmark. And he came in first. Here is a link to pictures from their amazing trip.

Denmark to Paris ride

Wedding in Tours

Samstag, September 19th, 2009

Friends had their wedding today in the center of Tours in the main Cathedral.

Cathedral of Tours

The wedding couple greeted all the guests standing outside of the cathedral.

The French Wedding Couple

The inside of the cathedral was very nice.

Interior of Cathedral of Tours

Wedding Guests inside the Tours Cathedral

After the wedding ceremony everybody was talking pictures of the family.

Family of Bride and Groom

Family of Bride and Groom

And then all the wedding guests were wishing them well.

Congratulating the Wedding Couple

I was happy to see there are bike lanes in Tours, but they were very narrow. The bike symbol was all crunched together.

Bike Lane Symbol in Tours

After that we moved on to the Chateau de Vaugrignon for an apperitif with Champagne on the terrace of the chateau.

Chateau de Vaugrignon

There we later had a very nice dinner with excellent food and drinks before the place was turned into a dance floor and we partied until sunrise.

Wedding Couple

Dancing like Crazy

Still Wearing Formal Clothes

Dancing around the Wedding Couple

70 Years l’Atelier Industriel de l’Aeronautique

Samstag, September 19th, 2009

Today was the 70 years anniversary of l’Atelier Industriel de l’Aeronautique. So we went to have a look at the festivity.

70 Years AIA Celebration

70 Years Celebration

They had the helicopter that we say flying yesterday on display

Helicopter

and the AlphaJet

AlphaJet

as well as the TransAll which was parked with the Puy de Dome Mountain in the background.

TransAll and Puy de Dome Mountain

But I was happy that they also had also set up a bicycle parcour for children to promote safe cycling.

Bicycle Safety Parcour

We then went on towards the city of Tour. Along the way the kilometer counter of the car went from 99999km to 100000km 🙂

Car at 99999km

Car at 100000

Puy de Dome

Freitag, September 18th, 2009

We spent some time on the highway via Saint-Etienne to Clermont-Ferrand.

Saint-Etienne Highway

We went to the major French site „Puy de Dome“ which is the highest of the volcanic mountains in the Auvergne.

Volcanic Mountains in the Auvergne

From the Puy de Dome summit there is a good view of Clermont-Ferrand.

Puy de Dome summit

But the wind was very strong at the summit. It felt like we were being blown away. It helps to be a rock climber and able to hold ourselves on the fence.

Strong Wind at Puy de Dome Summit

By coincidence our friend Manu was accompanying a helicopter test flight (once in 2 years) and they were headed towards the Puy de Dome. So we waited in the cold wind trying look and listen out for a helicopter. Finally we saw them.

Helicopter Test Flight

He was sitting in the back and waved at us. Unfortunately my camera is not so good, but you can see the guy with the white shirt.

Manu in the Helicopter

A bit later we met with Manu and he took us to a magical fountain. The water contains gas that is released from the water and as there is a kind of natural siphon structure it erupts about every second when enough gas has gathered.

Magical Volcanic Fountain

Val and Manu have bought a very nice old stone building that they have been renovating for some time already. It is getting more and more beautiful. In the evening after having some ham from a full pig leg we went to the inaugural concert of the Harmonic Orchestra of Clermont-Ferrand. They played various classical and modern pieces.

L’Orchestre d’Harmonie de Clermont-Ferrand

Forest near Lyon

Donnerstag, September 17th, 2009

The weather was beautiful today. So we set out hunting for mushrooms in a forest near Lyon. It had been quite moist lately in this region but despite searching in vain we only managed to find 3 old ones. So we had to find something else for dinner.

Hunting for Mushrooms in a Forest near Lyon

The guys went to play some tennis and the girls (Nanu and me) went inline skating.

Playing Tennis

Inline Skating

Chartreuse Mountains – Le Cirque de Saint-Meme Hike

Mittwoch, September 16th, 2009

We continued on to the Chartreuse Mountains to a small village called Le Cirque de Saint-Meme. At the beginning of the short hike was the first small waterfall.

Le Cirque de Saint-Meme Waterfall

But hiking up brought us into the clouds. The forest became foggier.

Hiking in the Foggy Forest

When we arrived at the 3rd waterfall it was hard to see it at all. It must be more impressive in the spring time when it hass more water.

Chartreuse Mountain Waterfall

Chartreuse Mountain Waterfall

But it seems to be quite moist here most of the year as some trees were completely covered with moss.

Mossy Tree

Chartreuse Mountain Small Waterfall

Hiking in the Chartreuse Mountains

At the end of the hike there was a short moment that I could see the actual cliffs of the Chartreuse mountains peaking through the clouds.

Massif de Chartreuse

Lake of Annecy

Dienstag, September 15th, 2009

Annecy is a nice small town. It is located on a lake that is perfect for sailing.

Sailing Boat Club on Lake of Annecy

Lake of Annecy

The old town center is very beautiful. I had a picture taken the Chinese style.The idea is that the person isin the center covering the building of interes almost completely and having the hand in the typical V sign.

Annecy Historic Island Building

Here is another picture of the town historical island from the other side.

Annecy Town Center

It was very nice to see Sandrine and Seb again after such a long time. Unfortunately they were too busy with work and their new apartment so they could not join us for any outdoor activity. Maybe next time we meet again 🙂

Friends

Ruins of Castle Landskron

Sonntag, September 13th, 2009

There are quite some ruins of castles in the Vosges mountain range between Germany and France. We went to see the ruins of Castle Landskron (Chateau du Landskron) in the Alsace.

Ruins of Castle Landskron

Ruine der Burg Landskron

This castle had been built at the end of the 13th century by the Muench of Basel.

Chateau du Landskron

Ruins of Castle Landskron

Ruins of Castle Landskron

Ruins of Castle Landskron

The were many wars fought around the castle and it had changed from being possed by different people. The main destruction of the castle happened in the beginning of the 19th century and it had remained just as ruins since then.

Ruins of Castle Landskron

From the top of the castle there is a great view over the Rhine valley looking into the direction of the city of Basel.

The Rhine Valley

Also the Vosges mountains in the North and South are beautiful.

Vosges Mountains in Alsace

And it was a beautiful day to be outdoors.

Group Photo

Ines in the Sun on Castle Landskron