May, 2016 - PARIS, FRANCE

Our second road trip was to Paris.  This was on Sandra's "Bucket List", even though she had been there in the 1970's.  I went along for the ride.

Other then the wet cool weather and the tiny hotel room (the entire bathroom would fit in our bathtub at home), it was very enjoyable.  We were very lucky we did not come about two weeks later, as the city was flooded out.

Needless to say I have had to edit down the pictures in order to make this posting manageable.

We start with lunch with friends Alan and Felicity.

Love is sharing your French cuisine.

Loony spoons?

We took a ride on the famous Metro.

Our hotel was just a few blocks from the Moulin Rouge.

Note:  We were told our hotel was in the "Red Light District", but saw no evidence of it.

The very impressive Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Night view over Paris from the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Paris Opera House.

Inside the Opera House.

The "Phantom's" Box.

Eiffel Towed in the rain.

More rain coming.

We take a boat trip to escape the rain.

Paris answer to the London Eye.

I hold up the inverted pyramid at the Louvre.

The Pyramid at the entrance.

The main event at the Louvre.

The Arc de Triumph and tomb of the unknown solderer.

Notre Dame Cathedral.

May, 2016 - BAYEUX, FRANCE - ROAD TRIP

We rent a VW crossover type vehicle and take the first of two road trips to Bayeux to see the famous tapestry and the Normandy Invasion Museum.  Forgot the camera!  Not a total disaster as no pictures allowed of the tapestry.

The tapestry is very impressive and well worth the visit if you are ever in the area.  It was commissioned by the Bishop as a morality lesson.  Harold broke his sworn oath to William and was punished, by God, as a result.

The Normandy Invasion Museum is also very good.

May, 2016 - LE HAVRE, FRANCE

Another motor sail to the huge port of Le Havre.  We end up on the brand new visitors dock and received a 20% discount as the water and power were not yet hooked up.  This was ok with us as we planned to rent a car with friends Felicity and Alan for a road trip to Bayeux and Paris.

The city was virtually rebuilt from the ground up after WW II.  Well planned, with very good transportation options and an amazing modern cathedral.  One of the few cities in Europe where it is fairly easy to get around in a car.

The cathedral overlooks Passat II at the marina.

Inside the cathedral 1.

Inside the cathedral 2.

Inside the cathedral 3.

Inside the cathedral 4.

The beach promenade is lined with restaurants and bars, seating set up for people watching.

Sunset at the beach.

The Canadian ports connected with Le Harve.

Art in the park.

More art in the park.

War memorial.

City Hall.

Fountain in the main square.

Marble ball rotates in a water fountain.

The opera hall, aka the Volcano.

The library.  Maybe should be called the Flying Saucer.

May, 2016 - FECAMP, FRANCE

We motor sailed to Fecamp and tied up to the hammerhead at the end of the visitor's dock.  In this tidal marina it was the only spot we could be and remain afloat.  Pleasant town, with a decent chandler, where we bought a new "Windex" for the top of the mast, the previous one having abandoned ship on an earlier passage.

This is where the Benedictine Monks made Benedictine and Brandy (B&B).  We resisted the temptation to check it out.

We take on a boatload of flies on our passage.

Harbor night lights.

Beauty on the promenade.

Harbor entrance is closed to traffic.

The entrance looks clear, what's up?

Dredging just up the fairway is the answer.