May 29, 30, 31 - Paris. Our first visit to this truly grand city and we are loving it. We've done a couple of bike tours and walked all over the place. This is Sainte-Chapelle.

This is a photo of Sainte-Chapelle (built between 1242 & 1248) and it is very hard to do it justice. A simply stunning display of magnificent stained glass windows wrapped around the chapel. We've never seen anything like it before.

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Saint-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle

Notre Dame cathedral

Saint-Chapelle

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Musee d'Orsay - A painting of Monet by Renoir.....now there are 2 names!!

Musee d'Orsay - oh what an exhibition of great art. Just to start here's some Monet and there was plenty of his wonderful work to see.

Monet - we've had a print of this for about 30 years and finally here's the original.....a moment!

Renoir

The amazing Van Gogh

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Honore Daumier - 36 busts of French members of Parliament.

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Jean-Baptise Carpeaux - 'Ugolin'

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Where could we possibly be?

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Rodins garden - famous sculptor (1840-1917). This is part of a sculpture depicting 6 town leaders of Calais destined for execution by the British as part of a deal to save the rest of the towns population. This was one incident that occurred in 1347 as part of the 100 year war.

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Rodin - the thinker. Image often used represent philosophy. Tried this once but nothing happened :)

Started our adventure in Paris with a night Fat Tire tour and the nrxt morning with their day tour. A great way too see the city, get some of the ample history and simply get an understanding of where things are.

Buddy

May 28 - Chambord....oh what a chateau!!!

Chambord was intended as a hunting lodge but at 156m long, 56m tall, 77 staircases, 282 fireplaces and 426 rooms it is simply an extravagant 16th century chateau.

I think quite the perfect place for Ashleigh & Sharon to canter :)

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What makes you think this place is extravagant, well just in part because this a downpipe.... What the!!

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Blois - our stepping off point for Chambrod