A Journey Through Belle France

France Pourquoi? My Story

Our Itinerary

Day 1 - Nice

Day 2 - Old Nice, Matisse Museum, Russian Cathedral, and Eze

Day 3 - Grasse, Gorges du Verdon, Aiguines

Day 4 - Roussillon

Day 5 - Isle sue la Sourge, Orange, Vaison la Romaine

Day 6 - Vaison la Romaine, Les Girasols Winery, Gigondas

Day 7 - Chataueneuf du Pape, Avignon, Pope's Palace

Day 8 - Avignon, Les Baux, Pont du Gard

Day 9 - Arles, Cassis

Day 10 - Cassis

Day 11 - Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer

Day 12 - Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer

Day 13 - Farewell

My amore of this far away place grew when I took French in high school. It would have been more practical to take Spanish, as most people do, seeing as I live in California. But passion knows no practicality and so when I graduated high school I had two years of French under my belt and a very bad accent. I felt I was ready to see the world, but it would be another eleven years before I finally made it across the pond. Once I finally arrived in Paris I felt like I was home. As Gertrude Stein once said, "America is my country and Paris is my hometown". Standing on the Pont Royal near my favorite restaurant looking out over the Seine, I knew exactly how she felt. But I also knew there was so much more to France than Paris. So I decided I needed to come back and see some of the country, and in 2004 I had my chance.

I have always loved France, but until recently that love was based solely on a previous trip to Paris and all the photo books that I own of this amazing country. My fascination with France began at a very early age. I am told by my parents that, at the age of five, I announced I was going to go see the Eiffel Tower when I grew up. My destiny was set!

Tour

Once I took Rick Steves' Ireland tour in 2002 (special thanks to Pat and Stephen), I knew that the only way I wanted to see the French countryside then as a member of a Rick Steves' tour. When I told my friend Linda about the trip, she decided she wanted to go too. So we bought the tickets, got on the plane, and somehow made it over the big blue ocean (those of you who love the movie French Kiss will recognize the plagiarism here), and arrived in Nice on May 30 ready to embrace everything French. Ooh la la!

Home

Bonjour and welcome to my web site dedicated to my journey through the heart of southern France. How do you begin to describe southern France to someone who has never been there? Well, in the following pages I will try to bring my experience to life through my photos and my stories. As you read, think if the aroma of lavender, a glass of good red wine, chocolate, cheese, and fresh baked croissants. Think of the sounds of laughter, glasses clinking together, music, and three kisses on your cheek. Fill your head with visions of poppies, Van Gogh paintings, and water so blue you think you are looking at the sky. Finally, fill your heart with friendly "Bonjours" and a small sense of awe at the beauty of it all. Now you are ready to experience Belle France.