The Bernstein Family
France - October, 1998
In 1998 we decided to go to Central France. It was our first trip to Europe together (I had been previously for "architecture school".) The trip included Paris and the Rhone Valley, Burgundy, Massif Central and Loire Valley regions. Using Paris and Lyon as hubs, we took the train through the French countryside and learned the right way to live, work, and eat. In fact, the city of Tours is currently in third place for the place we'd like to live when we leave the U.S. to retire. It used to be first, but it has since been bumped by the entire country of Austria and Vicenza, Italy.
Using Paris as a hub, we visited several areas in Central France.
We didn't go up, but the lake around the base was beautiful.
Home of the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory
Author Victor Hugo lived at #6 from 1832-1848 while writing Les Miserables.
Vieux (Old) Lyon across the Saone River
Timbered houses and shops on Rue Verrerie
The 10th-century church of St. Michel d'Aighuile perched atop a lava plug
Restored 15th-century homes around Place Plumereau
Town of Amboise
Location of the first straight staircase in France. The concept was brought to France from Italy by Catherine de Medici of Florence, wife of King Henry II.
The place to find the most beautiful stained glass windows in the world and the rudest people in all of France.
Former "hunting lodge" of Kings Louis XIII, XIV, and XV.