Our First Week in Chartres

The purpose of this blog is to share our month long stay in Chartres, France with our family and friends.  We are very excited to spend the rest of the summer together in France!  

And away we go - leaving RDU Airport July 18, 2014

Gary and I arrived safely into Charles DeGaulle airport and took the one hour train ride into Chartres via Gare Montparnasse. We walked about a mile from the train station to 49 Rue Muret--our home address in Chartres. As you can see by the number of suitcases (thank God for those wheels on the bags), we probably will not run out of clothes (or shoes--Donna) to wear. LOL. We were happily greeted by Leslie and Jeff Smith (my sister and brother-in-law) at the front door and, within minutes, we were having a glass of French wine. We did a good job sleeping on the plane on the overnight flight so we were ready to go when we hit the door. 

We settled into our small, but charming home in the heart of the city--unpacked all of our bags.  The original house was built in the middle ages (between 1400 and 1500)--hard to believe. For some reason, they did not include walk-in closets! The first picture you see below is a shot of the front door of our new "home away from home" - for at least the next 4 weeks. The narrow street coming up a steep hill runs right in front of the house--you could get a takeout delivered by merely opening the front door or for that matter our bedroom window on the front of the house. 

We had our first French dinner at L'Emmanon with Leslie and Jeff.  Wonderful first meal with great vin blanc! We could have stayed at the restaurant all evening--we love how you never feel rushed in Europe (you own the table for the night). You have to ask for the bill to be delivered (L'addition s'il vous plait). 

On our first day we strolled around town to check out our new neighborhood.  Chartres is a city of about 40,000 people with plenty of cute and interesting shops.  We are staying in the old historic district of town.  Below you can see a few street shots, which actually look more modern than the city looks and feels. So nice not to see Gap or Banana Republic stores, and not a corner Walgreens in sight. 

Our third day in Chartres was the date of our 42nd wedding anniversary -  22 Julliet!  We had a great celebration grilling out Leslie and Jeff. Very cool place to celebrate an anniversary!! Of course, this was a two bottle of wine event. 

Me and my handsome husband of 42 years! Lucky me!! 

Thanks to Leslie and Jeff for a WONDERFUL bottle of French wine!!! 

Next up........Road trip to Bayeux and the D-Day Beaches!!

After the arrival of my niece (Kelly Smith Jones) and her husband (Pete Jones) the six of us drove to the Normandy area.

Our pilot Jeff 

And trusty navigator, Pete

The navigation improved as Leslie was demoted to the back seat--just kidding! Speaking French and reading a map are not necessarily overlapping abilities. 

We arrived in the charming town of Bayeux for a lovely lunch before heading to the D-Day beaches.  Gary took the photo.

From Bayeux, we drove to the D-Day beach area. Our first visit was to the cemetery on the hillside of Omaha Beach.  Very moving.....  Makes one appreciate the sacrifice of so many men and women so that we can all enjoy freedom.

Omaha Beach today

After a most interesting and emotionally moving afternoon visiting the D-Day beaches and Memorial sites, we drove back to Bayeux for the night.  We stayed in the Hotel Reine Mathilde.  The following morning we were excited to view the famous Bayeux Tapestry.  

The Tapestry is actually an embroidered cloth that is 230 feet long.  It depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England led by William, Duke of Normandy and better known as William the Conqueror. The tapestry is very intricately embroidered with fine detail. Below is a small sample of the Tapestry photographed from a post card.

Next stop Le Mont Saint-Michel......

A quick bite at a sidewalk cafe near Mont Saint-Michel--the ultimate French roadside experience!

Mont Saint-Michel is an island commune in Normandy located off the northwestern coast of France.  It has held strategic fortifications since ancient times and has been the seat of a monastery and abbey since the 8th century--that's old.  It is one of France's most recognizable landmarks. Wow!  A truly AMAZING sight!

Walking the causeway over to Le Mont Saint-Michel

Gary and I within the walls of Mont Saint-Michel

Back to Chartres for a night and . . . 

One more "very cool" adventure below.......

The Tour de France!!!!

Back on the road heading to see the race (27 Julliet)!

Once in a blue moon, one has perfect timing!  We were fortunate enough to be here in France for the "last leg" of the Tour!!  We had originally planned to take the one hour train to Paris to watch the grand finale on the Champs Ellysees, but we instead found a very charming, quaint little town called Gometz la Ville.  The Tour was coming DIRECTLY down the main street of this picturesque little town.  OMG!  What a treat! We were so close to the cyclists, including the winner himself Vincenzo Nibali!!

Check these pics out!! We were hanging out with the locals waiting for the big moment! Let the festivities begin. 

And here they come!!!!

And finally the Yellow Jersey!  

Unbelievably to be so close to the action. Gary climbed up on the wall by the church and captured it all on video. Wow! What an event. 


Stay tuned. More to come . . . .