Exploring the Sarthe: Saint-Calais
A day trip on market day Saint-Calais is one of France's two-hundred-some Petites Cités de Caractère. These days it has about 3,000 inhabitants, and as…
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2023-12-16
Sillé-le-Guillaume
The medieval town Guillaume de Sillé, a vassal of the Count of Maine, built a fortress here on the fringes of Maine, and assisted in defending…
2023-12-12
Fresnay-sur-Sarthe
Wednesday after arrival, I made my first day trip in the Sarthe. I was out uncharacteristically early, catching a 7:35 am bus, because I wanted…
2023-12-12
Exploring the Sarthe with Le Mans as my base
I traveled straight on to Le Mans after arriving at CDG airport, Paris. It's easy to get to, just an hour forty minutes by train…
2023-12-07
Loving Opera at Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse
I goofed up badly but luckily was saved
I came to see Toulouse, the Pink City, when I could catch a production of La Traviata. This is my story of a screw-up that turned out fine; and I share great aria links.
2023-07-15
The best airport connections in Occitanie, France
Airport shuttles and public transport
Trying to decide your travel routes in SW France? I'll tell you how to have the easiest transfers in Occitanie and which airports are best to use.
2023-06-15
A happy return to Montpellier’s Opéra-Comédie
The beautiful Opéra-Comédie of Montpellier, with some outstanding conductors and excellent performers and productions, has quickly become a favorite destination of mine.
2023-06-08
A return to sunny Nîmes in the Gard
Easy arrival, convenient lodgings
I had an opera ticket for Montpellier, but chose to stay in Nimes because it's so easy to get to, pleasant to stay in, and has decent accommodations right by the train/bus station.
2023-06-07
A stroll in Fontenay-le-Comte, Vendée
We were beginning our explorations of Deux-Sèvres, but as usual I had some detours in mind. We left Niort and rather than heading directly northeast…
2023-04-17
Cognac in Charente
My only thought in heading to Cognac was that, since Kristian and I have to keep postponing an exploration of Bordeaux and its wine towns,…
2023-04-16
Touring Charente-Maritime – 3: Saint-Jean-d’Angély
Charente-Maritime has interested me since I read that it enjoys a micro-climate that is much milder than would be expected in this zone. As I've…
2023-04-15
Touring Charente-Maritime – 2: Saintes
We were quite delighted with Charente-Maritime by the time we got to Saintes in the evening, having explored Jonzac and Pons after our leisurely morning…
2023-04-15