France | Daydream Tourist

Jun 6

Outside Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel has always seemed liked a mystic place. Totally isolated, the massive religious fortress seems to rise from the sea. Settled by a hermit saint in 8th century on a tidal rock, kings and commoners alike have sought out this place continually ever since. One of the most recognizable places in France and a UNESCO World Heritage site, you better believe I was going to spend some time exploring Mont Saint-Michel! So in the spirit of those medieval travelers who made the pilgrimage to the Romanesque Church of the Abbey crowning the mountain, here’s how I approached and climbed Mont Saint-Michel.

May 28

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Normandy American Cemetery

This past weekend, Americans celebrated Memorial Day and spent some time remembering all those who gave up their lives in service to our country. This last March I had the chance to visit the D-Day Beaches in Normandy, France. I learned a lot in my visit and was struck at several points by the incredible difficulties faced by the Allies in leading such a massive and risky invasion. But what I returned to this Memorial Day were the individuals interred at the Normandy American Cemetery on the Landing Beaches. The cemetery was impressive in its size but also its reverence and honor of those buried therein.

Nov 15

Matthias Grunewald - Christ, Isenheim altarpiece

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The Isenheim Altarpiece – Art for the Ill

I enjoyed last week’s virtual visit to the incredible Ghent Altarpiece but it got me thinking about other major church pieces I would like to see in person. While this may not be the most intuitive work of art to bring up, I have always been impressed by the suffering, twisted and tortured Cruxification of the Isenheim Altarpiece now in the Alsatian city of Colmer, France.

Matthias Grunewald, Isenheim altarpiece in situ, Colmar, France

Isenheim altarpiece in situ at the Musee d’Unterlinden, Colmar, France

Aug 8

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A Seven Hour Lay-over in Paris

When I first downloaded my photos from Turkey, I was incredibly confused by the first dozen pictures. And then I remembered, we’d spent the afternoon in Paris! Our flights to Turkey included a 7 hour lay-over in Paris. I tried with my best French to ask if we could be switched to an earlier flight to Istanbul but no luck. So with seven hours in Charles de Gaulle and a need to keep jet lag at bay, what did we do? Power up on airport cappuccinos and head into Paris!